Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting

When:   Sunday November 17, 2024
Where:  To be held over Zoom or via phone.
Time:     1:00 pm EST
Registration:  By e-mail – info@canadiangemmological.com.
Deadline:  No later than November 15th, 2024 12:00 pm EST.

 

Notice Of CGA AGM and Proxy Form

Director Nomination Form

How To Register For 2024 AGM

The 2024 AGM is taking place on Sunday November 17th at 10:00 am PST / 1:00 pm EST.  This AGM is taking place virtually via Zoom.  If you wish to register please e-mail the CGA office at info@canadiangemmological.com.  Any member can attend this meeting, but in order to vote, you must be a current paid Fellow (FCGmA) in good standing or a current paid Associate member in good standing.

On Saturday November 16 around 10:00 am PST / 1:00 pm EST  your Zoom invite / phone invite / agenda / last years minutes will be e-mailed to you.  If you do not receive this information by 12:30 pm EST November 17, 2024 please contact the office via e-mail and another invite / agenda and minutes will be sent to you.

Current Board Of Directors

President – Ms. Donna Hawrelko
Vice-President –  Mr. Duncan Parker
Secretary – Ms. Breanne Avender
Treasurer – Mr. Adam Ostrow
Director of Education – Mr. John Mattinson
Membership Director –  Ms. Darlene Wong
Communications Director – Ms. Archana Jaswani

2024 – 2026 Board Of Directors Nominees

President – Ms. Donna Hawrelko
Vice-President –  Mr. Duncan Parker
Secretary – Ms. Breanne Avender
Treasurer – Mr. Adam Ostrow
Director of Education – Mr. John Mattinson / Ms. Melanie Truscott
Membership Director –  Ms. Vimala Panday
Communications Director – Ms. Archana Jaswani / Ms. Vimala Panday

Nominees for the CGA Board Of Directors 2025 – 2026

Donna Hawrelko – FGA, FCGmA: Nominated for President

Donna Hawrelko graduated as an FCGmA & FGA in 1992. Since then she has been actively involved in education having taught gemmology at Vancouver Community College and the CGA. She was the first Female and the first and only Non-American president of the Accredited Gemmologists Association (AGA). In 2019 she won the Bonanno Award for excellence in gemmology. In addition to being the current CGA president she is proactively engaged with various gemmological associations.

Duncan Parker – FGA, FCGmA: Nominated for Vice-President

Duncan Parker is a gemmologist and jewellery historian, has been an appraiser and is jewellery specialist at Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers. He is a teacher and often speaks at gemmology and jewellery conferences. He is also the current Vice-President of the CGA.

Adam Ostrow – FCGmA: Nominated for Treasurer

Adam Ostrow, FCGmA, GG, MBAIEF, MBTax, CPA, CA, is an Accredited Senior Gemologist providing Tax & Accounting Services to the Gem & Jewelry Industry – IRS / CRA Tax Appraisals for Gifts. He is also the Treasurer and Secretary for AGA and is the current Treasurer for the Canadian Gemmological Association.

Breanne Avender – FGA, FCGmA: Nominated for Secretary

Breanne Avender is currently a Calgary based Gemmologist and Jewellery Artist. She received her diplomas in Gemmology from the Gemmological and Gem Testing laboratory of Great Britain (FGA) and Canadian Gemmological Association (CGA) in 2007. She has been working in the jewellery industry since 2002 and is a Grad of the Alberta College of Art and Design. She was a teacher for ACAD’s Gemmology class, has written and taught a class on Diamonds, and ran Gemmology labs for the students. She continues to be involved with teaching Gemmology and is the current Secretary for the CGA.

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John Mattinson – FCGmA: Nominated for Education Director

John’s fascination with rocks began at the age of six, leading him to earn a Gemmology degree from GIA and study geology at the University of Calgary. After moving to Vancouver in 1985, he opened a store specializing in custom handmade jewellery and fossil specimens, while also sharing his expertise by teaching Gemmology at Vancouver Community College starting in 1987. Notably, he helped introduce the Registered Master Valuer course to Canada, further enriching the field with his passion and knowledge. He is also the current Education Director of the CGA.

Melanie Truscott – FCGmA, FGA: Nominated for Education Director

Growing up in Fort St. John, Melanie moved to Whistler in 2018, where her passion for gemstones flourished during her three years at Keir Fine Jewellery. She completed the Gemmology course at VCC, earning her FCGmA in 2022 and her FGA in 2024, and has since been involved in helping teach some CGA Gemmology classes in Vancouver. With a small theatre background and over ten years of experience in sales and hospitality, Melanie brings a unique flair to her teaching role in the CGA General Interest classes at UBC.

Vimala Panday – FCGmA, FGA: Nominated for Membership Director and Communications Director

Vimala’s passion for collecting rocks and mineral specimens began in childhood and led to her first loose gem purchase in 2022. A desire for gem acquisition knowledge led her to seek out her local Gem & Mineral club and to participate in the CGA’s weekend workshops. Captivated by the science and beauty of gems, Vimala successfully completed the CGA’s Accelerated Gemmologist programme and in 2024 qualified for both the FCGmA and the FGA designations. Her gemmological journey continues through attending conferences, shows, collecting books, and of course, acquiring more gems!

Archana Jaswani – FCGmA, PJA: Nominated for Communications Director

Archana, a fashion industry professional, moved to Canada in 2019. She graduated from the gemmology program in 2021(hons & dean’s medal). She has continued pursuing her education, earning her CPAA in 2021, Entrepreneurship Management certification(hons) in 2022, Diamond Grading (GIA) 2023, Professional Jewellery Appraiser 2024, Jewellery Appraising with the ASA 2024, Jewellery Making Techniques Basics and Gem Setting basics in 2024. Since 2021 she has been with the CGA, actively assisting in office administration, teaching Diamond Grading and is currently the Communications Director on the CGA board.