Prairie Region Council

Teleconference January 29th, 2008

In Attendance: Sister Robyn Benson, Sister Dale Buck, Sister Canan Karamanoglou, Brother Gerry Pendulak, Sister Joanne Chelick, Brother David Pearson, Sister Barb Hall, Brother Danial Curotte, Brother Timothy Hunt, Sister Mary Veilleux, Sister Marianne Hladun, Sister Deanna Kimball

 

Discussion:

• Federal/Provincial Elections
• AB Provincial Election
• Area Council Political Action Conference call
• C39 Grain Commission – Agriculture Union

 

• Negotiations
• Reviewed Parks, CFIA, TB, FB
• Area coordinators
• Zones campaign

 

• Regional Women’s Committee Teleconference held January 25, 2007
• CLC Campaign – Women and Economics; the final copy will be shared with the PRC.  There are a number of events for 2008 that were brought to the attention of the RWC Chairs.
• RWC one day Provincial seminar – To be held in the fall 2008.  The purpose of the seminars would be for sisters in the region who attended the Regional Women’s Conference and National Women’s Conference to share with sisters in the region ideas, resolutions and commitments of the RWC Nationally and Regionally and to establish Provincial networks of Sisters. 
• Sister Canan will follow up with all RWC committees before Convention and relay what the plans are for these seminars.

 

• Youth Initiative
• April 18 – 20 in Winnipeg, MB at the Fairmont
• As the PRC Youth Rep, Brother Rahil involved in the preparation and delivery of the course
• Open PSAC Members in the Prairie Region that self identify as a Youth (under the age of 30)
• The objectives of the PSAC Prairie Region Youth Initiative are:
  To provide an opportunity for young workers to share their workplace experiences;  To establish a youth communication and recruitment network within the Region;  To deepen their commitment to the labour movement and explore the role that youth play;  To cultivate leadership among the young members
• Call out can be found on the Prairies website and was mailed to locals

 

• Convention Committee
• Held a teleconference
• Redefined the Convention Timeline and discussed plans for Convention

 

Host Committee

• Fun Night – Location has been difficult,  wanted to have a Manitoba Social Theme; The Fairmont Hotel is willing to have different dishes in a buffet style, entertainers (Asham Stompers, DJ), Door prizes, silent auction
• Sister Buck and Sister Hall suggested that we contact the Hichin’ Post for a comparison.  The Host Committee will prepare a document for the PRC so that an informed decision can be made.

 

• Bylaws Committee
• Have prepared some resolutions regarding Structure and delegate entitlement and will present them to the Council in February
• A few changes need to be made to the Prairie Region Bylaws with respect to wording

 

• February PRC Meeting in Calgary
• Committees that have met since the October Meeting should present their report.  No individual reports will be required.  Committees will meet Sat. P.M. and present on Sun. A.M.
• Council would like a Hospitality Room for Saturday, February 16th at the hotel.  Brother Timothy, Brother Curotte and Sister Jackson will arrange for refreshments (wine, beer and munchies)
• Some items will be sent out by the Wednesday before the meeting, however there will be copies available at the meeting
• Items to be discussed at the February PRC Meeting
• Bylaw changes; structure, delegate entitlement etc.
• Final Budget will be presented with the narrative for the line items; Financial Statements for 2007
• Chair and Co Chair of the Convention Committees (Resolutions, Bylaws, and Finance) will be decided; Meetings will be held in late March PRC will decide if a one day meeting or a conference call based on the number of resolutions
• Review PRC Pamphlet
• Honours and Awards; Terms of Reference and draft call out letter that will be sent in March 2008.  Decision about how many and what type of awards are needed.
• Rep and Committee Reports for Convention will be due no later than April 2008
• Host Committee Proposals

 

• Letter to Area Councils, Human Rights Committees and Regional Women’s Committees sent to request their 2007 financial statements and 2008 budgets.
• Deadline for documentation is March 1, 2008
• Delegate assistance will be sent from PRC budget line item and the Ottawa funding for the Committees once documents have been received.

 

• Alternate REVP
• Sister Benson reviewed the bylaws and consulted with Brother Gordon to ensure that an election for the AREVP did not need to be held before Convention.  As we are within the time frames and there would not be enough time logistically for an election to take place the position will remain vacant until Convention.
• Sr. Benson advised Council that she has invited Brother Molsberry to the Prairie Region Convention as an Observer.