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Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Branch - Annual General Meeting Minutes - May 16, 2018

Date:May 16, 2018

Location: La Couqerie restaurant in Chicoutimi

In attendance:

  • Kaven Landry (President)
  • Sonia Richard (Acting Vice-President)
  • Sébastien Chouinard (Treasurer)
  • Josée Girard (Secretary)
  • Frédéric Pineau (Member-at-Large)
  • Stéphane Demers (Member-at-Large)
  • Jonathan Fradet (Member-at-Large)

Absent:

  • Pascal Bourgeois (Member-at-Large)
  • Samuel Gagnon (Past Vice-President)

Total members in attendance: 30

1) Roll Call (Members of the Executive)

The meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m.

President Kaven Landry introduced the Executive.

2) Opening Remarks

Kaven welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. He thanked Mr. Brodeur for having made the trip and acknowledged the restaurant staff.

3)Approval of the Agenda

Revision of the agenda. Sonia Richard moved that the agenda be approved. Seconded by Fréderic Pineau.

4) Follow-up to Report on AGM held May 10, 2017

Event at Au Vieux Duluth in Chicoutimi, chaired by Guylaine Tremblay. Reading of report and approval by Jennie Lemelin. Members were informed that the report is available on the PIPSC website.

5) Business Arising from the Minutes of May 10, 2017

A question was raised as to how elections are run (election of all Members-at-Large followed by a closed-door nomination process by the Executive for the key positions). Kaven explained that the Executive had looked at the matter, but that it was unanimously agreed that the procedure used since the Branch was first established would be maintained, i.e. members attending the AGM vote on the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer positions.

6) President’s Report

The President spoke about the Branch membership.

He also talked about the regular Executive meetings (three to four per year) and the topics discussed.

  • Negotiations
  • Information sharing
  • Member support
  • Mobilization
  • Exchange of ideas

He reported on the fall event held in November 2017, a presentation by Réjean Michaud on retirement plans and pension funds. (Tacos et Salsa, The Barn)

He said that a Lunch and Learn was hosted by the SH Group at CFB Bagotville in January 2018. Pierre Potvin came to the base for the event. He was also invited to take part in an Executive meeting of the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Branch during his visit.

The President reiterated that we should feel free to hold Lunch & Learns and other union events because the Branch and PIPSC both have money for this type of event.

He said that Yvon Brodeur made a visit in February 2018 to follow up on some hot issues in the region. The President informed us that he attended the Annual General Meeting of the CS Saguenay/Lac-St-Jean/Côte-Nord Sub-Group. It was held in February 2018 and organized by the President, Jonathan Fradet.

The President makes a point of attending provincial and national meetings, the Regional Council, the Stewards Council, and the PIPSC AGM. He confirmed that he will continue to write reports on these meetings, which are generally sent to all members through Facebook and/or Hotmail.

To conclude, he thanked the Executive members for their involvement and support. He also thanked them for being active and available in the workplace. The information they provide is critical to the sustainability of the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Branch.

For a full report, go to http://www.pipsc.ca/fr/regions/quebec/nouvelles/rapport-du-chapitre-saguenay (in French only).

7) Other Business

  1. AGM date
    The Executive was wondering if the period of March/April/May suited the majority of members. The question was put to the members at the AGM and they confirmed that it was a good time of year. The AGM will continue to be held in the spring.
  2. Fall Event
    The fall event will also be maintained. A number of topics were suggested to the assembly. In order of preference - status of sick leave, presentation on benefits / health care and dental plan, Service Plus / Andrew Gize (based on a vote by the audience).
  3. Facebook
    Kaven Landry urged members to register on our Branch’s Facebook page.

8) Vice President’s Report

Sonia Richard assumed the role of Acting Vice-President after Samuel Gagnon stepped down. Samuel has accepted an excluded position at the Jonquière Tax Centre. Ms. Richard has been involved in the Branch for approximately four years. Her peers seek her out for advice and support. She liaises with the appropriate authorities so that members are well represented and supported.

9) Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report

Sébastien Chouinard presented the financial statements as of December 31, 2017. He reported a surplus for last year. The surplus is in the amount of $XnSi.éSX. There was $XSsi0.é0X in the bank account on that date.

10) Presentation by Yvon Brodeur (various topics)

Mr. Brodeur described the many Quebec regional activities he is involved in. It is evident from his report that the Quebec Region is more forward-thinking than the other provinces. This holds true in areas such as continuing education to support our Stewards in their role, as well as in setting up new committees. He told us about the various gains that have been made, but also the many challenges ahead. With the recent PSAC election, we will be able to join forces as Magalie Picard has been named their Vice-President. Mr. Brodeur also spoke of the work done by President Debi Daviau and the fact that her position will be up for election in the fall of 2018. Kaven and Yvon mentioned the importance of members voting and asking for advice from our local Stewards on the various candidates if uncertain about where to place their vote.

11) Election

Yvon Brodeur chaired the election.

  1. Vice-President (2 years) - Samuel Gagnon
    Sonia Richard nominated by Frederic Pineau and Josée Girard. Ms. Richard accepted the nomination. Acclaimed.
  2. Secretary (2 years) - Josée Girard
    Josée Girard nominated by Sonia Richard and Kaven Landry. Ms. Girard accepted the nomination. Acclaimed.
  3. Treasurer (1 year) - Sébastien Chouinard
    Sébastien Chouinard nominated by Sonia Richard and Josée Girard. Mr. Chouinard accepted the nomination. Acclaimed.
  4. 2 Members-at-Large (2 years) - Jonathan Fradet and Frédéric Pineau
    Jonathan Fradet and Frédéric Pineau nominated by Sonia Richard and Kaven Landry. Jonathan and Frédéric accepted the nomination. Acclaimed.
  5. 1 Member-at-Large (1 year) Sonia Richard
    Valérie Ringuette-Lapointe nominated by Josée Girard. Ms. Ringuette-Lapointe accepted the nomination. Acclaimed.

Yvon said there is no need for a seconder in the nomination of candidates.

12) Door Prizes

Using a list of names and a random selection software tool, Kaven did a draw for several water bottles with the PIPSC logo, as well as some umbrellas, cups, PIPSC shoulder bags, and other items.

13) Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Moved by Sonia Richard and seconded by Stéphane Demers.

Published on 9 July 2018