Rose Alper

BCAM’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on the evening of Sept. 21, 2011 at 5890 Monkland Avenue, Montreal where the Annual Report was read. The fiscal year, July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011, was very productive and stimulating as BCAM continues to educate, advocate and network about the effects of environmental toxins on breast cancer. Community outreach was provided through workshops, information sessions and presentations, media contacts, and using social media sites. The website was upgraded to the Web 2.0 format, which allows for a more modern look and an interactive connection to the social media landscape. The new website went live on Dec. 8, 2010 with great success.

We said adieu to our long-time executive administrator, Janice Melanson, a driving force behind our FemmeToxic Project, and added two new board members, Lannie Mayo and Deborah Ostrovsky. Although Rosanne Cohen resigned as president of the Board of Directors, she will continue to be involved with BCAM as its new executive director. The Board has great confidence that Rosanne’s creativity and passion will serve BCAM very well.

On behalf of the nominating committee, Maychai Brown presented the slate for election to the 2011-2012 Board of Directors, which was accepted unanimously: Rose Alper, Avis Antel, Deena Dlusy-Apel, Susan Hertzberg, Patricia Kearns, Chris Kupka, Lannie Mayo, Deborah Ostrovsky, Terrye Perlman, Carol Secter. Rose thanked Maychai, who is leaving the board, for her years of excellent work for BCAM and was pleased to report that Maychai will continue to be a member of the newsletter committee and assistant editor of the newsletter, as well as an outreach volunteer for educational presentations. Maychai read the slate of 2011-2012 officers: Patricia Kearns (President), Susan Hertzberg (Vice-President), Terrye Perlman (Treasurer), Avis Antel (Secretary). The slate of officers was accepted unanimously.

Next on the agenda was the Public Information Forum, a new initiative at Quebec AGMs. Attendees introduced themselves and discussion centred on the NFB’s new film, Pink Ribbons, Inc., co-written by our Board president, Patricia Kearns, which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and was very well received. BCAM is looking forward to the Montreal screening in February 2012. The Public Information Forum adjourned at 9.30 p.m. The Annual and Financial Reports are available at the BCAM office.