Gus Mardli
SE Manitoba Geographical Rep
Prairie Region Council February 2015
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
I attended a presentation that was sponsored by the Winnipeg Women Regional Committee, on (Political Awareness – Why We Should All Be Informed). I had a great conversation afterward with the presenter, Sister Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba. We decided to network and exchange ideas when it comes to political action especially during all elections that Manitoba is expecting: civic, provincial and federal.
I think we all need to expand our networking with activists, it truly builds a stronger labour movement.
Participating, the last September, in the Prairie Leadership summit that was held in Regina was greatly beneficial. Action plans and ideas developed at the Summit, and then a steering committee was established with representation from all three provinces. This committee will monitor the progress to implement the action plans.
On October 14th, I participated in a Conference Call that was called the PRC Health and Safety Committee’s Chair, brother Chad Kemery. The planning for the upcoming Regional Health and Safety Conference was discussed. Also, the committee decided to draft new Terms of Reference for the committee that will be presented to the PRC council this session.
I also participated in a conference call on November 13th, where most of Geographical Reps and Area Council Reps were in attendance. Duties of these representatives were discussed along with difficulties and challenges (i.e. technical difficulties to fully represent members in each of these representatives’ constituencies). Brother Matt Tijani volunteered to draft a letter to send to the REVP office requesting all the necessary info be provided to PRC Geographical and Area Council, in accordance with the PRC Handbook. The common feeling of most attendants was that when Reps are lacking this needed info, it will hinder fulfilling the duties of our office.
Manitoba PRC members and the 4 Manitoba committee/area council chairs joined Sister Marianne Hladun at a joint meeting on November 24th. This was very beneficial to me as it resulted in a discussion with The NW Manitoba Geographical Rep (Sister Jennifer Grant) that we were able to define under which constituency each local in Manitoba falls.
The Canadian Labour Congress designed training for activists that I participated in, this was in Manitoba on January 23rd and 24th. The training was named: Election Preparation Conference. The conference had 6 workshops and each participant was able to take part in 3 of them. My allotments were the following workshops:
1) Building Allies Locally, 2) Engaging Young Workers. 3) From Engagement to Action
Unfortunately I missed attending the Prairies Leading Change training for PSAC leaders due to unforeseen circumstances. I will catch up, I promise...
I continue to actively attend meetings held by both the Winnipeg & Area Human Rights Committee and by the Winnipeg Area Council, as well as attending conference calls update called by the REVP.
Wishing all Prairie Region Council members a productive and fun-filled Council meeting.
In Solidarity,
Respectfully Submitted
Gus Mardli