2024 AGM Meeting Notes

Event

Actions/Follow Up

Meeting commenced at 2:07p.m.  Approved and seconded by 

Heather

Jennifer

• Approval of AGM 2023 meeting minutes.  Approved and seconded by: 

Divya

Susan

Officers Reports 

Welcome note from President – James 

• 2023 was a successful year.  Membership has increased.  We have been promoting the availability of health insurance to our members, especially important in a time when so many do not have it through their employer.  We will continue to work with VinEquity in the coming year and look to increase sub-committees that include past board members. We have many exciting events coming in 2024, namely BOSC and the CAPS Cup.  
• This will be my final year as President.

Vice-President’s Report – Steph 

• Ratification of Board Members who joined mid-year in 2023: BeiBei Hou and Cokie Ponikvar.
• Cokie and Shagun will be leaving the board – we thank them for their time, energy and service.
• There following are open positions on the board: Secretary, Hospitality, Sponsorship and Diversity and Inclusion
• Three new members to be voted in today: Steven Hart, Srinivasa Velagala and Antoinette Davies.  All are certified sommeliers.
• An email was received from CAPS past-President, Sara d’Amato, regarding an event she is affiliated with – Toronto’s first Rosé Symposium – to be held at Verity on April 12th.  CAPS is being offered a table at the event to promote CAPS membership and we are asked to help facilitate a Rosé blind tasting at the event

Treasurer’s Report – Divya 

• Bank balance of $10,727.34
• Approximately $5,400 comes from memberships; approximately $6,800 from sponsorship.  We have spent approximately $4,000 on educational material refresh
• JCB Unity monies are due soon to be used for scholarships

Members Report – Beibei

• membership numbers were 66-78 members in 2022/23
• as of 10a.m. this morning, we have 117 members (87 accredited, 17 students and 13 associate members)
• BOSC is a good time to grow these numbers

Education Report – Bruce Wallner

• The pin ceremony was held on March 18th for the most recent cohort.  Liz and Nabila have done a great job updating the learning materials.  We are moving forward with Connor to get an Ottawa class started in the fall.  The Atlantic chapter has decided to move forward with their own educational materials and will not be purchasing the Ontario materials.  
• The BSOC competition offered a “Somm U” component that was very well received – we should use this idea when we host BOSC. 

Hospitality Director – Connor Gallagher 

• Events held in Ottawa were well received.  A suggestion is to canvas the community to see what they feel is needed/wanted in the near future.  Looking forward to bring the CAPS curriculum to Ottawa

Heather McDougall 

• CAPS Cup to be held in August, with hosting in Toronto, Ottawa and Niagara.  BOSC will be held in at Liberty Grand in October/November (exact date TBD).  A qualifying exam will be scheduled for late September/early October (exact date TBD).  Past feedback is that more preparatory events need to be held – also consider peer training.  We can use Somm U as a lead up to the competition – perhaps attach it to the CAPS Cup.

Social Media – Shagun

Newsletter - Susan

• Goal is to support each and every activity of the Board – publicity, media relations to raise profile and increase membership.
• See attached for full details of 2023 promotions and PR support

Other Business

• Results of the vote – Stephanie:

Voting complete for new members. Steven Hart, Srinivasa Velagala and Antoinette Davies are appointed to the Board.

Meeting Adjourned at 2:39pm