MEETING PRAIRIE/NORTHWEST TERRITORIES REGIONAL EXECUTIVE (“PRE”) MEETING
HELD AT Matrix Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta START TIME 9:00 AM END TIME 5:00 PM DATE December 9, 2017
PERSONS PRESENT
Nancy McCune, Regional Director
Sharon Losinski, Regional Vice-Chair and Edmonton Branch Representative
Stuart Kidd, Secretary-Treasurer
Bonnie Pratt, Calgary Branch representative
Bobby Eiswirth, Regina Branch Representative
Brent Maine, Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba Branch Representative
Nancy Shalay, Small Branch Representative
Robert Trudeau, Saskatoon Branch Representative
Ernie McLean, PIPSC BC, Prairie & NWT Regional Manager - guest
CALL TO ORDER
Nancy McCune called the meeting to order at 9:15 AM.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approval of Amended Agenda. Motion to approve by Nancy S., seconded by Bonnie, carried. Sharon will maintain speakers list for meeting.
2.1 Approval of amended minutes – October 21. Moved by Bonnie, seconded by Sharon, carried.
2.2 Business arising from minutes – none raised.
3. DIRECTOR’S BOARD REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2017 - SUBMITTED BY NANCY MCCUNE
Directors Report to the Regional Executive in December 2017
Nancy McCune discussed a number of issues at Board of Directors meeting. These included:
Membership in Broadbent Institute approved by Board with annual cost of $XXX. National issues are taxation & fairness, contracting out & scientific integrity. The national PIPSC building is leased by PIPSC only with the majority of building unoccupied. Leasing agent is more confident of renting space once City of Ottawa light rail transit reaches building area. Other topics discussed at board included Phoenix pay system and board governance. Nancy M. mentioned results of survey where XX% of membership responded.
4. REGIONAL FINANCIAL REPORT
Stuart Kidd presented the Prairie & NWT region financial statements for the period January 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017. The report detailed revenues of $XXX and expenses of $XXX. The beginning bank balance of January 1, 2017 was $XXX with a bank balance of $XXX at November 30, 2017. A listing of the region inventory as of November 30, 2017 was presented to the executive. Sharon stated that the number of TUIF t-shirts in Edmonton office is XX of various sizes. There are X small pad folios in the Edmonton office.
Cheques will be prepared for to pay $XX to the Saskatoon food bank, AGM flags of $XX, Legacy Cup prizes of $XX, staff meal held December 8, 2018 and a small shipping charge to bring travel totes to Edmonton PIPSC staff.
Stuart presented an estimate of 2018 PIPSC allotment to the Prairie & NWT region.
Motion to accept financial report by Stuart, seconded by Nancy S, carried.
5. REGIONAL TRAINING REPORT
Nancy M. informed Prairie & NWT executive members that Kieth Laing had resigned due to his appointment as CSC national consultation chair. The training meeting was held December 8, 2017 at Edmonton PIPSC office. Bobby Eiswirth appointed training chair at training meeting. The 2018 training committee will consist of Nancy M., Bobby, Robert and Sharon. Bobby will prepare a training meeting report for next minutes. Items discussed at training meeting included a national occupational health & safety training that is still in planning stages. Steward training budget is in process. Lunch & learn topics are being planned. Basic steward training session to be held in March 2018 in Edmonton with another session in the fall of 2018. Labour school in planned for May 2018 in Edmonton.
6. SUMMARY of 2017 PIPSC AGM
Resolutions
Nancy M mentioned that the AGM decided to defeat the Atlantic Region motion to have only two full time vice presidents. Nancy M also mentioned some members were unhappy with two chair arrangement. Robert Trudeau, AGM parliamentarian discussed this issue. The meal line-ups for lunch were also discussed.
Nancy M & Bonnie arranged for Prairie & NWT region flags that were on delegate tables.
Legacy Fund
Nancy M discussed the Legacy Cup at the PIPSC AGM in November 2017. Donations are down compared to previous years. The two regional banners brought to AGM could not be used due to space constraints. A draw for two prizes was held to raise funds for the Legacy Cup from Prairie & NWT Region. Prizes were a fit bit watch and Bose ear phones.
Delegate, Observer & Youth feedback of 2017 AGM
Feedback from delegates included lack of finance forum on Friday night to raise questions on financial affairs. Observers and Youth delegates did not understand the time taken by guest speakers given the large number of resolutions. Delegates noted that the July 2018 to June 2019 budget was passed at the end of day on Saturday. One suggestion was for a “For” microphone and an “Against” microphone so that the two chairs could ensure both sides of resolutions could be heard. Bobby mentioned the youth committee meeting held on at the AGM. Seventy members showed up for youth meeting.
7. REGIONAL COUNCIL 2018, EDMONTON, MATRIX HOTEL, JUNE 1 and 2
Friday Afternoon & Evening Events
The planning of events for Friday afternoon is still on-going with PIPSC staff to organize. Nancy M. mentioned that she plans to contact small branch presidents by e-mail to seek interest in a 6 month term to June 2018 PRC. If more than one president is interested in filling vacancy, then the Prairie & NWT regional executive will select the appropriate candidate. Elections to be held at the June 2018 PRC include the position of secretary treasurer and one small branch representative to fill our current vacancy. Nancy M. discussed a branch presidents meeting on the Friday morning before PRC.
Delegate Promotional Item
Bobby mentioned PIPSC points and ordering from PIPSC store as an idea for promotional items. The store has limited items and idea may not be suitable for PRC. Other ideas included polo shirts and travel mugs.
8. STEWARD COUNCIL 2018, WINNIPEG FAIRMOUNT HOTEL, SEPTEMBER 28 and 29
Steward Council is still in the planning stage. Open to any suggestions for the Friday evening event. Steward awards need to be finalized earlier.
A discussion took place on Winnipeg General Strike 100 year anniversary in 2019. Should 2019 PRC be held in Winnipeg? Calgary Branch would then host 2020 PRC.
9. ROUND TABLE
Bobby discussed Regina branch events. A children’s Christmas party at the Elks club was held with 22 children attending. The Prairie & NWT region face book page is operational.
Bonnie sent out a Calgary branch report prior to Edmonton meeting. The report detailed events that included a river clean-up event in August. A family bowling event was held in September. A lunch & learn workshop was held at the Calgary Public Library in October as well as a fully booked social night in early December.
Brent discussed Winnipeg & Southern Manitoba branch events. Brent mentioned that a need to maintain branch AGM attendance will result in increased costs. A November meeting discussed coming events for branch that included a Winnipeg Gold Eye baseball event. The branch AGM will be held in January 2018.
Nancy S discussed Denwood branch events. A buffet dinner was held with UNDE (Union of National Defense Employees) members.
Edmonton branch is planning the branch AGM for March 2018. Events included a lunch & learn plus steward social night.
No report was available for Prince Albert branch.
Saskatoon branch held the branch AGM in October 2017. The turnout of 60 members was considered a success. The branch planning meeting will be held in January 2018 for next year’s events.
Nancy M discussed the listing of Prairie & NWT volunteers for national PIPSC committees. The listing needs to go to the national board first and is not available for the PRE to review. Nancy M. was advised the listing may be available in January 2018. Nancy M. also mentioned her concern that the volunteer deadline date be moved up to an earlier date. This earlier date would allow the listing to be prepared so that the PRE could review and approve volunteers before the year end.
Ernie McLean mentioned an instruction from PIPSC HQ that he remain in regional executive meetings if PIPSC staff issues are raised.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
AGM Youth Committee Meeting
Bobby discussed national youth committee meeting held at start of PIPSC AGM. The Prairie & NWT region sent 6 youth observers to the AGM. The cost will be covered by national office. Further youth meetings are planned for the 2018 Prairie & NWT Regional Council plus 2018 Steward Council.
Update on Motion for 2018 PRC
Bobby provided the committee update. A report is scheduled for December 10, 2017. The committee will issue the report to branch presidents with a resolution at 2018 PRC in Edmonton.
Northern Manitoba Hospitality Request of $XX
A discussion took place about a request for $XX from region to pay for small gifts and candies to nursing staff in Northern Manitoba. A motion to pay $XX was made by Robert, seconded by Bonnie, carried.
11. NEXT MEETING, TBA
The training committee will meet on the afternoon before PRE meeting
PRE responsible to book their own hotel rooms. Locations mentioned include Lethbridge as well as other sites. Tentative date for next meeting was February 10, 2018. Nancy M. outlined the dates of for meetings of the PIPSC Board of Directors in 2018.
12. ADJOURNMENT of MEETING
Nancy M moved to adjourn at 5:05 PM. Carried.