Edmonton AC Mtg Minutes - Jul 2 2015

Edmonton Area Council meeting minutes

July 2, 2015

PSAC Edmonton Region Office

Attendance: Kim Haynes, Ben Lemon, Chantelle Favel-Rubenstahl, Marija Babic, Dave Burchell, Carm Chan (via conference call), Murray Pruden

Regards: James Somers

1. Call to Order 5:32pm
2. Approval of previous meeting minutes- consensus
3. Chantelle spoke on a working business letter to First Nations in Northern Alberta band councils. Attachment to the letter would consist of Fair elections act article. Chantelle suggested that we could sponsor homeless people within the greater Edmonton area for voting, and maybe have presentation information for organizations to assist with the homeless for voting.
4. Area council has decided to engage equity groups & create a strategy & campaign “I’m voting Because…”  The 2 page Aboriginal voting format created by PSAC will be the council’s header to equity groups. Dave will create one for the Youth, James will create one for GBLT, Kim will create one for Disability & Seniors, Murray/ Dragana will work on ideas for Youth centres, Chantelle & Murray will further work on ideas with First Nations, and Dave will create a format for Veterans. The request will to have some formats ready for the next meeting.
5. Carm Chan spoke on upcoming information from the PSAC: Election training, possible 3 nights July 15, 23 & 28- 2 hour sessions.  The training will consist of forms of activism on political action in mini sessions. She is requesting that the call out be made to leaders & committee members to get the word out, as best they can. And to also bring a friend. Carm suggested as a council to start working on summer activities for activism with in the community such as: Heritage days, Folk fest, Fringe- do a booth or plant gate for Federal election action, etc.
6. Dave suggested for our equity handouts to have the size reduced for handouts for saving on paper production & easier to handout to people.
7. For next meeting: discuss & create a town hall debate for Federal election candidates in the Griesbach area. Look into locations to book with: YMCA, community leagues, etc.
8. Next meeting: July 16, 2015 at 5:30 pm
9. Meeting adjourned: 7:45 pm