PHOTOS: ADAM DAY

Clockwise from top left: The new president is Mavis Cooper; Dominion Past President Mary Ann Burdett marches in Miramichi; CF members join the Legion parade; delegates and guests enjoy a banquet; Veterans Affairs Minister Gregory Thompson places a wreath.

The big news at 2007’s New Brunswick convention is that the command is in good financial shape and new provincial President Mavis Cooper is looking forward to keeping it that way.

This year’s New Brunswick provincial convention–the command’s 78th–was held in Miramichi on the Labour Day weekend, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. The convention began on a cool, clear Saturday morning at the local Lions Club hall. After marching on the guests and the colours, delegates heard greetings from Dominion Past President Mary Ann Burdett and Minister of Veterans Affairs Gregory Thompson.

Thompson gave a brief overview of recent issues in veterans affairs, primarily the New Veterans Charter, which he referred to as a ‘living document.’ Thompson also spoke about the newly introduced Veterans Bill of Rights and ombudsman for veterans. “We depend on you, Canada’s largest veterans organizations, for input,” said Thompson, referring to these new initiatives. “We do appreciate it.”

Thompson then spoke briefly about Afghanistan, saying “The missions our soldiers are on today are as “tough as any we’ve done, in some ways tougher,” he said. “When the world asks Canada to stand up and take a stand, we do that. We do it without reservation, on very tough missions.”

After a few more speakers, including Miramichi Mayor John MacKay, Burdett returned to the microphone to declare the convention officially underway.

Moving on to reports, Tom Eagles was first up with the provincial president’s report. “On a high note, our command finances are in the best shape that they have been in many years,” said Eagles. “With our financial situation, our Legion programs are secure for the time being. And I want to underline ‘time being,’ because they’re going to have to be closely watched.

“On a low note, a number of our branches are having financial difficulties. We know there are many reasons for the decline in our branch revenues, such as decreasing membership, no-smoking regulations, the economy, taxes, insurance, etc. I have on two occasions tried to get our taxes lifted on our branch buildings, but government said no. We must work together to find ways and means to overcome these difficulties in order to survive.”

Gary McDade delivered the treasurer’s report. “N.B. Command is in a viable financial position. The general fund shows a net surplus of $39,920 for 2006. With all the changes that occurred during the year, this should be seen as an excellent result. All expense categories were analyzed, and cost savings were achieved where allowable. Everything has been cut to the bare bones and will continue to be looked at very closely in the future.

“It is anticipated that while growth may not be achieved in these funds, by constantly being on the outlook for cost-saving measures, it can be reasonably assumed that the financial health of N.B. Command will continue to keep the amalgamation wolves from the door.”

After a short break, Burdett returned to the microphone to deliver her speech. One of Burdett’s key messages was that the Legion must seek out ordinary members. “It’s easier said than done, I know. So how do we go about it?” she asked. “Are you going to join because somebody’s going to give you a pin? Probably not. You’re going to join an organization because it has something to offer. We have things to offer. What exactly might they be? The first is camaraderie–the understanding ear. Who would understand better what our troops are going through today? We have service officers who can help them personally with their claims. We have that to offer. We have programs for their families, bursaries for their children and we give them the opportunity to get involved in their community in a very meaningful way.”

Burdett then went on to discuss an interesting proposal for a new category of members. “How about a member-at-large category? Why couldn’t we do that? These members wouldn’t have voting rights. The membership would be slightly higher than the average branch fees and there should be and must be a kickback to the province. Dominion Command could easily handle a member-at-large category.

“Why not think about a resolution for the next dominion convention? Maybe one will be there.

“And then there’s the hated word: amalgamation. Wouldn’t it be better to do it sensibly, in advance? Wouldn’t it better to amalgamate two branches rather than lose them both? I’m not asking you to rush out and begin amalgamating right now, I’m only asking you to open the doors of your mind to thinking about it, particularly at the branch level.”

Burdett also once again advanced the idea of a smaller executive that meets more often, noted the importance of unifying the various veterans organizations and generally giving a speech that was well-received by the delegates.

Unlike the rosy finance report, N.B. Command’s membership report was fairly bleak. Membership Chair Jack Clayton reported that the command lost 1,880 members in 2006 and 1,521 as of July 31, 2007. While roughly three per cent of the decline is due to death. On an upside, Clayton thanked Dominion Command for streamlining and accelerating the membership card process.

However, it was quickly back to the good news when delegates were told the details of N.B. Command’s commemorative booklet program, which has been running for the past few years. These books have two functions, to gather information on local veterans and to raise money for the command through advertising. In 2006 the booklet made $81,794.67 and this year the booklet made $75,742.75. The command uses these funds to support track and field, youth leadership, seniors and veterans programs. “This booklet has been a godsend for the command,” said Eagles.

Lieutenant-Governor Herménégilde Chiasson arrived to give a speech in mid-afternoon. An honorary Legion member, Chiasson spoke about the impact of veterans on Canadian life and urged the Legion to continue its programs into the future. “The Legion is not only a gathering of people, not only a club, but a family,” said Chiasson.

Burdett then conducted a fundraising break for the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League. After a steady stream of pledges, a delegate approached the microphone for perhaps the most touching of the afternoon’s donations. “On behalf of St. Martins Legion, we only have six members, but we’d like to donate $100.” Total donations for the RCEL were $9,060.

On Saturday afternoon, once business was done for the day, the delegates and guests massed in downtown Miramichi for a parade and ceremony at the town cenotaph. Eagles read the Act of Remembrance and Chiasson, Burdett and Thompson were on hand, among others, to place wreaths.

Later on, into Saturday evening, the convention gathered once again at the Lions hall for a well-executed banquet with entertainment at the local branch afterwards.

First order of business on Sunday morning was the final delegates report with 136 delegates and 51 proxies for a total of 187.

Moving swiftly onto resolutions, first up was an attempt to change the way New Brunswick handles its surplus funds. Recently, N.B. Command donated $7,000 to the RCL Troop Morale Fund and the resolution was aimed to redirect that money into the hands of needy branches, instead of overseas.

“Therefore be it resolved,” read the conclusion of the amendment “that any further surplus funds occurring at New Brunswick Command, where possible and if feasible, should be considered to support those branches, who because of financial need or circumstances, could use some form of assistance.”

The resolution was concurred by the resolution committee with the understanding that the command would set up a special committee to investigate applications for need for financial assistance.

Several speakers came to the microphones, and the head table noted that it was not so easy to reroute money raised from the public, however, the resolution passed without dissent.

In other news, Anne McInnis, 83, who worked on the N.B. Command Hospital Visitation Program for 30 years, resigned as chairman of the committee, saying it was time to move on to other things.

Near the end of the day on Sunday, just before elections, Burdett took to the stage to try and hypnotize the delegates into giving up their money for the Troop Morale Fund. She spoke in a soothing voice and swung a blue light, rhythmically back and forth. “This troop morale fund has done a lot for their morale, not so much the coffee and donuts, but the feeling that we care about them,” said Burdett.

Patrick Love, the president of Oromocto Branch, who is a serving regular force member of the Canadian Forces stood up to speak against the troop morale fund. “I have a number of soldiers in my unit who just returned from Afghanistan and while they were happy with the coffee and donuts, they would rather have the money to spend on local projects over there…. Thank you for your generosity but we can do more with the money. Put in it a general fund and we can use to help the Afghan orphanages and the Afghan children.”

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Another delegate rose to speak and made an emergency motion to bring the issue back to Dominion Command. While Burdett noted this motion could have been timed more appropriately, she said she would take the recommendation back to Dominion Sub-Executive. Total donations for the Troop Morale Fund were $2,213.26

Then it was time for elections. Jack Clayton was acclaimed as honorary president. Tom Eagles declined his nomination and Mavis Cooper was acclaimed as president, for which she got a brief standing ovation. Clayton Saunders was acclaimed as first vice.

Four names were put forward for the position of second vice–Darryl Alword, Theresa Gaugain, Helen Billings and Paul Poirier. Poirier, the past commander of North Shore District, won on the first ballot.

There was only one nomination for treasurer–Gary McDade–and one for chairman–Harold Harper.

After installation, Cooper delivered a brief speech on her new appointment. “Thank you for having faith in me, I appreciate it,” she said. “As per my oath, it was given with my heart, and what I will give you over the next two years will be the best of my ability.”

Cooper promised to keep strict control over the finances, making it her number one priority. Her second priority is membership and the third is continuing care for veterans and their wives.

The last order of business was to draw the winner of a trip to Ottawa. When Ron Doucet’s name was drawn the crowd erupted in laughter and applause because Doucet’s partner had won the same draw at the last convention. It was a stroke of amazing good fortune. Doucet calmly strode to the microphone and announced that it was too much of a coincidence and that he would withdraw his name and let someone else win this year. Doucet got a standing ovation. It was a fine way to end the convention.