MINUTES

2009 MARKHAM CANADA DAY COMMITTEE

2008-11-03

Meeting No. 1

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Attendance

Members Jeanne Bowman Jaswant Dhanjal May Fung Javaid Khan Mitch Reiss Willie Reiss Council Councillor Alex Chiu Councillor Carolina Moretti Guest Chuan Li

Staff Todd Bailey, Operations (Milne) Rob Hincks, Operations Wendy Lucas, Assistant to Councillor Moretti Steve Matunin, Supervisor, Operations Anna Rose, Corporate Communications Cynthia Taylor-Huff, Assistant to Councillor Chiu Bev Shugg Barbeito, Committee Clerk Regrets Samuel Carr Antonette DiNovo Joanne Olson, Special Events Assistant Murat Parnakoglu, Assistant to Councillor Kanapathi Matt Vetere, Financial Analyst Bob Walter, Operations Councillor Logan Kanapathi

The first meeting of the 2009 Markham Canada Day Committee convened at 6:12 p.m. with Councillor Carolina Moretti in the Chair.

1. WELCOME

Councillor Carolina Moretti welcomed new members May Fung, Jaswant Dhanjal, and staff member Anna Rose representing the Corporate Communications department to the first planning meeting of the 2009 Canada Day events. Chuan Li was welcomed as a guest to observe a committee meeting.

Councillor Moretti advised that Sandra Sealy has resigned from the Committee as a result of workload issues. Sandra has been instrumental in planning and coordinating the Canada Day Media Launch event and her expertise will be missed. The Committee will send Sandra a letter of appreciation for her efforts to support the Committee’s work.

2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 MEETING

THE MARKHAM CANADA DAY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the minutes of the Markham Canada Day Committee meeting held on September 22, 2008, be adopted as distributed.

CARRIED

3. 2008 BUDGET

The document entitled Town of Markham Canada Day 2008 Final Budget as at November 2, 2008 was distributed for review. There have been no changes since the last report.

4. PLANNING FOR CANADA DAY 2009

a) Committee Assignments

Councillor Moretti introduced the concept of pairing committee members so they might share planning and carrying out 2009 Canada Day activities. The following assignments were proposed but Committee members were encouraged to discuss the assignments with Councillor Moretti if they wished to do so.

Sub-Committee Assignment	Committee Members
Media Launch	Cynthia Taylor-Huff, Wendy Lucas
Mayor’s Seniors Luncheon	Cynthia Taylor-Huff, Steve Matunin
Food Vendors	Samuel Carr, May Fung, Joanne Olson
Canada Day Parade	Javaid Khan, Jaswant Dhanjal, guided by Antonette DiNova
Children’s Activities	Jeanne Bowman, Antonette DiNova
Stage and Sound	Willie Reiss, Mitch Reiss, in conjunction with Perry Chan
Radio Station participation	Willie Reiss, Mitch Reiss and Councillor Moretti
Entertainment	Willie Reiss, Mitch Reiss
Fireworks	Steve Matunin, Rob Hincks, Todd Bailey
Volunteers	Murat Parnakoglu, with guidance from Javaid Khan
Transit, Security	Joanne Olson
Budget	Matt Vetere
Sponsorships	Councillor Chiu and Councillor Moretti
Theme and Logo	Cynthia Taylor-Huff
Posters, Invitations, Thank You Letters	Wendy Lucas

Committee members were asked to note the names and contact information of anyone who helps in the planning and performance of Canada Day events. This will facilitate sending a note to thank them.

b) Entertainment – Canadian Idol

Mitch Reiss will investigate the possibility of the entertainment line up including a Canadian Idol contestant or winner.

Mitch Reiss will develop a proposal to have entertainment start earlier in the day, perhaps as early as noon. This will facilitate the booking of local groups and diverse acts. Advertising will need to highlight entertainment times and acts. It was suggested that “Many Faces of Markham” might have contacts for diverse entertainment; Committee members were asked to email Mitch Reiss with any ideas for entertainment.

c) Radio Station Participation

Willie Reiss will arrange a meeting with Councillor Moretti to develop a letter to solicit participation by a radio station. Jaswant Dhanjal will email Councillor Moretti with contact information for multicultural groups.

d) Logo

It has been decided to retain the theme – “One Family, One Markham, One Canada”. Cynthia Taylor reported that she has met with Corporate Communications staff to create an “identifier” for Canada Day events to boost recognition of Canada Day events. Possible designs should be ready for Committee review at the next meeting.

e) Preview to Canada Day (Media Launch)

To increase awareness of and participation in Canada Day events, it is hoped to hold the Preview to Canada Day event at Markville Mall on a Saturday in early June. Cynthia Taylor-Huff has begun working with Markville Mall staff to make the arrangements. A smaller event will also be held at the Civic Centre for Town of Markham staff. Ideas for entertainment at either event should be forwarded to Cynthia Taylor-Huff.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

a) Markham Idol

Committee members discussed the possibility of featuring this type of competition as part of the Canada Day events. Mitch Reiss will approach the Mayor’s Youth Task Force to determine if there is interest in that group organizing the competition.

b) Art in the Park

The Markham Public Art Advisory Committee would be interested in participating in Canada Day events, perhaps via a public art exhibit. Cynthia Taylor-Huff will discuss possible ideas with Joanne Olson.

c) Heritage Grant

The Committee was reminded to begin the application process for the Heritage Grant.

6. DATE FOR NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Markham Canada Day Committee is scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2009 at 6:00 PM in the York Room at the Markham Civic Centre.

Committee members were asked to email regrets to either Wendy Lucas or Councillor Moretti if they are unable to attend a meeting. A list of member email addresses is attached.

7. ADJOURNMENT

The first meeting of the 2009 Markham Canada Day Committee adjourned at 7:15 PM.