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Minutes
Prairie Region Council Meeting
March 17 – March 19, 2007
Saskatoon Regional Office
In Attendance:
Sr. Robyn Benson, REVP
Br. Brian Molsberry, Alternate REVP
Br. Satinder Bains, Southern SK. Rep
Br. Calvin Veeder, Southern SK. Rep
Sr. Marianne Hladun Northern SK. Rep
Sr. Carol Casey, Northern SK. Rep
Sr. Dale Buck, Manitoba Rep
Sr. Barb Hall, Manitoba Rep
Br. Shawn Bergeron, Manitoba Rep
Br. Gerry Pendulak, Manitoba Rep
Sr. Joanne Chelick, Northern Alberta Rep
Sr. Mary Veilleux, Northern Alberta Rep
Sr. Gwen Jackson, Southern Alberta Rep
Br. David Pearson, Southern Alberta Rep
Sr. Niru Channan, Racially Visible Rep
Br. Danial Curotte, Aboriginal Rep
Sr. Frances Mohr, Directly Chartered Locals Rep
Br. Derek Christensen, Persons with Disability Rep
Br. Rahil Ahmad, Youth Rep
Br. Dwight McLeod EA to REVP - PSAC Staff
Regrets:
Sr. Barbara Abramchuck, GLBT Rep
Sr. Canan Karamanoglou, Women’s Rep
Observers:
Sr. Jackie Jurachez - RVP NHWU
Sr. Pat Todd – RVP NHWU
Br. Kerry Williams – RVP UCTE
Sr. Barb Block – NHWU Local 50012
Sr. Elena Beynon – AGR Local 40022
Br. Barry Stolar – RVP USGE
Sr. Evelyn Smysniuk – NHWU Local 40101
Prairie Region Council Meeting
Saturday March 17, 2007
1. Meeting Called to order 9:05 A.M.
Opening Remarks
Sister Benson welcomed the Council and introduced Br. Derek Christensen Persons with Disabilities Rep., Br. Rahil Ahmad Youth Rep. and Br. David Pearson who is replacing Sr. Naydene Lewis as Southern Alberta Geographical Rep., Sr. Benson administered the Oath of Office.
Sr. Benson Welcomed the Observers and a round of introductions was completed.
Sr. Benson thanked Sr. Casey and Sr. Hladun for their help in ensuring the Friday evening Meet and Greet was a success.
Sr. Benson introduced Sr. Raj Dhir Prairie Region JLP Coordinator (Union Side) who gave us an overview of the program, answered questions and facilitated discussion. Sr. Dhir advised that Sr. Tamara McKay has been selected as the Prairie Region JLP Coordinator (Management side) and should be starting soon.
3. Adoption of Agenda
4. Adoption of Hours of Session
5. Adoption of Previous Minutes
The PRC approved the following minutes with Corrections:
a. Prairie Region Council Meeting, September 29 – October 1, 2006
1. Correct Spelling of Br. Bergerons First Name
2. Correct Spelling of Br. Christensens Last Name
6. Report of Elected Officers
Sr. Benson presented her report and noted that she has appended her February 2007 report to the NBoD for information
Br. Molsberry presented his report
Northern Alberta Reps
Sr. Chelick presented her report
Sr. Veilleux presented her report
Southern Alberta Reps
Sr. Jackson presented her report
Br. Pearson moved that Sr. Lewis’s final report be tabled
Seconded by Sr. Hall
Motion Carried
Recorded against:
Br. Danial Curotte
Br. Calvin Veeder
Br. Shawn Bergeron
Br. Gerry Pendulak
Br. Pearson presented his report
Northern Saskatchewan Reps
Sr. Hladun and Sr. Casey presented a joint report.
Southern Saskatchewan Reps
Br. Bains presented his report
Br. Veeder presented his report
Manitoba Reps
Sr.Hall, Sr. Buck, Br. Bergeron and Br. Pendulak presented a joint report.
Directly Chartered Locals Rep
Sr. Frances Mohr presented her report
GLBT Rep
Sr. Abramchuck’s report was circulated in her absence.
Racially Visible Rep
Sr. Channan presented her report
Youth Rep
Br. Ahmad presented a verbal report, as this was his first meeting.
7. Committee Reports
Education Committee
Br. Bergeron presented the Education Committee report
Finance Committee
Br. Molsberry presented the Finance Committee report as well as two requests for funding
1. SFL / MFL Kids Kamp – Funding for Two Campers for each province
2. SFL / MFL Kids Kamp – Funding for up to Two Councilors
Council approved same funding as last year
Sr. Hladun presented the Political Action Committee report
Honours and Awards Committee
Nothing to report
Health and Safety Committee
Sr. Hall presented the Health and Safety Committee report, it was agreed that the Committee would meet with the RHSO details to be determined.
Convention Committee
Sr. Chelick replaces Sr. Lewis as the Alberta Rep. on the convention committee. The committee met with Sr. Benson who updated the committee and provided a tentative timeline as well as convention Hotel information
Communication Committee
Br. Pendulak presented the Communication Committee Report
Area Council Committee
Sr. Casey presented the Area Council Committee Report
Finances
The 2006 Year end financial statement and Current February Statement were accepted as presented by Br. Molsberry.
9. Items submitted
a) RVP – NVP Meetings – Submitted by Sr. Benson REVP
Sr. Benson proposed a fall meeting in Winnipeg - Council concurred
b) Health and Safety Regional Funding – Submitted by Sr. Benson REVP
Sr. Benson reviewed regional funding allocations with the council and committed to provide the AEC funding formula for the next meeting
b1) Resolution One – Regional H & S Committee– Submitted by Sr. Jackson
Sr. Jackson submitted a resolution that Regional Health and Safety Committees be struck, council concurred.
c) Regional Convention Funding – Submitted by Sr. Benson REVP
Sr.Benson reviewed 2008 convention funding, responsibility for all determinations will rest with Convention and Finance committees
d) Action Planning Seminar – Submitted by Sr. Benson REVP
Sr. Benson presented information on the Atlantic Action Planning Seminar Council concurred to explore a possible similar meeting in the Prairies.
e) Lobbyist Registrations – Submitted by Sr. Mary Veilleux
Sr. Veilleux expressed concerns regarding registration. Sr. Veilleux agreed to forward a list of concerns and questions to Sr. Benson.
f) Political Action – Submitted by Sr. Mary Veilleux
Sr. Veilleux expressed concerns regarding the process of identifying lobby targets and lack of clear direction from Centre Sr. Veilleux will send her concerns to Sr. Benson.
g) Area Council by Laws – Submitted by Sr. Mary Veilleux
Sr. Veilleux asked when the national review would be completed. Sr. Benson committed to contact the AEC officers responsible and provide Sr. veilleux with their response.
h) Dispute settlement route Vote Table 3 – Submitted by Sr. Mary Veilleux
Sr. Veilleux provided concerns regarding the vote process. Sr. Veilleux will forward her concerns to the Regional Coordinator.
i) Council Committee Reports – Submitted by Sr. Barb Hall
Sr. Hall expressed concerns regarding slow posting to the web site of reports and info and how posting to website is split among Admin. Staff in region which often causes duplication in posting
j) Awards of Distinction – Submitted by Sr. Mary Veilleux
Sr. Veilleux provided information to the council regarding Northern Alberta PSAC receiving United Way Award of Distinction
Sr. Casey provided information on being awarded the Schmiesser Spirit Award
k) Environment – Submitted by Sr. Jo Chelick
Sr. Chelick presented information and AFL brochure / pamphlet. She suggested that council should consider an environment committee Sr. Benson advised council of NBoD Ad Hoc Environment Committee already in existence. Sr. Benson committed her office to establish email network of Federation Environment Committees for dissemination of environment information to region.
l) Local Development – Submitted by Sr. Marianne Hladun
Sr. Hladun expressed concern that Local Development information is not reaching full potential participants. Sr. Hladun requested information regarding Calgary event and information on how to access and utilize Local Development fund. Sr. Benson advised council that component approval is required and that the pilot done in Calgary will be discussed with staff.
m) TILMA - Submitted by Sr. Marianne Hladun
Sr. Hladun presented information and expressed her concerns about what is happening in the region and in British Columbia Sr. Hladun committed to send out all information she has on TILMA to council Sr. Benson committed to speak with Sr. Sinclair in British Columbia to determine what information she may have.
n) Social Justice Fund – Submitted by Sr. Marianne Hladun
Sr. Hladun expressed concerns regarding lack of transparency, that no information on selection of participants, how selections are made/criteria etc. is available. Sr. Hladun expressed concern that SJF may not have enough staff resources in order to enable full communications. Sr. Benson committed to provide the following information regarding SJF to council:
1. How Participant selection for expeditions as well as project funding is determined, what criteria and process is used
2. If the SJF has approached CULE and AEU to contribute to SJF
3. Total Costs and breakdown for solidarity projects/trips
4. Amount of money spent inside and outside of Canada
5. Where the SJF is in the process of obtaining charitable status
6. If SJF feels it has sufficient staff resources to provide full communication to regions
o) Health and Safety – Harry Hays Building Submitted by Sr. Gwen Jackson
Sr. Jackson presented information on Health and Safety concerns at Harry Hays Building and requested assistance from council. Br. Molsberry outlined the process of dealing with sick building. Sr. Benson committed to advising Component Presidents of the concerns and request that all H & S Committees work together.
p) Use of PRC Member alternates – Submitted by Sr. Barbara Abramchuk
(Sr. Abramchuck was not available via Conference Call so it was agreed by council to postpone her submitted item until next meeting)
10. Open Discussion
A discussion regarding PSST training/lack of training took place; council members raised the following concerns:
1. Training insufficient both two day and five day course
2. That PSAC members who do not have adequate training, preparation time and access to legal resources. They are going up against experienced TB Lawyers
3. That all 10 cases heard have been lost
4. That too few reps have been trained and that those trained will quickly burn out with the work load
5. As the five year review is looming we have to do more to get it right
Council feels that this issue is critical and PSAC and Components must work hand in hand to ensure membership receives best representation possible
Sr. Benson committed to take council concerns to AEC.
Council discussed events, issues and member concerns at Passport Canada. Sr. Benson agreed to express those concerns to the AEC.
Next Meeting:
To be determined
Sister Benson thanked the Council for their work.
Meeting Adjourned 2:15 P.M.