Atlantic Regional Executive Strategic Planning Session Meeting Minutes
Location: Rodd Brudenell, PEI
Date: August 15, 2025
CHAIRPERSON:
Mark Bellefleur
EXECUTIVE:
Carolyn Hynes
Paul Hubley, Treasurer
Kimberley Keats (virtual)
Tamara Critch
Christine LeDrew, Secretary
Leslie Hill
Michael Pauley
Lori Rowe
Chad Lacoste
Greg Hues
REGRETS:
N/A
1. Welcome and Directors’ Opening Remarks
Mark called the meeting to order at 1:08pm. He welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the new regional executive. He noted let’s be respectful of everyone and the speakers list. If you are bringing some issues to the table to bring a solution as well. Mark provided a land acknowledgment for PEI. Carolyn questioned if it was read today does it need to be read again tomorrow. After discussion the answer was no.
2. Agenda Approval
Mark asked if there was any additions or removals for the agenda.
Motion # 1 Lori Rowe moved, and Leslie Hill seconded that the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED
3. Review of Minutes from September 6, 2024
Christine noted these minutes were reviewed and approved at a previous regional executive meeting.
4. Review of Regional Sub Committees and Selection of Chairs and Members
Mark noted that the Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Training Committee and Chair were all selected at our zoom meeting in July. (See minutes from July - Zoom)
Mark read the roles of the Resolutions Sub Committee and called for volunteers. Tamara volunteered to be lead as she was also just recently appointed to the IT Group Resolutions committee. Carolyn, Leslie, and Chad also volunteered to be members.
Mark then read the role of the elections committee stating that essentially it will be the executive members not up for election in 2026. Unless the members declare between now and next May that they cannot be impartial they will have to step aside. Lori volunteered to be the lead. Members would be Chad, Leslie and Greg. It was noted that all other regions are holding their regional election with electronic voting.
Action: Mark to find out cost of the electronic voting for ARC.
Next the role for the Awards committee was discussed with Kim volunteering as lead with Lori, Paul and Leslie as members. Tamara noted about a member getting the email to an old email address. Mandate of awards committee to reflect regional office input and if there was a tie breaker to have the regional director cast a tie breaker vote.
Action: Kim to confirm if the awards gift is at the PIPSC Office.
The communications sub committee was discussed as noted that the secretary of the executive is to be the lead of the committee, Christine. Carolyn, Paul and Greg volunteered to be members. Greg noted about the discussion from the executive group chat about being allowed to email stewards ourselves. It was noted that the new website will not have the steward’s information listed publicly and all stewards will have to log in. Mark stated that communications are controlled by the institute and that complaints were received previously of people emailing out incorrect information, etc. It was questioned if we could send out a survey and Mark stated that the institute will only send out surveys to members when it has been approved by the board of directors. It was also noted that members know way more about what is going on with PSAC as they send out way too many emails, while PIPSC doesn’t send enough to inform members. Mark noted that he is continually asking about communication at the board of directors. Carolyn suggested bringing a resolution forward to the AGM about communications. Paul suggested having a 101 on communications or a how to.
Finally, the Branch and Provincial Group Liaison Sub Committee was the last to be discussed. Mike volunteered to be the lead with Christine, Greg, and Chad as members. The executive discussed the item about having an observer. Further discussion occurred that there was no information about pride or labour day events. Once branch presidents requested items from PIPSC there was no acknowledgement that it was received and when they would be getting the items.
Chad suggested that this document of the various sub committees be posted on the website for members to know. Tamara noted that the mandates and details are listed in the regional by-laws.
Sub Committees:
Resolution Sub Committee
Lead: Tamara
Members: Carolyn, Leslie, Chad
Elections Sub Committee
Lead: Lori
Members: Leslie, Chad, Greg
Awards Sub Committee
Lead: Kim
Members: Lori, Paul, Leslie
Communications Sub Committee
Lead: Christine
Members: Carolyn, Greg, Paul
Branch and Provincial Group Liaison Sub Committee
Lead: Mike
Members: Greg, Chad, Christine
5. Review and update the roles and responsibilities document for the Atlantic Region
The executive discussed the current roles and responsibilities document for the Atlantic Regional Executive positions. There were no changes to be updated in the document.
6. Role of the Atlantic Training Chairperson
The executive discussed the current role and responsibilities document for the Atlantic Regional Training Chairperson position. There were no changes to be updated in the document.
7. Review and update goals of the Atlantic Region
Mark read out the Atlantic Regional Executive Goals that were created in September 2025.
Regional executive discussed the previous goals such as steward councils; emails sent to branch presidents for steward recruitment was not sent to subgroup presidents. Tamara noted that PIPSC has a new slogan, and you can request pamphlets to be sent to you. It was noted that we need to be on all types of social media as we need to reach the members where they are.
It was noted that we will keep all current goals, and no new goals were created.
8. Travel Rights
This topic was meant for the training committee meeting agenda.
9. Training Budget Role
This topic was meant for the training committee meeting agenda.
10. Principles of Conduct
Christine will get a printed a hard copy this document as the hotel does not have a business center and the executive members will sign it.
11. Budget Purchases
Mark brought a few items for the executive to look at for purchasing for the executive. Mark will get a catalog from the company, and the executive can select what visibility item they would like. Paull will provide the budget amount. We need to coordinate our purchasing; we are not scrambling at the end of the calendar year. Paul suggested we have a procurement purchaser, managing the inventory, and timing of new inventory purchases. Mark stated that he has a good professional relationship with a local company in the Atlantic and he will have no problems taking the task of procurement. There were extra shirts purchased for AGM delegates last year. Unsure where the extras are located. Discussion occurred on what item to provide for the Atlantic Delegates at the AGM with the budget we have. Items discussed were Toques, Pom Pom hats, shirts, cross body bags.
Action: Paul to provide budget for executive visibility item.
Action: Mark to provide catalog of items that can be purchased.
Action: Christine to contact Donna/Natasha about the extra shirts in the seat covers box.
Action: Mark to get options for AGM item.
12. PIPSC AGM Delegate Selection Methodology – Mark Bellefleur
Mark noted what the current by-laws are and that he had spoken to the other regions. It was noted that Quebec selects their delegates by having all the people that want to attend to apply and answer questions such as how involved you are, retired/regular member, what committees are you on, etc. Another region does it that all their branch presidents and the regional executive have seats. Discussion occurred on how the Atlantic region selects delegates and that there is potential that we are missing out on people speaking out. Mike did note there was an idea like this brought to the ARC a number of years ago and it was defeated. Something the executive will look into bringing to the 2026 ARC. Further discussion occurred on some branches sending mostly retired members when they have new members interested.
Action: Mark to talk with Chris Roach about the By-laws and policies that we cannot change our AGM delegate selection.
13. Round Table
No round table comments.
Motion # 2 Chad Lacoste moved, and Greg Hues seconded that the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED
The meeting was adjourned at 4:07pm.