Newsworthy in the NCR
December 2017 Volume 1
Inside This Issue
- Fresh Look
- Better Together
- Star Wars 2017
- OEB Xmas Brunch
- Transgender Day of Remembrance
- OEB Curling
- DND Halloween Party!
- NCR Volleyball & Badminton
- Who doesn’t like a good movie?
Together we stand, and together we recognize that each and every member makes an invaluable contribution to serve Canadians and make Canada better.
Together we can make a difference and continue to prove that women and men of the Public Service of Canada are among our nation’s most precious resources.
Four Ways You Can Better Engage PIPSC Members:
1. Member-to-Member Conversations
2. Collecting Workplace Stories
3. Event Organizing
4. Online Commentary
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”!
Star Wars 2017
The Force is strong in PIPSC! On the 14th December, the Gatineau Branch, Ottawa East Branch, CS Hull Subgroup and AV Gatineau held a member pre-screening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” at various locations (Starcité Gatineau Cinemas and Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa) opening with PIPSC presentations. The events started with registration, then a PIPSC presentation followed by the movie.
They were fully attended.
OEB Xmas Brunch
The Ottawa East Branch held it’s second annual OEB Xmas Brunch at the Mandarin Restaurant on Hunt Club road. The members and their families were welcomed by the OEB Executive and the Branch President. Over 90 people were present and many interesting conversations, new friends and lots of tasty food. The service is excellent at this restaurant and we will be hosting the event next year, so keep your eyes open in November 2018!
OEB Curling
The 24th November 2017 marked the “51st Bathroom Cup”. This event is well-attended and sponsored yearly by the Ottawa East Branch with a team from the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada. This event is attended by curlers and prospective curlers.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
The 20th November marked a day to gather and remember transgender people who had lost their lives during the 2017 year. This year it was held at the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa. Sherry Oake with Catherine Gagnon (Better Together) organized a reception on behalf of the PIPSC NCR Executive. Jennifer Carr and Catherine Keir were present from the NCR. Pictures of the reception flowers and event were live Tweeted or posted which drew many visitors.
Quoted from Sherry: “This event was well-attended (approx. 150 people) and generated much positive emotion in the transgender community, including our own PIPSC members.”
Feedback from an attendee:
Thank you so much for all your beautiful time and energy and dedication. The reception yesterday was absolutely beautiful. We felt so loved, raised up, cherished and acknowledged. A space that is warm, comfortable, clean and cozy is a huge healing step for our communities. So often, we see each other in clinical health or social services spaces.... and that has unfortunately become the 'norm'. I have dedicated my time and energy and business to undo these spaces and to recreate the experience of being in gathering places that other people and families gather in. I know that a space or room may seem like such a simple and basic concept. Please know, that by renting and offering and creating a gathering room with cookies, soup and coffee... you breathe life and care back into hearts, minds, spirits and beings. All the love & care for you and your gift to our communities,
(name withheld)
DND Halloween Party!
“I participated in the volleyball tourney and it was fantastic! I didn’t know anyone there, but met many lovely people from a variety of Departments. The caliber of play was good, and the atmosphere was fun and inclusive. I was very impressed by the mixture of cultural backgrounds, ages, abilities, and the happy, positive energy. It felt very Canadian
Thank you for the experience!” Sylvia Weihrer
“I (and members of Team #10) thoroughly enjoyed the sporting event hosted by NCR Executive. It was a great opportunity to network (recruit PIPSC Stewards) and meet PIPSC/PSAC/CAPE members. I would volunteer to help organize or assist the NCR Exec Rep (Michael Tran).” John Eng
“I also want to thank Michelle and all that spent time to organize and made the event a success. It was a wonderful evening of badminton and provided an excellent opportunity to network with union reps and others.
As the waiting list suggests, there is a huge demand for competitive badminton in the NCR. So a suggestion I have for the next tournament is to make it an all-day event (Saturday?) so more teams can join, as well as providing more playing time for each match. Jackie Yu
Who doesn’t like a good movie?
By Patricia Williams
3rd June at the Landmark Cinema’s in Kanata, the Ottawa East Branch (OEB), Ottawa West Branch (OWB) and Ottawa South Branch (OSB) invited a member and one guest to join us for a Bill C-27 Information session on Protecting Your Pension followed by a movie screening of the new Wonder Woman movie (Rated PG 13+).
Greg Scriver led the event with his presentation on Bill C-27. If you don’t know enough about this item, visit the www.PIPSC.ca website for all the details.
As well, in support of the effort to have the bill cancelled, many members filled out the postcards to their members of Parliament and the Prime Minister.
The theater was full, and all participants enjoyed the event.
Did you know…..The character first appeared in All Star Comics #8 in October 1941 and first cover-dated on Sensation Comics #1, January 1942. The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986. (Wikipedia)