Third Annual General Meeting of Members a Success

13 July 2013

OUTSPORT TORONTO held its third Annual General Meeting of Members on Thursday, 6 June 2013, at which it recapped the 2012 year, provided some guidance on 2013 and beyond, presented financial statements for 2012 from the 2012 Annual Report, made four amendments to the organisation's bylaws, and elected its board for the coming year.

"It was great to see the level of participation and engagement we had at this year's AGM," said OUTSPORT TORONTO's Chair Shawn Sheridan.  "In fact, we needed at least two-thirds of the member organisations' nominees present just so we could make the bylaw changes we felt needed to be made."

According to OUTSPORT TORONTO's secretary, Beth Beattie, the changes were necessary to ensure the bylaws reflected OUTSPORT TORONTO's value of inclusivity in the wording of the bylaws, explicitly include recreation in the definition of membership-eligible organisation, and allow for proxy voting.  "Our member organisations are all volunteer-run," said Beattie speaking about the change to allow proxy voting.  "So, this change will allow for the board of OUTSPORT TORONTO to set up a process whereby nominees who might like to attend but can't because of competing commitments can still participate and make sure their organisation's voice is heard."

The slate of directors acclaimed for the coming year was:

  • Shawn Sheridan - Chair
  • Darlene Homonko - Vice Chair
  • Beth Beattie - Secretary
  • David Carter - Treasurer
  • Stephanie Bell - Director
  • Catherine Meade - Director
  • James Scott - Director

Minutes of the 2013 AGM will be posted shortly on OUTSPORT TORONTO's website, as will the updated bylaws.