MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE WESTIN HOTEL, OTTAWA, ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2009, AT 7:00 AM

PRESENT:
Mike Williscraft, President
Paul MacNeill, First Vice-President
Greg Nesbitt, Second Vice-President
Abbas Homayed, Treasurer
Frank McTighe, Corporate Secretary
Coleen Campbell, Chairman of the Board

STAFF PRESENT:
John Hinds, Chief Executive Officer
Tina Ongkeko, Managing Director, Community Media

1. CALL TO ORDER AND PRESIDENT’S REMARKS

Mike Williscraft called the meeting to order at 7:19 AM and welcomed all present.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED by Paul MacNeill, seconded by Abbas Homayed THAT THE AGENDA BE APPROVED AS CIRCULATED. CARRIED.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOVED by Greg Nesbitt, seconded by Frank McTighe, THAT THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2009, IN SASKATOON BE APPROVED AS CIRCULATED. CARRIED.

4. BUSINESS ARISING

None.

5. IN CAMERA SESSION

An in camera session was held with the CEO present, with no motions arising.

6. TREASURER’S REPORT

a) August 31, 2009, financial statement

Abbas Homayed reported that the association is performing ahead of budget in all areas except Awards. John Hinds added that CCNA received a reimbursement from ComBase in September for expenses incurred on its behalf. Canadian Media Circulation Audit and Community Content revenues are performing well, and staff continue to be mindful of expenses.

b)2010 draft budget and funding formula

Abbas Homayed presented the draft 2010 budget.

A discussion took place regarding the future of ComBase with the launch of the 2008-2009 study approaching. With ComBase expecting no revenues in 2010, John recommended a one-time allocation out of CCNA reserves to help sustain ComBase while the association determines the subsidiary’s next steps.

MOVED BY Abbas Homayed, seconded by Paul MacNeill THAT THE DRAFT 2010 BUDGET BE RECOMMENDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH  ONE AMENDMENT CONSISTING OF A ONE-TIME RESERVE ALLOCATION TO SUPPORT COMBASE. CARRIED.

7. ACTIVITY REPORT

John presented his written report and gave an update on the lawsuit filed by former CMCA contractor JMG Enterprises.

A discussion took place regarding the two-year co-management agreement with the Canadian Newspaper Association, which expires in May 2010. The executive agreed that the board might be prepared to review and consider renewing the two-year agreement at the February board meeting.

ACTION: That staff prepare a progress report on the co-management agreement for the next board meeting.

The committee discussed the government relations report that is being presented to the board today. The report addresses some of the steps taken, progress made, and ongoing challenges in efforts to promote advertising in community newspapers to the federal government.

RECOMMENDATION: That President Mike Williscraft strike a government relations committee as recommended by the report.

MOVED BY Frank McTighe, seconded by Abbas Homayed, THAT THE ACTIVITY REPORT BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.

8. COMBASE

John reported that preliminary figures have been sent to some members for review, and that the rest will receive theirs shortly.

A discussion took place regarding the future of ComBase following the launch of this study. The committee agreed that the current methodology for the study is difficult to sustain, and that some balance must be found between what advertisers and agencies want and what publishers need and can provide.

RECOMMENDATION: That President Mike Williscraft strike a task force to examine the future of ComBase. The recommendations of the task force should be presented for review at the CCNA board’s May 2010 meeting.

MOVED BY Frank McTighe, seconded by Abbas Homayed, THAT THE COMBASE REPORT BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. CARRIED.

9. OVERVIEW OF MEETING SCHEDULE AND BOARD AGENDA

John commented that the board discussion over dinner the previous night seemed to be very effective. The evening was an opportunity for candid discussion about ComBase, the co-management agreement, and the government relations report. The committee agreed that this format should be continued at future meetings.

10. OTHER BUSINESS

a. Cadogan Foundation – Outstanding Columnist Award endowment

MOVED BY Paul MacNeill, seconded by Greg Nesbitt THAT THE EXECUTIVE RECOMMEND ESTABLISHING THE CADOGAN COLUMNIST AWARD ENDOWMENT FUND, WITH THE GUIDANCE SUBMITTED BY THE CADOGAN FOUNDATION TO BE SET AS THE FUND POLICY. CARRIED.

b. Saskatchewan

A discussion took place regarding the current make-up of the executive committee.

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held in early February 2010, in conjunction with the CCNA board meeting.

12. IN-CAMERA SESSION

An in-camera session was held with no motions arising.

13. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 AM on a motion by Paul MacNeill.