MINUTES OF THE FRASER VALLEY ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL DIRECTORS MEETING – JANUARY 8, 2008 @ 8:30 AM

 

Present:           Rosalyn Manthorpe, Richard Wenner, Karl Maier, Carey Vandenberg, Anne George

Regrets:           Charlene Taylor

 

  1. Confirmation of Agenda:

 

The agenda was confirmed.

 

  1. Approval of Minutes:

 

The minutes were approved.

 

  1. Vice President’s Reports:

 

Nothing to report.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report:

 

$9800 in the bank.  Projected costs for the remainder of the fiscal year have been estimated and the projected deficit is approximately $1100 or less.

 

  1. Membership Report

 

Deferred until next meeting.

 

  1. Program Committee Report

 

Carey Vandenberg discussed the difficulties of obtaining good speakers. We brainstormed and took the opportunity to discuss prospective speakers. Carey will report back to the committee at the next meeting. Some ideas for prospective topics include the following:

 

Adult Guardianship legislation and related issues.

Power of Attorney legislation and related issues.

RESP’s

RRSP’s

Joint Tenancy Issues

Alter Ego Trusts

Tax aspects of testamentary trusts

Canada US Border Issues

 

Richard Wenner agreed to assist Carey with ideas for ongoing speakers.

 

  1. New Business

 

We discussed what needs to be done to ensure the future of the organization. Membership appears to be falling. We brainstormed once again. The general sense around the table was that people attend for the following reasons:

 

            To learn something;

            To discuss ongoing issues with colleagues;

            To network;

            To market; and

            To eat a good meal!

 

We agreed that personal contact by members with prospective non members would be a good idea. Shuffling of the members to sit at different tables with different members at each meeting would be smart. Charlene Taylor has been “volunteered” to organize the details. She will take table numbers and shuffle the names so that different people sit at different tables each meeting.

 

We need to make future changes to grow this organization. It was acknowledged that this can be achieved as follows:

 

            Improve the quality of the speakers; and

            Make greater efforts to let our colleagues recruit.

           

  1. Future Meetings

 

Board of Directors Meeting                         Dinner Meetings

March4, 2008                                                  January 15, 2008

May 13, 2008                                                  March 11, 2008

                                                                        May 20, 2008