MSIA Canada held its Annual General Meeting on June 1, 2003 in Ottawa, Ontario. In a way it was fitting for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held in Ottawa, as 2003 marks the 20th anniversary of MSIA being launched in an official manner with its first organizational charter signed in Ottawa, on May 11, 1983. Incorporation followed with a revised federal charter and recognition as a church by the federal government on July 4, 1989, and recognition as a religious denomination by the Province of Ontario in 1996.
MSIA Canada currently has thirty-six Ministers distributed in communities in four of Canada’s ten provinces (Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia), and in one of Canada’s three territories (the Northwest Territories).
Those present marked the passing of one of our founding ministers, Marg Shirley, with a joy in remembering the exuberance, the joy, and the laughter she brought to all occasions, as well as the other gifts with which she blessed us.
The business of the corporation was then conducted, including the release of the Annual Report for 2002, the election of new board members, and the appointment of Suzan Schmekel as Chair of the Audit Committee. While the members of the new board of directors convened a board meeting in a separate room to elect the executive for 2003-2004, the rest of the folks — with some guests — started the pool party!
As you can see in the photo, there was a lot of joy present after the business was done. Those present for the pool party were Sandra Yanover, Arno Graefe, Suzan Schmekel, Bill Checkley, Pater Balogh, Bryn Waern, Doug (Laila’s friend), and Laila Virding — a gang representing Canada’s newest Minister and longest serving Minister, and the provinces of Ontario (Ottawa and Toronto), and British Columbia.
MSIA Canada’s executive for 2003-2004 are Bill Checkley (Toronto) as Vice President and Secretary, Laila Virding (Vancouver) as Treasurer, and Phil