MINUTES OF THE ZONE MEETING HELD AT

BRANCH 004 IN LAHR ON SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2009

In Attendance:

Zone                                      Zone Commander                                          Reg Bonnar

                                             Zone Service Officer                                     Valerie Laucke

                                             Sgt-at-Arms                                                  Jocelyn Gelinas

                                                                                                                 

Branch 001                            Not Represented                                           

                                                                                                                 

Branch 002                            President                                                       Bill Fairley

                                             1st Vice President                                          Ken Gardiner

                                             Past President                                               Alfons Deguire

                                                                                                                        

Branch 003                            Sgt-at-Arms                                                  Denis St Pierre

                                            

Branch 004                            President                                                       Geatan Bienvenue

                                             Past President                                               Lasca Monrose

                                             1st Vive President                                          Harry Irish

                                             2nd Vice President                                          Rita Klefenz

                                             Treasurer                                                      Erika Bienvenue

                                                                                                                 

Branch 005                            2nd Vice President                                          Peter Spierenburg

                                             Past President                                               Mark Hoedeman

                                             Sgt-at-Arms                                                  Hendrik Kuiper

Observer Members in Attendance:

Branch 002                            Member                                                        Lucien Perraut

Branch 003                            Member                                                        Liz Hine

                                            

Branch 004                            Member                                                        Andres Betz

                                             Member                                                        Ilka Klein

                                             Member                                                        Tina Fader

                                             Member                                                        Hilde Huston

                                             Member                                                        Walter Hustom

                                             Member                                                        Michael Hoffmann

                                             Member                                                        Hubert Ganswein

                                             Member                                                        Edgar Dorner         

                                            

Item                                                               Description

Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Zone Commander distributed to each Branch an information folder. The contents of the folder will be listed as Annex A.

1.      The Zone Commander opened the meeting at 1400 hours by welcoming all in attendance. Continuing his remarks he thanked everyone for the season’s greetings and wished all a prosperous and successful 2009. The Zone Commander then turned the meeting over to our host Geatan Bienvenue who in turn welcomed everyone to the new Branch Location explained the facility and invited all to attend the meal the branch has prepared following the meeting.

2.      The Zone Commander reviewed the minutes of the last Zone Meeting held at Branch 005 in Lochem, the Netherlands on 11 October 2008 . There being no observations of errors or omissions to the report a motion to adopt the minutes as presented was made by Comrade Alfons Deguire and seconded by Comrade Ken Gardiner.

Motion Carried

3.   The Zone Financial Statement included in the information folder was reviewed. Also attached to this report are the Petty Cash expenditures for the year 2008. There being no observations raised to the report a motion to adopt the financial statement as presented was made by Comrade Bill Fairley and seconded by Comrade Geatain Bienvenue.

Motion Carried

Old Business

4.   12 October the Royal British Legion 450 Ceremony

The ceremony took place on 12 October at 1230 hours at the Cemetery (Begraafplaats) Rustoord in Nijmegen . The ceremony paid tribute to four UK graves from the First World War three Army and one Navy. How these people managed to get buried in the Netherlands , a neutral country at the time remains a mystery, there is much speculation but little or no facts. It is believed, however, that these men were prisoners of war in Germany and were being transported after the war back to the UK and died on route in the Netherlands . Also there is one UK soldier from WWII who died in September 1944.

The ceremony was well organized and the Zone Commander extended his personal thanks on behalf of the members of the Royal Canadian Legion in attendance to Comrade Danny Murphy in his capacity as Chairman of the Arnham/Nijnegen Branch of the Royal British Legion who organized the event on short notice.

5.   20 October the IJzendijke Ceremony

The Royal Canadian Legion had the opportunity to join with our British comrades in honouring the 41 soldiers killed as a result of this accidental explosion on this date in 1944. Ten of these soldiers were from the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. Mr. Regan who was present on that fateful day led the ceremony and extended his appreciation for our participation.

The Zone Commander extended his thanks to the Belgium members who formed the colour party. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion at both the cemetery that took place in the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem , Belgium and service and at the memorial on site in IJzendijke, the Netherlands .

6.       08-09 Nov Beaumont-Hamel & Vimy Ceremony

Both ceremonies were well organized and the Royal Canadian Legion plaid a prominent role in providing the Legion Colour Party at both events. Our participation was acknowledged by the organizers and the many prominent guests in attendance. In attendance this year was many Legionnaires from across Canada and a special bonus was the crew of a Canadian War Ship that had just finished patrolling of the coast of Africa . Their ship was docked nearby for maintenance before returning to Canada .  It was indeed heart warming to chat with these men and women who are proudly serving our country.

The Zone Commander thanked all in attendance and in particular the colour party members. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion at both ceremonies.

7.   Branch Remembrance Day Ceremonies

     This item will be discussed in Report by Branches later in the agenda.

New Business

8.   4-7 June 2009 Normandy Pilgrimage

At the last Zone meeting complications with this event which was basically arranging accommodation was discussed. Branch president were instructed to provide a list to zone at this meeting of members who make a commitment to attend this event. If sufficient interest is achieved then further options will be discussed otherwise the event will be cancelled.

Although some branches gave numbers of members that would be interested the Zone Commander is not convinced that an actual commitment was made to attend this event. The Zone Commander turned the floor over to Josh Gelinas who has been looking into possible accommodations. He reported that in the time frame 4-7 June there is nothing available close to the beach area and that we would have to look at approximate 60 to 100 Km to find lodging.

Following a lengthy discussion it was felt that lodging would not be a problem if we go at some other time. Due to Zone and Branch commitments it was determined that August would probably be the best time frame. Since the actual dates could not be determined the Zone Command said he will look at the dates in August and advise branches for planning purposed ASAP. Further the Zone Commander said he wants a list by names of branch members that make the commitment presented at the next zone meeting in Baden .

Action Zone Commander and Branch Presidents

9.   Thursday 09 April Vimy Ridge Day

In discussion with the director of ceremonies Ms. Arlene King last July while attending the Beaumont-Hamel Ceremony she said to be aware that this year they may plan a large ceremony on Vimy Ridge Day and if so she would request a colour party. I wrote to her in mid December and again in mid January in this regard but have no received any reply. Further details of this event will be announced if I receive information within a reasonable time frame to make the necessary arrangements.

10.  Membership

As was reported at the last zone meeting the membership department at Dominion Command now post the Membership Report on the command website. To further reduce mailing costs they have also included the Membership Matters Newsletter there as well. This decision, however, raised a lot of controversy mostly regarding branches that do not have computers and access to this information. DEC has intervened and has directed that this information will also be mailed to the branches. It will also continue to be posted as well to the website. The website can be viewed at http://www.legion.ca/Home/SiteHome_e.cfm look under the Membership tab.

11.  Correspondence

      Correspondence of interest is included in the handouts.

12.  Report by Branches

Branch 001; My phone for some reason was not in service on Saturday but I did see in my telephone log that the President tried to contact me prior to the meeting which would indicate some kind of emergency took place. I will seek a proper explanation.

Branch 002; The President Bill Fairley reported the Branch continues to be plagued with the same old problem attributed to members lack of interest. The executive of the branch are well aware the members are dissatisfied with the branch location. The Gasthaus Linde in Reichenbach provides the branch with facilities free of charge and actually looks after our needs very well. If someone can come up with another location that will do the same the executive will be more that happy to move. Until this happens, however, we will remain in Reichenbach. Since our only source of income is bingo which lately is experiencing poor turn out is now putting a strain on our finances. In the past we have rented a vehicle to attend ceremonies and charged members 25.00 Euros to help offset expenses. It has been reported that some members are not willing to do this in the future which may have an effect on our future participation at some ceremonies.

Branch 03; On behalf of the President Brian Burchard who was on duty the Branch Sgt-at-Arms Denis St - Pierre reported the branch is doing very well. The Branch had a successful New Years Levee and this weekend they will have there annual Super Boll Actives. Val Laucke and Liz Hine attend the Royal British Legion District Conference and Standard Bearers Competition. Both were very well organized and they were treated first class by our comrades of the Royal British Legion. Denis also gave a briefing on the Poppy Campaign which was successful. They are still waiting for some outlying military establishments to submit returns. When all is completed the Zone Commander will get a full report.

Branch 004; The President Gaetan Bienvenue reported the Branch is doing fine. As per usual the annual calendar of events for the branch is quite full. Bingo’s at present is doing a tiny bit better. The Branch Annual General Meeting will be held 14 February. At this meeting the financial books, reports and statements will be verified by the members. Included also will be membership books and the Branch Kit Shop. A copy of these reports will be sent to the Zone Commander when completed. In closing Geatan said for the record “I want to make it quite clear to all Branches that Branch 004 has never encouraged or requested comrade in another Branch to transfer to us”. Any transfers that have been made were done by the member for whatever the reason.

Branch 005; The 2nd Vice President Peter Spierenburg reported the Branch is very busy preparing for the upcoming election. The Branch has been busy with ceremonies in the Netherlands and he thanked the Branch Sgt-at-Arms for his dedication and the work of his Colour Party. Peter then turned the floor over to the Branch Sgt-at-Arms to discuss a few maters concerning future ceremonies in the Netherlands . Hendrik informed us that as of 1 Jan 2010 the Military Kaserne in Ede where we over the years were very fortunate in acquiring free accommodations when in the Netherlands will be closed. We should have no problem in May of this year. There is also some talk that they may open the Kaserne for the ceremonies in May of 2010 but he will keep us informed.

13.  Open Discussion

Geatan is organizing a special ceremony in Werl in June of 2010. If at all possible he would like to have the Zone Commander in attendance and requested the dates for the Legion Convention in 2010. The Zone Commander reported the dates of the Convention 13-16 June in Winnipeg . From experience the Zone Commander said he will get a flight Friday out of Winnipeg to land in Frankfurt Saturday 19 June so realistically the only weekend he would be available in June would be weekend of 26-27.

14.  Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business to discuss a motion was made by Comrade Geata Bienvenue and seconded by Comrade Kate Andrews that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 1655 hours.

Note: The next Zone Meeting will be hosted by Branch 001 in Baden on Saturday 25 April 2009 at 1400 hours. Branch 001 is now located at the Curling Rink in the former Canadian Forces Base Baden which now the Baden Airpark.

Valerie Corbeil

A/Zone Europe Secretary
 

Reg Bonnar

Zone Commander, Europe

Approved / Not Approved
 


Annex A to the

Minutes of the Zone Meeting

Held on 31 January 2009

Contents of the Folder,

Back to Minutes