Under the theme “Step In to Something That Moves You” PSAC women activists, old and new, joined together at the 2010 BC Regional Women’s Conference in Vancouver. They heard from guest speakers and held discussions and workshops on a variety of topics including childcare, women and pensions, pay equity, work-life balance, violence against women, lobbying and political action/campaign work, and debated resolutions to be sent to the PSAC National Women’s Conference. Huge thanks to Virginia Vaillancourt for putting together a most excellent video!

In Victoria, PSAC staff and members from the South Island marched in the 2010 Pride Parade under the theme “Gay Rights are Human Rights” and hosted a booth at the festival held at MacDonald Park.

• Read the PSAC Pride Statement at the national website.

In Cumberland, a delegation of PSAC members from the Campbell River and District Area Council attended the Miners Memorial Day Weekend, where they laid a wreath to commemorate the miners who worked and lost their lives in the mines of Cumberland and other workplaces throughout BC.

Meanwhile, back on the mainland, PSAC BC hosted a Think Public! booth at the Surrey Canada Day festivities. Staff and members met with the fair goers and spoke with them about the value of strong, quality, public services and public pensions.

“Read more” for the photos and video …

PSAC BC Regional Women’s Conference – June 2010 from Patrick B on Vimeo.

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

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.

• Monday, May 17, 2010, 5:30 p.m.
• PSAC Vancouver Regional Office – 200-2538 Joyce St.
• Agenda items: National Aboriginal Day

Download a poster

Vancouver Regional Women’s Committee meeting

• Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 5:45 p.m.
• PSAC Vancouver Regional Office 200-5238 Joyce St. Vancouver, B.C.
• Agenda: Regional Women’s Conference
• Please RSVP to: Jennifer Ho or Marie Lygo

Download a poster

The Conference objectives:

• develop our analysis of the impact of federal government policies and cutbacks on women’s equality and human rights
• understand the importance of quality public services for women as workers and members of society
• increase PSAC sisters’ involvement in the campaigns for federal pay equity, childcare, pensions and the defense of quality public services, as well as our involvement in coalitions working to defend and advance equality rights
• build women’s political capacity and activism in the union, the community and beyond and develop action plans that are effective and easy to implement

For more information and online registration, visit the national website. Note the deadline for resolutions & applications is June 4th 2010.

The 2010 BC Regional Women’s Conference will take place June 11th – 13th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. The theme of the conference is “Step In To a Place That Moves You”.

The objectives of conference are:

• To play a key role in sustaining PSAC campaigns on the issues of pay equity and child care.
• To coordinate activities and campaigns with other PSAC bodies and with partners such as the BC Federation of Labour, District Labour Councils, other women’s organizations.
• To build representative regional women’s committees.

There will be stimulating presentations and discussions on a variety of topics of interest to women including childcare, women and pensions, pay equity, work-life balance, violence against women, lobbying and political action/campaign work.

All PSAC women members in good standing can apply to be delegates to this Conference. The selection of delegates will take into account union activism and the following criteria will also be considered: region of the province, Component, and equity representation.

To improve access for women with family care responsibilities the PSAC has a family care allowance policy.

Registration

• Apply on-line here
• Download and mail or fax the registration back to the Vancouver RO
• Please ensure completed applications, whether submitted online, by mail, or by fax, are received in the Vancouver Regional Office by the deadline of May 6th.

Resoutions

Resolutions may be submitted by PSAC-constitutionally recognized bodies (eg. RWC’s, Human Rights Committees, and Locals) prior to the deadline of May 6th. Please note the steering committee is limiting the number of resolutions from each body to two.

In Attendance:

Susan Yaciw (UTE 20003), Joy Harrison (APSAR), Kelly Megyesi (CEIU 20915), Annette Hale (USGE 20153), Roberta Gourlie (CEIU 20915), Darrell-Lee McKenzie (AGR 20043), Linda Woods (NAT 20140)

The meeting was called to order at 10:15a.m. with Kelly Megyesi in the chair via teleconference.

Continue reading below or download a copy of Okanagan Regional Women’s Committee meeting minutes April 10, 2010 (pdf)

Minutes:  Minutes from January 16, 2010 were reviewed.                                       m/s/c

Treasurer’s Report:

-    Balance as of March 31 was $2008.00.  Only payment was $100 to Haiti relief.
m/s/c

Old Business:

1) International Women’s Day:

-    Sample (rejected) highlighters distributed.  Agreement that not suitable.  Other swag displayed and discussed.  More suitable replacements to be ordered.
-    Kelly attended rally and breakfast in Vancouver and breakfast in Vernon.

New Business:

1) BC Regional Women’s Conference:

-    Conference being held in June 11 – 13, 2010.
-    Theme “Step Into Something that Move You.”
-    Deadline for Applications – April 28, 2010

2) Sisters in Spirit Walk:

-    From Kamloops to Manitoba.   Important to support.  Some committee members may be able to participate when the walk goes through the Salmon Arm area.

Action:  Kelly to forward e-mail to all members.

3)  Accessibility Conference – Vancouver:

-    Kelly attended.  Very good conference.  Buttons ordered “Just Say Hi” from
provincial program.

4) Bamboo Hoodies:

-    Suggested as Women’s Committee identifier.  www.jericosport.com

Motion:  To purchase 10 – 12 white hoodies with ORWC logo.  Members to
pay $25 each with balance coming from ORWC.
Kelly moved, Susan seconded, CARRIED.

Action:  Kelly to e-mail sizing info to regular attendees.

Round Table:

Kelly reminded everyone of Wear Pink Day, April 14.  Anti-bullying.  Kelly also attended the Ghakal vigil in Vernon on Apr 5.  She felt turnout was lower than other years, mainly due to poor weather.  She also attended the CEIU National Executive Committee in Ottawa as an observer.

Linda to provide link to website “Champion Against Bullying.”

Darrell-Lee recommended meetings alternate start between OAC and ORWC.

PSAC ORWC donating bag of toiletries to Kelowna Women’s Shelter via Linda Woods.

Next Meeting:  Possibly June 26, 2010 weekend

Adjourned at 11:50 a.m.                                         m/s/c

Members present: Virginia, Alexandra, Mandi (& Cassandra), Cindy, Dyan, Brenda, Rosemary, Jeanette (on phone)

Review of Dec 6th Event: We spent $928.09 in total, a breakdown is to follow. Virigina suggested we think about planning for next years event soon. All in Favour.

March 8th Event: 100th anniversary of the International Womens Day concerning Pay Equity, Child Care Plan, Long Gun Registry among other important issues. It was suggested we use the same posters to raise awareness as were used last year. Virginia suggested a womens film night for Monday March 8th at 1730 at the PCAC office. She will contact the membesrs with more info when it’s confirmed.

Bill C471 Pay Equity Taskforce: Private Members Bill. This bill has passed it’s first reading and we will continue to watch it in its progression.

Bill C391 Long Gun Registry. Virginia wrote a letter to each MP that voted to dismantle the Long Gun Registry and she will make copies f the letters to send to us so we (PSAC Womens Committee) can take a personal and committee stand against the dismantling. She will draft a letter for us and send it via email for the members to send out. For more information on who voted for and against go to www.howdidtheyvote.ca.

2010 Meeting Schedule:

• Tuesday April 13th at 1730
• Tuesday June 15th at 1730
• Tuesday Sept 14th at 1730
• Tuesday Oct 26th at 1730

Meeting adjourned: 1836