Swedish Club Ottawa

Swedish club

Details: Last Updated on Sunday, 18 March 2018 11:08; Hits: 29274

MINUTES OF THE INAGURAL MEETING OF

SVENSKA KLUBBEN I OTTAWA – THE SWEDISH CLUB IN OTTAWA

AT THE OLD FIREHALL, 260 SUNNYSIDE AVENUE, OTTAWA

DECEMBER 2, 2008

Present:

Britt B, Bjarki H, Aranka H, Annika E, Ilein H, Mats L, Annika E-K, Susanna G, Monica R, Ed N, Christina T, Anders T Madeleine J, Mia E, Magnus A, Rikard A, Göran H, Jon L, Ina R, Christina S, Ingela S, Cisela T, Lem W, Peter S

1) The Meeting opened at 7.10 p.m.:

Ingela , the chairperson, opens the meeting and welcomes all.

2) Roles for the evening:

As chosen at last meeting of the Working Group: Chairperson – Ingela, Secretary – Christina, Memberships – Annika E. Vote counter – Ina who volunteered for the evening.

3) Adoption of the Agenda:

Motion by Ina R to adopt the agenda. Seconded by Britt B. Unanimous agreement.

4) Introduction of the Working Group:

The Working Group has met regularly since last February to get the Swedish school up and working. They have simultaneously made plans for starting a Swedish association. They are: Annika E, Bjarki H, Mats L, Anders N, Christina S, Ingela S, Ingrid W. They were thanked with applause for their hard work to bring the group to this point we are at today. The group will be dissolved at this meeting, and their responsibilities will be taken over by the Board to be elected tonight.

5) Background Information (Ingela S):

Ingela and Christina, has been very determined to teach her grandsons Swedish and have them experience Swedish traditions and culture. She imagined there were others in Ottawa in a similar position. At the Nordic Society’s Lucia 2007 she approached several families to inquire if they were interested in having a Swedish school in Ottawa for their children. 13 families expressed an interest. The first parent meeting took place on February 11, 2008, and now 10 months later we are holding a Meeting to establish a Swedish Association/Club for the Swedish School. The school, which is run in cooperation with Ottawa Carleton District School Board, currently has two teachers/instructors and 19 students. Ilein teaches the 5-8 year olds, 8 students, and Cisela teaches the 9-13 year olds, 11 students. Both teachers were introduced to the meeting. They reported their classes are having a lot of fun while learning Swedish.

Questions From the Floor:

Ed asked if students in the Swedish school must hear Swedish spoken at home as he was told that by School Board. He has 2 granddaughters who would like to attend. He was informed today that there are no restrictions other than that they are 4-14 years old and attend school in Ontario.

Bjarki offered to find out whether we can apply for financial support from the Swedish Ministry of Education for other Nordic citizens than Swedish.

Following item was not on the Agenda as a separate item, but was seen as important and accepted for discussion at this point:

Discussion of the Name for our association/club:

Peter would like to open a discussion about the name of our Association, which so far has been called Svenska Skolan Ottawa. Ingela offered that other Swedish schools abroad known to the Working Group seemed to be called something similar to the “Swedish School in …….”. People felt that that name was a bit misleading, as we, beside supporting the Swedish school, also want to support Swedish traditions and culture for children and adults alike. It did not seem that the current name expressed that very well. Annika E said that her children attended the Swedish school in Montreal that was part of “The Swedish Club in Montreal” and this seemed to work well.

List of Name Suggestions:

a) Svenska Föreningen i Ottawa - The Swedish Association in Ottawa

b) Svenska Klubben i Ottawa - The Swedish Club in Ottawa

c) Svenska Skolan och Klubben i Ottawa - The Swedish School and Club in Ottawa

d) Svenska Sällskapet i Ottawa - The Swedish Society in Ottawa

Discussed were if the word “society” was serious enough, if an accurate description of our group would be “association”, and the importance of having “school” in the name. We made some attempts to determine acronyms in case there was anything offensive that emerged.

Vote taken for suggested names: a) 2 votes, b) 17 votes, c) 0 votes, and d) 1 vote. No abstentions noted.

Therefore, the agreed name is: Svenska Klubben i Ottawa – the Swedish Club in Ottawa.

6) Election of a Board of Directors was moved to item 8) on the agenda.

In spite of earlier having approved the Agenda, the meeting felt we had to change the order of agenda items 6, 7, and 8. Se below.

6) Motion to amend Section 7 and 9 in the Bylaws

Review of Bylaws:

Ingela reviewed the Bylaws and explained that they presently contained several spelling mistakes, typos, and a few grammatical errors. She suggested that these will all be corrected in a very near future. Ingela also presented a motion to amend Section 7 and 9 as follows:

Section 7. Verksamhetsår (Fiscal year)

Present version:

Föreningens verksamhetsår omfattar 1 juli – 30 juni.

(The association’s fiscal year is July 1 – June 30.)

Proposed version:

Föreningens verksamhetsår omfattar 1 januari – 31 december.

(The association’s fiscal year is January 1 – December 31.)

Section 9. Årsmöte (Annual General Meeting)

Present version:

Årsmöte hålls senast under maj månad. Kallelse och dagordning utsänds via e-mail minst två (2) veckor i förväg. Motioner till årsmötet skall skriftligen tillställas styrelsen senast en (1) vecka före den dag då årsmöte skall hållas.

(The annual general meeting will be held in May. Notice to attend and agenda will be sent out via e-mail at least two (2) weeks ahead. Motions to be discussed at the annual general meeting must be sent to the board in writing at least one (1) week ahead of the set date for the meeting.)

Proposed version:

Årsmöte hålls innan den siste februari. Kallelse och dagordning utsänds via e-mail minst två (2) veckor i förväg. Motioner till årsmötet skall skriftligen tillställas styrelsen senast en (1) vecka före den dag då årsmöte skall hållas.

(The annual general meeting will be held before the end of February. Notice to attend and agenda will be sent out via e-mail at least two (2) weeks ahead. Motions to be discussed at the annual general meeting must be sent to the board in writing at least one (1) week ahead of the set date for the meeting.)

Ingela explained the difficulties of having the fiscal year from July 1-June 30 and the AGM in the end of May, i.e. BEFORE the fiscal year has ended. The practice is that an AGM has to take place shortly after the fiscal year has ended. Also, after Ingela had spoken to Ulrika J, the President of “Svenska Skolan i Toronto”, she learned that they had recently changed their fiscal year to follow the calendar year instead of the school year as they found it very difficult to get parents to attend the AGM if it was held in June or July. They couldn’t make decisions as they did not get a quorum. Ulrika also mentioned that Skolstyrelsen in Sweden, the body which assists them financially, and which we will be applying for grants from, follows the calendar year. It would simplify our dealings with them if we have the same calendar year.

Bjarki suggested that we vote to accept the bylaws before we deal with amending them. Peter seconded. Unanimous agreement.

7) Motion to adopt the Bylaws:

Bjarki motioned to accept the Bylaws with the proposed amendments, including correction of our new name, typos, etc., and with any logical changes that must follow such new wording. Seconded by Annika E-K.

The Election of a Board of Directors was subsequently moved to become item 8.

8) Election of the Board of directors.

Ed suggested we should have the President come from the old Working Group as they have the background knowledge. Ina nominated Ingela, who accepted the nomination. Bjarki nominated Mats for President. Mats declined. Ingela nominated Bjarki, who declined as he will be on a sabbatical leave next fall. Someone wanted to nominate Anders but the Bylaws state that all nominees must be present at the meeting.

Ed moved to close the nominations. Mia seconded. Unanimous agreement.

Announcement that Ingela is the President by acclamation.

Ingela gave an impromptu speech of thanks.

Nominees to Board of Directors:

Mats

Christina

Annika E

Lem

Bjarki

Peter

Jon suggested that all nominees leave the room in order to allow for open discussion and vote.

Ed suggested we accept all the nominees as a new Board of Directors will benefit from having several people sharing the work load. The meeting accepted this suggestion.

Upon their return they were informed that a decision was made to accept all nominees to the Board of Directors as The Swedish Club in Ottawa can only benefit from harnessing the contributions of all the interested individuals the first year of its inception.

Ilein wondered when the new Board of Directors would actually start as the old, and perhaps the new, by-laws state that the newly elected Board of Directors “they assume their position at the beginning of the association’s fiscal year”.

Jon read aloud the old by-laws and the membership agreed that wording of by-laws will need to be changed to be in accordance with the previous amendments accepted by motions. See above under: 7) Motion to adopt the Bylaws.

9) Suggestions for Future Activities

Annika E-K suggested we have a Social Committee rather than a committee for each event. The membership voiced a general agreement with this suggestion.

Suggestions:

* Midsummer Party

* Book Club

* Library – books and movies

* Kräftskiva – Crayfish Party

* School Material

* Adult Smörgåsbord and Snaps Party

* Adult Christmas Party

* Website

* Newsletter

* Places to hold events

10) Other Business

Bjarki suggested we write a press release about the Swedish Club in Ottawa to be distributed to The Citizen, CBC, Swedish Press, etc. Peter suggested that we wait until we have a website. He is willing to find out information for us. His wife is a web designer and can also contribute. Accepted.

Ilein asked where she could direct additional parents and those unable to attend this meeting for more information. She was advised to direct phone calls to Ingela <hidden> or e-mail <hidden> , and that all parents and members will be informed through the newsgroup.

11) Adjournment at 8.50 p.m.

Ed moved to adjourn the meeting. Jon seconded. Unanimous agreement.

****************************************************************

Date: December 3, 2008.

Secretary: Christina

Details: Last Updated on Saturday, 27 January 2018 13:33; Hits: 9820

Stadgar

Svenska Klubben i Ottawa

2017-02-15

Bylaws

The Swedish Club in Ottawa

February 15, 2017

Stadgar för föreningen Svenska Klubben i Ottawa

Bylaws of the association the Swedish Club in Ottawa

§ 1 Namn (Name)

1.1 Föreningens namn är Svenska Klubben i Ottawa.

1.1 The name of the association is the Swedish Club in Ottawa.

§ 2. Ändamål (Purpose)

2.1 Föreningens ändamål är att stödja kompletterande svenskundervisning för barn samt att hålla svenska traditioner och svensk kultur levande för svenskar och övriga intresserade som bor i och i närheten av Ottawa.

2.1 The objective of the association is to support supplementary education in

Swedish for children and to keep Swedish traditions and Swedish culture alive for

Swedes and other interested persons living in and around Ottawa.

§3. Beslutande Organ (Decision making body)

3.1 Föreningens högsta beslutande organ är årsmötet.

3.1 The highest decision making body of the association is the annual general

Meeting (AGM).

§4. Medlemmar (Members)

4.1 Rätt att vara medlem i föreningen har den vars barn deltar i kompletterande

svenskundervisning samt de som vill lära sig mer om svensk kultur och

traditioner. Föreningen är öppen för alla.

4.2 Det officiella språket för föreningen är svenska men dokument och möten skall vara på engelska när svenska inte är förstått av alla närvarande. Mötesprotokoll skall skrivas på engelska.

4.1 The association is open to everyone who has children attending the

complementary Swedish language education and to those who support the same

and would like to learn about Swedish culture and traditions.

4.2. The associations’ official language is Swedish but documents will be available and meetings will be held in English when Swedish is not understood by all attendees. Meeting minutes should be written in English.

§5. Styrelse (Board of Directors)

5.1 Styrelsen består av ORDFÖRANDE samt åtminstone fem (5) ledamöter.

ORDFÖRANDE väljes vid årsmötet. Vid det första styrelsemötet efter årsmötet skall styrelsen utse VICE ORDFÖRANDE, SEKRETERARE, KASSÖR samt övriga roller bland de valda ledamöterna. Alla styrelseledamöterna är valda på ett (1) år. Efter valet är ledamöterna omedelbart ansvariga. En styrelseledamot kan bli återinvald vid årsmötet ett obegränsat antal gånger.

5.1 The board consists of the PRESIDENT plus at least five (5) board members. The PRESIDENT is elected at the AGM. At the first board meeting after the AGM the board assigns VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY and TREASURER and OTHER POSITIONS among the elected members. All board members are elected for one (1) year. They assume their positions immediately. An elected board member can stay on indefinitely if re-elected at the AGM.

5.2 Det är att föredraga att åtminstone två (2) ledamöter stannar i styrelsen mer än ett (1) år i följd för att underlätta styrelsens fortsatta funktion. Valberedningen skall nominera föreningsmedlemmar till nästa års val. Medlemmarna som är närvarande vid årsmötet kan också nominera kandidater till valet. Medlemmarna kan i sin frånvaro nomineras vid årsmötet, men de måste då tidigare ha skriftligen godkänt och undertecknat nomineringen.

5.2 It is preferable that at least two (2) members of the board stay on more than one year at a time for the continuity of its operation. The nominating committee shall suggest candidates for the positions up for election. Attendees at the AGM may also nominate candidates for the board. Members can be nominated in their absence if they have previously signed a written statement indicating that they agree to be nominated.

5.3 Styrelsemöte skall hållas åtminstone en gång per termin. Det är ordföranden som kallar ledamöterna till mötena. Styrelsen är beslutsmässig när alla ledamöterna har blivit kallade och åtminstone tre (3) är närvarande.

Styrelseledamöterna får inte mottaga finansiell ersättning för sitt arbete i styrelsen.Föreningens medlemmar kan närvara vid styrelsemöten, men styrelsen kan besluta att hålla möten bakom slutna dörrar under speciella omständigheter.

5.3 Board meetings are held at least once per semester. The president is responsible for calling all board members to these meetings. Quorum is reached when all board members have been invited and at least three (3) are in attendance. No financial compensation is paid to the board members.

Board meetings are open to the association’s members, but the board may decide to hold meetings in camera in special circumstances.

§ 6. Kommittéer (Committees)

6.1 Styrelsen kan tillsätta kommitteer för speciella ändamål eller aktiviteter.

Kommitteerna rapporterar till styrelsen.

6.1 The board may appoint committees for special purposes or activities.

The committees report to the board.

§ 7. Verksamhetsår (Fiscal year)

7.1 Föreningens verksamhetsår omfattar 1 januari – 31 december.

7.1 The association’s fiscal year is January 1 – December 31.

§ 8. Finanser (Finances)

8.1 Föreningen skall drivas som en nonprofit förening och ingen medlem skall

bli kompenserad för sitt arbete inom föreningen. Föreningens tillgångar skall sättas in på två (2) bankkonton: ett (1) i en kanadensisk bank för kanadensiskt kapital, och ett (1) i en svensk bank för svenskt kapital.

8.2 Ordföranden, kassören och vice ordföranden tecknar för föreningen. Två (2) av dessa måste underteckna föreningens transaktioner.

8.1 The association will be run as a non-profit organization and no member will be compensated for any work within the association. The funds of the association will be kept in two (2) bank accounts: one (1) in a Canadian bank for Canadian funds, and one (1) in a Swedish bank for Swedish funds.

8.2 The president, the treasurer and the vice president sign for the organization. Two (2) of these must sign for the organization’s transactions.

§ 9. Årsmöte (Annual General Meeting (AGM))

9.1 Årsmöte hålles innan den sista mars. Kallelse och dagordning utsänds via e-mail minst två (2) veckor i förväg. Motioner till årsmötet skall skriftligen tillställas styrelsen senast en (1) vecka före den dag då årsmöte skall hållas.

9.2 Styrelsen skall i god tid före årsmötet skicka information till föreningsmedlemmar och uppmuntra dem att ställa upp i valet till styrelse.

9.1 The AGM will be held before the end of March. Notice to attend and the agenda will be sent out via e-mail at least two (2) weeks ahead. Motions to be discussed at the AGM must be sent to the board in writing at least one (1) week ahead of the set date for the meeting.

9.2 The Board should in good time before the AGM meeting send information to club members and encourage them to stand for election to the Board.

§ 10. Röstning (Voting)

10.1 Alla föreningens medlemmar har rätt att rösta vid årsmötet. Dock, styrelseledamöterna har inte rätt att rösta vad gäller ansvarsfrihet för styrelsen. Alla som har betalt sin årsavgift har rösträtt. Revisorn har närvaro-, yttrande- och förslagsrätt, men ej rösträtt.

10.2 För att årsmötet skall vara beslutsmässigt skall de närvarande vid mötet bestå av minst 10% av föreningens medlemmar och tre (3) styrelseledamöter.

Röstning med fullmakt är ej tillåten. Omröstning sker öppet genom handuppräckning. Vid lika röstetal är ordförandens röst utslagsgivande utom vid val av styrelseledamot då avgörandet sker genom lottning.

10.1 All members have the right to vote at the AGM. However, the members of the board do not have the right to vote in regards to decisions about freedom from responsibilities for the board. All voters must have paid the membership fee. The auditor has the right to be present, to table motions and to speak freely, but does not have the right to vote.

10.2 Quorum at the AGM is 10% of the association’s members, and at least three (3) members of the board must be present. Voting by proxy is not allowed.

Voting is done by raising hands. When the vote is tied the president’s vote is

decisive except when electing board members. In this case the decision is made by a draw.

§ 11 Obligatoriska punkter på dagordningen vid årsmötet. (Mandatory items on the agenda at the AGM.)

11.1

Styrelsens årsrapport.

Kassörens årsrapport.

Revisorns rapport.

Röstning beträffande medlemmarnas godkännande av handlingar och beslut som fattats av styrelsens ledamöter under året som varit.

Förslag till budget för följande år.

Beslut om medlemsavgift för följande år.

Val av ordförande.

Val av styrelseledamöter.

Val av revisor.

11.2 Ärenden som inte har tillsänts styrelsen i tid, såsom är beskrivet i § 9.1, bör inte tas upp till beslut, utan hänskjutas till styrelsen för beredning.

11.1

The board’s annual report.

The treasurer’s annual report

The auditor’s report.

Vote to approve the actions and decisions of the board of directors during the past year.

Proposed budget plan for the following year.

Decision on membership fee for the following year.

Election of president.

Election of board members.

Election of auditor.

11.2 Motions which have not been sent to the board ahead of time, as described in § 9.1, should not be decided upon at the annual meeting, but will be forwarded to the board for preparation.

§ 12 Extra föreningsmöte (Special general meeting)

12.1 Extra föreningsmöte hålles då styrelsen så finner påkallat, eller då minst 1/3 av medlemmarna begär det. Även revisorn kan begära att extra föreningsmöte

utlyses. Kallelse till extra föreningsmöte skall ske på samma sätt som vid

årsmötet.

12.2 Motioner till föreningsmöte skall skriftligen tillställas styrelsen senast två (2) veckor före den dag då föreningsmöte skall hållas. Vid extra föreningsmöte kan endast de frågor behandlas, vilka påkallat utlysandet av detsamma.

12.1 A special general meeting is held if the board finds it necessary or if at least 1/3 of the members request it. The auditor may also request a special general meeting to be held. The notice for an extra general meeting should follow the same procedures as for an AGM.

12.2 Motions to be introduced to a special general meeting should be submitted to the board in written form at the latest two (2) weeks before the special general meeting will be held. Only issues that are related to the reason for why the special general meeting is being held can be handled at the meeting.

§ 13 Medlemsavgift (Membership fee)

13.1 Medlemsavgift för kommande år vbestäms vid årsmötet.

Medlemsavgift som betalts den 1:a oktober eller senare täcker också följande år.

13.1 Decision regarding membership fee for the following year will be made at the AGM. Membership fee paid on October 1^st or thereafter will also cover the following year.

§ 14 Vakans (Vacancy)

14.1 Om vakans i styrelsen uppstår mellan ordinarie årsmöten, äger styrelsen rätt att utnämna extra ledamot, som tjänstgör till nästkommande årsmöte.

14.1 If a position on the board becomes vacant during the period between two AGMs, the board will assign an extra board member who will hold the position until the following AGM.

§ 15 Revisor (Auditor)

15.1 Styrelsens förvaltning och föreningens räkenskaper skall granskas av en revisor, som utses vid årsmötet. Revisorn behöver ej vara auktoriserad revisor. Skolans lärare, vikarier, styrelseledamöter eller deras familjemedlemmar får ej vara föreningens revisor. Revisorns mandattid är ett år.

15.1 The board’s activities and the association’s accounts shall be reviewed by an auditor, who will be elected at the AGM. The auditor does not have to be a

certified accountant. The school’s teacher/s, supply teacher/s, board members or

their family members can not be elected as the association’s auditor. The auditor is elected for one year.

§ 16 Ändring av stadgarna (Changing the bylaws)

16.1 Beslut om ändring av stadgarna kan ske genom beslut av ordinarie årsmöte eller extra föreningsmöte till vilket kallelse med underrättelse om tilläggs-,

upphävande- eller ändringsförslag i vederbörlig ordning utfärdats (se § 9.1) . Ett sådant beslut skall anses fattat endast om det erhållit två tredjedels majoritet bland de vid sammanträdet närvarane och röstberättigade.

16.1 Decisions regarding changes in the bylaws can be made at an AGM or at an

extra general meeting when notice has been given with information regarding the

proposed change (see § 9.1). The decision shall be considered valid if accepted by at least 67% of the present members.

§ 17 Upplösning (Dissolution)

17.1 Beslut om föreningens upplösning fattas och bekräftas på samma sätt som

beslut angående stadgeändring (se § 9.1). Om beslut om föreningens upplösning

vederbörligen fattats och bekräftats, skall föreningens fonder och tillgångar efter

reglering av eventuella skulder, genom styrelsens försorg disponeras för

ändamål som gagnar främjandet av svensk skolgång och utbildning för barn med

åtminstone en svensk förälder och som är bosatt i Kanada.

17.2 Sedan föreningens tillgångar disponerats enligt ovan, må föreningen upplösas. Underrättelse om styrelsens beslut med fullständiga upplysningar om hur föreningens fonder och tillgångar förfarits skall tillställas alla medlemmar.

17.1 Decisions concerning the association’s dissolution should be taken in the same way as decisions regarding changes in the Bylaws (see § 9.1). If a decision to dissolve the association is taken, the association’s funds and assets, after all debts have been paid, should be given to causes that promote Swedish schooling and education for children living in Canada and who have at least one Swedish parent.

17.2 The association may be dissolved when all assets have been distributed as described above. Information about the board’s decisions regarding the distribution of the association’s funds should be given to all members.

Ottawa , 15 February 2017. Ottawa, February 15, 2017.

Torbjörn van der Meulen Malin Åkerman Benoit

Ordförande/President Vice ordförande/Vice president

Details: Last Updated on Sunday, 16 September 2012 19:42; Hits: 11366

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is the Swedish Club of Ottawa?

A. The Swedish Club in Ottawa is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2008 in order to support Swedish traditions and culture in the Ottawa area. Its main purpose is to support supplementary education in the Swedish language, traditions and culture for children ages 4-14 living in the Ottawa area.

Q. What is the Swedish School in Ottawa?

A. The Swedish School in Ottawa is a Saturday morning language school for children 4-14 years old. Children living in the Ottawa area can register for this class. The number of students vary from year to year. The class has a teacher/ instructor and an assistant present in the class room. Both are always native Swedes and usually parents of children in the class. Swedish is spoken most of the time in the class.

The supplementary Swedish language school is administered by Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) under their International languages program.

The school is also supported by the Swedish Government (Skolstyrelsen).

Q. Can anyone join the Swedish Club?

A. Yes, the Swedish Club in Ottawa is open to everyone. Most members have a strong connection to Sweden, but one does not have to be a Swedish citizen to join. Many members come from “mixed” Swedish and Canadian families with different levels of language skills. If you're interested in become a member, click on Membership for further information.

Q. Can anyone join the Swedish School in Ottawa?

A. Anyone between the ages of 4 and 14 can sign up for the Swedish School. Most students have at least one Swedish-speaking parent in the home. While the school is open to everyone, the classes are taught almost exclusively in Swedish, making it difficult for someone without a modicum of Swedish language skills to participate meaningfully in the curriculum.

The supplementary Swedish language school is administered by Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) under their International languages program.

Q. Can you participate at the Swedish Club's events even if you are not a member?

A. Please come to our drop-in pub nights, meet the members and find out if the club is interesting to you. For all other events, like Group 55+ and our midsummer fest, you should be a member or be a close relative to a member.