Getting down to business 
INLNA annual meeting in Gimli

Author: Stefan Jonasson

While other attendees at the recent Icelandic National League of North America convention headed off to tour Gimli, visit the exhibit hall, or attend Eliza Reid’s book reading, which was hosted by H.P. Tergesen and Sons at the Gimli Unitarian Church, scores of devoted delegates remained at the Lakeview Resort to transact the business of the INLNA at its annual general meeting on Saturday, May 3, 2025. President Gwen Sigrid Morgan convened the meeting shortly after 2:00 p.m. and its business was conducted fully but efficiently, the only reward for the delegates and individuals who attended being vínarterta and coffee after the meeting concluded.

“The Icelandic National League of North America has hosted over a hundred conventions since its founding in 1919. The years have seen much change, and yet much stays the same,” observed Gwen in her president’s report. “One factor that has remained consistent through the years is the importance of volunteers. I wish to take this moment to thank my team of volunteers on the board and the committees of the INNA, who I trust and lean upon to fulfil the mandate of the INLNA.” She extended special thanks to board secretary Daphne Egilsson, “who efficiently manages our schedules and reports – and so much more – keeping us all on track” and also treasurer Dawn Harris, “whose wise counsel on financial management is like the rudder of the INLNA, keeping the ship on a clear course providing financial reports, projections and seasoned advice.”

Gwen went on to highlight the unique gifts and work of each and every board member: Jody Arman-Jones, Tammy Stefansson Evans, Loren Gudbjartsson, John Hofteig, Nancy Tarr, and former board member Dennis Oleson, before adding: “I am most grateful for the support, guidance, energy and commitment of our vice president, Mark Petursson, and past president, Ashley Thorvaldson. I appreciate their knowledge and experience.” She also acknowledge two volunteers who work as volunteers in the background: social media chair Signý McInnis and webmaster Matt Gaudet.

“Many of the INLNA board members were new to their positions this year, and it takes a while to learn about the organization and one’s role in it,” she noted. “The team is well-grounded now.”

“It has been a privilege to serve my first term as the president of the INNA this past year. I have had the opportunity to meet online, and in person, many dedicated INNA volunteers and leaders in our Vestur-Íslendinga community,” Gwen indicated. “It will be an exciting time for the Western Icelandic community during this year of the 150th anniversary of Nýja Ísland and as we gather in the heart of New Iceland in Gimli for the convention and 106th Annual General Meeting.”

Gwen thanked the Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society for all its work in hosting this year’s milestone convention, naming chairperson Vivian Painter and her team: Tammy Axelsson, Serena Goebel, Gunnvör Daníelsdóttir Asmundsson, Svala Þrastardóttir, Chris Magnusson, Candice Murphy, Gwen Grattan, and Oliver Cunningham.

Gwen highlighted the activities undertaken by the board and other volunteers throughout the past year, including monthly board meetings, executive meetings, quarterly newsletters, bimonthly chapter presidents’ meetings, an Everything Icelandic webinar and a joint webinar with INLUS, INLNA Reads, and other activities. “The INLNA Reads online club has a core of dedicated and perceptive followers who astound me with their insightful conversation. It has blossomed into a delightful exchange at each meeting and the group was keen to choose the next book to read,” she observed.

“The biggest highlight of my first year as INLNA president, by far, was being invited to be part of the official delegation at Íslendingadagurinn,” Gwen noted.

Treasurer Dawn Harris presented the treasurer’s report, year-end financial statement, and budget for the coming year. INLNA generated an operating surplus of $4,840 in 2024, which reversed the previous year’s deficit of $3,037. (The budget had actually projected a loss of $6,585.) Year over year, revenue increased from $14,499 to $18,722, while expenditures declined from $20,195 to $18,634. Membership dues increased slightly, but calendar sales accounted for most of the increase in revenue, followed by a significant increase in interest income. On the expenditure side, there were marked increases in insurance costs and grants, offset by decreases in marketing costs and convention expenses (now that INLNA has moved to biennial in-person conventions), while other expenses remained more or less the same.

The treasurer presented a budget for 2025 anticipating total revenues of $21,400, including interest income, and authorizing expenditures of $32,310. The anticipated shortfall of $10,910 would be drawn from reserve funds. The major element in the increased expenses consists of anticipated convention expenses of $8,350. In her written reports, the treasurer advised, “there is nothing wrong with running a deficit providing there is cash in the bank to fund it and there is prudent fiscal management to oversee that expenditures do not outpace the ability of an organization to fund them.” After a careful analysis, she concluded that the proposed deficit was manageable.

The increase in insurance costs during the past year is related to a change in coverage, which resulted in INLNA taking out a commercial general liability insurance, which it did not have in the past, alongside its existing directors and officers insurance coverage.

Officers and board members elected to serve for 2025-2026: Gwen Sigrid Morgan, president Mark Petursson, vice president Daphne Egilsson, secretary Vivian Painter, treasurer Ashley Thorvaldson, past president; Jody Arman-Jones and Natalie Wirth, Snorri West co-directors; Tammy Stefansson Evans, fundraising director; Nancy Tarr, membership director; John Hofteig, special envoy for US membership; and Loren Gudbjartsson, governance director. Mark Petursson was named as the INLNA representative to Þjóðræknisfélag Íslendinga and Loren Gudbjartsson was named the INLNA representative to the Canada Iceland Foundation

Delegates voted to accept the financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2024, prepared by Cheri Vohs, and reappointed Cheri Vohs to review the financial records and prepare the year-end financial statement for 2025.

A variety of additional reports from INLNA programs and committees were also received.

When the meeting adjourned, delegates and individual members lingered for a while over refreshments before heading off to get ready for the gala dinner later that evening.