Ulkosuomalaisparlamentti

Minutes of the

USP / FEP, Canadian Region, Annual General Meeting

Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, PACI Building
401 Red River Road, Thunder Bay, ON
Saturday, 22.6.2019

Present: Veli Niinimaa (Chairman, FEP, Canadian Region), Pirjo Tastula (Finlandia Village), Anja Erwin (Finnish Language School Thunder Bay), Kauko Ylinen (Pelimanni Orchestra), Ahti Tolvanen (Otava Kuoro), Helena Armiento, Chris Armiento

Minutes
1. The meeting was called to order at 16:10 and Veli Niinimaa, Chairman, FEP, Canadian Region, welcomed the participants and declared English as the working language.

2. Selection of Secretary and Scrutineers.
a) Anja Erwin was appointed as the meeting secretary.
b) Meeting scrutineers were not appointed.

3. The agenda was approved with no changes.

4. Special guests - Regrets.
a) Ambassador Designate Roy Eriksson sent his regrets. He was unable to attend due to a travel scheduling conflict.
b) Irina Ilmokari, Vice Chair, sent her regrets.

5. A roundtable of introductions of participants was done.

6. Chairman’s Report 2019. Veli Niinimaa reviewed the report which was distributed.
a) The major points of the report were discussed, and no further clarification was required. Veli raised the question to the group for opinions on why clubs and groups in Canada seem to be somewhat resistant to joining the USP/FEB as a member organization. Veli encouraged all in attendance to invite any groups that are not yet members to join. The motion to accept the report as written was moved by Veli Niinimaa, seconded by Kauko Ylinen, all were in favour.

7. Canadian Regional Items:
a) Mail votes in Parliamentary and European Union Elections – The numbers for Canada were not available yet. This item will be deferred to next year.
b) Nomination for the Suomi-Seura awards - There are three levels of honours - gold, silver and bronze. Veli Niinimaa asked for nominations. He will contact the individuals that where nominated to inform them and ask them to submit their biography information. There was some discussion about the possible cost of the awards that Veli will follow up with.
c) Alternate Deputy Speaker / Vice Chairman – Maarit Koivunen has moved to the USA. Irina Ilmokari, who was elected as Maarit’s alternate in 2018, has assumed the position of Alternate Deputy Speaker.
d) USP/FEP Communication – The language understood by most Finnish expatriates is English, although most of the communication remains to be in published in Finnish. Currently most of the FEP information is combined with the Suomi Seura ry publications. Although FEP is over twenty years old, it does not have its own information vehicle. Veli suggested that more people would be able to read and benefit from the information if it was in English and suggested that there be a separate newsletter. All present were in agreement.
e) Initiatives for 2020 FEP Session – No motions were introduced. Initiatives can be brought forward during the next eight months, i.e. up to three months prior to the session.

f) New Business:
It was discussed that Finnish Language Schools for Elementary School age children need more funding. Currently Suomi-Seura has a limited amount that they can distribute, based on the Ministry of Education contribution. There was also discussion regarding Finnish Adult Education, and the lack of funding for this demographic. Some communities have adult programs that are volunteer run, but currently Suomi-Seura does not fund this.
There was also a question from the group regarding Suomi 100 grants. Grants were given to entities unknown to the group and could this be further clarified.
8. Next AGM – the next Annual General Meeting will be held likely in Sudbury at the Finnish-Canadian Grand Festival, unless the timing conflicts with the USP/FEP Session.

9. The next USP/FEP Congress will be at the Finlandia-talo in Helsinki on June 11–12, 2020.

10. Veli Niinimaa made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Helena Armiento. The meeting was adjourned at 17:25.

Respectfully submitted by Veli Niinimaa, Chairman, Canada Region and Anja Erwin, Meeting Secretary.



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Ulkosuomalaisparlamentin pysyvä sihteeristö / Utlandsfinländarparlamentets permanenta sekretariat
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