2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association (SEDRA)
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Manor Road United Church
240 Manor Road East, Toronto
Minutes for Publication
Welcome & Call to Order
- The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m.
- John Hiddema, Moderator, introduced himself and described the agenda.
- The land treaty acknowledgement of the traditional territory was read by a Manor Road United Church representative, Rev. John Joseph Mastandrea.
- The current board was introduced, starting with Jane Auster, Co-President; Paul Newbigging, Treasurer; Sue Simon, Secretary and Membership Director; Al Kivi, Tall Homes/Residential Working Group chair; Jeff Latto, Tall and Midrise Development Working Group chair; Mary Turcotte, Communications Director; and finally John Hiddema, Co-President.
- Sharon Mourer was acknowledged as chair of our Heritage working group, and Charles Iscove, a former board member and current “super volunteer,” official photographer and archivist.
- Diana White was acknowledged as a former board member at QuORA (Quantum Owners and Residents’ Association), and now champions community outreach with SEDRA.
Minutes of the May 2025 AGM
- The members were informed that the minutes of last year’s AGM were distributed to members in advance through the SEDRA website and e-blasts, which referred members to the website if they wished to read them.
- Shelley Laskin moved to accept the minutes of the 2025 AGM. Seconded by Jane Auster. The vote to approve the May 2025 AGM Minutes was CARRIED.
Finances – Treasurer’s Report
- Treasurer Paul Newbigging presented the Treasurer’s Report. He reminded the group that SEDRA is a volunteer organization with a small annual budget. At each monthly meeting of the board, the treasurer’s report is shared, reviewed and approved. All expenses are invoiced, and all cheques are double-signed.
- The audience was informed that the financial reports are available on the SEDRA website, and as with the minutes, members were asked in our meeting invitations to review the Financial Reports in advance.
- Paul thanked the audience for their membership contributions and donations.
- Paul informed the members of the three accounts that we manage:
- Elizabeth Ridler moved to accept the Treasurer’s report. Seconded by Adele Massena. The vote to approve the 2025 Treasurer’s Report was CARRIED.
- Financial statements are available to all SEDRA members on request.
Special Resolution to Waive the Audit
John then advised the membership that, as provided for by the Ontario legislation that governs our not-for-profit residents’ association, and as we do each year, we proposed not to appoint an auditor. The province recognizes that audits impose a large financial burden on small organizations such as SEDRA and allows this under the legislation.
John then called for a motion that we approve the Special Resolution to Waive the Audit.
Tom Quinn moved to accept the Special Resolution. Seconded by Jane Auster. The vote to approve the special resolution was CARRIED.
Dissolve the Brownlow Account
Paul informed the group of the origin of the Brownlow account, which was established to oppose the development project at Brownlow and Soudan. The remaining funds in the account were offered for refund, which no one has requested in 15 years. It was proposed to roll the remaining funds into the general account, allowing us to utilize funds wherever needed.
John then called for a motion that we approve dissolving and redistributing the Brownlow account. Paul Robert moved to accept the dissolution. Seconded by Jane Auster. The motion was CARRIED.
Elections to the Board of Directors
All current SEDRA board members are standing for re-election for the coming year and plan to continue in their current roles. If there are any changes to who will serve on the SEDRA board, those changes will be finalized at our next board meeting and then published by email update and on our website.
As part of board protocol, the entire board provided their resignations and then stood for re-election by our members.
Shelley Laskin moved that we approve the Election of the full slate of directors, as presented, for the 2026 South Eglinton Davisville Residents’ Association, or SEDRA, board of directors. Seconded by Beth Savan. The motion to re-elect the 2026 board of directors was CARRIED.
- Jane Auster
- John Hiddema
- Paul Newbigging
- Sue Simon
- Al Kivi
- Jeff Latto
- Mary Turcotte
John noted that as a board, we hope that some of tonight’s attendees will be interested in getting involved with SEDRA and perhaps joining the board. He invited members to contact us via the contact form on our website. If there is something specific in your area or a specific issue that you would like to get involved in, SEDRA welcomes your participation. The protocol requires that, to be elected to the board, the nominee be a paid-up SEDRA member for at least one year and be nominated by another person who is a paid-up SEDRA member for more than a year. Nominations to the board can be made at any time during the year.
Closing of the Business Meeting
A motion was made to close the Business Meeting. Moved by Keith Aldridge, seconded by Jane Auster. The vote to close the business meeting was CARRIED.
The text of the minutes was finalized on September 28, 2026, for publication and distribution.