Ontario Region Executive Minutes - December 14, 2024

Ontario Region Executive Minutes - December 14, 2024

Pan Pacific, North York

Present: J. Purdie, C. L’Estrange, T. Yantsis, B. Brawley, T. MacDonald, S. Labbé, H. Timla, R. Kaura

Regrets: T. Zaharopoulos, D. Kamaldin

Meeting called to order at 9:00 am

1. Opening remarks 

Director acknowledged land that we met on and welcomed the ORE.  

2. Approval of Agenda 

Motion to approve agenda as presented. Consensus

3. Approval of Minutes 

Motion to approve September 12, 2024, ORE meeting minutes. Consensus

Motion to approve Zoom October 2, 2024, virtual ORE meeting minutes. Consensus

Motion to approve Zoom October 9, 2024, virtual ORE meeting minutes. Consensus

4. Matters Arising / Tracking Report – John 

Discussion surrounding each action item.

5. Treasurer’s Report – Tom Y. 

Treasurer reviewed financial situation and current expenditures in his Treasurer’s report. Questions and comments answered.

Motion to approve the financials as presented by the Treasurer. Consensus

6. Committee Reports 
   1. BOD COMMITTEES 
      1. PRQC – Fatima Hashmi – secretarially
      2. BLPC – John Purdie – secretarially

Mentioned that the tracking document for Branch and Subgroup Bylaws are up to date and available online

3. Finance – Tom Y. 

Last meeting was Friday Dec 6th. Eventful year went through reviews and conducted Treasurer training. Reviews done by Ontario resulted in the conclusion that constituent bodies in Ontario are using their funds correctly. Celebrated Committee’s 2024 successes. Discussed treasurer training for the future.

Action: John to go to the BoD to request a short Concur "how to" video that can be presented during Treasurer Training.

4. HRDC – Sabrina Labbé – secretarially
5. ITSP – Dora Scarling – secretarially

The website redesign was discussed. Some projects were put on hold for cost containment and as the data collection phase was complete, putting the web redesign on pause. It should start back up. Navigar presentation/webinar for the youth was discussed. Reach out to IT manager at PIPSC and then Bridget for Lunch & Learn. 

6. SA – Tina M. 

Tina will be stepping down. Discussion around SAC participation in AGM booth, it was well received.

7. National Training – Bridget B. – secretarially

Mentorship program will reach out to YP Advisory moving forward. Discussion on short learning topics (hour long). 

8.  Election – Tim Azab 

None was provided.

9. Election Appeals – Patrick Mudenyo – secretarially

2. ORE COMMITTEES / Liaison 
   1. Training Committee – Bridget 

Discussions surrounding Health and Safety, Basic Steward and Labour School since our last meeting. Discussion around adding Health & Safety as a potential module.

Action: John to invite Ontario Manager to Regional Executive meetings.

2. Bylaw & Policy – Sabrina 

Evergreen document is maintained and up to date. BLPC requests should be sent to Ontario Rep.

3. Visibility Mobilization – Sabrina & Harry

Discussion on Truth & Reconciliation event held in September 25th. Discussions on major events we would like to coordinate with PIPSC for 2025: Black History Month, Indigenous History Month, Pride week, Labour Day and Truth & Reconciliation. Funds will come from Better Together and regional Labour Day fund.

4. Ontario Provincial Group – Tina – secretarially
5. Young Professionals – Rachit 

Discussed the past events and lessons learned. Planning of a bowling event and volleyball tournament. Looking into offering another Lunch & Learn. 

Motion: That the Ontario Region Executive endorse the Executive Composition resolution during the 2025 Ontario Regional Council.

Moved: Rachit Kaura

2nd: Sabrina Labbé Passed

6. Branch Liaison – Tina – secretarially 
7. Legacy Foundation – Chris 

Discussion on communicating statistics and results of the Legacy Foundation to regional chairs. Discussion surrounding scholarship applications.

Action: John to speak to Legacy Foundation to simplify the process for scholarship applications.

Action: John to speak to Legacy Chair to establish a communication plan.

7. Regional Council – Tom Z & Harry

No update since last meeting.

8. Steward Council – Bridget 

Overall feedback was positive however noted a slight downward for the 2024 OSC. Steward Council should remain a political neutral space. Overall positive reviews and feedback re guest speaker. The topic could be triggering and efforts were in place to ensure that attendees could remove themselves if needed. A person was injured during the event. This was dealt with during the event, with the venue. PIPSC staff will be instrumental with dealing with these incidents. Discussion on member safety is already in play. Heather observes the venue and addresses these types of potential issues on the forefront. Members in attendance are also asked if they have first aid training and if they are willing to respond during a PIPSC event.

9. Director’s Report – John – secretarially

Attending a lot of year end AGMs and steward recruitment is going well. Spoke about incoming Board and training opportunities.

Action: John to obtain a PIPSC org chart.

Branch AGM feedback was shared, presentation was well received. It was requested to have this presentation shared with as many Branches as possible.

10. Planning Document – John 

Is an Evergreen document. It should be vetted at the meeting just prior to ORC.

11. Calendar of Activities – John 

Created 2025 calendar of activities. Will look at a swag idea that is approximately $X,XXX during February meeting.

12. New Business 
    1. Election Protocol

Apparently that it is common practice that candidates are permitted to put forth a candidacy campaign during council. Ensure to adhere to election protocols. Video speeches as an election tool will be taken under advisement and permitted as long as speech remains professional.

2. BoD Committee Selection 

Motion: That ORE put forth Dora Scarling’s candidacy as Ontario rep to ITSP.

Moved: Sabrina Labbé

2nd: Bridget Brawley Consensus

Motion: That ORE put forth Felix Akol’s candidacy as Ontario rep to PRQC.

Moved: Bridget Brawley

2nd: Chris L’Estrange Consensus

Motion: That ORE put forth Afshin Abrishamkarl’s candidacy as Ontario rep to SAC as first choice.

Moved: Bridget Brawley

2nd: Chris L’Estrange Consensus

Motion: That ORE put forth Foster Scott’s candidacy as Ontario rep to SAC as second choice.

Moved: Bridget Brawley

2nd: Chris L’Estrange Consensus

 

3. Retired Member Guild 

Discussion on how a member transitions to be a retired member. The year a member retires, they are a member till Dec 31. Then they must pay their annual dues to be a member for the next year.

4. BoD Meetings Policy 

Policy says BoD and Committee of the BoD should be held Friday, Saturday and Monday. It is a best practice to hold it on these days but it does not always work out. Costs are not decreased when held during the weekend as staff and AV are paid OT rates.

5. Better Together Policy 

The policy was approved in principle. It was not approved by BoD, BLPC, AC, EC, etc. It is impractical and inefficient that this policy is enforced while it is not approved.

6. AGM Post Mortem

Ontario was criticized for not holding a hospitality event. Positive feedback for availability and knowledge of PIPSC staff. Assigned seating was a very good idea. Voting fiasco was discouraging. Positive feedback on business being conducted. Positive feedback on financial forum.

13. Round Table 

Rachit - nothing to add

Tom Y - nothing to add

Harry - nothing to add

Chris - nothing to add, had a good year!

Sahra - nothing to add

Tina - nothing to add

Bridget - brief L&L update as she will be away for a bit

Sabrina - nothing to add

John - thanked all for another successful year

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm