St. Andrews 2024 AGM Minutes - November 21, 2024

St. Andrews 2024 AGM Minutes - November 21, 2024

THE PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF CANADA 

21 NOVEMBER 2024, 12:00 P.M.

ST. ANDREWS, NB.

 

ST. ANDREWS BRANCH MINUTES

 

In attendance S. Leadbeater, R. Singh, C, O’Laughlin, P. Coates, T. Small, A. Debertin, P. Kraska, L. Johnson, L. Brager, J. Chu, T. Minch, H. Gurney-Smith, A. Cooper, C. Regnier-McKellar.

 

Virtual Attendance: R. Martin, H. Xu, L. Jonah

 

The meeting was called to order at 12:03.

1. Additions to agenda.

None

 

2. Approval of the Minutes of last AGM (9 December 2022).

Motion to approve minutes of last AGM: T. Minch

Seconded: L. Brager

Vote: approved unanimously

 

3. Treasurer’s report (R. Singh).

A report was presented.

Motion to Approve Treasurer’s Report: S. Leadbeater

Seconded: T. Small 

Vote: approved unanimously

Noted that many events were shared with SP subgroup and Branch. It was good to support members engagement and training in both groups.  

Treasurer’s Report

 

4. Executive introductions and motion to stagger terms in 2025

No positions were open for nominations this year. The present office holders will hold office for one more year.

Present office holders (all positions are valid for another year):

President: Bethany Reinhart 

Vice-President: Taryn Minch 

Treasurer: Rabindra Singh

Secretary: Allan Debertin

Members-at-Large:

Lisa Johnson

Ryan Martin

Peter Kraska

 

A motion to have greater than 40 percent of positions in 2025 to have a 1-year term limit was forwarded by H. Gurney-Smith. Seconded by C. Regnier-McKellar. The Vote passed unanimously.

 

This will allow the executive to have member continuity and knowledge transfer.

 

5. President’s report (B. Reinhart)

Vice-President T. Minch briefed membership on President’s report, B. Reinhart was unavailable to attend the meeting. T. Minch acknowledged the many events that occurred during the 2024 calendar year. Great success with union engagement events.

 

6. Introduction of stewards 
   1. Current Stewards local at St. Andrews Biological Station:
      1. P. Kraska
      2. S. Leadbeater
      3. R. Martin
      4. L. Johnson .

 

7. Future events

Brief discussion on future events, November 28^th is an engagement event for local members at the Algonquin Hotel. On  December 6^th  members are invited to attend National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women to be held at the St. Andrews Biological Station .

 

8. Other Business

Discussion about bilingualism requirements for supervisors/managers across the province of NB. The population of southwest New Brunswick is primarily unilingual English. Currently, all positions in this branch are considered English imperative only. Members had concerns about training opportunities, as the policy from Treasury Board dictates that a position would not be reclassified until the member in the position leaves that position. This policy goes against the spirit of creating bilingualism in the workplace, as it limits unilingual speakers from training opportunities. There were also concerns of retaining of highly qualified persons and recruitment of new staff, as staff may leave to positions that only require one language. Members also expressed frustration over lack of communication from management about the expected changes and implementation of the policy.

 

9. Adjournment at 12:40.

Motion to Adjourn: T. Minch

Seconded: : R. Singh