CIN FORUM

Ladies and gentlemen,

I trust you are enjoying this wonderfully warm summer. I write, not to intrude on your leisure, but to give you a heads-up about upcoming CIN/RCR initiatives and ask for your advice.

To begin, perhaps the most important issue is to highlight the growth of our membership and the need to formalize governance. We now have more than 50 members, and our first Institutional Supporter. CIN/RCR is a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization, subject to the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, which requires a high standard of formal and competent goverance, capable of exercising fiduciary responsibility and stewardship of resources. Our By-law No. 1 reflects all the necessary elements of governance. It can be found on the Governance tab of this website, along with other relevant governance documents. Please become familiar with it.

Your Board has been composed of a small group of 'originals' present at the start of CIN/RCR. There are five of us. The workload has not been onerous and I have been able to handle program management, administration, finance, annual reports to government, and income tax returns without difficulty. However, with more members, comes more money, the need to build program activity, and the need to enhance government activity more generally. In short, it is time to become a more formal and more serious organization.

The Board agreed to this approach at a meeting in early July and to initiating some preparatory efforts in August, with a view to conducting more activity beginning in September. To begin, here are four initiatives I ask members to consider, and action as they wish.

FIRST

By-law No. 1 stipulates that the Board of Directors can be composed of a maximum of 12 Directors. We have five. We need another seven, with a range of contacts, experience, and interests. So, I request that any member wishing to serve on the Board of Directors to let me know via this means, or separately at "jcox2308@gmail.com" before the end of August.

Alternatively, I request that any member nominate a suitable candidate from within the membership, to serve on the Board.

As volunteers and nominations are received, the current Board will consider candidates, with the intention to appoint additional Directors at the Board Meeting to be held on 25 September. Appointed Directors will then be required to stand for election at the full AGM in April2026.

At the September meeting, the Board will formalize roles and duties, and appoint necessary Board Officers.

SECOND

We intend to conduct a monthly Virtual Intelligence Coffee Shop (VICS) event, probably on the second Thursday of each month, beginning on 11 September. Please send me your ideas of topics you might like to discuss, or 'guest' discussants (or Members who have something to say) you might like to hear from.

THIRD

For those of you living in the Ottawa area, we intend to hold a no-host Ottawa Intelligence Dinner Club (OIDC) eveniing, probably in September and November. Here too, please let me know if you have ideas about a 'guest' diner or topic you would like to discuss.

FOURTH

Finally, as noted in the Board minutes from 3 July, the Board has established a Digital Affairs Committee (DAC), to be chaired by Carl Marchand. The DAC's first task will be to enhance and polish our website, so we seek volunteers, with relevant experience and talent, to join Carl. Please let me or Carl know if you wish to serve on this committee.

I do encourage you all to let me know your ideas and interest in serving on our Board. Beyond the Board, there will be ample opportunities.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Best regards,

Jim