Saskatchewan Writers Guild 2004 Annual General Meeting
October 17, 2004
Parktown, Saskatoon

  1. Call to order 9:20 a.m.

  2. Approval of Agenda.

  1. Approval of the minutes of the 2003 Annual General Meeting.

  1. Business Arising from the Minutes - none

  2. First call for nominations to the Board of Director – Ken Mitchell

  3. Access Copyright Report – Bill Klebeck – Contained in the Annual Report.  Motion to accept report    seconded by    Carried.

  4. Reports to the Membership:

    1. President – Reg Silvester:    Contained in the Annual Report.  Motion by James Romanow to accept the report, Gerry Hill seconds.  Carried.

    2. Finance – James Romanow:  Contained in the Annual Report.  Motion by James Romanow to accept the report, Merle Massie seconds.  Carried.

    1. Executive Director – Susan Hogarth:  Contained in the Annual Report.  Motion by Anthony Bidulka to accept the report, James Romanow seconds.  Carried.

  1. Second call for nominations to the Board of Directors – Ken Mitchell

  2. Reports from Committees:

    1. Grain – Contained in the Annual Report.  Motion by   to accept the report James Romanow, seconded by Ken Mitchell.  Carried.

    2. Saskatchewan Writers/Artists Colony - Contained in the Annual Report.  Motion by Judy McCrosky to accept the report, seconded by Bob Currie.  Carried.

    3. Policy Committee - Contained in the Annual Report.   Motion by Felicia Daunt to accept the report, seconded by Karlene Gibson.  Carried.

    4. Membership Committee – Provided...  Motion by Sharon Adam to accept the report, seconded by Diane Young.  Carried.  The committee will focus on Aboriginal people.

    5. Fundraising Committee – Contained in the Annual Report.  Motion by James Romanow to accept the report, seconded by Bob Calder.  Carried.

    6. Professional Development Committee Attached, and Contained in the Annual Report. 

    1. Saskatchewan Writers in Schools Report:  Dave Glaze, Verbal.  Dave and Ken Mitchell have been working to get more Saskatchewan books in Saskatchewan schools.  Motion by Dave Glaze to accept the report, seconded by Mary Love.  Carried.  Note:  The work Dave and Ken have done is exceptional.

  1. Presentation of Volunteer Leadership Award:  Reg Silvester presents this aware to Robert Currie.

  2. Third call for nominations to the Board of Directors – Ken Mitchell.  Nominations for president cease.  Motion to destroy ballots by Hazel Kellner, seconded by Brenda Niskala.  Carried.  Nominations cease.  Motion

  3. New Business

    1. Membership Fees:   Motion to waive written two-week notice of this discussion.  Moved by Lloyd Ratzlaff, seconded by Gerry Hill.  Defeated.

    2. Windscript:  Motion that the SWG put out a call for proposal from individuals and groups to assume the operation of Windscript; and that the proposals include provisions for Windscript to encourage young writers to participate in Guild programs, services, and membership.  Moved by Bruce Rice, seconded by Rhett Soveran.  Carried.

    3. spring:  Motion that the SWG Board develop criteria and guidelines for the editors of Spring that would encourage the publication of emerging writers in this province, and that the Board find means to keep Spring going as an ongoing annual publication.  Moved by Brenda Niskala, seconded by Judy McCrosky.  Carried.

    4. Trusts:  Motion that the SWG Board re-examine existing trusts with a view to consolidating the goals of the trusts where possible while still honoring the memory of those for whom the trusts were developed, and that as future trusts are developed, they be flexible with respect programming.  Moved by Brenda Niskala, seconded by Karlene Gibson.  Carried.

    5. Inclusivity:  Motion that the SWG Board develop a strategy to be more inclusive of Saskatchewan Aboriginal writers.  Moved by Karlene Gibson, seconded by Brenda Niskala.  Carried.

  1. Third call for nominations to the Board of Directors.  Motion to destroy ballots for President.  Moved by Ken Mitchell, seconded by Bob Currie.  Sharon Adam moves that nominations cease.  Motion that the ballots be destroyed.  Moved by Merle Massie, seconded by Gerry Hill.  Carried.

  2. Election of 2004/2005 Board of Directors:
    President – Judy McCrosky
    Board Members:  Tony Bidulka, Bob Calder, Hazel Kellner, and Tracy Hamon.

  3. Acknowledgements:  Reg acknowledges outgoing Board members.

  4. Adjournment:  12:55.  Motion to adjourn.  Ken Mitchell.