What is the Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee?

Our goals:

• to actively promote and encourage members from the Aboriginal Peoples, Racially Visible Persons, Pride and Access equity groups to participate in the union and in society as a whole;
• and to educate union members at large on sensitivity and inclusiveness in the union.

Our hope:

• that you join us in championing human rights on Vancouver Island.

Our agenda:

• Adoption of minutes
• Election of officers
• Resolutions
• Dates for 2011 meetings

Afterwards, please stay for snacks and drinks and to meet the committee.

Download the poster (pdf)

PSAC members who work for IMP Comox perform first and second level maintenance activities on Comorant helicopters. Some of these workers are employed as technicians, crew chiefs, maintenance planners, storespersons and administrative assistant.

• In attendance: Robert Mitchell, Paul Jones, Laura Gracie, Wendy Bruce, Michael Doerfler, Virginia Vaillancourt, Maddalena Maher, Dave Jackson, Rosemary MacKenzie – Tracy Shudo via teleconference.
• ASL & SIGNED ENGLISH INTERPRETERS: Mary Butterfield & Mary Warner & Student Translator, Alison Corrigan.
• Regrets: Mark McCavour, Cindy Little, Anita Hoffman, Mandi Schubert and Ryan Dowell.

Meeting started at 6:32 p.m.

Continue reading below, or download the meeting minutes (.pdf).

Round table introductions were done.

Reviewed and adopted last minutes from February 18, 2010.

1. VIHRC Bank Account Signers: Rosemary reported all five financial signers signed the new paperwork provided by Community Savings, which included the Treasurer (Wendy Bruce), who was elected at the last meeting. The five signers are Michael Doerfler, Wendy Bruce, Paul Jones, Virginia Vaillancourt and Rosemary MacKenzie.
2. Follow up with Treasury and VIHRC financial details and budget was presented by Wendy Bruce. The current balance is $391.93. 2 statements have been received because we have 2 accounts, one is an equal shares account with the Community Savings account of which we put in $50.00 and have earned $.03 cents in interest so far and our business checking account which started with a balance of $450.00. Once the BC Committee receives their allocation we will receive ours shortly after that. Treasurer wants to apply for a local access fund to help pay for interpreters instead of from our operating budget.
3. Pride 2010 funding request – Paul: Looking for money for Pride activities, as we don’t know how much we have for funding Paul has made a motion to move this item to next meeting on June 22, 2010. Carried.
4. National GLBT convention resolution re: “Pride” term – Paul: Resolution made at the convention, great exception to the word Pride, resolution did not pass. Copy of National conference from 2007-2009 for anyone who wants to know what happened at these conventions. There were many discussions around the word Pride and many did not feel it was a very good word to use as it indicated only the GLBT group were proud and did not include other members under the 4 equity groups, it was felt that Pride was a term that excluded other equity people.
5. Progress/vote on VIHRC logo designs – Robert: Robert gave a power point presentation with 4 designs for discussion and voting on. Symbols such as a dove, human figures, candles and urban imagery were used in the designing and planning. VIHRC has voted on a logo for the committee. The Committee would like to thank Robert for all the hard work he put into the planning and designing of these logos.
6. Update on banner style & costing – Mark: Moved to next meeting.

• Break 7:32 Meeting Resumed at 7:36

1. Duty to accommodate – Maddalena: Presented to the Committee a power point presentation on the role of Community based Health Providers regarding Occupation Addiction Medicine. It was very informative and gave some of the responsibilities and rights between the employers and the employees as well as what information your Dr. is allowed to release to the employer. She advised of actual outcomes of cases heard by the courts and HR Tribunals. Bill C-45 is the key to understanding the term safety in the workplace. Thank you Maddalena.
2. Amendments to TOR – Dave/Michael: Amendments to clean up the language of our VIHRC TOR previously voted in from our February 18, 2010 meeting to ensure clarity and consistency within the document. Amended version submitted. Discussion ensued and vote taken and passed to clean up language of our TOR as presented at today’s meeting. Cheque signers will communicate via e-mail to put in place processes for cheque signing which will then be amended and voted into the VIHRC’s TOR.
3. Clarification on committee positions’ roles – Michael: Duties and responsibilities of committee positions for secretary duties. Recording secretary to use audio/digital recorder for meetings, meeting notifications and e-mailing agenda items along with the chair. Rosemary will usually do up agenda items and send them out to the committee members. She also has a template for signing in of members on meeting nights to ensure the contact information is up to date.
4. VIHRC National Access conference in Ottawa – all: 4 members of our committee have been chosen for this convention; Paul, Maddalena, Wendy and Mark, congratulations! Paul would like to add a resolution for this conference; however the deadline has now passed. Deadline was the same time as the delegate applications on March 3, 2010. Virginia felt that this was unfair as members who would like to put forth a resolution may not do so because they don’t know at that time if they have been accepted as a delegate or not. Michael has brought forth some considerations he would like to be brought forward at this convention regarding a special access fund being started to accommodate funds for equipment for business related equipment for PWD members such as laptops and projectors for PSAC related business. Robert mentioned that his local has just bought a new laptop and are looking to donate their old one. He will look into the possibility of donating it to the VIHRC. Thank you!!! Paul will also bring forward a special resolution during convention to request a new access fund be established for special equipment needed for PWD members.

• Final note to this: VIHRC has just been advised that we have another member of our committee who has been selected to attend this conference too. Congratulations Michael for being chosen to attend this conference as well!

1. Website hosting for VIHRC resources – Michael: Moved to next meeting June 22, 2010.

Meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

Next meeting is June 22, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the PSAC office.

Meeting called to order at 5:40 pm

Review of April 13, 2010 minutes and approval

M/S/C
Jeannette Lum / Cindy Little /  Carried

Continue reading below, or download a copy of Victoria RWC May 27 minutes (pdf)

Budget

New signers are now on the account and we’re figuring what’s in our account.   Brenda will explain what we have in each account.   We will discuss budget for the upcoming year.   One requirement for the Victoria RWC is to submit a budget to the REVP each year.
After a cursory glance here is our balance as of March 31, 2010 :

• $1175.54 in our Business Chequing
• $129.47 in our Equity Shares Account
• $700.98 Plan 24 Savings Account

Our next meeting is June 21st, so here is some suggestions re:  funding line items to think about.

• Assistance to conferences
• Meeting (foods / movie rentals etc)
• December 6th event / March 8th
• Contingency Fund / Miscellaneous
• Donations

If you think of anything more before June 21st, just let me know (Virginia).

Funding for Women who’ve been selected to the BC Regional Women’s Conference

Re:   $75 registration fee.   Is any assistance needed by anyone?

As well, each RWC has been asked to bring a “basket” for the silent auction.   Suggestions?  How much do we wish to make up the basket for?  Tangible items……………

• Murchies # 10 blend tea / Empress Tea
• A candle from the Day of Mourning Event
• Roger’s Chocolats , Smoked Salmon
• Bottle of wine from a local winery, Maybe something from Butchart Gardens, Books from a local author
• Postcards from Victoria

As well, we’ve been asked to assist in funding a beverage for the participants from the RW Conference.  Up to $200.  There will be 63 participants registered, plus the staff etc. Everyone was in agreement.

Air Travel to RW Conference.

We’ve be able to purchase two Harbour Air tickets from a local who had two extra flight tickets, willing to sell them to us for a reduced costs.

Gwen Williams and Sharon Hazelwood will be utilizing these tickets, as they are travelling as a team.

Delegate for the PSAC National Women’s Conference

It was asked if anyone was interested in going to the National Women’s conference as a delegate.   Only Virginia was interested.  Brenda said she would try and apply to go via her local.

Virginia will be the delegate
Brenda will be the alternate.

Meeting adjourned at:   6:40 pm

• Open to: All PSAC Members on Vancouver Island
• Date/Time: June 22, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
• Location: PSAC Victoria Regional Office, 210-1497 Admirals Road
• Teleconference: Please call 250-953-1050 or 1-866-953-1050 for ‘call in’ coordinates, no later than June 22 at 12:00 noon.

Come out or Telephone in & See what your newly formed Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee (VIHRC) has been doing for you! New members and allies are always welcomed to observe or join VIHRC!

VIHRC is particularly keen in welcoming any member from 4 equity groups:

• Aboriginals;
• Access (Persons with Disabilities which also includes invisible disorders such as ADHD, Brain injury, OCD etc.);
• Pride (Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgendered, Transsexual etc.);
• Racially Visible

Regular meeting atmosphere is casual. Please contact 250-953-1050 or email PSAC Victoria Regional Office at mackenr@psac.com for more info. Download the poster!

Agenda:

Old Business for review:

1. Review / Adopt February 18th Minutes & Post to PSAC BC website

New Business:

1. 2010 National ‘Access’ Conference Feedback – 5 ‘Conference Reps’
2. Pride 2010 Funding Request (Follow up)
3. Update on Banner Style & Costing
4. Summer BBQ fundraising for CMHR
5. RDSP Info
6. Networking with other HRCs, Locals/Components
7. Honorariums for VIHRC Caucus
8. Website hosting for VIHRC resources?

PSAC BC & Paul Jones, GLBT Regional Council Coordinator invites you & your families to join us in the 2010 PRIDE Parade & Festival in Victoria. “Gay Rights Are Human Rights”

When: Sunday July 4, 2010

Meet at 10 am on Broad St. (by the Victoria Events Centre) Parade Starts at 12:00 noon. Beads provided.

A family friendly event will follow at MacDonald Park. Access accommodations will be accommodated by an 18-­‐foot trailer that you may ride on. Download the poster.

DATE: June 21, 2010 (Monday)
TIME: 5:30 P.M.
LOCATION: PSAC Boardroom, 210-1497 Admirals Rd., Victoria, BC

AGENDA: To be announced.

Please forward any agenda items to the Chair, Virginia Vaillancourt at: uvaevictoria@shaw.ca

Please R.S.V.P as various snack food will be provided – email Rosemary at mackenr@psac.com

Note: the building door is locked by 5:30, so if you can, please arrive a few minutes earlier. Thanks.

Proposed Agenda

1. Treasurer’s report
2. Pride Parade – July 4 – Paul Jones
3. Update from National Access Conference
4. Regional Women’s Conference
5. By-Law’s Committee update
6. Labour Day Picnic

PLEASE RSVP TO: Rosemary at the Regional Office  no later than noon on June 7, 2010 at ph: 250-953-1050 or e0mail: mackenr@psac.com

Snacks will be served.

Please try to arrive prior to the start of the meeting as the doors to the building are locked by 5:30 p.m.