MINUTES of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
of the
ARCHITECTURAL WOODWORK MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION of CANADA
held at the
Radisson Hotel and Conference Center
Canmore, Alberta.
on
Saturday June 01, 2013
1. Proxy Registration
Meeting was called to order after the Proxy Registration at 9.16am
2. Welcome and Introductions (President Rick Koehn)
Good Morning, Bon jour, Guten Tag, Dzien dobry.
Welcome to Canmore Alberta, the 44th annual AWMAC Convention, and the 2013 AWMAC AGM.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Southern Alberta our host Chapter,
and also to all AWMAC sponsors for their support.
This Annual General Meeting will be divided into 4 parts.
1. A reporting Session.
2. A question and Answer session.
3. The partner’s presentation
4. The business session
Before we formally start I would like to introduce the 2013-2014 AWMAC Board of Directors and staff.
From East to West.
-From the Atlantic Chapter, Director , Vice President and GIS chair Scott McVittie:
-From the Quebec Chapter, Director, Translation and Manual Committee, Martin Boutet:
-From the Ontario Chapter, Director, and finance chair Carlo De Francesco:
-From Manitoba, Director and Marketing committee, Mike Garlinski:
-From Saskatchewan, Director and Manual committee, Kerry DePape:
-From Southern Alberta, Director, Apprenticeship & Education committee, and Strategic Planning chair,
Larry White:
-From Northern Alberta, Director and Marketing Committee chair, Ralph Lohmeier:
-From BC Chapter, Director, SAW Committee, returning to the BOARD Steve Glegg
- Also From BC, Partner & Membership Committee Chair, Steve Mahovlic.
Lastly Myron Jonzon, Past President, Policy, Executive and Manual Committees and JSC chair.
-Our AWMAC Staff:
Association Secretary Frank VanDonzel.
Association Manager Keith Crowder
Staff Secretaries, Cindy Afanasiff and Cheryl DePape
3. Report Session
3.1. Presidents Report
Our association currently has 294 Active Members. AWMAC will continue to set industry standards and
policies that reflect our professional national image that highlights our talented and respected members. I
can promise you that AWMAC will be focused on those programs and events that add VALUE to you as
members.
I would like to diverge a bit from past presidents report formats. It is not my intent to disregard the efforts all
chapters are making but I have something I feel is critically important to warrant addressing here now.
I will take full responsibility for all my politically sensitive remarks for the next 10 minutes.
One day soon, someone other than me will be standing at this PODIUM and will happily inform you, the
members that the expenditures of AWMAC have been reviewed and prioritized. The result of the review
enabled AWMAC to focus its resources on VALUE programs.
AWMAC’s new governance model will make a change to the way this board and association conducted
business previously and I am confident you will be pleased with the results. I do not believe in taking
valuable resources, human and financial, setting up an administration that by its own description just
administers resources away.
There must be VALUE, there must be PROGRESS and there must be a BENEFIT beyond just the
administration. I believe AWMAC has recognized this need to change in a fundamental way, and will never
look back.
Sounds easy in theory but is much more complicated in practice.
I hope by attending meetings like these you have a better Understanding of your association, who supports
it, who runs it and in the end, realize the respect and influence we have within the design community and
our industry.
Your involvement in AWMAC should NOT be thought of as time you are spending or LOSING, but rather
what the membership may gain BY your contribution.
Long ago, the board agreed to speak as one voice (at least in public). Today as President, I have certain
latitudes and I am taking full advantage of that right now. I apologize to the board for not informing them
and making this clear before now.
It is my unwavering belief the health and future of AWMAC will be based on the support of our standards.
How we deal with that task is up to you as members. AWMAC, AWI and WI share the ONLY architectural
woodwork standards in North America. More importantly, they are the ONLY standards recognized and
referenced by virtually all design authorities.
If AWMAC were to monitor not just the GIS projects for compliance but any project from any manufacturer,
(in cooperation with the design authorities), AWMAC in my estimation, would accomplish the following:
promotion, education, and likely gain membership during the process.
Compliance by definition is a disposition to agree with others or obey rules especially to an excessive
degree.
If you accept this definition you will already recognize, that AWMAC, by definition, practises compliance
with our GIS program.
It is not much of a stretch to suppose that compliance and better products are related. The bonus is a
highly educated and skilled manufacturing base and quite likely, more members.
Does this define VALUE? Most certainly.
Can we convince each other that ongoing monitoring of compliance amongst ourselves and the general
industry, will strengthen our ability to persuade the design community that in addition to creating the
reference standards, we can and will ensure those standards are being met by ALL manufacturers who bid
into the architectural millwork industry?
It is AWMAC’s mission and future to promote and persevere with great conviction these compliance
matters.
I believe the bulk of AWMAC’s valuable resources should be directed towards this endeavour. Dream it,
and it can be done.
It is also the responsibility of every member to set an example of what education and skill through
membership can accomplish.
Visit and talk to your design authority, suppliers and competitors. Tell them AWMAC matters, our standards
matter and what you are supplying matters.
Enough about COMPLIANCE for now.
Its time for some POLITICALLY SENSITIVE REMARKS:
I would like to turn your attention to each other and discuss our own backyards.
When a market sector suffers from a slowdown, membership suffers. Our bottom lines suffer. But the
concept of how we conduct our business and why we are members should not suffer a similar fate.
When you step back and look at your own member company, are you satisfied with your product quality,
your conduct in all business matters, and you local market ethics?
Are you working with your competitors or against them?
Have you read the AWMAC policy on membership and ethics?
When you bid and supply into other markets,(in your province or out of country), do these practices, quality
and ethics remain?
Have you considered why you left your own market in the first place?
Are you respectful of members in other markets?
Or, are you concerned only with your own profit and your quality and ethics can be reduced, or changed?
Maybe you think local inspections or practices are less strict?
Well think again.
What am I talking about?
For instance…Members who try and sidestep or eliminate a specified GIS program…. members who will
not correct deficiencies or lay the blame on hypothetical circumstances…... Members who have bid so low
that cheaper materials that do not meet what was specified or referenced standards will be used on the
project. I may even be referring to Designers who DONOT follow up on a GIS guarantee that has not been
issued. Maybe we should ask them to quit referencing AWMAC.
A large part of membership is knowing WHO you are members with.
If any of these comments describe you or your firm, I suggest you rethink why you left your own market
and also your membership within AWMAC.
I apologize to those members who have and never will fit these descriptions. AWMAC members are better
than this. Let’s lead the way together and respect our written ethics and business practices and show the
industry just what it means to be an AWMAC member.
Be proud of your commitment to AWMAC and communicate this to your customers.
It has been my good fortune to be part of this Association for over 11 years, I know AWMAC will be part of
my life forever and hopefully yours too.
As Southern Alberta mentions, education is key to becoming a better member. Understanding
specifications makes for a stronger association. Mandatory MSQ’s are becoming part of membership. I
encourage all chapters and members to make every effort to make this a regular part of your duties.
Please note your questions for each of the Committee Reports and we will have a Q & A at the end of the
reporting session. Enjoy the presentations, they represent many hours of meetings, research, reports and
travel.
Thank you and enjoy the rest of the AGM.
3.2. National Liability Trust Fund
3.3. Reporting Session
4. Question and Answer Session
Moira Rowan – AWMAC BC
 Question - Does AWMAC have a cost on the new AWS at this time?
 Answer - No, we need to de3terminne how many need to be printed.
 Question – Does AWMAC have a count on how many were printed before?
 Answer – This information is on file.
Stephanie Roll - Executive Millwork – Southern Alberta
 Question – Is there any promotional information inside the new manual?
 Answer – The three partners, WI, AWI and AWEMAC are each responsible for their own promotion.
Rod Roll – Executive Millwork – Southern Alberta
 Question – How will the 12% affect the trust fund and processing fee?
 Answer – The 12% is all inclusive and their will no monthly billings.
Stephanie Roll - Executive Millwork – Southern Alberta
 Question – Does AWMAC encourage more GIS promotion in Ontario?
 Answer – This is an AWMAC priority to support the Ontario Chapter to schedule Lunch and Learns.
AWMAC also supports the chapter in attending trade shows.
Frank Sansalone – Blum Canada Ltd – Ontario
 Question – Have not seen the Apprentice Contest Winner nor the3 project at the convention.
 Answer – This years winner choose a $ 1,000.00 tool voucher, rather than attending the Convention.
 Question – Wouldn’t having the winner present give AWMAC more exposure?
 Answer – Winner did not want to attend the Convention.
Kent Madsen – Madsen’s Custom Cabinets (1983) Ltd
 Question – When does the 2 year warranty start on long term projects
 Answer – The 2 year warranty starts the day the certificate is issued, and are phased on long term
projects.
Dan Zacharko – Accaboard (1994) Ltd – Northern Alberta
 Question – The budget show a 10% increase in net revenue, where is this coming from?
 Answer – The increase is generated by Manual sales, GIS revenue and the Partners Program.
Rick Ptak – FPInnovations – Northern Alberta
 Question – Where does AWMAC list its new members and does AWMAC have records or data of its
membership across Canada and if not, what is done.
 Answer – AWMAC has no data base as such and has no allowance in next years budget for
generating a data base. The AWMAC Chapters lists its membership on their portion of the
AWMAC website, which is kept current.
Stephanie Roll - Executive Millwork – Southern Alberta
 Question – Electronic distribution of manual should include the GIS manual. Understand that it cannot
be included in the AWS, but can be done when it is distributed.
 Answer – BOD will take it under advisement.
Wayne Niddrie – Cambium Woodwork (2005) ltd – Southern Alberta.
 Question - Has economy grade millwork ever been specified in specifications?
 Answer - In Saskatchewan project are split into the three grade, which includes the economy grade.
Generally millwork required for example janitor room fall under economy grade.
5. Partners Session
6. Business Session
6.1. Call to order
President Rick Koehn called the meeting to order.
6.2. Appointment of Parliamentarian
Harm Hazeu was appointed Parliamentarian
6.3. Verification of Proxy count and Quorum
AWMAC Secretary confirmed that 34% of the voting members registered for the AGM, which exceeds
the 20% minimum for a Quorum.
6.4. Amendment to Agenda recommendations.
No recommendations were put forward.
6.5. Approval of Minutes of the Meeting held on June 12, 2012.
On a motion moved by Harm Hazeu and seconded by Ernst Salzgeber,
“That the Minutes of the June 12, 2012 AWMAC Annual General Meeting be accepted as
linked to the Agenda”.
MOTION CARRIED
6.6. Business Arising out of the Minutes.
No business arising out of the minutes was noted.
6.7. Auditors Report.
On a motion moved by Wayne Niddrie and seconded by Frank Sansalone,
“That the June 30, 2012 Auditors Report be accepted as presented.”
MOTION CARRIED
6.8. Appointment of Auditors.
On a motion moved by Rod Roll and seconded by Frank Sansalone,
“That the firm of Paul Parth Professional Corporation from Edmonton, Alberta, be appointed
as auditors for year ending June 30, 2013.”
MOTION CARRIED
6.9. Proposed Assessments.
On a motion moved by Drew Parks and seconded by Harm Hazeu,
“That Chapters be assessed 12% of the Chapter GIS revenue (of the previous year’s revenue)
or $280 per manufacturer member (whichever is greater) to offset the cost to operate the GIS
Committee, Certificate Fee and accumulation of the Trust Fund, such assessment for the
fiscal year effective, January 01, 2014.”
MOTION CARRIED
6.10. Recognition of new members.
Ilona Stigard from Grass Canada Inc. with the BC Chapter was recognized as a new member present
at the AGM.
6.11. 2013-2014 AWMAC Board of Directors.
President and Atlantic Chapter Director - Scott McVittie
Vice President and Manitoba Chapter Director - Mike Garlinski
Past President – Rick Koehn
Quebec Chapter - Martin Boutet
Ontario Chapter – Carlo DeFrancesco
Saskatchewan Chapter – Kerry DePape
Southern Alberta - Larry White
Northern Alberta - Ralph Lohmeier
BC Chapter Director – Steve Glegg
Partners Representative - Steve Mahovlic
6.12. 2014 AWMAC Convention.
The AWMAC Quebec Chapter will be hosting the 2014 AWMAC Convention.
7. Adjourn
Rod Roll moved to adjourn the meeting.