Fraser Valley Branch Executive Meeting
March 4 2025 - held virtually via Zoom
Meeting called to order at 5:03 PM PT
1. Roll Call (members of the Branch Executive)
In attendance:
Terri D’Souza (CFIA S&A), President
Stephen Deo (SH), Vice-President
Alicia Lunz (SH), Secretary
Ravipal Kochar (SH), Treasurer
Christine Kleindienst (SH), Member at Large
Danika Overmars (SH), Member at Large
Kaitlin Houle (CS), Member at Large
Absent:
Febin Meckkaden Paily (SH), Member at Large
Brandon Peters (CS), Member at Large
Rayna Gunvaldsen (CFIA-VM), Member at Large
2. Approval of the Agenda (M/S/C)
No amendments made
3. Report of the President (M/S/C)
I wanted to start off by thanking the new members of our executive, Alicia, Brandon, and Kaitlin, for stepping up to volunteer for a position with the Fraser Valley Branch at our 2024 AGM. The Branch executive team worked hard to put on various events throughout 2024, including bowling, two sold out Otter Co-Op Waterpark events, and the 2024 AGM with over 30 members in attendance. Thank you to the members that served on the executive in 2024 but had to step down for various reasons, and an even bigger thank you to our current executive members who have done great work this year. I look forward to working with you all again, and our newly elected members, this year.
As your Branch President, BC/Y Regional Executive, BC/Y Young Professionals’ Executive, and BC/Y representative on the National Science Advisory Council, I have been steadily busy since our AGM with many events and meetings. Here are some of the highlights:
- Selected for another term as the BC/Y Representative on the National Science Advisory Council (2-year term)
- Organized 2 events in the Yukon through the BC/Y Young Professionals’ Committee
- Attended the first BC/Y Regional Executive meeting for the year on February 21 and was elected to be on the Training Committee
- Connected with members of the Vancouver Branch during a social event organized by the BC/Y Regional Executive in New Westminster on February 21
Looking forward for the Fraser Valley Branch in 2025, I hope we can actively engage members through the executive and events and look forward to hosting lunch and learns, site visits, and membership engagement activities throughout the year where I hope we have great participation. I hope we can collaborate on an event with our Retired Members’ Guild chapter to bring together retired members and soon-to-be retired members. I look forward to continuing to grow our active membership into 2025.
4. Financial Report (M/S/C)
2024 allotment received. Budget reviewed, no amendments made.
5. New Business
a. 2025 FV events
- Discussed potential events with RMG, including retirement and pension sessions?
- Discussed doing 2 Otter Water Park events again this year as they were a huge success
- Fall events - Discussed potential pumpkin patch or apple picking events
- AI for Alicia and Danika
- Spring event (April to June) - Discussed potential Bowling or Tulip Festival events
- AI for Ravi and Kaitlin
b. FV AGM - Discussion
- Exec received a member’s suggestion to potentially choose an ethnic food location for the next AGM
c. Creation of the South Surrey Branch - Discussion
- Creation of the South Surrey Branch has separated members from Vancouver Branch who live or work in Surrey and White Rock
- Terri made a motion to move forward with the process to have Langley members added to the Fraser Valley Branch (M/S/C)
- AI for Terri and Alicia to bring to the Regional Executive
d. FV exec communications - Discussion
- Discussed the creation of a Whatsapp chat to streamline communications with the Executive and will move forward to create one
- Discussed creating a Facebook group for the general members to post pictures and events, but decided against it due to the difficulty of moderating posts and comments
e. BC/Y Training committee Lunch ‘n Learn fund - Discussion
- $50 per session
f. 2025 BC/Yukon Regional Council delegate selection - Discussion
- June 12-15 at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort and Spa in Parksville (includes travel days)
- SH AGM in Ottawa is the same dates
g. BC/Y Young Professionals’ Committee “Dine out” series - Discussion
- In partnership with BC/Y YPC and the various branches
- 50/50 cost
- Could be less if we apply for Better Together Funding
- Half the seats allocated to Young Professionals. Preference to members who have not previously attended an event
- Location will be in the FV for FV members
h. FV exec succession planning - Discussion
- Half the Executive will be up for re-election at the 2026 AGM
6. Upcoming General PIPSC Events and Meetings
a. BC/Y Labor School – April 9-12
b. BC/Y Basic Steward Training – May 1-3
c. BC/Y Regional Council – June 13-14
d. BC/Y Steward Council – Oct 17-18
e. BC/Y Basic Steward Training – Nov 20-22
f. BC/Y OSH Training – Dec 5
g. 2025 PIPSC AGM – Dec 12-13
7. Next Fraser Valley Branch Executive Meeting
- Will have meetings before the Spring and Fall events
- Fall meeting will be used to start planning the 2026 FV AGM
8. Roundtable
No new discussion was brought forward
9. Adjournment (M/S/C)
Meeting adjourned at 6:06 PM PT