Miniature Enthusiasts of Ottawa P.O. Box 185, Station “B” Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 6C4 MEO Meeting June 4, 2008 The meeting was called to order by President Marlene Thomas.  It was our annual general meeting and our 30th anniversary. A very dear member of the Club, Rita Valois, has passed away.  We had a moment of silence to remember her.  She will be greatly missed. Marlene gave her “President’s Report” in which she thanked all the members who helped out during the year in many different capacities.  She remarked that we are celebrating a milestone; 30 years ago Harriet Farmer brought together a group of individuals to form The Miniature Enthusiasts of Ottawa! Membership Secretary Judy Kingsley reported that the membership remained the same.  Although 9 members left, another 9 joined this year. The Treasurer Carly St.Laurent reported that in May, income was $40 and expenses were $5.46.  She handed everyone a financial sheet showing our actual income and expenses this year compared to the estimated budget tabled last August.  Our income was a little higher and our expenses were a little lower.  Our bank balance is $1,789.76. The Library reported that American Miniaturist and Miniature Collector for June were in. A display of the past year’s workshops was presented by Linda Beaupre. Membership fees are now due:  $20 or $30 family.  Pay by September to be on the roster! June 8  Montreal Premier Doll and Bear show, Holiday Inn, 6700 Trans Canada Hwy., Pointe Claire, Quebec June 22  Ottawa Summertime Miniature show, R.A. Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr., Ottawa 10-4 Marlene is looking for volunteers to help with the Club table at the show.  Also, if you have any ¼ scale minis to display on the table, let her know. June 28  Open House for Gayle Baillargeon’s new miniature store, PETWORTH MINIATURES for the Club only, starting at 1:00 pm.  Go out Hwy. 31 past the 2 traffic lights at Winchester.  Baker Rd. is the 1st road on the left.  Go about 2 km to 12635 Baker. Rd. (613) 774-2380. Coreen Atkins-Sheldrick is presenting miniatures at the Grandmothers’ Tea in Metcalfe on July 19 and is looking for others to join her.  (613) 821-3950. If anyone is going to submit a roombox for the SuperEx, the entry forms must be filled out and submitted by July 30th. There will be no workshops in July and August. Club website:  www.MEOminis.com Food and Kitchen help for July:  Jan Sheridan, Coreen Atkins-Sheldrick, and Shirley Lahey. Harriet presented Marlene with a gift as thanks for being the President for the last 2 years.  It was actually 2 gifts: a pot of cacti in memory of her time in Arizona and a miniature painting of a window with blue shutters to remind her of her mini trip to the Greek Islands a couple of years ago. The Executive for the coming year, accepted by acclamation is:    President           Harriet Farmer    Vice President   Christina Dierckx    Secretary           Bobbi Walker    Treasurer           Lynne Patterson    Correspondence     George & Marg Burbidge    Membership      Judy Kingsley & Joanne Smith    Workshop         Christina Dierckx & Linda Beaupre    Library              Judy Smithson, Mary & Steve Reid The changeover meeting for the new and old executive will be June 18th at Marlene Thomas’ house, 60 Eisenhower at 7:30 pm. New Business – Constitution Harriet Farmer, Lynne Patterson and Marlene Thomas have tackled the job of simplifying the old constitution and presented the new Rules and Regulations to the Club for acceptance.  After some discussion Joan Plouffe made a motion for its acceptance, which was seconded by Barb Martin.  It was carried unanimously. The raffle prize was Renaud’s clock case.  Carly sold the tickets and the winner was Muriel Barber! July meeting – Bring fans!  Lorraine Tinsley will talk about the 1913 Model T made from paper and about other miniatures made from paper and card. Show and Tell was conducted by Harriet. Pat Gorgas brought in a stained glass door by Catherine Thomas with a colorful parrot on it and some parrot cage accessories for her parrot shop. Marlene Thomas brought it a frame displaying lovely jewelry by Lori Ann Potts given as a houseguest gift and a separate bust, displaying jewelry. Hope Finestone brought it some cards for a shop in Victoria, Victoria Miniland, which will do mailorder. The “archives” of the Club, several large scrapbooks, were brought in for us all to look back over the past 30 years.  Harriet hopes to soon digitize them so they will be less cumbersome. We had a special break with lots of goodies provided by the “retiring” executive. After the break, we sang Happy Birthday to ourselves and Harriet was presented with a gift as the founding member by Jan Sheridan.  Then we had cake.  Then we had presents.  Harriet and Marlene called members names and presented them with a very special gift, a lovely hankie with jewelry,  made by Lori Ann Potts, a founding member also. Members were asked if they wished to say anything about what the Club has meant to them.  Many did and reminded us all how fortunate we are to be members of such a great Club! Several members brought examples of early and current accomplishments for our entertainment and enjoyment.  They were:  Julie Dewar, Linda Beaupre, Joanne Smith, Laurie Trewitt, Coreen Atkins-Sheldrick, Steve Reid, Eileen Charanduk, Lynne Patterson, Barbara Greene-Flindall, and Harriet Farmer. Don’t forget to come to the miniature show on June 22nd at the R.A. Centre and Gayle’s Grand Opening for the Club on June 28th!  See you there!