Remember that Executive meetings are open to any members that wish to attend. See first hand how your executive work behind the scenes. If anyone is interested in more information, or the location , you can email us from the contact page here, or call us.

It was an open Mic session, no speaker was scheduled. John talked most of the time, but everyone seemed interested in the discussion. He introduced the new executive that was present, talked about the summer fundraiser picnic we had in July. He touched on the Website & statistics; we’re actually getting several hits per day from many areas, even as far away as Australia. He gave a short talk on the highlights of the UOAC AGM in Ottawa this past August, including talking  about the numbers of members, cost of Ostomy Canada Magazine , the new Ostomy Muskoka chapter that was accepted (There is now 49 chapters under the UOAC), discussed briefly the new UOAC website.

John Made it clear that our mission is not to have thousands upon thousands of dollars in the bank , with hundreds & hundreds of members, but rather, our mission is to be of service & assistance to fellow ostomates & there families within the Niagara Region, but in order to accomplish our mission, we need members & funds. He went on to talk about the Wal-Mart Barbeque that Bruce & Cathy host, and how Wal-Mart matches dollar for dollar the proceeds that are collected at that event. A special thanks to Cathy & Bruce, and of course, Wal-Mart.

On the topic of funds, We have to realize that  National Office takes $20 out of your yearly membership dues, so we’re left with a mere $5 from membership, it’s easy to see that $5 per yr doesn’t go very far in running a chapter, One of the members raised a motion to increase the membership fee to $30 per year, John provided some stats taken from the Ostomy Canada Website to show our position in relation to other Chapters, motion was deferred till October Meeting, so notice can be put into the newsletter, informing members of the proposed change. All members are encouraged to come to the October meeting to vote on the change.

In hopes of spurring on some members to participate behind the scenes of the General meetings, areas that the executive could use some help and assistance were discussed, There was also discussion indicating that the Executive meetings are being opened up to regular members; all members are encouraged to attend executive meetings.

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Members watched a short video on Ostomy Canada Youth Camp, John asked for anyone to step up and explore avenues to create funding to send a child to camp. He  told the members If someone comes forward to head up the fundraising ,  and raised enough funds to pay for the registration for at least 1 child ($550) ,( and he made it clear that funds cannot be taken from existing chapter revenues or events),He  would put in $200 on top of that, as his contribution towards Youth Camp.

Meeting was then turned over to have about a 20 minute Open Mic Session, everyone enjoyed refreshments and baked goods, and our first meeting of the year is now behind us!

We will be discussing  such things as Chapter awareness, the running of the chapter and finances,  planning the Guest speakers line up, etc .

 I’m excited about the upcomming year , and sure hope we can  reach out to as many ostomates as possible in the Niagara Area.

 Refreshments & light snacks

We had our second annual summer fund raiser picnic in July , at MacFarland Park on Niagara River Road in Niagara on the Lake, with an attendance of almost 30 people. It was a perfect day ,considering all the rain & cool weather we’ve had this year. I for one enjoyed lots of good  food and conversation with fellow members & guests.  The food was excellent as always, Thanks  to Cathy & Bruce, you people do an awsome job on the barbeque!

It was a pleasure to have Roger & Anne Ivol from the Hamilton & District Chapter attend this event, It’s always a delight to chat with them, they are a wealth of information and ideas, I’ve tapped into their ideas in the past, and I’m sure I’ll be  picking their brains many more times in the future. (Just to warn you , Roger)

I would also like to thank the following  Companies for their kind & generous donations to help make our summer fundraiser even more succesful.

Dell/Lewis & Krall    101-105 Queenston Street , St Catharines (905)938-5138

Empire Counter Tops    19 Yale Crescent, St Catharines, ( 905 )641-0638

Garden City Meats     168 Pelham Road, St Catharines  (905 )685-5574

Motion Specialties     1-111 4th Ave St Catharines, (905) 688-0420

Wal Mart

The Executive have been taking it a bit easier over the summer, but that’s not to say we’ve been totally lax either, we’ve been working on lining up the Guest Speakers, promoting Chapter awareness, and some other background detail work, however, having said that,I think  we’re all getting ready to get back into the swing of the upcomming year.