PIPSC St. John’s Branch Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 9, 2025, 5:30 pm
North 48, St. John’s, NL.
Present:
James Vey, President
Anica Stowe, Treasurer
Carolyn Hynes, Vice President
Christine LeDrew, Secretary
Chris Hendry
Lori Kennedy
Rhonda Bridger
Kim Keats
Carolyn Coady
Ellen Careen
Regrets:
Bonnie O’Rourke
1.0 Roll Call
Jay opened the meeting at 6:01 p.m. Executive members in attendance: As above. Regrets: as above.
2.0 Approval of the Agenda
Jay asked if anyone had additions to the agenda. Anica moved for approval of the agenda. Seconded by Carolyn C. Carried.
3.0 Approval of the minutes from Previous Meeting
Previous minutes reviewed, no errors or omissions noted. Ellen moved for approval of the previous minutes. Seconded by Chris. Carried.
4.0 Action Items from Previous Meeting
Action Items
St. John’s Branch Executive
April 2, 2025
Moxie’s, St. John’s, NL
|
# |
Action |
Item/Completion Deadline |
Completed/Progress |
BF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Executive |
Nominate members who are deserving of Steward of the Year/Executive of the year awards |
ONGOING |
|
|
2 |
Christine |
Work with communications about invite emails |
ONGOING |
|
|
3 |
Carolyn H |
Contact Elks Club for Christmas social |
ONGOING |
|
|
4 |
Ellen |
Investigate prices at a few places and availability for Christmas Social |
DONE |
|
|
5 |
Christine |
Provide feedback to Glacier about food options and cost |
DONE |
|
|
6 |
Ellen |
Order Pizza for Cornhole event |
DONE |
|
|
7 |
Rhonda |
Bring napkins and plates to cornhole |
DONE |
|
|
8 |
Jay |
Check with Donna about hospitality room at ARC |
DONE |
|
|
9 |
Jay |
Check with other branches on hospitality room at ARC |
DONE |
|
|
10 |
Rhonda |
Book North 48 for executive meeting |
DONE |
Please note, Action items 4-10 have been completed.
5.0 Finance Review
Anica provided a financial update, and the branch has a healthy balance. Expense claims submitted to finance for Branch Meeting, Threads for Life donation cheque was cashed.
6.0 New Business
a) St. John’s Pride Parade – July 20
Pride Parade is set for July 20th, and executive is hoping for a good member turn out. At least half of the executive can attend. If it is delayed due to inclement weather, it will go ahead next weekend. Christine will email RSVPs to inform if the date has been changed. It was noted that there is nothing from DLC on the parade yet.
Christine questioned about having a table with snacks. Jay noted that they will go somewhere afterwards for a beverage. Jay and Rhonda have some pride swag to hand out. It was also noted that Better Together is looking into the constituent body bank accounts before approving requests. Smaller branches and subgroups should not be penalized about this. Discussion further ensued regarding the French and English guides for lunch and learns and how it states different things.
b) DLC
Jay noted this was discussed briefly at the last meeting and wanted to have more executive members present for input. Carolyn H said the biggest question is what value are we getting? Carolyn C noted there has been a big turn around for the president and VP and it is operating better. It was also stated that it feels more provincial than federal and they are not unpartisan. It was stated that we should still be getting reimbursed for the fees. DLC covered our registration for pride event, labour day, etc. National PIPSC pays CLC fees. It was noted that no other branch is doing it across the Atlantic region. Discussion and questions on how Ottawa and Toronto pay for admission to the pride parades. Christine will reach out to member services for some further information. Jay noted there is value for labour day and when we need support if a group does go on strike as in NL we are only so big. Carolyn H noted that PIPSC National pays a CLC fee so DLC should be covered under that. Executive noted that we if cannot get coverage for the DLC fees we will have to take a motion to determine if the branch will continue to be part of the DLC.
c) Labour Day Event
Discussion regarding DLC Labour Day event. Item has been deferred to discuss through the group chat.
d) Family Fun Day
Jay questioned if the branch wanted to host a family fun day again this year as we had approximately 70 people last year. The branch executive agrees to host a family fun day event tentative for September 14th with a back up date of September 7th. Hot dogs and ice cream to be provided. Kim noted that adults had questioned if there were hamburgers last time. Kim still has a ton of the bun wraps left. Lori suggested buying the precooked hamburgers. Executive agreed to bouncy castle, face painting, lawn games, Chris to play guitar. Discussion occurred on other options such as Southlands Community Center, Justine Center, etc. Kim will book the North Bank Lodge and face painting. Rhonda will book the bouncy castle. Christine will create the invitation and include for people to bring water bottles.
Lori noted that she has seen a few other branch events such as Golf Tournament and Trivia Night. Carolyn H mentioned the card bingo that was played at ARC. It was noted that it is too late to plan a Golf event this year but to keep it as an idea for the next year.
e) Branch AGM
Jay noted that it will be a bit later this year and it’s looking to be November. Discussion occurred on November 6 or 13. Further discussion on location occurred such as Legion in Pleasantville, Elks, Remax Center, Lions Club, Legion on Blackmarsh Road. Carolyn H will check with Elks on price and availability, Christine will check with the Legion on Blackmarsh Road, Lori will check with the Legion in Pleasantville.
f) Christmas Social
Jay noted that the Christmas social is booked for the Legion in Pleasantville for December 4th. Executive will work out food when closer to the date with the RSVP. It was noted that it would be nice to order pizza. Carolyn H noted to have a backup plan on location. Ellen noted that the legion did reach out to her stating that all events currently booked will go ahead as scheduled but will reach out if anything changes. Ellen will reach out to them in a month or so. Carolyn H will check with the Elks on the 4th of December.
7.0 Atlantic Regional Executive Updates
Christine provided an update on trying to resurrect the Corner Brook Branch with the regional executive. Branch executive had a discussion on the ARC, elections, and that the resolution training piece was fantastic.
8.0 Meeting Schedule
Chris suggested to host a karaoke event. Jay suggested hosting a trivia night at banished, Christine suggested Landwash Brewery. Jay noted that the Fredericton Branch does a planning meeting with all the subgroup presidents to organize the events for the year. Lori noted that as SubGroups we need to push the members to attend. Chris will call around for prices for a trivia night.
Jay suggested hosting the next branch meeting in August or September. Most of the family fun day stuff can be completed secretarially via email/chat. Executive agreed to September 4th as the next meeting date. Discussion occurred on location and executive agreed to Moxie’s private room upstairs. Ellen to book Moxie’s for September 4 at 5:30pm.
9.0 Round Table
No further business. Kim motioned for adjournment of the meeting. Seconded
By Christine. Meeting adjourned at 8:11pm.