Edmonton Human Rights Committee: Meeting Minutes - Mar 3, 2020

PSAC EDMONTON HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE
MINUTES
MARCH 03, 2020

In Attendance:

Steve Sukhbir, Chair                                                                                     
Dragana Ristivojevich, Secretary                            
Addie Greer (via Telecon), Treasurer
Reena Desmond, Member
Denise Gugel, Member
Carol Morrison, Member

Regrets:                           

Mildred Ncube, Vice Chair

Staff:

Carm Chan, Regional PSAC Rep                              

Call to Order Meeting was called to order by Steve at 5:36 pm.  Steve welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Introductions:   Introductions were made.  A warm welcome was extended to both Carol and Reena to the Human Rights Committee.

Approval of Agenda:  Steve requested that he would like to add more items to be discussed on the agenda.  Steve moved to approved the revised agenda.  Denise Gugel seconded.

Approval of Previous MinutesSince this is our first meeting, there are no previous minutes.  Copies of January 15, 2020 minutes were distributed to all for us to review and approved by consensus.

Previous Business:   Since this is our first meeting, there are no previous business to discuss.  Discussions on what activities the previous committee did and had budgeted for.

Signing AuthorityBoth Dragana and Denise signed allowing the removal of their names from the last Human Rights Executive.  The new executive needs to make arrangements with the bank for signing authority.  Carm asked that the new executive complete the forms prior to the appointment with the bank and a reminder to bring ID.

New BusinessSteve brought forward from the last PRC meeting that the PSAC logo will be changing and that of the Pride Flag as well.

The group discussed the following types of activities that the committee could do with various equity groups: 

Edmonton Pride Parade (June event):   Not yet decided if there will be a parade this year of not.  We could join the AFL float and hand out goodie bags or swag.  They can provide us with T-Shirts.  The Regional Office only has 1 big Pride banner and lots of smaller Pride flags for us to use.  Steve had mentioned that at our PRC Meeting that all Regional Offices should have bigger Pride Flags.

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is 17th May, undecided on activity

Black History Month (February event):  This event is held in February, perhaps we could put this into the budget to be held next year.

Indigenous:  Hosting a Bannock & Tea Social.  Orange shirts could be worn during this event.  We could possibly have an Elder come and discuss the ways of the Indigenous people.  Perhaps we can do some recruiting here.  If you come, bring a friend or two. 

Dream Catcher EventCreating your own dream catcher. This was a hit with the last committee. Perhaps we can do some recruiting here as well. If you come, bring a friend or two.

Kairos Blanket ExerciseAddie will be trained to teach the Kairos Blanket Exercise. Training will begin at the end of March and or the beginning of April, 2020.

Human RightsCurrently, the Regional office has 11 x 14” Charter of Rights certificates.  We only need to buy the frames, package them up and send to the Locals so they could be hung at their workplace.  We will table this at our next meeting.  We need to budget the cost of the frames (previously costed at $15 per frame x 50 frames, totalling $750. ) Or the cost of laminating if it would be a cheaper option

Racially Visible:  Undecided. (potluck or meet and greet)

Laisse with the Other Two CommitteesTo support the Women’s Committee as well at the Edmonton Area Council Committee.

International Disability:  Undecided.

Asian:  We could do a paint night.  This event was a hit with the last committee.

Pink and Orange Shirt DayThe PSAC Regional Office forward an E-Mail to all members to wear a Pink / Orange shirt on that day.

Harmony BrunchWe are unable to attend as we do not have a budget submitted or approved.  Perhaps we can consider this event next year.

Future Scheduled Meetings:  Monday April 20, 2020 @ 5:45 pm (MST)

Treasurer’s Report:   A bank statement dated January 01, 2020 with an opening balance of $2,178.26 was received at the PSAC Edmonton Regional Office on February 4, 2020.  Addie confirmed that this was correct. 

Round Table:  

Steve– Due to Neha Channan not being available, she has requested that we submit the budget and the financial package to her before March 08, 2020.  She needs to approve it before it is sent to Marianne for approval.

Steve – Is requesting that we are available for a Planning Day.

Carol – Is happy to be part of the Human Rights Committee.

Reena – Is also happy to be part of the Human Rights Committee and has learned a lot.

Dragana – Welcome to both Carol and Reena.

Denise – Welcomes the new executive and is happy to be part of HRC.

Addie –  Addie will put a proposed budget together and E-Mail it to Steve.

Carm – Will E-Mail the Terms of Reference Guideline and Financial Procedures to each of us.  The Human Rights Committee owes Carm $37.59 from the meal in January (Vote, potluck), 2020.  (The total cost of food equaled to $112.77 divided by 3 committee).               

Next scheduled MeetingMonday April 20, 2020 @ 5:45 pm (MST)

Meeting Adjourned at 7:45 pm. (MST)

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