PRAIRIE REGION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
March 16 & 17, 2012 Edmonton, AB
Present:
- Robyn Benson, REVP Prairies
- Marianne Hladun, Alternate REVP
- Imy Bhatty, Racially Visible representative
- Dave Burchell, Persons with Disabilities Representative
- Jerad Cooper, Northern Alberta Representative
- David Fandrich, Southern Alberta Representative
- Alex George, Aboriginal Representative
- Alec Goertzen, Calgary Area Council Representative
- Timothy Hunt, GLBT Representative
- Nancy Johnson, RWC Representative
- Glen Johnston, North West Manitoba Representative
- Chad Kemery, Separate Employer Representative
- Denni Nelson, Northern Saskatchewan Representative
- Jackie Nettleton, Saskatoon Area Council Representative
- Susan Norman, Westman Area Council Representative
- David Pearson, Lethbridge Area Council Representative
- Petrina Runns, Directly Chartered Locals Representative
- Matt Tijani, Winnipeg Area Council Representative
- Steve Van Opstal, Southern Saskatchewan Representative
- Clint Wirth, South East Manitoba Representative
- Regrets:
- Amanda-Rose Bourget, Young Workers Representative
- Shaun Brennand, Regina Area Council Representative
- Tim Hogan, Prince Albert Area Council Representative
- Nina Kiviluoma, Edmonton Area Council Representative
1. Call to Order: March 16, 2012
The meeting was called to order by Sister Robyn Benson at 9:04 am.
2. Adoption of Agenda
The agenda was adopted.
3. Hours of Session
The hours of session were adopted.
4. Opening Remarks
Sister Robyn Benson welcomed new Prairie Region Council members - Brother David Fandrich, Sister Trina Runns and Brother Clint Wirth.
She advised that she has put her name forward to run for National President.
5.Finances
The January 1 – December 31, 2011 Financial Statement was approved. An auditor is being sought to review the books before they are sent to Ottawa.
The Health & Safety Committee will be having a conference call with Br. Bruce Campbell to start planning the Regional H & S Conference. The Council usually approves approximately $20,000 of the surplus to that conference.
6. Reports of Elected PRC Officers
The reports were circulated and approved by the Council and can be found on Prairie Region website.
7. Agenda Items
Area Council Bylaws Template - submitted by Sr. Robyn Benson
A copy of the Area Council template was provided to Area Council Representatives. Area Councils should verify that their bylaws follow that template and if they are any issues to contact the REVP office. There is no hand book for the
Area Council Delegate to PSAC Triennial Convention – submitted by Sr. Robyn Benson
Reminders were sent out in regards to electing the delegate to the PSAC Triennial Convention. There were issues at some Area Council meetings and in one instance, Edmonton Area Council, Br. John Gordon ruled their 1st and 2nd election out of order, resulting in no delegate.
Area Councils should think about a resolution for the next Prairies Convention which either makes the PRC Rep the automatic for the PSAC Triennial or that they must elect both at the same time. Brother Glen Johnston suggested perhaps looking at a minimum number of meetings that have been attended for those considering putting their name forward to be the delegate.
2014 Prairie Region Convention - submitted by Sr. Robyn Benson
The Convention Committee has has a conference call and we are seeking out space in Regina and Saskatoon as the delegates made it clear at Convention that there should be a rotation of cities. We have been trying to get information but having particular difficulty in Regina where the hotels are reluctant to provide us with availability and confirm space. The Conexus Centre is costly in regards to catering and they can provide buses but not unionized buses. Saskatoon has been more forthcoming in regards to numbers and we have contacted TCU Place, which is near the downtown mall. After PSAC National Convention, Sister Gaelle Felix – Convention Officer, will be coming out and talking to the hotels and looking at the properties. If the resolution goes through to have fully funded Conventions then catering won’t be a problem. Currently, delegates only receive the subsidy.
Communications Budget Line Item – submitted by Sr.Robyn Benson
Under this line item, the verbage indicated that the money be allocated to Communications. Br.Jeffrey Vallis had done a mock up, at Convention, of the hard copy newsletter as well as a survey. The results showed that 65% of those who filled out the survey would prefer it in PDF format as opposed to receiving it by mail. It is proposed that the money be used for general communications work, including signage.
Jeffrey will call the Chairs of the Area Councils to discuss. Area Councils should discuss what they would like to see for signage etc. We will put out an input call and Communicatons Committee will make the final decision.
Order of the Day:
Occupational Group Structure Presentation - Br. Seth Sazant provided an an overview of the Occupational Group Structure and answered questions.
Roundtable Discussion –
- March 1st Day of Action – It was a successful day, there were many actions across the Region. We sent a strong message to the government.
- Budget Watch – Howie West will be in lock up getting briefed on the main points of the budget but will not be allowed out until Flaherty starts the budget. Information such as talking points, third choice campaign and backgrounders on the cuts already made will be shared once available.
- WFA - Sr. Benson will ask Br. Lindsey Sparks to make up an ordinary flow chart about WFA which is easier to understand. She will also check to see if there will be webinars in the evening which would allow more members to participate.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Prairies Leadership Meeting
Present:
- Robyn Benson, REVP Prairies
- Marianne Hladun, Alternate REVP
- Imy Bhatty, Racially Visible representative
- Amanda-Rose Bourget, Young Workers Representative
- Dave Burchell, Persons with Disabilities Representative
- David Fandrich, Southern Alberta Representative
- Alex George, Aboriginal Representative
- Alec Goertzen, Calgary Area Council Representative
- Timothy Hunt, GLBT Representative
- Nancy Johnson, RWC Representative
- Glen Johnston, North West Manitoba Representative
- Chad Kemery, Separate Employer Representative
- Denni Nelson, Northern Saskatchewan Representative
- Jackie Nettleton, Saskatoon Area Council Representative
- Susan Norman, Westman Area Council Representative
- David Pearson, Lethbridge Area Council Representative
- Petrina Runns, Directly Chartered Locals Representative
- Matt Tijani, Winnipeg Area Council Representative
- Steve Van Opstal, Southern Saskatchewan Representative
- Clint Wirth, South East Manitoba Representative
- Sam Barlin, RVP MB/NW ON - AGR
- Milton Dyck, RVP S. SK - AGR
- Teresa Eschuk, RVP Prairies - UCTE
- Gary Esslinger, RVP Prairies – UTE
- Ken Friesen, RVP MB
CSC - USGE - Laurel Gladu, Alternate RVP AB/NWT/NU - UNE
- Bonnie Heidt, NVP Western Region - UVAE
- Gloria Kelly, Human Rights Advisor - UNDE
- Jeff Lovegrove, Branch President MB - CIU
- Pat Mason, NVP Deer Lodge Centre - UVAE
- Omar Murray, RVP SK - UNE
- David Neufeld, RVP
CSC Community PBC (West) - USGE - Steve Pellerin-Fowlie, Branch President AB - CIU
- Lorne Roslinski, RVP Rocky Mountains- UTE
- Stan Stapleton, RVP AB
CSC - USGE - Randy Walker, RVP MB/SK - UNDE
- Don Wilkie, RVP Western - GSU
Regrets:
- Jerad Cooper, Northern Alberta Representative
The Prairies Leaders went through the priority resolutions for the upcoming PSAC National Convention. Sister Robyn Benson presented the Budget.
Action – Email a copy of the 2009 Financial Statement which is found in the NBoD minutes.
Meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm.