Winnipeg Area Council Meeting
Tuesday November 26/19 @ 5:30 PM
175 Hargrave St. Winnipeg, PSAC Boardroom
Attendance:
Sheilagh Hanson
Christine Dmyterko
Nestor Galarnyk
Frank Janz
Yvonne Hein
Jennifer Chieh Ho
Indryania Patel
Linsdey Sparks, PSAC Staff
Absent:
Brett Rainboth
Jamie Bonner
1. Called to order at 5:31 by Sr. Sheilagh
2. Roundtable introductions were done
3.PSAC statement of harassment statement deemed in effect, moved by Br. Nestor, seconded by Sr. Jennifer
4.Agenda adopted by Br. Frank, seconded by Sr. Yvonne
5.Meeting of September 16/19 approved with amendments, moved by Br. Frank, seconded by Sr. Jennifer
6.Treasurers report given and moved by Sr. Christine, seconded by Br. Frank
7. Old Business, left off agenda but added during the meeting. leaving it off was an error
A) Br Frank stated that he tried to contact some people to be a part of the Remembrance Day ceremony in 2019, but no one responded. Frank will be making contact early in 2020 to set up a place for the November 11 ceremony for next year and the future so that this is not missed again.
B) The Santa Claus parade was a success. Br Nestor was the lead at the parade with Christine, Patrick and Tracy there to help decorate the float. The trailer was shorter than the one used in previous years. The weather was good. There was a total of 13 members and family with the PSAC float, 10 riding, 2 walking handing out candy and Nestor in the lead driving.
C) The federal election had two of the members at the meeting volunteer for campaigns. Frank door knocked for many candidates and Sheilagh volunteered for Daniel Blaikie only. Frank and his wife also volunteered for Daniel and on election day, the three of us were pulling the vote in different areas and then scrutineered at the same polling station.
D) The phone bank planned by the regional office for the federal election did not happen. There was a glitch with the phone system on the first evening and a general lack of volunteers. The member door knocking also seems to have not happened.
8. New Business
A) We discussed recruitment ideas. Frank spoke of the idea brought up at the PRC meeting in Regina. We research Winnipeg locals who were holding AGM's and other events and see if we can attend as speakers, with the various committee literature, once we set up our brochures. Frank is attending an AGM on Dec 3/19, he will need details he can speak to at that event. At the women's conference in September/19 in Regina, the local president of UTE invited us ( the Women's and Human Rights committees and I threw in the WAC) to attend with the tent and all our brochures and talk to members there. This can be a project for all the WAC committee members in the coming year.
B) Sr. Sheilagh discussed reproducing her idea for a local president, guest and RVP event where we can showcase the committees. Nestor had the idea of holding a BBQ instead of a sit down meal, it is much more financially responsible and no doubt more enjoyable than an indoor meeting. We will continue to discuss the plan throughout the winter.
C) The brochure could be made quickly if we give details to Thomas and he can design and produce the finished product for it. I'll write something up and send it to the committee for suggestions and advice.
9. The bargaining update was given by Nestor. A new development! The government has requested that the common issues be dealt with during the PA table PIC meetings. These common issues are the same for all tables, so it can be dealt with at one table. The PA PIC dates are Dec 3-7/2019. The PIC report is non binding but it sounds hopeful. We then led into a discussion of the CN strike and the interesting fact that they were not legislated back to work.
10. Round table -
* Jennifer signed the HR committee up as volunteers at Siloam Mission
* Nestor wants to focus on more BBQ;s this year for events and members. Its a cheaper way to attract more people to whatever event is being held and its easier to get info to members this way
* Yvonne's loca,l AGR Local 50073 made a $150 donation in November for Christmas Meals at Siloam Mission.
* Christine identified a need for a banner for parades or events. We need something with the full name, not just the acronym.
* a lot of talk developed about the WAC seasonal celebration happening after the next meeting, which will be the AGM and PRC rep elections and potentially the WAC delegate election in late January.
* The committee sang a rousing rendition of happy birthday to Sheilagh
11. The next meeting should be the last week of January, we need to check the boardroom for availability, we were unable to tonite.