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Liaison Newsletter > LIAISON Vol. 1, No. 4, July 1997 - Articles

« Return to Liaison Vol. 1, No. 4 Index

Enthusiasm and Fun abound at 1997 AGM
by Joan Broughton

About a hundred people joined in various activities associated with the 51st Annual General Meeting of UNA-Canada over the week-end of June 13th to 15th in Toronto. We were pleased with the comfortable and functional facilities at Ryerson’s International Conference Centre. We were delighted to have participants from as far as Victoria and St. John’s, with a particularly large group from Toronto. Each person brought his or her particular experiences and perspectives to contribute to the discussions and workshops—and all went home imbued with a renewed enthusiasm and a greater sense of community. The Association is first and foremost the collected dedication of its members and supporters who, together, are committed to ensuring a positive role for the United Nations on the global stage and for a central role for Canada as a key Member State of that Organization.

Part of the week-end was taken up in the formal administrative sessions of Association business. The National President, Muriel Smith highlighted the various programme initiatives and noted that, given our own constraints, we should have sympathy with the UN and its need to stretch scarce resources to meet substantial demands! She paid tribute to the various staff and volunteers at all levels of the Association across the country who had contributed to a wide range of successful programmes. She also commended management at the National Office that had ensured a year-end surplus of about $32,000 that has significantly diminished our debt.

There was also considerable discussion leading to approval, in principle, of processes that would bring a fresh approach to branch-national relationships. Based on the premise that the Association is one organization that would work more efficiently if it had both an effective national office and a strong dynamic municipal base of Branches, the reforms propose significant changes in the way the Association raises membership fees and contributions from individuals, and how it shares those resources within the organization. Many of the details are to be worked out in the next six months, but there was a sense of excitement at the prospect of dynamic new growth and sharing of resources.

The Annual Meeting is also the time of election of a new National Board of Directors. Several individuals were warmly thanked for their contributions as Board members in recent years (Alan Clarke, Duncan Moore, Patrick Morin, David Morrison and Glenn Nicholls). The new Board, elected by acclamation, was introduced to the membership (see full list in this issue). The position of Youth Director is currently vacant and will be filled over the summer, after consultations with Branches and Board members.

With the formal sessions completed, the participants shared ideas and drew on each other’s experiences through a series of informal but very rewarding workshops.

  • the computer labs of Ryerson permitted hands-on exploration of the electronic highway
  • Walter McLean and Brad Munro facilitated a discussion on the opportunities and challenges presented by the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1998. This has been identified as the primary area for UNA programme focus for the next eighteen months or so.
  • Robin Collins animated a workshop on anti-personnel landmines, with a particular focus on the current "Ottawa process" that will lead to the adoption of a formal international treaty in Ottawa in December of this year.
  • Shane Roberts enlivened a session on school outreach programmes, drawing on his own extensive experiences with model UN’s and other initiatives in the NCR Branch
  • two highly interactive sessions shared ideas on 1) conducting effective Branch management and 2) envisaging a collective vision for the future role and practices of our Association

There was also ample time for more relaxed interaction. We were privileged on Friday to be invited to a warm reception hosted by the Lt. Governor of Ontario, Mrs. Hilary Weston. Two dinners were opportunities to mingle among friends - and to share ideas with two speakers. Mr. Robert Fowler, Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, spoke about Canada’s role in the reform process at the UN (see "Canadian Priorities at the UN"). David Morrison, retiring Board member and long-time professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, shared personal reflections on human rights issues and experiences. Last, but certainly not least, we had an opportunity to laugh with a wonderful group of people (!) from Clowns Sans Frontières—an organization which sends clowns to war-torn countries to spread a little joy there.

As people headed home there was a renewed sense of enrichment and purpose. The Toronto Branch members who helped facilitate the meetings are to be commended. Now it is forward into a new year of activity - and on to St. John’s for the 1998 Annual General Meeting next June.