MONTREAL, June 16, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Community Groups Network elected a new president and endorsed an ambitious community development plan this weekend as it met for its 19th annual meeting in Montreal this Saturday.
New President Dan Lamoureux said he believes that English-speaking Quebecers want to be an integral part of Quebec society. "As one of our members pointed out during the Annual General Meeting, We do not only want to survive here. We want to thrive."
Lamoureux said it was evident that Notre Home is Quebec and that English-speaking Quebecers who are here are committed to staying here and integrating the large community. Notre Home is the title of a community anthem that was written for the QCGN by Montreal singer David Hodges. For a preview of the music video of the song, click here.
Earlier in the day, chairman of the Priority Setting Steering Committee and past president of the QCGN Noel Burke launched the Community Development Plan that followed a widespread consultative process with the community that included some 16 regional and sectoral consultations, five focus groups, and an online survey of more than 550 English-speaking Quebecers.
"The Community Development Plan is a blueprint for the QCGN, its members and stakeholders, as well as the community at large, to move forward together," commented Burke, noting that the process allows for the community to speak with a united voice to ensure the vitality and sustainability of the English-speaking community of Quebec.
After a year as Interim President, Burke will be returning to his sector seat while maintaining his post as Chairman of our Priority Setting Steering Committee. Also returning to the QCGN Board of Directors are Vice-President Brian A. Garneau, youth representative Nicola Johnston; Irene Tshernomor, C.E.O. of the Queen Elizabeth Health Complex; Colleen Bronson, communications director for Sacred Heart School of Montreal; Bradley Dottin, President of the Black Community Resource Centre; Cheryl Gosselin from Townshippers' Association in the Eastern Townships; Clara-Ann Labadie from Coasters' Association on the Lower North Shore; and Jan Anderson-Toupin from Voice of English-speaking Quebec (VEQ) in Quebec City.
Joining the board this year will be Walter Duszara, an education consultant; Jim Shea, a past National Executive Director at Canadian Parents for French; and Marc Deslauriers, a businessman from Quebec's North Shore, who is also Chairman of the North Shore Community Association. The Network will be saying goodbye longtime board member and former Vice-President, Marion Standish, as well as Treasurer Mark McLaughlin.
Over the weekend, the QCGN also debated and passed a new membership recruitment and retention policy that aims to increase the membership as well as the legitimacy and credibility of the organization with government partners and the community. The QCGN also welcomed aboard three new members: South Shore Community Partners, the Thomas More Institute and CCS Catholic Community Services. That brings total membership in the QCGN to 41 members from across the regions and sectors of Quebec's English-speaking community.
The QCGN also took advantage of its annual meeting to launch the call for nominations for the 2012 edition of the QCGN Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Distinguished Community Service Award. The annual award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the vitality of the English-speaking community of Quebec and to building bridges on understanding between Quebecers and Canadians. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 24. More details on the award on how to nominate candidates can be found here.
The Quebec Community Groups Network is a not-for-profit organization that identifies, explores and addresses strategic issues affecting the development and vitality of English-speaking Quebec and encourages dialogue and collaboration among member organizations, individuals, community groups, institutions and leaders.
Rita Legault, Director of Communications, [email protected]
Telephone: 514-868-9044, ext. 223, cellular: 514-912-6555
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