Friday, August 28, 2009

MINUTES: FVC-SK Executive Teleconference - August 23, 2009

Present: Rick Sawa, Sandra Finley, Don Mitchell, Elaine Hughes (Recorder)


11:00 AM

Meeting concentrated on follow-up details for Upcoming Events.

1) Regina – Social/Education Event – September 18, 2009:

- Don to check today re: using Westminster United Church?

- Don to talk to Mike re: Dr. Joyce Green – confirmed to speak?

- Don to talk to Gord re: once details of venue are confirmed, would he put Posters for each event on FVC-SK website which could also be used on our networks?

2) Saskatoon – AGM/Social Event – October 21, 2009:

- Rick to locate venue: he will call Don Anderson on September 1 re: room at SFL Convention or TCU, or other location

- Sandra to check rates at Cosmopolitan Centre as one alternative for Oct. 21?

- Rick to confirm Mr. McGrane as Speaker for event?

3) Next Meeting: September 6 at 10:00 a.m.

FVC-SK Executive Teleconference Meeting: July 19, 2009



Minutes:

11:00 AM


On the phone: Don Mitchell, Gord Hunter, Larissa Shasko, Mike Burton, Elaine Hughes, Rick Sawa, Sandra Finley


  1. Adoption of the Agenda

Passed by Consensus

  1. Adoption of the Minutes from June 27th Meeting in Watrous

Passed By Consensus

  1. Old Business

a. Annual General Meeting planning

Although we had been looking at a November date we were also hoping to hold the meeting at the same time as the SFL convention in Saskatoon. The SFL takes place in October, so we proposed a tentative time for our meeting which is the evening of Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 in Saskatoon.

Although Mike cannot attend on that date, the rest of the group seemed to be able to make it work. There was discussion about how we would pay for this and the idea was floated that we could ask the SFL if we could use one of the rooms that they have booked. This event would also serve as the Saskatoon Social/Educational event.

There was discussion of speakers. Don Baille who is a former FVC Canada Executive Council member from Alberta may be a good choice. Don pointed out that Gord could fill in if we aren’t able to find anyone else.

To do:

- Rick to secure room from the SFL.

- Rick to secure speaker for the AGM

- All to book the date in your calendar.

b. Social./Education Event Planning: Regina

Mike has talked to Thomas from the Nancy Ray Guns and he has said they would be interested in taking part in the event. The date for this event will be September 18th, 2009 and the proposed location is the Cathedral Community Centre. Dr. Joyce Green is the proposed speaker.

To do:

- Mike will book Cathedral Community Centre

- Mike will confirm Nancy Ray Guns

- Mike will approach Dr. Green

- All book date in your caldender

c. Progress updates on work with others groups

Sandra suggested that from her experience at Ness Creek we should book our tables and have our own volunteers because it causes confusion and is very difficult for one volunteer to promote two different causes. Don will be trying to get information out at folk festival both Mike and Gord could help with this. We will be looking at connecting with campus political party groups come the fall. We are also looking at setting up campus clubs of our own.

To do:

- Mike will contact the USSU to get more details on starting a group.

- Don will look at sharing a table for Folk Festival in Regina with either the Briar Patch or Turning the Tide Books.

- Meetings with Campus groups will not be possible until classes resume in September.

  1. Reports

a. Fair Vote Canada National Council – Gord

The National Council has been fairly busy for summer. The national council is trying to rework FVC’s Mission statement and put together a strategic plan. They have managed to finalize this new mission statement and they are talking a fair amount now about background materials. Gord is working on a committee, which is putting together different portfolios for different council members to take responsibility for as part of the restructure process. One of the portfolios is chapter development and support this is good because we have recognized this as an issue. The process is slowed by the time of year but it is moving along. FVC are redesigning their website to make it more user friendly.

b. Fair Vote Saskatchewan Presdient’s Report – Don

FVS need to focus on our role within the context and a municipal and federal election and how we might bring a regional perspective to a federal election. FVC should be doing a federal election campaign and Gord is on a committee for that. Don asked that Elections be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Civic elections are also happening in the October. Don believes we should look at promoting ward representation and accountability for donations received by municipal election candidates. Finally there are also two provincial byelections which we could use to promote our issues especially since the new NDP Leader will be running in these elections. FVS needs to have a policy discussion and create a draft resolution in order to be prepared for the common policy resolution that we plan on introducing at the party’s policy conventions. Don thinks we should exchange some ideas of what we are advocating for.

c. Fair Vote Saskatchewan Treasurer Report – Larissa

Larissa had to leave the call before this point. See last meeting minutes.

d. Website and Newsletter Update – Gord

The website has been updated to reflect changes in the executive and to incorporate new minutes. We just have to decide if/when we want to do a newsletter and Gord can be begin to work on it.

  1. New business

A committee should be struck to find board members to stand for election at the Annual General Meeting in October. All members should be on alert and thinking about people they know who might be interested in joining as well as thinking about their own involvement in this organisation.

  1. Date and Time of Next Meeting

Conference Call: Sunday August 23rd, 2009 at 11:00am

  1. Adjournment

Passed by Consensus.