50 Victoria Street SP sub-group
Minutes for executive meeting
December 7th 2023 – 12 to 1 pm
Present: Marcel Beaudoin, Jay Fothergill, Mary Murphy, Celine Fletcher, Mazen Hijazi, Adam Cloutier, Maria Salazar, Reginald Linco, Akid Azfar
Opening of meeting – Approval of Agenda
Agenda:
1. Approval of agenda
2. Approve minutes of previous meeting
3. AGM debrief
4. Things for 2024 season
5. Ideas for Lunch and Learns
6. Round table
7. Close of meeting
1. Approval of Agenda
· Approved by all
2. Approval of November 2nd, 2023 executive meeting minutes
· Minutes of the previous meeting approved by all.
3. 50 Victoria St. AGM debrief
· A little lower turnout than previous years (@8% of membership). Discussed that maybe
holding the annual 50 Victoria St. 2024 AGM earlier, possibly in mid-November (After the PIPSC 2024 AGM 8-9th of November).
· Bryan Van Wilgenburg (guest speaker) gave a brief presentation of:
a. bargaining process and how the current bargaining process went. PIPSC expects to sign the tentative agreement with Treasury Board @mid-December 2023 (dependent on
involved parties’ schedule);
b. how can Patent Examiners get something more in the next collective agreement;
c. how PIPSC is starting to prepare for the next round of bargaining for the next
collective agreement (current one expires 30th September 2026) earlier than usual because of the forecasted change in the political environment.
· A short Q &A was then held.
· Discussed sending out AGM reminders via office emails if possible (this might have attributed to the lower turnout this year).
Action: Marcel to check with CIPO management if they have any objections to sending out reminder for 2024 AGM to members via office email.
· Not on the agenda but held a brief discussion on issues with Canada Life and how
PIPSC appears to be ignoring member’s concerns. Also, a brief overview of how the 2023 PIPSC AGM went was discussed.
· Otherwise, no issues.
4. Things for 2024 season
· Marcel also mentioned holding more in person drop in coffee & donuts L&L sessions in 2024.
· Discussed what events the 50 Victoria St. Group can hold for its members for 2024
like other subgroups have done (i.e., dinner with a presentation).:
1. Hot coffee on the Rideau Canal.
2. Beaver Tails on the Rideau Canal.
3. Dinner at a restaurant or catered at a hall.
4. Movie nights.
5. Partner with other sub-group’s events in 2024.
6. Social gathering for new hires/young professionals.
7. Ice cream bars to be placed on occupied floors with note courtesy of 50 Victoria St. members.
Action: For all executive members: ideas for events for 50 Victoria St. sub-group members in
winter/spring 2024 to be discussed in more detail.
Action: Marcel to check with other Sushil regarding getting personalized giveaway items
identifying them as part of the 50 Victoria St. subgroup exec.
· Discussed how to communicate better with members (if possible: more office emails; A Facebook page; MS Teams chat, SharePoint page)
Action: Marcel to check with CIPO management if they have any objections to setting up
a MS Teams chat for members.
5. Ideas for Lunch and Learns
· Have hybrid L&Ls with some members in a boardroom and some members online. Also, having movie tickets/gift certificates (not cash) as draw prizes for those attending those L&Ls and for those participating (i.e. asking questions) having their names put in the draw a second time.
· TBD in more detail in next subgroup executive meeting.
Action: For all executive members: ideas L&L for next meeting.
6. Round Table
· Nothing.
7. Close of meeting
· Next meeting 10th January 2024
Motion: Marcel moved to adjourn the meeting
· all agreed to close the meeting.