Lögberg-Heimskringla - 30.10.1992, Síða 8

8 * Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 30. október 1992
INL must learn to stand alone
Hecla Village, in the heart of New lceland.
Excerpts from
outgoing president
Evelyn Thorvaldson’s
report to the
73rd Annual
Convention at Gull
Harbour
We started out the year with
“no office — and no
Executive Secretary” — not
a very good start! As well, our
Recording Secretary Connie
Schimnowski, resigned in the fall,
due to a heavy workload at
University. We basically “limped”
along, until we were able to solve
some of these problems. Two very
dedicated and important past Board
members came to the rescue - Oli
Narfason agreed to continue to Chair
the Task Force Committee, and
Sigurlin Roed agreed to fill the role of
Recording Secretary until we could
find a replacement.
Requests and recommendations
from the last convention - and from
the meetings in November, have
developed as follows:
□ □ □
Locating Office Headquarters: In July
1991, we decided to rent office space
at 699 Carter Avenue in Winnipeg.
This building is owned and managed
by Ray Gislason of Keystone
Graphics. We have a private office,
(small and humble), where we pay
$150.00 per month rent, and up until
April 15th, shared telephone costs
with Logberg-Heimskringla. We now
have our own private telephone (284-
3402), but will continue to share the
fax machine with them. We have
installed shelving, which was desper-
ately needed. Our walls are graced
with pictures of President Vigdís,
professionally framed and donated by
Oli Narfason.
□ □ □
Creating a Better Awareness for the
INL: We believe we have made a “dif-
ference” this past year. We had two
new affiliates join, right after the con-
vention last year — the Solskin
Ladies of B.C. and the Hecla Island
Heritage Society — and more recent-
ly, have received Minneapolis Hekla
Club as a new Chapter. We have
received Minot, N.D. as an Affiliate;
the Icelandic Language & Cultural
Camp as an Affiliate (with special sta-
tus); and delighted to have received
“Falkinn" (Brandon) back as a
Chapter.
Many Chapters and members have
been visited ... Sumardagurinn Fyrsti
at Selkirk (on two occasions);
Islendingamot at Markerville,
Alberta, where I could meet with
three Chapters at once — Stephan G.
Stephansson, Calgary and Edmonton.
There was a trip and visit to Iceland
to Pjodraeknisfelag Islendinga í
Reykjavík in late June, as well as a
special meeting with President
Vigdís; and the Toronto Club in
November. Strong efforts and action
has increased in our attempts to con-
tact American organizations. The
Conference in Washington, D.C. in
October, 1991, gave us an excellent
opportunity to meet with several rep-
resentatives from various organiza-
tions. The INL delegation of “eight”
(BC’s Irene Finnson and Bob
Asgeirsson); (Gimli’s Stefan & Olla
Stefanson and Marge Arnason);
INL’s Executive — Elva Simundsson
and Evelyn Thorvaldson); and L-H’s
Vice President/Treasurer Gordon
Thorvaldson — all took part in pre-
sentations there, some of us on very
short notice — and all of us at our
own expense... and I might add, that
they were the best damn group of
ambassadors for the INL that we
might ever see. It gave us good expo-
sure and the opportunity to share
with others on the position and
workings of the INL. As well, we
have had willing and dedicated mem-
bers represent us at various other
functions. It is easy to see the support
we have across the country just by
reading some of our chapter/member
annual reports. All this — in our best
interest — and yes, definitely helping
to create a better awareness.
□ □ □
Youth Development: At the
Presidents and Youth Meetings, last
year we employed the professional
services of Karen Kristjanson, to lead
a session/workshop for the youth
development and planning. We had a
“poor” tumout of youth — and revert
back to the recommendations and
requests from the convention in B.C.
— to the Chapters and members —
WHAT HAPPENED?? Other than
our own Melanie Bjarnason (Youth
Rep on our Executive) — and an
interested student from UMISS, the
only other youth rep that attended
was Merrill Albert from the Toronto
Club. We certainly did our part in
setting up the information in good
time — laid out the plans to accom-
modate those requests — and were
disappointed. If we are ever going to
be successful in that regard, then, we
need your commitments fulfilled as
well. We invited adult representa-
tives, from different Chapters to sit in
on those youth sessions, in the hope
that they could take ideas and infor-
mation back to their youth reps. But
we had expected to see the actual
registration of your youth!
□ □ □
Fund Raising: As you are aware, one
of our more ambitious and dedicated
INL Executive members, Nelson
Gerrard, has been the driving force
behind the calendar project. Nelson
works diligently, many hours at
putting it all together — and it has
proven to be a successful way for
Chapters and members to raise funds
for their needs. His efforts have cer-
tainly not gone unnoticed. Nelson
has led the way in our commitment
to develop ways for creating aware-
ness and at the same time, raising
funds. This is an annual project, and
requires much co-operation from you
in honouring deadlines that he sets
forth. Implementing ways and means
for further development in both these
areas, is an on-going and very impor-
tant part of our Task Force
Committee.
□ □ □
Video Libraiy: We have made strong
attempts at trying to implement a
video library — or possibilities for
video lending from Iceland. To date,
and after much communication with
the proper authorities nothing really
has transpired. Bob Asgeirsson of the
BC Chapter, willingly set the “wheels
in motion” for us on his trip to
Iceland last October. Naturally, we
are disappointed — and have become
rather frustrated. However — we do
have a young lady —.an enthusiastic
individual — by the name of Erika
McPherson, who has been willing to
review and action the possibilities for
us in terms of a “Film Festival” — but
again, we are not in a financial posi-
tion to employ her services. Erika is
knowledgeable in the world of cul-
ture and arts, and has already given
much of her time and talent to the
INL in that regard. She is willing to
pursue other avenues that we may
consider, in the hopes that we may
be able to host such an event.
□ □ □
Resource Library: This item was dis-
cussed at our Presidents and Youth
meetings in November. It was sug-
gested that information (from all our
members) — and from the Icelandic
communities in general, be gathered
and compiled in a fashion that would
serve well. A form was designed and
mailed out to all our mailing list,
requesting information on names of
guest speakers; videos for loan;
libraries; Icelandic costume makers;
artists; musicians; etc. The intent is to
bank this information on our INL
Central Directory computer — and to
make it available for information
when required and requested. To my
knowledge, there has been little — or
no response. Again, I ask — if our
efforts are in vain, and ask that you
co-operate, if these projects are to be
successful.
□ □ □
INL Central Directory: This project is
well underway — and growing! It has
been placed in the very capable
hands of Jon Ari Sigurjonsson of the
BC Chapter. $4000.00 was allotted
for this project, which involved a
computer, hardware/software, paper
supplies, etc. The funds are being
administered on our behalf by the BC
Chapter. Jon has communicated and
much reviewing of names, spellings,
addresses, duplications, etc. has been
actioned. We will hear more on this
topic in a special report later today.
□ □ □
Contlnued on page 9