UTE National Office – Large Boardroom
Present:
Madonna Gardiner – Chairperson
Greg Krokosh – Co-chairperson
Jennifer Phillips – Presidents’ Representative
Cheryl Seymour – Women’s Representative
Gesine Campbell – Persons with Disabilities Representative
Ahmed Kayka – Racially Visible Representative
Emma Bertamini – Aboriginal People Representative
Mary Ellen Lucier – LGBT Representative
Lyson Paquette – Labour Relations Officer
Sylvie Bastien – Administrative Assistant
1. Welcoming Remarks
Sister Gardiner as the new Chairperson of the committee introduced the new co-chair Brother Greg Krokosh and the new assigned LRO, Sister Paquette. She thanks brother Carpenter and Erik for their dedicated work during the time they work on the committee.
- Housekeeping
Sister Gardiner welcomed the members of the committee and review the agenda. The focus of the meeting is to continue preparing the UTE National Conference that will be held in October.
- Equity Network
The network list will be updated with the information received from the Regional and National Conferences.
Follow-up: Lyson, Sylvie and Alex
- Review of the annual events
Each equity group members are reminded to review and update the list regularly and to request the removal of any activities that are no longer current.Any changes should be sent to Madonna and Lyson.
Follow-up: Each equity group member should review and provide changes or updates by April 1st, 2016.
2. Equal Opportunities National Conference
The committee members reviewed the registration and evaluation forms and the call letter, minor changes were proposed.
The agenda was also reviewed, the selected guest speakers and dance company confirmed. Additional guest speakers were proposed.
The committee agrees, where possible, to include at least one guest speaker who would address the conference in French.
Follow-up: Lyson
Group activity
The proposed activity will be tested (Building of a bird house):
Follow-up: Lyson
Vignettes
Each member of the equity groups has to propose at least one vignette. When the vignettes are chosen, the member of the equity group is responsible to prepare the transcript.
Follow-up: Each member of the equity group.
50th UTE anniversary
It was decided to have a cake at the Conference to celebrate the UTE’s 50th anniversary.
Plates, forks and napkins are needed.
Information on the cake’s ingredient, if available will be placed on the table.
Follow-up: Sylvie to order cake, buy plates, etc. and get the information on the ingredients if possible.
Gift bags for the participants
The committee members reviewed different possibilities. The picture holder is one option as a gift to all participants.
The UTE bags should contain
- A folder (grey with EO logo) containing:
- Agenda, UTE harassment definition with names of the intervenors, etc.
- A UTE pin, a gift for the participants.
Follow-up: Sylvie
Gift bags for guest speakers
A small gift of appreciation will be provided.
Workshops
The members of each equity group are responsible to prepare a workshop with facilitator’s guide and time frame.
Each workshop will be given 3 times (1-hour workshop).
Final draft should be sent to UTE National office by June 1st. The members will provide feedback by June 15.
Follow-up: Representatives of the equity group.
The committee members worked on their respective workshop.
Caucus
There will be 5 caucuses. The participants will be assigned to their respective equity group. The focus will be on providing information on resources available.
Each representative will prepare a list of resources including web addresses.
Follow-up: Representatives of each equity group and Jennifer.
Others:
Posters
Bilingual posters from the regional conferences will be used in the main plenary room.
If possible, other posters may be used, i.e. Canadian Human Rights Commission, etc.
Follow-up: Sylvie and Lyson
Hospitality Suite
It was agreed to have a Karaoke in the hospitability suite
Follow-up: Madonna and Sylvie
Administration
In the participants’ confirmation letter a note should be added to the effect that in order to get free internet at the hotel (Fairmont) they have to sign up prior to arrival.
The parking availability will be verified as construction are in progress and participants will be informed if there are any issues.
Follow-up: Sylvie
Conclusion
The committee members have a lot of work and should respect the timeframe established.
Sister Gardiner thanked all the members for their excellent work.