*NOTE: The following minutes are considered a draft version until voted on at the next meeting
Calgary Regional Women’s Committee Meeting
April 29th, 2025 @ 6:00 PM
Virtual
In Attendance:
*Jasmine Bliss (Chair) CEIU 30856
*Tramaine Brown (Co-Chair) AGRU 30046
*Kaitlyn Kennedy (Secretary) 30877
*Amanda Wakeford (Treasurer) UCTE 30301
*Carla Wilson McLean CEIU 30856
*Sandra Stewart CEIU 30877
*Karen Hess USJE 30009
*Chastity Vesty UTE 30022
*Trisha Rhoden UVAE 30032
Oke Ikponmwonba UTE 30022
Lissette Serrano UVAE 30032
*Those marked with a * in front of their name were voting members for this meeting
Guest(s)
Sherry Hunt – PRC Representative
Kathy Ajram – PSAC Staff
Meeting Minutes:
1. Called to order @ 6:03
2. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved by committee
3. Approval of minutes
March 18 minutes reviewed and approved by the committee
4. Treasurer’s Report
The current account balance at the time of the meeting is $481.22. Signing authorities have been updated by the financial institution after much back and forth. No funds have been spent at this time.
5. 2025 Priorities and Budget
Committee discussed which priorities should be put forward in budget proposal for 2025:
Red Dress Day (May 5)
Committee agreed they’d like to take part in an activity for Red Dress Day. Submit photos of red dresses in support of Red Dress day in your neighbourhood/area, wear red that day, get a photo of your display and send a message for committee to post to social media to create awareness and impact.
Discussed additional events taking place in Calgary area, including along Memorial Drive that could be shared with the members.
Action -> Lissette stated that she could assist in making a poster for this event to be distributed once details are finalized by committee.
Women’s Health Forum or Webinars
Speaker series on different women’s health issues.
Committee would like to look into this further and focus on menopause/perimenopause, however will postpone budget request until further research is done.
Committee also discussed bringing members together to work with the community – donation drive for clothing and hygiene supplies. Will be explored by committee further. Action -> Tramaine and Amanda will look into initiatives further to be discussed at future meetings.
Paint / Craft Nights
Amanda has researched costs and providers.
Committee motioned and agreed to move paint and craft night forward in the near future.
Self Defense / Boxing Class
More research is required if there is an interest. Committee will reach out to the member who brought the idea up initially.
French Language Training
Discussion surrounding different areas of the public sector that were promoting second language training for Black members. Committee discussed the possibility of setting up a WhatsApp group to help women undertaking language training set up a peer group and communicate with one another in an effort to yield greater success in the program.
Committee discussed the difficulties in approaching this due to varying departments/agencies promoting this and other’s not doing so, along with this being an employer led initiative, which the union generally does not take part in.
Volunteering
Committee discussed the willingness to volunteer with different organizations that may need assistance. Goal will be to network with an organization regularly, with more discussion to take place in the future.
Yoga
Trisha has found a space off of the Dalhouse train line that can accommodate approximately 25-30 people for yoga sessions and is flexible for availability. Would require help with promotion and communication for the event. Open to doing this up to once per month, starting in late Summer. Committee Chair to send budget request form to Trisha for review and consideration.
Committee agreed that taking care of our bodies is important and yoga is a great avenue to do so.
6. Delegate election for 2025 PSAC National Women’s Conference
11 members in attendence, 9 eligible to vote for Delgate/Alternate/2nd Alternate to 2025 PSAC’s National Women’s Conference:
Delegate Seat:
The following individuals were nominated:
- Tramaine Brown (m/s by Jasmine Bliss CEIU 30856, Chastity Vesty UTE 30022)
- Lissette Serrano (m/s by Trisha Rhoden UVAE 30032, Jasmine Bliss CEIU 30856)
Delegate on behalf of Calgary RWC: Tramaine Brown (6 votes)
Alternate: Lissette Serrano UVAE 30032 (m/s by Tramaine Brown AGRU 30046, Jasmine Bliss CEIU 30856) (by acclaimation)
Second Alternate – Kaitlyn Kennedy CEIU 30877 (m/s by Jasmine Bliss CEIU 30856, Sandra Stewart CEIU 30877) (by acclaimation)
*members were advised to submit application by May 16 and failure to do so could result in losing opportunity to attend.
7. Round table
– Discussion surrounding submission of resolutions and deadline of Jun 6, 2025.
– Safe spaces in offices for those returning to office – adding to minutes for discussion in future meetings.
8. Next Meeting
Tentative: June 27th
Adjourned @ 7:24pm