Minutes from the June 22, 2011 Regina Area Council meeting.
Regina and District Area Council
Meeting Minutes
June 22nd, 2011
Present:
Melissa Brandt, L40064 - Vice President (Co-Chair)
Lorrie Bucknell, L40013 - Secretary/Treasurer
Lisa Garnier, PSAC Regional Representative
Ally Pilkey and Maril Johnson (5 Day of Homelessness Initiative)
Connie Gress
Ed Janis
Shaun Brennand
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm with round table introductions.
The purpose of the meeting was to hear from two guest speakers, Ally Pilkey and Maril Johnson, who were involved with the 5 days of Homelessness initiative. The initiative is a national campaign which is conducted annually. It runs for one week beginning on a Sunday and ending on a Friday; usually in March.
Ally indicated this was her second year of being involved with the project. In the first year the UofR participants raised $17,000 dollars. This year they had a committee of 10; the committee interviewed and choose 5 students to participate. They raised $21,000. The charity selected to receive the funds raised was Carmichael Outreach.
Maril was one of the 5 students who slept outside. She described the experience as difficult, even though you are with others a sense of isolation sets in. They were provided with a pillow and sleeping bag only. She slept on cardboard, could not shower, and had to attend all of her regular classes. It was also difficult because there was never any warm food. The only food they could eat was what was donated to them.
There was security provided and they were checked on every few hours. If the temperature dropped to minus 23 then they could move inside a building on campus.
Meeting attendees had many questions and appreciated the guests sharing their experiences.
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.
Next meeting September 13th, at 6:00 pm at the PSAC office.