Newsworthy in the NCR - Spring 2018

 Newsworthy in the NCR

Spring 2018 Volume 2

Inside This Issue

 

Fresh Look

By Patricia Williams

The purpose of this newsletter is to provide timely information about current and upcoming events to all members of PIPSC in the National Capital Region (NCR).

This is the third year I have been the Chair of Communications Committee and editor. This newsletter is important for the NCR members to have a voice and the recognition for current events and future events. Our committee is tasked with (a) gathering the information and (b) creating a means by which to keep the members informed.

With your help this will be possible. If you are hosting a PIPSC NCR event, or have suggestions for articles you want in the “Newsworthy in the NCR”, send us request or the before and after information about the event. Send photos with names and a short write up to pdwill@pipsc.ca

Your Group/Branch is “Newsworthy”!

OSB Teen Financial Literacy

On February 3 and February 17, the Ottawa South Branch (OSB) held Saturday afternoon seminars at PIPSC for teens and their parents on the topic of Teen Financial Literacy. The first session was so popular that registration was over capacity the first day and then we were fortunate to offer the second date. Both dates were well attended and the information was very informative for youth financial planning and budgeting.

OEB AGM

On February 22, the Ottawa East Branch held their Annual General Meeting., This is an important event for all the Groups, Branches and National as this is the members opportunity to choose “who” will represent them. The meeting was held at Lone Star near St. Laurent and NCR Director (and member of the OEB) Greg Scriver presented an overview of “what’s going on within PIPSC” from Phoenix to Pensions. It was well received and then the elections were held. Patricia Williams continues on as President and Jackie Lo as Secretary.

We happily welcomed some first time executives - Carolynne Webb, Ramona Jubenot, Gurbinder Parmar and Chntamani Joshi and look forward to some fresh ideas and faces.

Welcome aboard!

Policy Day

On a cold Saturday morning on 24 February, 23 dedicated NCR members made their way to 250 Tremblay, for a day-long session on the art of writing policy. This was a pilot project, put on by Sherry Oake and John MacFarlane, in conjunction with support from the TEC Committee. In the morning, the topics included how to build a policy framework and considerations when writing. In the afternoon time was spent on writing resolutions and the process resolutions go through for becoming By-laws, or policy. The day ended with a mock AGM and voting on their favorite new resolutions. Based on feedback, the content of this course will be considered by the TEC Committee for future development.

Special General Meeting (SGM)

For the first time in the NCR, a Special General Meeting (SGM) was held at the Hampton Inn in Ottawa, on the 1 March 2018.

The results of the meeting can be found here: http://www.pipsc.ca/news-issues/announcements/sgm-votes-against-decision-internal-complaint-process

International Women’s Day

OSB Senator Hockey Tickets

A special shout-out to Madeline Blais and the Ottawa South Branch (OSB) for donating 50 Senator Tickets to PIPSC after one of their events. The tickets were for a game on the 20 March (Ottawa vs. Florida Panthers) and they were used as prizes at PIPSC events and raised a lot of money for the Legacy Foundation.

If you don’t know what the Legacy Foundation is…you can read it here: http://www.pipsc.ca/portal/page/portal/website/legacy

NCR Support of Carleton

23 March 2018- Many PIPSC members went and supported the members of CUPE Local 2424 in their strike against Carleton University to retain their Defined Benefit Pensions. Around 850 administrative, technical and library workers at Carleton University began picketing at campus entrances on the 5 March as they went on strike to protect their pensions. PIPSC joined them with the rally organized by Ottawa Committee for Pension Security (OCPS).

DND NCR OTTAWA/GATINEAU Branch

The PIPSC DND NCR OTTAWA/GATINEAU Branch, is a relatively new Branch. We were formed by the merger of the PIPSC DND NCR Branch and the PIPSC DND LSTL Branch in 2017. This new branch boasts over 3100 Regular and Retired members. On 4 April 2018, our branch hosted a Better Together event at the Hilton Lac Leamy.

Despite really, really horrible weather impacting our attendance, we had close to 100 members turn out to hear our guest speakers:

• President Debi Daviau – spoke on all things PIPSC; included Collective Bargaining, Better Together, Contracting Out, Phoenix, Employee Wellness Support Program (EWSP) and many other topics.
• Active VP Sean O’Rielly – spoke on EWSP.
• NCR Director Greg Scriver – spoke on bill C-27 (pension “reform”); and
• VP Stephane Aubry and Catherine Gagnon – spoke on Phoenix.

The event was a success. Thank you to all who attending and especially to everyone that supported putting on this event.

Glen Schjerning
President – PIPSC DND NCR OTTAWA/GATINEAU Branch

Upcoming Events

OEB

3 May 2018 – Funeral Planning Session

29 May 2018- Caregivers Session

NCR Region

26-27 May 2018 –Scotiabank Race Weekend. Join up to walk or run and you can also help to raise more funding for the PIPSC Legacy Foundation.
www.runottawa.ca

12 Oct 2018, Friday - NCR Health & Wellness Event Due to popular demand, the second annual NCR Volleyball / Badminton tournament at University of Ottawa will be taking place so start practicing now!

More details about signing up for this event will be communicated by Michelle Tran, NCR Executive, in the future.

The winter has been long but soon the flowers and birds will be back!