Edmonton Regional Women’s Committee Meeting Minutes - September, 24 2020

 

In attendance: 

Kim Cardinal, Chair

Patty Jessome, Vice Chair

Corie McGaughey, Secretary

Carla Blois, Member

Carol Morrison, Member

 

PSAC Staff:

Carm Chan, PSAC Representative 

 

Regrets:

Denise Gugel, Treasurer

 

 

 

1. Welcome to all / Call to Order / Harassment Statement: Kim Cardinal called the meeting to order at 5:40 pm and welcomed everyone. 

 

2. This Agenda - Adoption: Kim requested adoption of the agenda – Consensus approved.

 

3. Posting of March 3, 2020 Meeting Minutes: Kim said she needed to follow up with Nina to see is the June meeting minutes have been posted to PSAC website yet. 

 

4. Treasurer’s report: The treasurer’s report was not available. Carm provided the balance as of latest bank statement – May: $1119.35

 

5. Events/Projects for 2020 RWC Committee and Budget Plan 

5.1. International Women’s Day – @ 1 pm from the Legislature to Metro Cinema for the Forum & Reception and movies to follow. Corie, Patty, Carm, Carla and Carm’s daughter Catherine attended and represented PSAC-RWC 

5.2. Visual Artistic Journal – Quarterly event (3 with 1 closing). Intention for this year was to continue to have a variety female speakers at each event, such as some of our PSAC female leaders as well as indigenous women from our community. $200 has been budgeted for this event for food and supplies etc. 

Scheduled dates: 

April 18th – Cancelled due to Covid-19

June 20th – Cancelled due to Covid-19

Sept 19th – Cancelled due to Covid-19

Nov 21st – Status TBD 

Some of the committee members provided a recap of the 2019 VAJ events for the newcomers. The committee discussed if this event could continue in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and physical distancing. Consensus was to hold a virtual planning meeting to explore holding a virtual VAJ event. 

5.3. Fund Raisers – The committee discussed adopting a Cause such as: Sucker Creek Emergency Women’s Shelter. Corie agreed to contact the organization to get some details regarding their priorities in light of the covid-19 pandemic. Patty asked if PSAC would be willing to release PSAC member contact lists so we can reach out to members for donations. Carm said she would look into it and get back to us. Kim advised we would follow-up on this discussion to the next meeting. 

5.4. Lobbying / participate

5.4.1. Child Care Campaign – Carm advised Prime Minister, Justine Trudeau is promising a national child care system. Committee concurred they would like to continue supporting the Child Care Campaign, however, the committee was uncertain what that support will look like in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and physical distancing. Carm offered to reach out to Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director of Childcare Now. Will follow-up on this discussion at the next meeting.

5.4.2. End Domestic Violence Campaign – Committee discussed Domestic Violence Training that PSAC delivered in the fall of 2019. Corie advised that she attended the Northern Alberta Education Forum back in August. Said that Karoline Klug hosted the forum and she is also one of the co-facilitators who delivered the Domestic Violence Training. Corie offered to reach out to Karoline to enquire if they intend to hold more Domestic Violence Awareness sessions and how RWC can prepare to attend and support the sessions. Will follow-up on this discussion at next meeting. 

5.4.3. The Annual YWCA Walk a Mile in her Shoes Event – the traditional event was cancelled due to Covid-19

5.5. Labor Day Weekend – Cancelled due to Covid-19

5.6. Team Building Ideas – The committee discussed ways we could infuse their virtual meetings with positivity and more team building elements. The group considered a variety of ideas and decided to start with opening our meetings with a group smudge and meditation. To participate each person will need to supply their own herbs or incense to burn from their remote location. Kim offered to reach out to her indigenous elders for sage. 

 

6. New Business: 

6.1. New fundraisers considered:

6.1.1. Pekiwewin Camp for the homeless, central Edmonton – Patty mentioned she was considering reaching out to them to see what they needed

6.1.2. YWCA - Patty is going to reach out to the YWCA to see how RWC can potentially support their needs 

6.1.3. Mustard Seed – Carol shared her experience fundraising for the Mustard Seed. Said they stuffed large Ziploc bags with toiletries and other supplies for the Mustard Seed clients  

 

7. Action Items 

 

Who What

Nina / Carm Item 3 - Minutes from June 2019 are they posted? March, get sign in sheet for that date and do up minutes accordingly (Kim)

Committee Members Item 5.2 - VAJ event – get speakers, have a theme and set 2 dates up before December 2020. Poster for event (Patty)

Corie Item 5.3 - To speak with Sucker Creek on what they would be looking for donations

Patty/Carm Item 5.4.1 - Local list so we can reach out and contact them for donations for Sucker Creek

Carm Item 5.4.1 - Reach out to Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director of Childcare Now

Corie Item 5.4.2 - Reach out to Karoline Klugg in regards if there will be another Domestic Violence Awareness Sessions

Kim 5.6 – Provide Sage to committee members if they would like some. 

Patty 6.1.1 – Pekiwewin Camp for the homeless – will reach out to see what they need.

 

8. Round Table: 

8.1. Patty – Great to see everyone and reconnect!

8.2. Carla – Echoed Patty’s sentiments and advised she looks forward to see what we can do with the virtual stuff

8.3. Corie – Echoed what both Patty and Carla said about seeing everyone, and supportive of more virtual events 

8.4. Carol – Said it was to attend the meeting

8.5. Kim – Said she misses the committee and hopes everyone is doing well

8.6. Carm – Great to see everyone! Sending a virtual hug to all! 

 

9. Next meeting date, time and location: Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 5:30PM via web conference. 

 

10. Kim adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.