2011 Annual Assembly
The 18th Annual General Meeting of the ARNB was held on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Carrefour Beausoleil in Miramichi. The meeting was chaired by President Adrien Richard who indicated that the Board of Directors had held three meetings during the year. . He thanked Councillors Émile Richard and Laurie Richard, representatives of the Miramichi region and the Acadian Peninsula for inviting us to hold our annual meeting in their beautiful region.
The treasurer Camille Richard presented the financial report for the past year. Revenues since May 1, 2010 were $ 2,154.71 including a balance of $ 326.24 that was in the account as of April 30, 2010. The expenses were $ 2,100.27 leaving a balance of $ 405.68 including a membership share of $ 25. It was reported that the Association currently has nearly 300 members. It was adopted that the contribution remain at $ 5 for the next year.
Thelma Richard, member of the FAFA Board of Directors, mentioned various activities, organized or to which the Federation will participate in the coming months. There will be a meeting at Beaubassin (near Amherst) on August 13, commemorations at the Odyssey monuments in different locations, unveiling of new monuments at Petite Rochelle, Bécancour, Quebec, and Houma, Louisiana.
She also mentioned the trip to Louisiana in October to participate in the Grand Réveil Acadien. There will be a caravan going there.
She indicated that the organizing committee for the 2014 World Acadian Congress is in place and that activities are planned in Madawaska County, Maine and Témiscuata in Quebec.
Then there was a screening of the Les Richard d’Acadie DVD produced by Fr. Edmour Babineau on the descendants of Michel Richard dit Sansoucy. This document was very appreciated by the audience and all 15 available copies of the DVD were quickly sold out.
There was then a Powerpoint presentation by Paul McGraw about the area’s tourist sites and activities.
The election of the members of the Board of Directors for the year 2011-2012 then took place. Since most of the members were elected last year for a two-year term and they agreed to continue their term, there was no election except to replace Vincent Richard as an advisor. Aline Richard of Saint-Louis was elected to this position.
The following people will therefore form the 2011-2012 Executive Office: President, Adrien Richard; vice-president, Émile Richard; former president, Alyre Richard; secretary Jean A. Richard; treasurer, Camille Richard; Councillors, Arsene Richard, Laurie Richard, and Aline Richard, Councillor. Thelma Richard will act as contact person for the 2014 CMA.
The meeting ended with a dinner prepared by members of the Miramichi region.