Once Again it is time to look back and reflect on the last three years and to look ahead for the next three years. Under the By-Laws of U.T.E. my official portfolio is that of finance. This is my second convention that I have the opportunity to report to you about our financial position.
My duties as outlined in the By-Laws are as follows:
- ensure that the funds of UTE are handled in a sound financial manner and in the best interest of the members;
- ensure that proper book, records and vouchers are kept in connection with the operations of UTE;
- supply to each Executive Council meeting such statements and supportive material which will enable the Executive Council to properly evaluate and control the financial affairs of UTE;
- include in the written reports to the Executive Council and the Convention the dollar amount expended by each member of the Council for the current period as well as the cumulative amount since the last Convention.
Over the last three years I have reviewed each expense claim that has been filed and ensured that it was in accordance with Regulation 13, “Reimbursement of Expenses” of our By-Laws. Other expenditures were approved either by Executive Council or through consultation with the National President.
Each month the Executive Council was sent the internal financial statements of the union and at each Executive Council meeting, the most current statements were presented for their approval and adoption. Also at these times recommendations were made to move monies from one line item to another for the purpose of staying within the proposed convention budget. These statements along with notes of explanations of changes were included in the minutes of the Executive Council and forwarded to all locals for their review. Also included at each Executive Council meeting was the dollar amount expended by each member of the Council for the period as well as the cumulative amount since the last convention. For each calendar year ending these figures were also given to each Council member in order for them to report to their regions. I also presented to Council any expense claims that were over 90 days old in accordance with By-Law 18, Section 3. These claims were then reviewed by the Executive Council and were subject to their approval.
At the end of each calendar year, our books and records were subject to audit by an outside firm and their prepared statements were presented by me to the Executive Council for approval in accordance with By-Law 15. These statements were then forwarded to each local for their review.
In the National Office, we have tried to keep up to date with the financial technologies available to help us to have control over our funds. We have upgraded our computer software as the need arose to include current packages for our accounting and cheque writing systems.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The work that the committee has done has been invaluable to the operational finances of UTE. The committee took the direction from the last convention to heart and set about to review all of the financial procedures of the union and make recommendations to council were it believed necessary. Their work has been conducted in an impartial and unbiased manner when looking at the strict financial ramifications of an issue, regardless of any committee member’s individual personal feelings on the issue. Their focus has been “Finances and UTE” without being sidetracked by any political deterrents that could sway their focus. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the committee for their work and dedication during the interesting times that occurred over the last three years. Although the committee members did not always agree, the debate that occurred during the meetings was always lively and respectful. Thank you to the brothers Bruce Wilson, Kent MacDonald and Sister Pamela Abbott, and a special thanks to Sister Donna Nitz for always having the information we needed and making me look as good as is humanly possible. (Also a note of thanks to Stephanie Wolff, the finance clerk for everything during this period. She made the job much easier).
The committees mandate may include but will not be limited to:
- Reviewing UTE BY-Laws and regulations pertaining to finance and making appropriate recommendations to Executive Council;
- Reviewing the UTE books and records and making appropriate recommendations to the responsible person and/or body;
- Reviewing the UTE financial statements and making appropriate recommendations to Executive Council;
- Reviewing the UTE investment policy and procedures;
- Assisting the Vice-President responsible for finance in the preparation of the budget to be presented to the Triennial Convention; and
- Dealing with any items referred to the committee by the National President, Executive Committee, Executive Council or Triennial Convention.
The committee also assisted in the preparation of the budget that is being tabled to this convention. I believe that this budget, after being reviewed and amended by the Finance Committee, Executive Council and the Convention Finance Committee, reflects the position of UTE for the next three years. It is a realistic budget that will take us into the days and months ahead, while insuring our financial stability.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
I have had the honour over the last three years to chair this committee and work with some very dedicated people, Brothers Barry Melanson and Sabri Khayat and the very knowledgeable and capable Sister Susan Duncan. I would like too take this time to thank them all for their hard work and efforts over the last three years. The Committee has published the UTE newsletter and had it mailed to all 23000 members. We have received some very good feedback on our efforts and we feel that this publication is a great tool to reach the members with information they need and want. The committee has also reviewed other forms of communications i.e. website, owners manual and made recommendations and suggestions to improve our communications.
OTHER DUTIES
As the First National Vice-President, I have also attended each meeting of the PSAC National Board of Directors as an advisor to the National UTE President and have sat as the representative from UTE when the National President was not available. I have also attended some local annual general meetings and regional and interregional conferences when requested. This is an opportunity that I really enjoy. I get to meet the presidents and other members of the locals on a more personal basis that at the Presidents’ Conferences or at a Convention. The annual general meetings are especially beneficial since I am able to hear what the members are thinking and where it is they want the union to go. I feel that listening to the membership is something that we must do in order for us to keep the union strong regardless of our own personal views and the issues in question.
I have also been assigned other various duties and tasks by the National President that has kept me working closely with her staff at the national office, I would like to thank Sister Pierrette Labrie and Brother Mike Lefebvre for all of their help and understanding in helping me complete these tasks. Examples of these would be doing a study of our hotel needs and making recommendations, looking at various locations for convention and doing a cost analysis, working on the updates of the owner’s manual, achievement book and the policy and procedures manual, just to name a few.
Also during the last three years there has been a much more concerted effort to purchase and sell promotional items for the Union of Taxation Employees. We have had numerous items for every President’s Conference and other National events to help us promote the Union in the work place. We have developed our own calendar and lanyard; new jackets have been designed for winter, summer and spring. Plus so many other items it is too numerous to mention. One of the things that the unions must learn is to sell themselves to the members, make their presence on the work floor known to both members and management. The more visual a union is the more it can help the membership. From the amount of sales and demand for items that we have provided it looks like this is working and UTE is becoming more visual all the time.
As a Council member, I have had the opportunity to work with a group of very dedicated people and for that I thank them. Our work has sometimes been controversial both between the Council members as well as local executive but I believe that every member voted the way that they felt was most beneficial for the membership. We have managed to remain a tight working group in spite of our differences in opinion.
This is a time when our locals must be the strongest they can be. We must show the leadership and most importantly involve the membership. The locals with the help of there membership are the key to our success. They must become part of the solution. Our members are the strongest point that the union has. We must live up to the banner that is displayed during this convention, “The Union of Taxation Employees always working for the Members”
And always remember all you need to know you have learned from Noah’s Ark:
- Don’t miss the boat.
- Don’t forget that we’re all in the same boat.
- Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.
- Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something really big.
- Don’t listen to critics, just get on with what has to be done.
- Build your future on high ground.
- For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
- Two heads are better than one.
- Speed isn’t always an advantage; the snails were on board with the cheetahs.
- When you’re stressed, float a while.
- Remember that the ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic was built by professionals.
- Remember that woodpeckers inside are a larger threat than the storm outside.
The above is a broad overview of some of the work that I have been involved in over the last three years. It has been a pleasure working for the benefit of UTE and its members and I hope to continue to do so for many more years to come. Being a member of UTE is both a pleasure and an honour. It is being part of a family that can grow as strong as it wants to be. Thank you all for letting me serve in this position, I hope that I have filled it to at least part of your expectations.
In Solidarity,
Bob Campbell
1st National Vice-President