Atlantic Regional Training Committee Meeting Minutes - January 24, 2025
Location: The Lord Nelson, Halifax, NS
CHAIRPERSON:
Carolyn Hynes
COMMITTEE:
Christine LeDrew, Secretary
Lori Rowe
Michael Pauley
Tamara Critch
Mark Bellefleur
Paul Hubley - Guest
REGRETS: None
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Carolyn called the meeting to order at 1:04pm. Carolyn welcomed everyone to the first Training Committee meeting of 2025. Carolyn welcomed Mark to the training committee. Carolyn offered a Land Acknowledgement and the PIPSC Equity Statement.
Carolyn went over the ground rules which are listed on the agenda.
2. Approval of Agenda
Carolyn called for additions to the agenda. Christine stated to remove meeting guidelines. Mike added round table. Mark suggested to utilize the motion by consensus.
Motion #1 Mark Bellefleur moved, and Lori Rowe seconded to utilize a motion by consensus. CARRIED.
Motion #2 Christine LeDrew moved, and Mike Pauley seconded that the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED.
3. Minutes/Action items
a. Minutes
Christine noted that an updated version of the minutes was posted due to some updates.
Motion #3 Carolyn Hynes moved, and Mike Pauley seconded that the minutes be approved as presented. CARRIED.
b. Review of Action Items
Carolyn reviewed the Action Items and the document has been updated accordingly.
Discussion occurred on evaluations of events and offering a prize if you complete.
Action: Christine create a document on the working drive for topics noted at steward check-ins.
Action: Carolyn to bring to regional executive about adding a prize draw to the events.
4. Calendar of Events
Carolyn reviewed the calendar of events for training events. Discussion occurred that a few events have contracts signed but waiting for approval from finance.
5. Training Committee Chairperson Report
Carolyn reviewed her Training Committee Chairperson’s report on the shared google drive. Verbal discussion:
- Policies and budget refocusing
- WFA: training and who requires it.
- Mark has a meeting conflict with training school so as Vice Chair Mike will attend the event as the regional director. If Mike cannot attend, then another member of the training committee will attend.
Motion #4 Carolyn Hynes moved, and Lori Rowe seconded approval of the Training Committee Chairperson’s report. CARRIED.
6. Atlantic Steward Activity Report
The Training Committee reviewed the Atlantic Steward Activity Report. Topics discussed:
- How participants are selected.
- Training members with TERM positions and when should we be accepting them.
Motion #5 Lori Rowe moved, and Christine LeDrew seconded to put a pause to allow TERM employees to attend basic steward training.
Motion #6 Carolyn Hynes amended, and Tamara Critch seconded to put a pause to allow TERM employees to attend basic steward training if their term expires in the current calendar year.
Motion #7 Mike Pauley amended, and Tamara Critch seconded to put a pause to allow TERM employees to attend any steward training if their term expires in the current calendar year. CARRIED.
Motion #8 Christine moved, and Lori Rowe seconded the committee accept the motion as amended. CARRIED.
7. Atlantic Regional Council – Training Event Preparation
Carolyn noted that we are only responsible for the 1:30-2:30pm session Friday afternoon. Mark noted that the Advisory Council asked to have a section on the agenda. Discussed previous given training topics and further discussion occurred on having a WFA presentation given by the member facilitators. It was noted that NB would have no requirement for WFA training and would need a separate session.
Action: Mike to find out what would be an important topic for the NB Groups.
Action: Carolyn to see which member facilitators are available to attend ARC and provide the WFA session.
8. Steward Event Evaluations
a. Basic Steward Training – September 2024
b. Basic Steward Training – November 2024
c. Steward Council – October 2024
Discussion on the topics and sessions at steward council. Carolyn will discuss at TEAM what other regions do about case law and trends.
Discussion occurred on what type of activity to host. Evaluations are saying the awards dinner isn’t giving the awards winners their opportunity.
Discussion occurred regarding members not being mixed up and sitting with their friends the whole time. Christine noted about in the past your package had a color sticker, and you had to sit at a table with that color. Mark suggested a sort of bingo sheet on the table to force the table to connect.
Action: Donna to have color coded seating for attendees at steward council.
Action: Committee to make bingo sheet.
9. Training Representative Reports
a. September 2024
b. November 2024
Discussion on how new stewards are not given information on travel policy but the tool being worked on will be attached.
Mark noted that there should be a separate Cvent invite for the training committee meeting. Discussion occurred on this topic and on the leave request form.
10. New Business
a. Labour School Indigenous Opening & Final Procedure for Honorarium
Discussion occurred on previous events. Committee determined there needs to be a process for executive and staff to follow when dealing with these situations.
Further discussion occurred that staff should obtain quotes, send to executive for approval and which one to select.
Action: Mark will ask Stephanie F what the AGM did.
Action: Carolyn will ask the other regions at TEAM.
Action: Christine to create a document for exec/staff of procedures.
b. Member Facilitated Training
Carolyn noted that with the budget cuts we do not have budget to host member facilitated training on its own. Discussion occurred on other opportunities:
· Potential session at steward council
· Branch training sessions
· Session at ARC
· Lunch and Learns
· Virtual sessions (set up quarterly virtual lunch and learn)
Motion #9 Carolyn Hynes moved, and Christine LeDrew seconded to endeavour to utilize the member facilitators for specific training events such as steward council, ARC, lunch and learns, steward check ins or other virtual training with no additional associated cost. CARRIED.
Action: Carolyn to reach out to MF to explain what our action is and what their thoughts are with any input and their availability.
Action: Lori to reach out to Carolyn for what decks are available.
c. Awards at Meetings – When to deliver
Discussion occurred on when to hold the awards. The evaluations from previous steward councils stated the awards being given during supper loses the value.
Motion #10 Mark Bellefleur moved, and Christine LeDrew seconded hold a Q&A with Max session 1:30-2:30pm Friday with questions to be collected in advance. Then 2:30-3pm hand out the pins, steward of the year award, and scholarships with a 3pm break. CARRIED.
Action: Add the Q&A Session for SC to the march meeting agenda.
d. Booking Meetings – Training School and ARC are too close together
Halifax office staff mentioned this when planning 2026 and 2027 as typically the training school and ARC dates are close together.
Discussion occurred with an outcome of:
§ 2026 – March 28th-28th or March 19-21st
· If March 26-28th is selected, Regional executive meeting will have to be moved to the week before.
§ 2027 – move to earlier in March
Discussion occurred on training school locations. Further discussion on policing the doors and if members do not show up, they do not get paid.
Action: Donna to look at March 26-28, 2026 or March 19-21, 2026.
e. UFLB Cheat Sheet
Mike noted that he wanted to hit all the main points of the policy. Discussion occurred on the current cheat sheet and how the different departments and agencies take union leave. There is a note that comes up to members about if not submitting salary.
Further discussion occurred on having an example on the cheat sheet and the training representative to have a small session to the stewards. Training committee then discussed paper printouts for training sessions and look into providing them electronically.
Action: Mike to add note about what needs to be submitted to finance before submitting salary reimbursement.
Action: Mike to get information from Lori for AFS members.
Action: Lori to provide AFS details to Carolyn.
11. Round Table
Carolyn thanked everyone for attending the meeting and their open and honest opinions.
Motion #11 Christine LeDrew moved, and Tamara Critch seconded to adjourn the meeting. CARRIED.
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:57pm.