The committee Chair welcomed everyone. He said he was pleased to be the new committee chair and to be with members who have many years of experience.

A.  Review of the previous minutes

The Committee went over the last meeting on August 2011 to explain the items that the committee did not have time to cover.

B.  Review of the agenda for the afternoon joint committee meeting

The agenda items are:

1. Finish the item: UTE Scholarships
   a)  Check the guidelines and information on the portal
   b) Check the various letters associated with the scholarships
   c) The topic selected for the year 2012 is: What event affected you the most in 2011 (news, personal, social);
   d) Acknowledgement for scholarship applications
2. Choosing ICA candidates
3. ICA scoring grids, etc.
4. Application received, UTE life-time membership
5. Check the information for the other awards or recognition of the regulation (Check when and how)
6. Follow-up for the Betty Bannon award
7. Follow-up on award biographies (Godfroy Côté, Al Lough, etc.)
8. Biographies and photos on the webpage for life-time members
9. Creation of a webpage for Component Presidents and biographies since the UTE was founded
10. Creation of a webpage on the various Executive Councils since the UTE was founded (names and photos only)
11. Sending out scholarship cheques
12. Committee’s website
13. Application received for the Godfroy Côté award

1) Scholarships

The committee reviewed the scholarship guidelines to make minor corrections. The committee also decided that it will not accept applications by fax due to the quality of some of the applications received. Some instructions will be indicated asking candidates to, among other things, count the number of words in their composition. The committee will check with the national office about the possibility of filling out the scholarship application form on line, like it can be done with the PSAC.

The committee reviewed the various types of letters sent to candidates. We also discussed the potential of increasing the scholarship amount in view of the increase in tuition fees over the past ten years. A recommendation in this connection will be issued to the council in March 2012.

The committee is also going to ensure that the applications received get an acknowledgement and will also inform candidates right away if their applications do not meet the requirements. Lastly, the committee reviewed the various letters sent to candidates.

2) Choosing ICA candidates

The committee looked at the applications received for taking part in the ICA trip. We received one student application, which we kept. The selected student is Michael Gardiner from Torbay, Newfoundland. We received two member applications. Only one application was retained for review, and the selected member is Jolaine Richardson from Saint John, NB. The committee decided to do a bit of checking before sending the letter to the selected applicants in order to provide them with as many details as possible. The committee Chair undertook to approach the people involved.

The committee had a lengthy discussion on the UTE’s involvement in ICA. The committee Chair will look into this as soon as possible and will take the item to the executive council if need be.

3) ICA scoring grids etc.

The committee reviewed the scholarship scoring grids and will look at the potential of establishing a more complete grid for ICA.

4) Life-time member nomination

The committee reviewed a nomination for granting life-time membership to one member. After evaluation, we recommended that it be accepted. Therefore, the following recommendation will be taken to the December executive council for approval.

Recommendation

Be it resolved that David J. Quist receive the life-time membership award.

5) Checking the information for the other awards or recognition of the regulation

The committee reviewed regulation 24, and the Chair will ask the national office for a few changes.

6) Follow-up for the Betty Bannon award.

The committee discussed a new UTE award to honour the former president who devoted many years to the presidency. That discussion was further to a recommendation already made to the Executive Council.

Therefore, the committee is going to suggest to the December executive council that a new award be established that will be called the BETTY BANNON UNION ACTIVISM AWARD.

Recommendation

Be it resolved that the UTE create a new award to honour Betty Bannon, our former president, and that this award be called the BETTY BANNON UNION ACTIVISM AWARD. Be it further resolved that regulation 24 be amended accordingly.

7) Follow-up on the biographies for UTE awards

The committee reviewed the potential of putting links on our website in order to have the biographies of the people associated with the UTE awards. The committee questioned the relevance of keeping the Al Lough award in its regulation since this award has never been assigned and since the requirements are the same as those for the Godfroy Côté award. Therefore, the Chair will bring this item to the December executive council for discussion when he does his report.

8) Biographies and photos on the webpage for life-time members and honoraries

The committee reviewed the potential of putting links on our website in order to have the biographies and photos of life-time members and honoraries. Brother Lalancette offered to do the initial research. Note that biographies are already available on the site, and the committee wants to expand that to all recipients.

Matter to be continued.

9) Creation of a webpage for component Presidents

The committee looked at the possibility of putting links on our website in order to have the biographies and photos of all former presidents of our component since it was created.

Recommendation:

Be it resolved that the UTE national office create a webpage for posting the biographies and photos of all former presidents of our component since it was created.

10) Creation of a webpage of the various Executive Councils

The committee looked at the possibility of putting links on our website in order to have the names and photos of all former members of the executive council since it was created.

Be it resolved that the UTE national office create a webpage for posting the names and photos of all formers members of the executive council since it was created.

11)  Sending out scholarship cheques

The committee reviewed the way that UTE scholarships (cheques) are granted to recipients. After discussion, we feel that the current method used is fine and we do not recommend any changes to it.

12) Committee’s website

The committee reviewed the committee’s website. We noticed that the minutes are not there and that this is valid for most committees. This item will be raised at the December executive council for discussion.

The committee also reviewed all documents associated with the site and would like to make changes in order to make them more complete. The committee Chair will check with the national office to have those changes made.

13) Application received for the Godfroy Côté award

The committee reviewed an application that was received. After reviewing it, the committee felt that it does not meet the criteria. Sister Johnson is going to contact the person who put forth the application to inform them of our decision and ask them to contact us again if new aspects come along that support the application.  

The committee Chair thanked all the committee members for their excellent participation in this meeting.