2011 AGM Well Attended

In excess of 105 Nostalgia Broadcasting Cooperative members and friends attended the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Thursday, November 24. The registration desk (left) where members received their voting card and background information on the issues to be discussed and voted on at the meeting kept Sheila Down (seated, foreground) and Susan Hamilton very busy for awhile. The start of the meeting had to be delayed a few minutes to allow everyone to get into the meeting room.

The first 50 women who registered for the meeting received a long stemmed red rose - seen on the right being handed out by on-air announcer and Nostalgia Broadcasting Cooperative vice-president Tom Dercola.

The time of the meeting and the location of the 2011 meeting were both firsts for the meeting. It was the first time the meeting had been held at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People at The Forks - and it was the first time the meeting had been held in an evening. Judging by the excellent turnout, the change seemed to be well received.

Following the opening formalities, CJNU Station Manager Bill Stewart reminded those in attendance that in December, CJNU would be starting its sixth year of broadcasting. He said that the the station's Board of Directors felt it was important that on the fifth anniversary of Nostalgia Broadcasting Cooperative Inc., recognition should be given to some of those whose efforts helped build the station over those years. He said that the immediate and obvious choice of an honouree to receive the first 'Builder's Award' was Garry Robertson.

"Garry and I had started out in radio in the late fifties and early sixties when we both worked at CKRC and CJOB," Stewart said. "Gary had always demonstrated a great entrepreneurial inclination - in 1964 we were both shareholders in a cotton candy machine. Later on, we both ran 'hi-fi' stores and we probably both managed to lose money on those ventures. Garry's greatest success was in developing Garry Robertson Music Services - a household name for party music in many parts of Canada.

"Garry had always been able to dream and imagine and then with great passion and persistence and persuasion make it happen even when reality might show the project as near impossible. After several 'nostalgia' stations had come and gone, Garry convened a meeting of 23 interested persons at his house in September 2006. From that CJNU was born and went on the air only three months later in December 2006 as a member owned and operated co-op. Coupled with his passion and persistence is his optimism that has enabled him to face and surmount many obstacles, including personal health issues that would defeat most lesser beings."

Garry was presented with a plaque as a permanent reminder that his efforts to give Winnipeg a nostalgia music station are much appreciated.

As people entered the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, where this year's meeting was held, they were offered a chance to buy tickets, 50 cents each or three for a dollar, to win a Crosley Nostalgic Design radio. The winner of that draw was Sue Bevan, seen here with her prize and her husband.

Items discussed as part of the meeting agenda included the Membership Report by Sheila Down. She reported that for the period October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011, the membership continued to increase steadily, with a rate of renewal at 83.5 per cent. The actual number of people as of 2007 was 435, in 2008 - 653, in 2009 - 804, in 2010 - 791 and this last year 2011 - 928. The additional contributions received from members, as well as donations from non-members, totalled $6,686.00.

Bruce Down told those in attendance that the Nominating Committee had nominated three persons to fill the office of Director - Ross Thompson, Scott Best and Gail Graham. As no further nominations were received for the three positions for which the previous terms had expired, no election was required and it was declared that Ross Thompson, Scott Best and Gail Graham be elected Directors of Nostalgia Broadcasting Cooperative Inc., for the next two years or until their successors have been duly elected or appointed in their stead.

Ross Thompson (right) then advised the meeting that two Directors, Brett Buckingham and John Crane, had tendered their resignations from the Board, effective at this Annual General Meeting. He thanked both of these gentlemen for their contributions and the assembly indicated their thanks by their applause. As a result of these resignations, there will be two vacancies on the Board for the balance of their respective term of office, which may be filled by the Board, if necessary.

Station manager Bill Stewart reported that it has become necessary to relocated the station's home base on Hutchings. He said that although it would be desirable in some ways to rent space in a central location, that could cost $15 to $20 per square foot which is beyond the station's means. Retirement home Assiniboine Links, 4025 Roblin Boulevard near Moray, has offered space on a contra arrangement. That offer has been tentatively accepted.

Wayne Bruce, one of the CJNU announcers, indicated that people often call the station asking what "nostalgia" means. Bill Stewart said what constitutes nostalgia music is different for everyone. Ernie Nairn, also an on-air personality, expressed his view that nostalgia is "music that brings back memories for you".