Board of Directors Report – September 17th 2024
On Tuesday, September 17, the HCGM Board of Directors regular meeting took place in the “Mikri Vouli” room of the Community head office. After welcoming the attendees, the Chairman, Me. Dimitris Smyrnios, proceeded to the agenda items.
In his report, the HCGM President, Dr. George Tsoukas, informed the board members about the contacts and discussions he had during his recent trip to Greece. “I have visited various foundations, business organizations in Thessaloniki, the Athens Medical Association, shipowners, and I have made a request to the Onassis and the Niarchos Foundations, who are particularly interested in nursing homes,” said the President, who also visited the Universities of Patras, Thessaloniki, Ionian and Ioannina. The latter has a complete online course platform, which they can offer to the HCGM to support our Supplementary Education. Dr. Tsoukas also met with senior executives of Mr. Evangelos Mytilineos’ company. The great businessman visited the HCGM during Prime Ministers Mitsotakis and Trudeau’s visit on March 25. Soon, Mr. Mytilineos will revisit Canada, and there will be meetings to support our Community.
“I was impressed by the stance of the Government of Greece,” added the President. “I went to the Prime Minister’s Office, met with the Minister of Development, Takis Theodorikakos, the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Papadopoulou and George Kotsiras. There is an open line of communication with all of them to take advantage of the various financial programmes of the European Union. Our requests for grants to build the community centre in Laval, the school and the nursing home align with the agreement Canada signed in July with the EU to participate in the CAD$1,44 trillion Horizon grant program. We will establish a working group of board members and community staff to work closely on these issues. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be in Toronto on November 4 to participate in the 3rd Economic Forum. There, we will meet, and he will have an answer,” said Dr. Tsoukas, who concluded his report by emphasizing that in addition to the long-term plans, fundraising efforts, raffles, and various events will continue, to increase revenues to $100,000 per month to deal with the operating costs of the Community without pressure.
The Treasurer, Nikos Fudas, reported that the payroll and staff deductions (DAS) are paid regularly. “From the first moment I took over as treasurer, I promised transparency and streamlining of the finances of the organization,” Fudas said, adding: “Already, compared to last year, operating expenses have been reduced by 2%. The fiscal year 2024-2025 budget is ready for presentation at the next General Assembly. This is the first time the Community has had a budget ready this early in the fiscal year.”
The Treasurer then gave a comprehensive presentation on the current financial status of the HCGM, ensuring that the board members are well-informed and involved in the organization’s financial matters. He also suggested that the next Board meeting be held on October 2 and the General Assembly on October 20 for the presentation of the budget and the presentation of the federal government grant program for the Laval project.
Subsequently, the Board accepted the resignations of two members: Dr. Vicky Bafis and Mrs. Panagiota Tsioutra. The next two runners-up in the last Community elections will fill their positions.
Following a presentation by the school’s Director General, Georgia Tsakalis, a discussion followed on the Socrates-Démosthenes Annex V and the tuition increase for the 2025-2026 school year.
Also, following a presentation by HCGM Interim Executive Director Chris Adamopoulos, the status of the action plan for the federal government grant for the new community center in Laval was discussed.
Due to the extended meeting lasting more than 3:30 hours, the remaining items will be discussed at the next meeting.