"We are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached between the Croatian National Sports Club of Hamilton and the Hamilton Croatian Centre to merge as one organization. The Executive Committee would like to invite all the members of the Sports Club to a very important and potentially historic meeting at the Club on 200 Kenilworth Ave. North, on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 2 p.m."
After each organization had asked their respective memberships for permission to engage in serious negotiation talks in early 2008, a letter was sent out to explain that a deal had been reached and Emergency General Meetings had been called on both fronts to disclose a complete set of merger plans, a budget, and many other crucial pieces of information.
At the meeting, members were asked to view the presentation, look over the new by-laws, and then cast their votes. The sense of perception was positive, but once the ballots were counted anticipation turned to jubilation.
Voting at the Centre's meeting had passed with 100% approval, and at the Club with 98.2%. One comment from a Club member following the merger meeting summed it all up — "This is the best solution for all Croatians in Hamilton."