Guy Proulx Lysanne Gauvin Wendy Potvin Ann Perry Lisa Rondeau Denis Meunier Michael Snaauw Jean-Francois Normand (by phone) Sheila Willis (by phone)
Tim McAnulty Dave Morrow Teri Caruci Barry Paulson Leslie Lawry Brian McCauley
The minutes were approved and have been posted to the QCC website.
Teri Carucci was unable to attend this meeting. Guy Proulx reported that there was no change in the financial situation of the QCC with the exception that one cheque in the amount of $508.50 had been provided to Yuk-Yuks as a deposit for the comedian for the upcoming Annual General Meeting.
Guy welcomed Mike Snaauw, Assistant Commissioner, Taxpayer Services and Debt Management Branch (TSDMB) as the new AC sponsor for the QCC. Guy extended his appreciation to Mike for taking on this role and acknowledged that it was an important signal for both the QCC and the CRA.
Mike said that he was very pleased to take on this role and he was proud of the years that he has worked in the CRA. Mike indicated that he was willing to engage the Commissioner in a discussion about the QCC. Guy will discuss with Mike how to increase the visibility of the QCC at the Agency Management Committee (AMC) level while recognizing that the QCC is focused on the National Capital Region. A discussion followed as to how Mike could help advance the agenda of the QCC within the Agency. The question of raising the profile of the QCC was discussed as it was acknowledged that some staff was aware of the QCC, but there are many employees who have no knowledge of the QCC. Linkages of how the QCC can support the CRA were brought forward as well as how the Agency can support the QCC. The QCC needs to be clear of what it wants to accomplish with the CRA.
It was agreed that working with one of the branches on the GCWCC was a good start. TSDMB will be approached to include on their GCWCC website an opportunity to auction off a lunch/mentoring session with Guy. In addition, the QCC will send an e-mail to its members encouraging employees and retirees to support the GCWCC. Guy volunteered to take on the writing of this note. This note will also be published on the QCC’s website.
It was agreed that the QCC would look for opportunities to work with the CRA Young Professionals Network to both promote the QCC and to offer the QCC’s assistance. The QCC will also promote to its members their participation in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and will accomplish this by sending an e-mail to its members in early January, 2015.
Following our meeting, Wendy spoke with Mervat Said, Manager, Outreach Programs Section, TSDMB. This section is responsible for the development and functional direction for the CVITP. Mervat informed Wendy that people will be able to register online as a volunteer with a planned launch date of October 20, 2014. Mervat will liaison with Wendy to prepare a CVITP information document that will be posted to the QCC website. In addition, an e-mail will be prepared to send to the QCC membership, with Sheila’s assistance.
Guy indicated that he would invite the Commissioner to the Annual General Meeting and will work with Mike on this item.
There was no update provided of past events as no events have taken place since the last meeting of June 16, 2014.
This event will be held at the Fieldhouse, RA Centre. Ann Perry will be hosting this event. Ann indicated that she had received 16 responses to date. Ann will send out a final reminder by Tuesday, September 16th with Sheila’s assistance.
Ann prepared two versions of bilingual events cards that provide the event and date of upcoming events. These will be given to participants. It was decided that these cards will be used at the Happy Hour and will continue to be used at future events.
Leslie Lawry is hosting and Guy, Denis Meunier and Barry Paulson are assisting Leslie. The room has been reserved at the Sala San Marco and the contract is signed. The comedian has been hired and is scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm at the AGM. Barry has agreed to provide the AV equipment for the evening.
To date, 23 people have registered and paid. A reminder notice, to be coordinated with Sheila, about the Annual General Meeting will be sent out the week of September 19th and will include the name of the comedian.
Guy suggested that Leslie, Denis, Barry and he meet to finalize the details for the evening.
Ann reported that the planning for this event is on track. Ann will work with Sheila to ensure that an e-mail goes out the week of September 19th advertising this event. Anne Morin volunteered to help Ann on the day of the event.
Lysanne Gauvin and Wendy Potvin will be hosting this event. Depending on the number of people who attend this event, it will take place in either Mother McGintey’s (51 or more) or Peter Devine’s (50 or less) rooms of the Heart and Crown in the Byward Market. When the e-mail goes out in early November, it will include an appeal for canned or dry food donations for the Ottawa Food Bank.
Lisa Rondeau reported that the preliminary work indicates that the cost for a shopping trip to Syracuse might be quite expensive due to the hiring of a bus, hotel rooms for two nights and meal for two days. Lisa will provide a more detailed report at our next meeting. It is unlikely that this event will take place this year.
At the QCC meeting of June 16, 2014, Ann had provided an update about organizing a Euchre Tournament. It was agreed that Denis will develop a mini-survey to be used as a table drop at the Annual General Meeting. The intent of the survey will be to gauge interest in the following events – euchre tournament, an Ottawa River cruise, a shopping trip to Syracuse and a combined shopping/golfing trip to Syracuse and other possible suggestions by our members.
This item was deferred to a next meeting of the QCC and will be placed as the first item on the agenda.
As Teri could not attend this meeting, this item was deferred to the next meeting.
Wendy indicated that there had been a delay in getting items published on the QCC website as the Public Affairs Branch (PAB) had had a three week shut down in July for updating the website. In addition, PAB encountered problems bringing the website back up due to volumes. Currently, all items on the QCC website are up-to-date. Wendy also reported that she has 90% of the content of the website reviewed for consistency and that required changes have been made. Wendy also agreed to do a trend analysis of the hits on the QCC website based on the monthly reports that she receives from PAB.
Anne Morin will work with HRB to ensure that all recognition award coordinators in the National Capital Region are providing the information sheet about the QCC when an employee reaches 25 years of service. She will also ensure that the content of the information sheet is accurate as well as the information on Infozone . Wendy will assist Anne with this work.
Guy reported that Tim McAnulty and Dave Morrow have indicated their desire to retire from the QCC Board, effective immediately. Denis Meunier also indicated his desire to retire from the QCC Board but will remain until the Annual General Meeting. Guy thanked all of them for their work over many years.
It was agreed that Ann will identify another person from ITB, Lisa will do the same for ABSB while Mike will identify an additional person from TSDMB. Lysanne agreed to approach someone from HRB.
With Denis’ departure, we now have to identify a new vice-president.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at the Train Yards CRA building (395 Terminal Avenue) at 5:00 pm.