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2016 ANNUAL REPORT

The Danish Canadian Museum

Presented to the Museum

Membership

Annual General Meeting May 27, 2017

Dickson, Alberta

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Contents THE DANISH CANADIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM .......................................................................1

MISSION AND VISION (2014) ........................................................................................................2

AGENDA .........................................................................................................................................................3

MINUTES OF THE 2016 AGM .............................................................................................................4

PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT (2016) .....................................................................................8

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2016 ...................................................................................................... 10

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT ............................................................................................... 15

RESOURCE COMMITTEE REPORT ................................................................................................. 17

COLLECTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT ......................................................................................... 18

PROGRAM, SPECIAL EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERS COMMITTEE REPORT ............... 19

GOVERNANCE AND STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT .......................... 20

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE ................................................................................................. 21

MAINTENANCE & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.................................................................... 22

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT ......................................................................................... 23

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GENERAL OPERATING BYLAW NO. 2 ...................... 24

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THE DANISH CANADIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MAY 27th, MONTREAL QUEBEC

REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 2015

This report is provided for the Members of the Museum for the year ended 2016 for the Annual General Meeting to be held on May 27, 2017 in Dickson, Alberta. This booklet provides the Agenda, as well as an overview of the Museum’s progress and challenges including the financial aspects of the operations. Also included are the Mission and Vision as well as reports from board committees.

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MISSION AND VISION (2014) The Mission of the Danish Canadian National Museum is: ‘To inspire, engage, and educate about Danish Canadians’ Our Vision:

‘The Danish Canadian National Museum is the nucleus for Danish Canadian heritage’

Our Central Theme: ‘The Danish Canadian story: a saga stretching for centuries across

continents’

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AGENDA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

THE DANISH CANADIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM SATURDAY MAY 27, 2017 DICKSON, ALBERTA

Location: The Danish Canadian Museum Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 am MDT AGENDA: 1. WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER - ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. COURTESY MOTION RE: ATTENDEE PARTICIPATION 4. GREETINGS

a. Federation of Danish Associations in Canada b. Regions

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE 2016 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 6. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 7. REPORTS

a. President b. Finances

• Review of the 2016 Financial Statements c. Operations

• Executive Director • Curator

d. Board Committee Reports - AGM Booklet 8. NEW BUSINESS

Amendments Operating Bylaw No. 2 for the Danish Canadian National Museum Corporation

9. REGIONAL DIRECTORS’ REPORTS/COMMENTS e. British Columbia f. Saskatchewan/Manitoba g. Ontario h. Quebec i. Maritimes j. Alberta

10. REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE / ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

11. AUTHORIZATION OF THE FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR 2017 12. PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 13. ADJOURNMENT

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MINUTES OF THE 2016 AGM Annual General Meeting

The Danish Canadian National Museum Friday May 27, 2016 Montreal, Quebec

Location: The Vieux Port Steakhouse Time: 10:15 am to 12:10 pm Welcome: Kren Clausen welcomed everyone to the historical setting, a building about 250 years old in down town Montreal. He outlined the day’s events, and told of the three guests presenting during the lunch hour. Call to order: Svend Nielsen called the meeting to order, noting there was a quorum. Thirty-four members were in attendance. He welcomed all to the 24th annual general meeting. Approval of Agenda: Svend requested that the President’s report be moved to the end of section 7. MS Steen Jochumsen, Rolf Christensen that the revised agenda be approved. Carried. Courtesy Motion re Attendee Participation: MS Carl Sorensen, Steve Morck that participants attending have voice, with only members having the right to vote. Carried. Greetings: Rolf brought greetings from the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada. He stated the Federation has been a strong supporter of the Museum since its founding. There were no other greetings. Approval of Minutes from the 2015 AGM: MS Gordon Petersen, Anne Lise Pedersen that the minutes, as distributed, be approved. Carried. Business Arising from the Minutes: None. Reports: Ann Manson introduced Directors of the Board present at the meeting: Svend Nielsen, Ann Manson, Kren Clausen, Sonja Myroon, Karin Larsen, Anne Lise Pedersen, Gordon Petersen and Steve Morck.

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Finances: The Treasurer’s report and Financial statements (pages 11 through 19) received favourable comments re presentation. MS Carl, Karin that the financial statements be approved as printed. Carried. Operations: Executive Director Svend briefly reviewed the extensive process followed in acquiring an Executive Director. There were numerous applicants. Svend gave some introductory remarks about Brian Desjardins in addition to the message from the ED (pages 20, 21).

Operations: Curator Faye Kjearsgaard reported briefly about curatorial aspects of the Museum. Plans are to open the CPR House this August with a small gathering of the Nielsen and Sondergaard families, with the official opening being held next summer. The theme of displays this year is Needle Art. Next year the theme will be “great Danes” and she welcomed suggestions from the membership for persons to feature. Board Committees: Resource Ann reported that the Museum experienced improved financial health at the end of last year. Cost reducing measures include on-line banking and “Square”, credit card processing. Staff cuts last year have been restored this year, the position of curator returns to half time. Board Committees: Collections Carl referred to his report on p. 24. He emphasized the critical need for space related to display and storage of artefacts. He stated that accreditation must be renewed every five years; the Museum follows policies to maintain its accreditation. Carl reported that the Donate-a-brick fundraiser will continue to assist with operational costs. A request came from the floor that information be made available about the kind of artefacts accepted by the Museum, and their exhibition. It was suggested that this information also be placed on the website. Board Committees: Program, Special Events, Volunteers Joanne Nielsen referred to the report beginning on p, 25. She stated that Kari Morck will assume responsibility for volunteers. Board Committees: Governance and Strategic Planning Ann referred to the report on p. 27, 28, and emphasized the importance of the Strategic Business Model, prepared by Urban Matters, as a guideline for future planning for the viability of the Museum. The board has prioritized recommendations from the Urban Matters report to be used in planning. The Duality Project is progressing well.

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Board Committees: Communications Steve commented on the Museum’s newsletters, and the effectiveness of Facebook. Shared opportunities for publicity are provided through the Scandinavian Trail Association. Additional social media methods will begin this summer. Board Committees: Human Resources Ann reported that a staff development workshop led by Barry Christensen was useful; the inclusion of daily five-minute staff meetings was beneficial. She stated that exit interviews were held with last year’s summer staff. Staff for this season has been reorganized. Kari is the Operations Coordinator and Kayla Godkin is the Culinary Coordinator. Board Committees: Development and Maintenance Svend reported that the 2014 hail storms that damaged the CPR House caused delays in its opening to the public. Larry Kjearsgaard expressed a vote of thanks to Svend for his continued help and work in the maintenance of museum property and grounds.

Board Committees: Management Svend reported that teleconferences are used to manage immediate needs in the daily operations of the Museum. President: Svend described some of the major projects of last year. The Naust was completed. The lake was deepened to provide better water quality. He presented a proposal for development over the next three years. Since there is need for additional space, his plans include using the entire dormitory building, constructed in 1933, as a museum and building an addition to the existing structure. The cafe and gift shop would be moved into the addition. It is hoped that through promotion of the Scandinavian Trail sites there will be increased visitors in the future. Svend expressed thanks to all directors, and to his wife, Joanne. Friends of the Museum: Karin requested that information, with photos, be provided to directors to create interest in Friends of the Museum. This would be in the form of a small brochure, and would provide “hands-on” information apart from that available on the museum’s website. New Business: New By-laws for the Museum Carl reviewed the process to date, since August 2014, of the drafting of the General Operating By-law No. 2. He made reference to the cover letter containing recommendations about actions required with General operating By-laws No. 1 and No. 2, and noted that the Board has approved these recommendations.

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MS Carl, Larry that General Operating By-law No. 1 of the Danish Canadian National Museum Corporation be repealed, effective on approval of General Operating By-law No. 2. Carried. MS Carl, Orest Myroon that General Operating By-law No. 2 of the Danish Canadian National Museum Corporation be approved. Carried. Discussions concerning the By-laws included Board authority re securities (p. 36), change in quorum numbers, and inclusion of Management Committee responsibilities. Regional Directors’ Reports/Comments: None. Report of the Nominating Committee/Election of Directors: Carl presented a revised Nominations report that included the name Steve Morck. MS Carl, Gordon that the following nominations be accepted: Anne Lise Pedersen, Gerald Rasmussen, Steve Morck. Carried. Carl asked for further nominations from the floor. MS Orest, Karin that nominations cease. Carried. Carl declared that the above persons are elected to the Board. Authorization of the Financial Review for 2016: MS Steve, Ann that the reviewers for the 2015 Financial Statements be nominated for the 2016 review. Carried.

Presentations: The following presentations were made: Larry presented a cheque from the Alberta region to the Museum. Anne Lise presented a cheque for $1000 from the Ontario region to the Museum. Rolf presented a cheque for $500 from the Pacific region to the Museum. Annual Report: MS Ann, Orest that the entire 2015 Annual Report of the Danish Canadian National Museum be accepted. Carried. Adjournment: Svend moved adjournment at 12:10 pm.

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PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT (2016) Greetings to Members of The Danish Canadian Museum, I would like to thank all our members for their continued involvement and I am pleased to see those of you here at the Annual General Meeting. We are proud to be celebrating 25 years, which is our theme this year at the Museum. We are especially proud to host the 2017 Danish Canadian Conference in partnership with the Danish Federation of Canada. Since our last meeting in Montreal, I would like to report on some exciting activities and challenges for the Museum. The Board of Directors continued to meet diligently throughout the year to provide governance to the organization. In October 2016, we had a very productive Board Retreat that featured a board development workshop instructed by Alberta Culture and Tourism. The purpose of the workshop was to learn fundamentals including roles and responsibilities of Directors for the organization. We engaged in thoughtful discussion that set out some direction including the need for a full review of our policies. In the past year, much work has been accomplished at the Museum and grounds. With the support of the Red Deer Danish Club we have made all our attractions accessible with new walkway and trail developments. New siding was added to the Museum (due to hail damage) and it makes it more eye appealing and will certainly add to the protection and longevity. I am excited that we have added our newest exhibit – the Nielsen CPR House – which will enable visitors to learn more about the contributions of Danish Canadians. I would also like take this opportunity to thank members, clubs, groups and organizations who have given gifts and donations throughout the year to support the Museum. A special thank you to the Danish Canadian Club of Calgary who continue to support us generously each year. I believe that our summer season was an entire success with increased visitation to the Museum. Summer staff enjoyed their time and greatly assisted with interpretation, serving at the Saga Café and Gift Shop, and coordination of premiere special events such as our famous Viking Days in August. We generated much awareness about our Museum using regular media releases with press – both locally and Nationally. Receiving two prestigious awards also helped attract media to the Museum to take photos, write stories, and film our amazing attraction. It is also my hope that we can begin thoughtful discussions surrounding the concept of Museum expansion. As you know for many years now, it has been difficult for us to collect and store artifacts and are limited with areas to display them. It is time that we begin a productive conversation and approach to potential expansion.

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Lastly, I would like to say that it has been my privilege serving this past year as President of the Danish Canadian Museum and I look forward to the coming year of successes. By working together as an organization made up of members from across Canada, I know we can meet our challenges with creative solutions. I encourage members to volunteer and play a role on the Board of Directors. Please feel free to contact myself and our Executive Director with your ideas and if you have any questions about the Museum. Med venlig hilsen,

Svend E Nielsen, President

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2016

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT I would also like to welcome everyone to the 2017 Danish Canadian Conference and another Museum AGM. I look forward to a successful meeting and election. A special thanks to President Svend Nielsen and the Board of Directors who have given me exceptional direction. I have been Executive Director since May of last year. Please allow me to say to all of you that I am truly honoured to work for the Danish Canadian community. I must say that my first year has been a learning experience with Museum operations and I believe that I now have the knowledge to move the organization forward to new heights. Our summer season was exciting and we saw an increase in visitors to over 6000 people. Our special events were successful including Viking Days that attracted many visitors to experience a Viking encampment and warrior demonstrations. It was awesome to see the performance by the marching band from Denmark, Vejen Garden. I look forward to building upon our premiere events by offering sponsorship programs. My hat’s off to all our volunteers – without them we would not be able to provide such captivating events. I was impressed with the quality of staff we had over the summer and permanent staff. They provided Museum interpretation services and were very busy serving Danish cuisine in the Saga Café. I would like to personally thank them for their hard work. Our Curator, Faye Kjearsgaard, worked hard to theme our Museum after “needle art” from Denmark and other Scandinavian countries and provided instructional classes. Clint Nissen kept our facilities and grounds top-notch for everyone to enjoy. The Museum has received annual funding from the Alberta Museum Association to assist with staffing. By the end of 2016 we learned that we would not be receiving the grant. As a result, we were unable to continue the Operations Coordinator position. 2016 saw two newsletters and the introduction of regular communications including e-news, media releases and promotions. I believe it is necessary to communicate consistently with our members and stakeholders to ensure they are informed about Museum activities. By issuing press releases to media we were very successful in attracting attention from CBC, CTV, Canadian Press, Red Deer Advocate, and more. A media familiarization tour supported by Tourism Red Deer brought a travel writer for Alberta Motor Association (CAA) Insider Magazine. I am proud to say that the Museum was recently featured in the summer issue. I am thrilled that after successful submissions, the Museum received two significant awards including the 2017 Wynn McLean Growing Rural Tourism Champion (Alberta) and 2016 Heritage Recognition Award (City of Red Deer & Red Deer County). I believe that with these awards and terrific media attention we will generate more revenue for the Museum with increased visitation, support by stakeholders, and growing membership through increased awareness.

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Our website continues to be updated and utilized for giving dedicated information on special events and funding programs. Near the end of 2016 we hired a programmer to begin working on a donations button to allow people to make contributions on-line and receive automatic tax receipts. This feature will be available in the near future. A committee was formed to make an application to the Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC) for a considerable grant to create an on-line virtual museum. With DCM going virtual, visitors will be able to see displays of our exhibits, artifacts and archives representing Danish-Canadian heritage and history; as well as taking a virtual tour of the beautiful 13 acre site. A considerable amount of time was dedicated to the application and we secured approximately 40 letters of support from clubs, groups and organizations from across Canada. We recently learned that our submission was unsuccessful and look forward to another call for proposals by VMC. During 2016, I committed myself to learn about the Museum and develop relations with the Board of Directors, members, Danish organizations, and stakeholders. I have built strong ties with media and other partners such as Travel Alberta, Tourism Red Deer, Scandinavian Trail, Central Alberta Regional Museums Network, and Alberta Museums Association. I look forward to strengthening these relationships for the benefit of the Museum. Although it has only been a short period thus far for me as Executive Director, I have enjoyed working with the current Board and I look forward to working with the new one following this meeting. I’m certain that together we will continue growing the association and strengthening the Museum. We have the right momentum. I look forward to the coming year. I encourage everyone to feel free to call me anytime, send me an email, or drop by the Museum. My door will always be open. Step Into The Saga!

Brian Desjardins The Wynn Mclean Growing Rural Tourism Award. Left to right: Wynn McLean VP Community Relations Travel Alberta, Thomas Gerling CEO Camrose Regional Exhibition, Brian Desjardins Executive Director The Danish Canadian Museum

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RESOURCE COMMITTEE REPORT

During the 2016 year the Resource Committee focused on providing support and assistance to Brian Desjardins’ as he developed a fundraising plan. That plan included:

• creating a folder with inserts intended to attract money from private and commercial donors and sponsors

• applying for awards that would promote the museum’s profile • those applications won two awards for the museum:

o the 2016 Heritage Recognition Award City of Red Deer & Red Deer County and o the 2017 Growing Rural Tourism Champion (Alberta)

• sending out numerous press releases which garnered national print and television media attention for the Museum

Brian continues to establish and maintain connections with provincial, national, and international organizations. Information collected from the 2016 Visitor Questionnaire revealed that most new guests learned about the Museum by word of mouth, from social media or the Internet. Paid ads and other marketing did not provide the expected benefits. The Resource Committee anticipates greater visitor numbers to result from the social media and free national media coverage. Joanne Nielsen generously volunteered to be the Museum’s bookkeeper. The Resource Committee thanks her for excellent work. Respectfully submitted, Ann Manson, Resource Committee Chairperson

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COLLECTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT The mandate of the Collections Committee is to oversee the artefact and archival collection which is basic to the Museum’s Mission and Vision. The Museum, as a recognized Alberta museum, is required to operate in accordance with its approved Collections Policy, and in accordance with the policies and guidelines of the Alberta Museums Association. The Collections Committee acknowledges with thanks and appreciation the work and guidance of the Museum’s Curator, Faye Kjearsgaard. Through her work additional artefacts have been added to the Museum’s collection this year. A highlight of 2016 was the preparation of the Nielsen CPR house for its official opening at this conference. The Committee met face-to-face in July, and was in conversation and planning sessions at other times during the year. Faye and Carl Sorensen worked on revisions to the Collection Policy; this work is ongoing in 2017. Other aspects of the Committee’s work include:

• Assisting the Curator in a variety of decisions respecting displays and artefact acquisition;

• Striving to promote and facilitate the gathering of Danish-Canadian immigrant stories; • Participating in Board discussions respecting ongoing and potential maintenance and

development matters which have an impact on artefacts and archival material; and • Reviewing the Committee’s terms-of-reference, with the objective of more clearly

delineating the relationship and respective responsibilities of the Curator and the Committee.

There are three issues which continue to affect the Museum’s operation:

• The constraints of limited space for more ideal display and interpretation of its collection of artefacts and archival material;

• The constraints and difficulties of operating in an older, converted building, with less than ideal environmental and climatic conditions; and

• The constraints of limited space for storage of an ever-growing collection, and of limited space for preparation and maintenance of its collection.

These are issues which, in both the immediate and the longer term, require funding. Space has been allocated in the initial drawings for expansion of the Museum building. When funding allows for ongoing expansion of the Virtual Museum and Duality Project, the committee will assist where needed. Respectfully submitted, Collections Committee Chair Committee Members: Faye Kjearsgaard, Sonja Myroon, Carl Sorensen

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PROGRAM, SPECIAL EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERS COMMITTEE REPORT

The purpose of this Committee is to facilitate, promote and plan special events to celebrate the culture and history of Danes in Canada; and to recruit, define the roles, undertake work with, and recognize volunteers of the Museum. In 2016, there were again thousands of hours of volunteer time given to the Museum. This is split with almost equally by your Board of Directors and by non-board members. These volunteers believe the Museum is very important. Economically this allows a lot of events to happen that would not be possible without the volunteers. From a fund-raising and governance perspective the volunteers are invaluable. You can do the math of what these hours contribute to operations of the Museum. The Board Members, in the past have been able to claim expenses, and then receive a charitable receipt equal to those expenses. With a policy change all volunteers are now offered this advantage. The Committee planned, and facilitated several special events in 2016. Several initiatives were continued. Noteworthy, was the two day Viking Days, with activities both Saturday and Sunday. We again had a very large crowd of visitors at the 2015 Viking Days with good weather. The third annual Danish Church Service and Picnic was held at the end of June. This year we undertook to do a Pit Roast for Father’s day which was a tremendous success with well over 50% increase in revenue and visitorship that day. We also had marching band from Denmark put on a great show. Plans are to continue the regular slate of events again in 2017 as well as of course Aebleskiver ‘n Jam Day and Julestue. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped with governance, maintenance, gardens, bingo, archives, acquisitions, building, fundraising, and day-to-day museum and coffee house operations during 2016. We had people who came for a week or more and spent a working vacation at the Museum in the summer. The vacation worker’s help was so valuable. Hopefully this generous form of volunteering will continue and even expand in 2017. The Museum is a great place to spend part of your summer. We continue to welcome new volunteers. We also, acknowledge the many volunteers living further away, who help out however they are able. We especially ask that you promote the Museum and suggest that your acquaintances visit when they are in the area. The annual thank you of volunteers evening, was be held during the fall board retreat in October, hosted jointly by the Board and our Committee. Respectfully submitted, The Program, Special Events and Volunteers Committee

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GOVERNANCE AND STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT In 2016 the Governance and Planning Committee undertook a number of tasks. Hiring an Executive Director necessitated an examination of what the roles and responsibilities would be for each both the Board of Directors and the Executive Director. On the advice of Director Lisa Lima, Alberta Culture was invited to deliver their free Board Development workshop at the October Retreat. Two facilitators from Alberta Culture worked with the Directors in attendance Friday night and all day Saturday. Attending Directors came to understand that because the Museum now has an Executive Director, whose roles and responsibilities entail the operations of the Museum, the Board’s roles and responsibilities had to change. Instead of managing Museum operations through the various standing committees roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors became setting policies, developing long term goals, and reviewing to accept, modify or reject the ED’s recommendations. The ED is responsible and accountable to the Board of Directors for ensuring that its wishes are enacted. The staff reports to the ED. The change also means Directors are not actively involved in the minutiae of running the Museum. However, Directors are expected to participate in setting policy, developing long term goals, providing guidance, thanking donors, and volunteering to help. This is a major change and will likely take some time to work out kinks and adjust to the new Directors’ roles and responsibilities. Also it became clear that a new structure for the Board would be required. That work will be done in 2017. Lastly, the workshop indentified that a review of the Danish Canadian Museum’s policies was necessary. A Policy Review Committee of Svend Nielsen, Carl Sorensen, Gordon Petersen, Faye Kjearsgaard, Brian Desjardins, and Ann Manson undertook to review all policies. They discovered that many policies had not been reviewed since 2008! Thus, the review will not be completed until some time in 2017. Respectfully Submitted, Ann Manson, Governance and Strategic Planning Chair

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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE The overall purpose of the committee is to facilitate the lines of communication with our various stakeholders.

The Newsletter continues to be the primary method for ongoing communication with the membership which continued with the same successful format in 2016. Brian Desjardins has taken over responsibilities for Operations Coordination and will be the editor in 2017 and as per the most recent one has made some changes to the approach in the newsletter. In addition, many members are also now getting more periodic communications by email since Brian’s arrival. Media relations is covered in the Resources Committee and Executive Director Reports. ‘We would also be very interested in having our Museum Members send items for publication from your community or regions across Canada to enhance the national flavour. These can be sent by email to [email protected] or by Canada Post to the Museum address. In addition, your comments and suggestions are always welcomed.’ The website content has been refreshed to make it a living, dynamic site and subject to eventual funding, is envisioned to be a virtual museum site. Our Facebook site continues to provide excellent engagement with a wide range of demographic groups, doubling our followers again in 2016. You can follow our events as well as some of our projects progress on Facebook. Our goal has been to regularly update it with content at least once or twice a week with items of interest to our followers. We continue to test the interests, monitor feedback data and adjust to the audience. The Red Deer County established new bylaws in 2016 eliminating the use of portable signs on non owned property in our case, the Burnt Lake Gas Coop property which had been both successful and exclusive for generating traffic and local advertising for events. However, I would like to thank The Burnt Lake Gas Coop for hosting the sign for us for 3 seasons. From a marketing and branding perspective, you will notice more cohesion with the website, Facebook and our refreshed logo. We strive to expand our base and emphasize key new demographic groups such as ‘cultural explorers’ and the next generations of Danish Canadians as well as other Scandinavian groups. Respectfully submitted, Steve Morck, Communications Committee

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MAINTENANCE & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The responsibility of the Committee is to maintain the Museum property, buildings infrastructure and equipment in a safe, efficient and pleasingly aesthetic condition and to take the lead, or co-leadership, in the physical development of new exterior displays, facilities and structures. We were able to give the museum building a wonderful facelift with new stucco siding and framing reminiscent of the Danish farmsteads. This came about for the following reasons:

• We had suffered hail damage on 2 occasions over the last 12 years and wanted to do a siding style more resistant to these frequent events,

• Our insurance would bear the replacement cost of vinyl siding, and • The additional bridging funds were available through a grant.

In 2016, the primary focus of the committee was site maintenance, including the gardens, woodlands paths existing buildings and their continued evolution. The restoration of the Nielsen CPR House was completed in 2016 and we had a small family Opening event and will celebrate the completion with the official grand opening at the Museum AGM and conference in 2017. We continue to look for solutions to the evolution of the Café, gift shop and museum display area as well as the urgent need for archive and artefact storage and management facilities. A high level overview of the next phase of expansion will be shared at the Annual General Meeting in 2017 by our President. Gordon Petersen, our Past President with his excellent wood working skills has built new counters for the gift shop and kitchen area from Douglas Fir on his land that has been felled and milled, then shaped into these works of art we can both display and are much more functional than the old counters. Other additions included replacements of aging chest freezers with upright freezers and new hood fans in the kitchen to replace the ineffective old style units. Respectfully submitted Steve Morck, Clint Nissen and Svend Nielsen

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MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT The Management Committee is made up of key Directors along with the Treasurer, the President and Vice President. The Executive Director worked closely with the Management Committee in areas of overlap between the functions of the staff in running the Museum and the functions of the Board in providing overall objectives for the museum. The Management Committee and the Executive Director meet regularly by conference call to help manage ongoing issues requiring Board oversight. Meetings are called on an as needed basis and typically are focused on decision making or strategic direction relative to one or two key issues between board meetings. The Management Committee serves an essential function as part of the overall governance structure. Committee members put a lot of their time and expertise into it, and their contributions in this way are much appreciated. Respectfully submitted, Svend E Nielsen President

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PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GENERAL OPERATING BYLAW NO. 2

Proposed 2017 Amendments to General Operating By-law No. 2 Danish Canadian National Museum Corporation

Recommendations:

1. That the Board of Directors recommend to the Members of the Danish Canadian National Museum Corporation (DCM) that General Operating By-law No. 2 of DCM be amended as follows (and as described in Attachment A):

Amendment No. 1: That General Operating By-law No. 2 be amended by deleting the current Article 21,

clause a) of General Operating By-law No. 2, which reads as follows:

21. a) Where all Directors consent, a Director may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of telephone or other telecommunication facilities. Such meeting by means of telephone or other communication facilities shall permit all persons participating in a meeting to hear each other. and substituting therefor the following new Article 21, clause a):

21 a) Where all Directors participating in a meeting of the Board of Directors consent, a Director may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of telephone or other telecommunication facilities. Such meeting by means of telephone or other communication facilities shall permit all persons participating in a meeting to hear each other. Amendment No. 2: That General Operating By-law No. 2 be amended by adding a new Article 18.

Immediately following Article 17., as follows: 18. In the event of dissolution or winding up of the Corporation a) all its accessioned assets shall be deaccessioned and disposed of in accordance

with the policies of the Alberta Museums Association or its successor body; and b) all its remaining assets, after deaccessioning of its accessioned assets and payment

of its liabilities, shall be distributed to one or more recognized charitable organizations in Canada with related activities and interests.

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c) The Board of Directors, or its designate, shall have the authority to take the actions stated in 18. a) and 18. b) above.

and that the Articles of General Operating By-law No. 2 following the new Article

18. be renumbered as required.

2. That Attachment A be presented for action to the Members of DCM at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of DCM to be held in Dickson, Alberta May 27, 2017.

3. That Notice of the proposed amendments as described in Attachment A be given to DCM

Members pursuant to General Operating By-law No. 2. Discussion: Pursuant to the Transitional Provisions of the Government of Canada Not-for-Profit

Corporations Act, DCM General Operating By-law No. 1 (By-law No. 1) was approved by Members of DCM at a Special Meeting of the Corporation held on August 16, 2014. By-law No. 1 was repealed in its entirety and replaced by General Operating By-law No. 2 (By-law No. 2) at the Corporation’s Annual General Meeting held on May 27, 2016.

Two amendments to By-law No. 2 are deemed useful, and are recommended to the Board

of Directors for its approval, for the Board’s further recommendation to the Members at the May 27, 2017 AGM.

The details and rationale are presented in Attachment A. If the Board approves the recommendations above, Attachment A can then become, in its

current content and format, the report which goes before the Members as an AGM Agenda item. The amendments to General Operating By-law must be dealt with as a Special Resolution, which to pass requires a 2/3 majority of the Members present and voting.

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Attachment A Proposed 2017 Amendments to Danish Canadian National Museum Corporation General Operating By-law No. 2

Be it Resolved as a Special Resolution that General Operating By-law of the Danish

Canadian National Museum Corporation be amended as follows:

I. By deleting the current Article 21, clause a) of General Operating By-law No. 2, which reads as follows:

21 a) Where all Directors consent, a Director may participate in a meeting of the

Board of Directors by means of telephone or other telecommunication facilities.

Such meeting by means of telephone or other communication facilities shall permit

all persons participating in a meeting to hear each other. and substituting therefor the following new Article 21, clause a):

21 a) Where all Directors participating in a meeting of the Board of Directors consent, a Director may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of telephone or other telecommunication facilities. Such meeting by means of telephone or other communication facilities shall permit all persons

participating in a meeting to hear each other.

II. By adding a new Article 18. immediately following Article 17., as follows:

18. In the event of dissolution or winding up of the Corporation a) all its accessioned assets shall be deaccessioned and disposed of in accordance

with the policies of the Alberta Museums Association or its successor body; and b) all its remaining assets, after deaccessioning of its accessioned assets and

payment of its liabilities, shall be distributed to one or more recognized charitable organizations in Canada with related activities and interests.

c) The Board of Directors, or its designate, shall have the authority to take the actions stated in 18. a) and 18. b) above.

and that the Articles of General Operating By-law No. 2 following the new Article 18.

be renumbered as required.

The Danish Canadian Museum

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Discussion:

There are two substantive amendments which are proposed, together with a follow-up amendment to renumber Articles as a consequence of adding a new Article 18. The first substantive amendment (I. above) concerns the operation of a meeting of the Board of Directors where a Director participates by means of a telephone or other telecommunication facility. That participation is allowed in the current Article 21. a), in recognition of the fact that, because of the distribution of members across Canada, not all Directors who participate are able to do so in physical presence. However, such participation is currently allowed only where all Directors consent, irrespective of whether they are participating in the meeting or not. That limitation was not intended. Nor is it feasible given the number of Directors and their distribution across Canada. Therefore this amendment will provide that non-present participation in a meeting of the Board of Directors is allowed where all Directors participating in the meeting consent. The meeting chair can then simply note, at the commencement of the meeting, that a particular Director will be participating in this manner, and then ask if there is any objection. Assuming none, the meeting can then proceed. The second substantive amendment (II. above) adds into the By-law the procedure to be followed in the event the Corporation is dissolved or wound up. Such a provision is necessary for a not-for-profit corporation. A provision for this is currently in the Articles of Continuance of the Corporation (as is required by the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act), and will now be also represented by proposed new Article 18.b). In the interests of including in the Corporation’s By-law as much as possible of matters important to the governance of the Corporation, rather than having such found elsewhere, it is deemed useful to also have this provision in the By-law itself. However, an important part of the dissolution procedure for the Corporation results from the fact that it operates a museum which is certified and recognized as such by the Alberta Museums Association (MA). MA is the organization which governs the operation of museums in Alberta. MA has very specific regulations pertaining to the “deaccessioning” of any items or documents which a museum possesses which are formally and officially “accessioned”. These may not be disposed of unless they are first “deaccessioned”, which is a process by which they are first offered to specified categories of institutions or persons, after which they may be disposed of. Therefore these items (artifacts) or documents must be deaccessioned first, before general distribution and disposal may occur. Because of that and its importance for the Museum, and because that is not in the Articles of Continuance, this provision is included here as proposed new Article 18.a). All other assets of the Museum, including those items, artifacts and documents which are not accessioned, may be disposed of as the Corporation sees fit, pursuant to Article 18.b). The proposed new Article 18.c) simply makes clear that the Board of Directors has the authority to carry out the provisions respecting dissolution and winding up of the Corporation.