MINUTES

MARKHAM SANTA CLAUS PARADE COMMITTEE

ROTARY CLUB OF MARKHAM SUNRISE INC.

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

2010-06-23

June 23, 2010

__________________________________________________________

 

Attendance

 

Jim Sandiford, Rotary Club of Markham Sunrise Inc. - Chair

Councillor Caroline Moretti

Councillor John Webster

Christine Matthews, Markham BIA, Event Co-ordinator & Community Liaison

Olivia Bella, Event Management Assistant

Morgan Jones, Supervisor, Operations

Peter Cusimano, Rotary Club of Markham Sunrise Inc.

Jon Styles, Supervisor Operations

Dennis Flaherty, Acting Director, Communications & Community Relations

Pamela Cook, Committee Clerk

 

Regrets:

Bob Hincks, Supervisor, Operations

Bob Walter, District Manager, Operations

 

 

 

 

 

The meeting convened at 3:05 p.m. with Jim Sandiford in the Chair. 

 

Councillor Webster suggested that the Chair speak to the Diversity people at the Town to investigate the possibility of inviting other cultural groups to take part in the Parade. 

 

1.   MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MAY 27, 2010

     

Moved by Councillor Moretti

Seconded by Jon Styles,

 

      That the minutes of the Markham Santa Claus Parade Committee meeting held on May 27th, 2010, be adopted. 

 

CARRIED

 

2.   ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

 

a)      Meeting with York Region Police

 

Jim Sandiford reported that the York Region Police were not in attendance at the scheduled meeting, but another meeting will be set up.  Peter suggested reviewing a map of the parade course to identify where police assistance could best benefit.

 

b)     Selection of Bands for Parade

 

Jim will look after the selection of bands for the Parade. 

 

c)      Santa Claus Float, Markham

 

Jim reported on a meeting with Andy Taylor and indicated that the Town of Markham is committed to provide assistance with the construction and take down of the Santa Claus float.

 

d)     Sponsorships

 

Angus Glen have enquired about sponsoring and asked about a seating stage for their staff.  The Committee discussed ways which sponsorship could best be handled.  Councillor Moretti suggested a guideline that would set out the criteria for sponsorship and further commented it might be too ambitious to complete it for 2010, but could be initiated for 2011.  Jim will speak to someone at Rotary to see if they would be willing to work at getting approximately ten clowns, who would be expected to pay an entrance fee to participate in the Parade. 

 

There was a discussion about sponsored ‘naming banners’ either mounted or carried in front of the floats.  The Chair asked the Committee members to bring back suggestions for the next meeting for discussion.

 

e)      Waivers for Parade Participants

 

Jim commented that Joanne Olson had drawn up a chart for waivers.  When someone registers for the parade, you must sign the application, which includes the waiver.  Peter will look at the form from last year and report back.

 

f)       Festival of Lights

 

Christine will report back on the Festival of Lights at the next meeting.

 

g)      Grand Marshall

 

It was suggested that Angela James, who was just inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, might be a suitable candidate for Grand Marshall.  This will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting

 

h)     Subcommittees

a.      Sponsorships

 

The parade has been promoted in the past as follows – Powerstream paid $1,500 and carried a banner, the BIA and Town websites, Markham Economist, Ming Pao, flyers, Rotary Club website, markhamsantaclausparade.com website, street banners, two heritage signs, arenas, SNAP Markham. 

 

Dennis suggested that this year the Parade could advertise in Markham Life with a full page advertisement.  There was a suggestion of a celebrity elves approach – where six to eight different Markham people be selected, and using a ‘find Waldo’ concept, with a contest to find them at the parade and win prizes such as theatre tickets.  Jim will follow-up on this suggestion for next meeting.  Councillor Moretti suggested that the elves must reflect Markham’s diversity.

 

b.      Volunteers

 

Deferred

 

c.       Police / Traffic / roads / operations / clean-up

 

Deferred

 

d.      Awards

 

Deferred

 

3.   OTHER BUSINESS

 

 

4.   DATE OF NEXT MEETING

      The next meeting of the Markham Santa Claus Parade Committee is scheduled for September 8th at 3:00 p.m. at the Markham Civic Centre.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Chair thanked everyone for their ideas and the meeting adjourned at 4:01 p.m.