The Regional Women’s Committee is a focal point for mobilizing women members. The RWC informs, educates and empowers women within their union and their community. Check out these minutes for current activities and actions.
General Meeting – Planning for 2022
April 27th, 2022 @ 6:00 pm Zoom Meeting
In attendance:
Kim Cardinal, Chair
Seddra Zaigham, Treasurer
Carol Morrison, Secretary
Megan Carley, Member
Erin Gibbs, Member
Darlene Lewis, Member
Sherry Moir, Member
Louise McClure, Member
Carm Chan, PSAC Representative
Regrets:
Charmaine Nelson, Vice Chair
Maria-France Boudreault, Member
1. Welcome to all / Call to Order / Land Acknowledgement / Harassment Statement:
Kim Cardinal called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm and acknowledged the Land agreement. Seddra read the Harassment Statement. Member Introductions.
2. This Agenda – Adoption:
Kim requested adoption of the agenda – Consensus – Approved.
3. Approval and Posting of March 9, 2022 AGM Minutes:
Consensus – Approved. Kim will ask PSAC to post to the website.
4. Treasurer’s report:
Presented by Seddra Zaigham
Balance as of April 27, 2022 statement: $1094.35. Seddra stated that there has been no transactions since the last report. The purposed budget has not yet been approved yet. Kim added that until the budget is approved we are not to spend any money and believed that the budget letter should be received next week.
5. New Business:
5.1 PSAC Priorities – Below are the four priorities for the RWC for 2022.
5.1 (a) Child Care –
Committee was asked if they had any events or ideas to promote child care. Committee did not at this time. Discussion about where the federal government is at the moment with Child Care and although there is $10 a day Child Care there is still work that needs to done. Kim suggested that his priority will be watched closely and will be a standing item for discussion.
5.1 (b) Violence Against Women –
Committee agreed to go forward with the event “Helping Women get back to the Workforce”.
Megan reported that she has already been collecting items for this event and has contacts such as a HR Consultant and a financial advisor that could assist us the day of the event. Committee discussed the particulars on getting this going. Carm expressed concern for “location” for storage of the supplies as the Regional Office is not to open until May 13, 2022 and there might not be enough room. It was decided that “volunteers”, which are to submit their names to myself and the location of the city where they live will pick up donations. They will than store them at their homes and if they can begin to sort them. Megan volunteered to develop a poster/advertisement for getting donations and will be ready to share through Union Ware on May 9, 2022. Advertising for women shelters or places such as Terra will be notified once the committee has an inventory of supplies. Tentative date for the 1st event is September 8th – 11th. Thursday will be for the committee to set up, Friday and Saturday opened for women to come and Sunday to clean up. A budget of $1050 was requested for this event.
5.1 (c) Pay Equity –
Committee was asked if they had any events or ideas for Pay Equity. At the last meeting Charmaine suggested creating a “did you know” poster. Charmaine gave regrets to this meeting it was suggested we discuss this again at the next meeting with Charmaine.
5.1 (d) Employment Equity –
This will be a standing item for discussion.
5.2 Brainstorm ideas for this year’s committee and budget plan:
5.2 (a) Visual Artistic Journaling (VAJ) –
Kim suggested that we table this event for now so we can focus on the “helping women get back into the workforce”. Kim purposed to the committee that this event is planned and scheduled for January 2023 and plan to hold the event 4 times in 2023. A forecasted budget of $700 was submitted, Kim will advise Marianne of the plan in order to get the funds approved to use for 2023.
5.2 (b) International Women’s Day, Tuesday, March 8, 2023 –
A forecasted budget was submitted recognizing any women days that an event can be held by the committee (i.e. lobbying). This will be a standing item on the agenda for discussion.
5.2 (c) Team Building Ideas –
The committee suggested the following activities for team building: Bowling night, Paint night, Virtual activity-Cooking night, outside craft day (painting rocks), a walk in the park, crochet/needle point night. Carol mentioned that we need to ensure that this will not be costly for the members and that we try to arrange something that has little cost. Kim mentioned that she requested $100 for team building activities. Kim suggested that at the next scheduled meeting the committee can agree on one activity to hold first before the summer break.
6. Actions:
| Who | What | When | Date completed |
| Kim | Request that the March 9th meetings be posted | April 28, 2022 | |
| Megan | Create poster/advertisement for donations for “helping women get back to the workforce” | May 9th, 2022 | May 11, 2022 |
| Carm | Schedule next meeting in the Regional Office and send meeting notice by May 11th. | May 11, 2022 | May 10, 2022 |
| Volunteers | Pick up and or collect donations for event | On-going | |
| Carm | Send advertisement via Union Ware for the event | May 9th, 2022 |
7. Next meeting date, time and location:
Next meeting date, time and location: Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 6:00PM – Regional office –
Carm reminded the committee that there are restrictions in regards to COVID. There will also be a choice to attend via Zoom.
8. Roundtable:
Seddra budget was submitted – letters should follow soon for approval or further information.
9. Adjournment @ 7:38 pm