Both the Estonian House board and our community have had an active spring. The calendar has been full! We held an information meeting for the Esto House user organizations in January. We also participated in discussions with the Estonian Toronto Credit Union, Tartu College and the Estonian Foundation of Canada (EFC), as a member of the 4 pillar organizations to cooperatively address the needs of the Toronto Estonian community. We had our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 23, which was well reported in the Toronto Estonian news. Subsequently, we had a special meeting with the EFC Board of Directors on May 8, and our own directors’ meeting on May 14.
The Esto House future committee presented the work done to date at the AGM. During the past year, the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was released, followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP). The RFQ was advertised in magazines and through other builders’ channels, and was also sent individually to 60 potential contenders, who work in this business. It was also sent to other interested parties. We got 3 responses, of which 2 were deemed suitable.
We then asked the two contenders who qualified to present their proposals through the RFP process, and received one proposal. Thus we now have a firm, with whom to continue discussions and negotiations to specify financial, legal and technical details in a Letter of Intent (LOI). Once we have an understanding of their expectations and flexibility, and have drafted a proposed agreement, we will then present this to the shareholders for a vote.
More details can be found on the Esto House blog: www.estohouse.wordpress.com
There were lots of questions raised at the AGM, and the Board is listening. For example, we will strive for more frequent communications with the community, including more frequent updates in the news media and on our website.
There was a special meeting with the EFC, to clarify whether and how EFC real estate adjacent to the Esto House would/could be included in the project. The outcome of the meeting was that EFC will draft a proposed agreement, which can then be discussed. The draft will be ready towards the end of June, and since the agreement will be needed for the LOI, we plan to hold the shareholders’ special meeting on the LOI when this process is also completed.
We also held a Board meeting, as we do monthly, at which ongoing administrative items as well as the renewal project were important points of discussion. We discussed the importance of the Estonian House to our community. To ensure its effectiveness we will be in closer contact with the Estonian organizations that use our facilities, to enhance our cooperation. We invite all community members to voice your opinions and ask your questions at and we will answer either personally or publicly. A big thank you goes to Avo Kittask for his contributions on the Board of Directors, and his continued role as the ESTore Manager.
AS Eesti Maja Board of Directors
