Applied Science and Patent Examination Group Lower Mainland BC

Minutes for Lower Mainland BC SP Subgroup Executive Meeting – July 22, 2026

Published | Last updated 56 minutes ago
Published | Last updated 56 minutes ago

Minutes for Lower Mainland BC SP Subgroup Executive Meeting – July 22, 2026

Date: July 22, 2026

Time: 5:30 PM

Location: The Old Spaghetti Factory, 53 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1A1 

Executive Members

Tanya Evans – Regrets

Tim Powers

Lola Bryson – Regrets

Philip Bartha

Bryan Chen

Marianne Quat

Hugo Wong

Helen Lu

Special Guests: Nil 

  1. Call to Order
  • Meeting called to order at 5:41 PM
  1. Approval of agenda
  • Agenda approved. M/S/C
  1. Approval of Draft Minutes
  • Motion to approve minutes from Jun 24 meeting. M/S/C
  1. Business Arising from the Minutes
  1. President’s Report
  • Sub-Group Logo
    • Bryan in discussion with PIPSC’s national graphic designer to develop logo for future events (to feature lower mainland elements). Aiming for draft by AGM.
  • Labour Day
    • Seeking volunteers for 10am-2:30pm to run the PIPSC tent at Edmonds park. Visibility items available for attendees and volunteers. Notice to Members to go out this week or next.
    • Members encouraged to spread awareness amongst their colleagues, and sign up to volunteer.
  • SP National Group contest
    • Photo/video of members expressing why they support bargaining team. Prize is trip to Ottawa for opening of bargaining (Sep 15 & 16).
    • ACTION: Bryan to share link.
  • Black Shirt Day
    • PIPSC national initiative asking members to wear a black shirt to mark July 6th, the start of RTO-4. Planning another one this year.
  • SP National Presidents meeting
    • More details to follow. Usually in person, in Atlantic region, late Oct-Nov.
  • BC/Yuk Executive Leadership Training – Dec 4-5
    • Regional exec has called for nominations from each branch. 
    • Exec members can contact branch president to express interest.
  • Acceptance of verbal report. M/S/C
  1. Treasurer’s Report
  • Tim provided an update on the financial status of the subgroup.
  • Budget should allow for another lunch&learn/engagement event after AGM.
  • Acceptance of verbal report. M/S/C
  1. Sub-Group Exec Roles
  • Marianne to take on VP role.
  • ACTION: Bryan to contact membership team to finalize changes.
  1. National & Regional Updates
  • BC-Yukon Steward Council, Oct 23-25
  • WFA/RTO4 Impacts
    • Discussed differences/challenges in implementation across various offices.
  1. Sub Group 2026 Plans and Activities
  • AGM – Sep 15 at Bin 4 Burger Lounge’s private back room
    • Aiming for 5:30pm start to allow for mingling before official 6pm start. Rob Macdonald confirmed to speak.
    • Considering cap of 30 people, what amount per person makes sense for covering meal + drink, and how best to organize payment with venue.
    • Discussed ideas for raffle-style giveaways (e.g., movie tickets).
    • Helen can help with sign-in. Marianne to act as Elections Chair. Hugo and Helen can nominate themselves from the floor, on the day of.
    • ACTION: Bryan to work on Notice to Members (should aim to have ready by end of July to allow time for translation).
    • ACTION: Tim to share template for Notice to Members, and voting form.
    • To discuss further: physical flyers/posters in offices to spread awareness.
  • Follow-up pickleball event – November 8
    • Similar to last time, IPOP Lougheed for ~4h, with trainers and pizza.
    • Members encouraged to spread awareness among colleagues.
  • Dine Out (collab with YP and 401 Burrard) – August 19
    • Invites have gone out; venue = Torafuku.
  1. New Business
  • Visibility items – Trader Joe’s Tote bags collab with Surrey White Rock
    • Currently being worked on; should receive mid-late Sep.
  • Microphone for future engagement events
    • Philip presented options, and the medium-priced one is being considered.
    • ACTION: Tim to ask branch if they can cover the cost as its use will likely be shared among different subgroups.
  • Handoff of leftover PIPSC items/literature from Phil to Hugo, completed.
  • ACTION: Group to figure out how to donate to legacy fund (link?) on Tim’s behalf for his departure gift.
  • ACTION: Marianne to review funds allocated vs leftover, so the group can discuss options for additional lunch&learn/engagement event (e.g., something similar to last year’s trivia event, which was easy to plan and low cost).
  1. Location and Preferred Date of Next Meeting
  • Virtual (Zoom), Aug 28 at lunch.
  1. Adjournment
  • Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm M/C