Attendance: Nicole Papineau-Chair, Tannis Dorward-Vice Chair, Christina Esposito-Treasurer, Mona Simcoe-Secretary, Teresa Tremblay-CEIU, Vanessa Erickson-UTE, Karine Drobko-CEIU, Rita Thompson-UNE, Debbie Leaman-AGR, Keri D’Avignon Nault-CIU, Sheri Parent-UNE, Tracy Thor-PSAC representative.
Call to Order: Meeting opened at 7:05 by Nicole
Land Acknowledgement:
In this region, we live and work on Treaty One land, in the traditional territory of the Annishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree and Dakota peoples and in the heart of the Metis Nation.
PSAC Statement on Harassment: Acknowledged as printed -Tracy Thor designated recipient.
Introductions: Members asked to introduce themselves.
Adoption of Agenda:
Add Take Back the Night event request.
Motion to adopt agenda as amended. Motion Nicole/Tannis
Adoption of Minutes:
Motion to Adopt September 11 minutes as circulated. Motion Mona/Nicole
Treasurer’s report:
Cristina to set up online banking for statement information access.
Current Balance is $2599.44 Motion Christina/Tannis
Budget 2023 items completed:
Nicole has purchased and will be reimbursed for the following below.
$100.00 SJF coffee – to Willow place (International Women’s Day)
$200.00 Feminine products – to MAMA clan (Earth Day)
$100.00 Socks – Main Street Project (6th Socktober)
Nicole has registered her home as an urban drop off point for socks. Teresa Tremblay’s workplace has donated 49 pairs and she has set a challenge for others to participate.
$100.00 Treats – Bear Clan Safe Halloween
Mona will be purchasing cereals and breakfast items to donate to program.
$200.00 Breakfast items – Teulon School donation (Poverty MB)
Outstanding to date 2023
$90.00 – Nov Meeting is hybrid; encouraging in person for budget planning.
$300.00 – 10 tickets for National Day of Remembrance MFL luncheon
6 Tickets reserved to date for Nicole Papineau, Mona Simcoe, Tannis Dorward, Rita Thompson, Christine Esposito, Sheri Parent.
$300.00 – Hamper donation (North Point Douglas Women’s Center)
PSAC PRC Women’s Committee Rep – no report
WRWC Business
PSAC Prairies Convention 9-11 June Report – Nicole Papineau attended on behalf of WRWC.
MFL Women’s Conference 26-27 Sep 23 Report – “Women Belong in All Places Where Union Decisions are being Made” – Cristina and Tannis attended on behalf of the WRWC. The conference offers an intensive two-day learning experience in a supportive and feminist environment. Guest speakers included Nahanni Fontaine, whose voice is recognized throughout Canada and the World on matters of social justice for Indigenous peoples. There was a panel session on Women Rising and in the evening a Sisters Supporting Sisters event was held. The theme was consistent showing unions need to consistently encourage women to be involved and provide the tools they need. There were four workshops. Commanding the Floor workshop talked about running meetings and conventions. Women in Leadership workshop offered an exercise drawing on strengths from your background which was very uplifting.
Chair Nicole Papineau expressed how these conferences are amazing opportunities that we as women can participate in as being on part of the committee.
SOCKTOBER –
Sixth Annual Socktober – Main Street Project
Reminder to collect Socks for this initative. This can be through donations in your workplace.
In anticipation of the coming winter months, we are asking for help in collecting 30,000pairs of new donated socks during the month of October so that we can keep lots of pairs of feet dry, warm, and healthy. We have many kinds of sock needs here at Main Street Project. From folks coming into Protective Care with nothing on their feet at all to our shelter community members needing a new pair of dry socks to people living in transitional housing needing new socks, we cover a wide range of needs of those we serve. People experiencing homelessness are at risk of developing serious feet health issues including infections, ulcers, ingrown toenails, and nerve damage due to diabetes. Being exposed to the elements can cause frostbite. In severe cases, foot health issues can lead to serious illness and amputation.
Many of the folks we see at MSP spend a lot of time on their feet, often walking several hours a day in ill-fitting shoes and they often don’t have access to a shower to clean their feet with the opportunity to change into clean dry socks. We want to do everything we can to help keep these folks healthy over the coming winter months by being able to provide clean dry socks.
Check out posters and info at Mainstreetproject.ca and consider setting up a donation station in your workplace.
Budget $100 to top up donations received
OCTOBER 31 – Bear Clan Halloween safe gathering event. Nicole will be dropping of the candy donations and participating where needed.
Budget $100 Donation of Treats
Take Back the Night (TBTN) – Karine Drobko
Event holders organize a walk, rally, speak-out, vigil, or other Event in support of survivors of sexual violence and to raise awareness. The TBTN Foundation supports Event holders with ideas for fundraising, speakers, performers, social media, T-shirts and other gear.
Teresa is part of the Winnipeg TBTN group who wants to organize an event Nov 13 or 20. The event hasn’t been set but a request to the WRWC for funding is being requested.
The TBTN name honors the historic 1970s stand of those who first advocated for the essential right of women to walk alone at night without fear of being raped, harassed, or otherwise harmed. Today, we recognize sexual violence and harassment happen at any time, in any place, to anyone. However, TBTN have kept the original name intact to carry on the bold and daring spirit of those who paved the way. TBTN continues to march forward into the future, committed to ending sexual violence for all people of all sexual and gender identities, races, ethnicities, nationalities, religious beliefs, ages, abilities, and statuses. We welcome all who will walk, stand, speak, chant, and rally with us until sexual violence is no more.
Motion to request funding from REVP in the amount of $200.00 for the purchase of refreshments for this event. Motion Mona/Christina Carried
Nicole Papineau will submit request.
PSAC Rep/Technical Advisor Update – Tracy Thor
PSAC Education Schedule is up and there is still room in the upcoming Grievance Handling course. Stated that we have access to the National Women’s conference workshops on self care and that maybe a 1-day women’s workshop in the new year would be a good recruiting too. We have PSAC staff and members of the RWC exec that could assist in the facilitating. Something to think about for the next budget submission.
Reminders/Notes/Activities/Updates
Oct 31 – Bear Clan safe Hallowween Budget $100-treats
Nov 14 – Mtg Budget $90 in-person meeting
Nov 13/20 – Take back the Night event
Nov 25 – Dec 10 – 16 days of activism against gender violence
Dec 06 – National Day of Remembrance MFL luncheon Budget $300 for table of 10
Dec 11 – Mtg & Clothing and Hamper Drives
Winter Wear Donations Drive – West Central Women’s Resource Centre
Collecting of new or gently used items or money to support this drive.
Christmas Hamper Donations – North Point Douglas Women’s Centre (MAMA Clan)
Collecting items such as toys, adult gifts, food hamper to support this drive. Budget-$300 hamper
WRWC Facebook Page
Next Meeting Date
Budget Planning 2024 – Calendar of Activities
Nov 22, 2023
Adjournment – Nicole