Calgary Regional Women’s Committee Meeting
Dec 11, 2024 @ 6:00 PM
Hybrid
***NOTE: These minutes are a draft version until voted on at the next meeting.
In attendance:
Cherry Huen (Chair) – CEIU 30856 Sukhpal Sangha (Co-Chair) – CEIU 30856
Amanda Wakeford (Treasurer) – UCTE 30301 Sandra Steward – CEIU 30877
Renee Sarchuk – UTE Local 30024 Corey Macpherson – UVAE Local 30032
Guests:
Kathy Ajram – PSAC Calgary RO Staff
- Call to Order
@ approximately 6:05 PM - Introductions
Committee members completed round of introductions and discussed the committee
- Approval of the Agenda:
Committee approved Agenda with reordering of some points. - Review and approval of the previous meeting’s minutes:
Committee approved minutes for Nov 15, 2024 meeting. M/S: Amanda Wakeford, Sukhpal Sangha – Carried - Treasurer’s Report:
Former Chair of committee was not added to the bank account after discussing with financial
institution.
Bank signatories will still require updating; committee will discuss and have this completed as
soon as possible.
Committee has bank balance of $490.97 (based on last statement). No expenses generally being
incurred due to no financial activities. - Old/New Business:
Committee discussed some activities and initiatives to possibly plan for the upcoming year.
Discussions around some of the PSAC Initiatives and possible bargaining demands and community
related engagement specific to female-specific issues such as:
- Pink Tax, Women’s Health, Mental Health, Maternity/Parental leave rights, Domestic Violence,
Childcare, Telework
A conversation ensued related to women’s safety being affected by the Government’s 3 day return to
office mandate. Public Transit in the city is no longer a safe setting for many, as women are
disproportionally targeted with violence and harassment on transit, and the health risks of
transmitting severe viruses are on the rise. Many women are financially disadvantaged with the
return to office simply because they are women and taking measures for their own personal safety
and wellness by paying for private transportation to get to work.
Possible Initiatives/Events:
- Women’s Shelter Donations – towels, backpacks, duffle bags – things that some women’s shelters
are desperately in need of. Could contact various shelters to ask what types of things they might
be in need if donations are made, and could solicit local interest in donating - Meet & Greet/Membership Engagement – Discussed having an engagement event in Feb 2025 to bring
women in through a fun setting. AGM will also be needed in the first quarter and a supplementary
budget request will also be needed if an event has an expense associated with it. Some ideas that
were generated include: - Bowling night – committee will be looking at cost of reserving lanes
- Craft night – discussed having a family friendly type craft night – could be paint night,
pottery night, or something along the lines to bring PSAC Women together with their families. Could
also work in a virtual setting. - Red Dress Day – Initiative to hang red dresses in a public setting, or even at home, on a single
day that is organized across the region. This would show solidarity and support bringing awareness
to the tragedy of MMIWGs. Calgary RO has some red dresses on site. - Cobbs Adventure Park – Family friendly entertainment venue that has rescue animals, including
kangaroos. They have corporate packages available that include family friendly physical fun with
animals and games. - Rumble Boxing – A fun facility that works for many ages and physical ranges. Get a physical
workout with a musical vibe, which will help boost the confidence of women as this would aid in
helping with personal security. Not your traditional boxing.
Committee members will be completing a cost analysis on events discussed to bring back into
discussion for the next meeting.
- Next meeting date, time and location:
Virtual Meeting – Jan 8, 2024 @ 6:00 PM - Adjournment
Meeting ended @ approx. 7:15 PM