Atlantic Regional Executive Meeting Minutes
Location: The Delta, Saint John, NB – March 29, 2025
CHAIRPERSON:
Mark Bellefleur
EXECUTIVE:
Christine LeDrew, Secretary
Lori Rowe
Carolyn Hynes
Tony Chubbs
Tamara Critch
Mike Pauley
Kimberley Keats
Paul Hubley
Scott McConaghy
REGRETS:
Gerald Hill
1. Welcome and Directors’ Opening Remarks
Mark called the meeting to order at 9:06am. Mark offered a land acknowledgement.
Action: Donna to remove equity statement from agenda going forward.
2. Ice Breaker
Mark proceeded with a light fun Ice Breaker. Gerald volunteered to do the Ice Breaker for the May meeting via email.
3. Agenda
Mark asked for any additions to the agenda. Christine added 13 Round Table. Mike added 12.G Fredericton office. Scott added 12.H ARC Planning. Carolyn removed 12.E and F. It was noted that the items in the google drive are not numbered to match the agenda item number.
Motion # 1 Christine LeDrew moved, and Tamara Critch seconded that the agenda be approved as amended. CARRIED.
Action: Donna to make documents on the drive to match the agenda item number.
4. Approval of Regional Executive Minutes
Mark asked if there were any additions to the January 25, 2025, minutes. Tony noted under item 9, the 4th bullet has a typo.
Action: Christine to fix typo.
Motion # 2 Lori Rowe moved; Carolyn Hynes seconded that the minutes be approved as amended. CARRIED.
Next a discussion occurred on the redone November 29, 2024, minutes. Decision made that when using acronyms to spell it out the first time and when using names of people not on the regional executive to use the full name or their position within PIPSC.
Motion # 3 Tony Chubbs moved; Mike Pauley seconded the minutes from November 29, 2024, be approved as presented. CARRIED.
Next discussion on the December 3, 2024, Virtual call occurred.
Motion # 4 Mark Bellefleur moved; Kim Keats seconded the minutes from virtual call on December 3, 2024, be approved as presented. CARRIED.
A discussion occurred on the December 17, 2024, virtual call.
Motion # 5 Kim Keats moved; Tamara Critch seconded the minutes from virtual call on December 17, 2024, be approved as presented. CARRIED.
5. Action Items Review
Mark reviewed the Action Items, and the document has been updated accordingly. Next virtual steward check-in is scheduled for April 22. National Steward Officer (NSO) will be invited to attend. It was noted that Pete’s Frutique could not find the order, and no one was ever charged. Discussion occurred on treasurers. Mark noted he will bring to the board to get all the regional executive treasurers together with John Purdie and Director of Finance. Carolyn noted that when she brought the idea of not printing packages to Training, Education, and Mentoring (TEAM) Committee the education department will be reviewing. It was noted that PIPSC did not want to print calendars, but they will print name tags. It was suggested to have it as an option on the registration if they want their package by paper or electronic and then only print the number of copies required. Further discussion occurred on possible technical issues. Paul noted he did receive the regional council minutes from 2024 and has submitted for the annual allotment. Discussion occurred that there needs to be more questions asked on registration for duty to accommodate such as chairs, visual aids, etc.
Action: Christine to update action item to state check in every 3 months.
Action: Mark to invite NSO to virtual steward check in.
Action: Mark to send prize to winner from January steward check in.
Action: Donna to ensure names are added to the regional executive agenda items.
Action: Mark to send presentation to Christine and Donna about indigenous openers.
Action: Mark to get meeting with regional treasurers and training chairs to determine financials.
Action: Mark to bring to Board of Directors (BOD) about printing items.
Action: Carolyn to speak with Cheryl again about printing items.
Action: Mark to discuss with Cheryl and Donna about Regional Council minutes to be completed by strategic planning meeting.
Action: Mark to obtain TAN for Corner Brook event.
6. Calendar of Events
Mark went over the calendar of events for 2025 and 2026 as we do have an updated calendar. It was noted that it would be nice to have it showing in the google calendar for the Atlantic executive.
Discussion occurred on the anonymous post on Facebook about the meeting in PEI and it was noted that finance would not approve hotel rooms if it was over the policy allotment.
Action: Donna to add the calendar of events in the google calendar.
7. Regional Director’s Report
Mark advised that his Director’s Report is on the drive. Some focal points are:
- Special Board meeting held February 18, 2025
- Joint learning program – Labour Management Consultation workshop
- Attended the SP eastern zonal sub-group presidents meeting
- Confirmed to attend Moncton and Greenwood branch AGMs.
Discussion occurred on the resolutions that went to the Advisory Council (AC) from the AGM.
Motion # 6 Mark Bellefleur moved; Christine LeDrew seconded that the Regional Director’s Report be approved as presented. CARRIED.
8. Financial Reports
Mark suggested that Paul provide Donna which order the documents should be posted to the drive.
a. Interim Financials
Paul noted not much update since last meeting but will always present this at each meeting. It was noted that at the end of the report there is a chart of transactions. There has been a couple of payments made. Carolyn provided Paul with February 12th Basic Steward Training (BST) networking event. The cash flow statement was discussed.
b. 2026 Proposed ARE Budget for ARC
Paul noted the past budget was based on surplus funds and some have been reduced while others were already reduced in 2025 budget. Gerald provided input by email regarding some topics. Discussion occurred on why some items have been budgeted lower this year. Scott noted the hospitality for AGM should be higher, so Christine suggested moving the hospitality from steward council to AGM hospitality. Executive discussed further items. Suggested moving the extra regional executive meeting item to miscellaneous. Further discussion on communications and office supplies to be moved over miscellaneous.
Motion # 7 Christine LeDrew moved; Scott McConaghy seconded that the SC hospitality item be moved to AGM hospitality. CARRIED.
Motion # 8 Mark Bellefleur moved; Tony Chubbs seconded that the extra item from regional executive minutes be moved to miscellaneous. CARRIED.
Motion # 9 Carolyn Hynes moved; Mark Bellefleur seconded to move communications and office supplies to miscellaneous. CARRIED.
c. 2026-2027 All Regional Budgets
It was noted that this to be approved and submitted to Chair of Finance Committee early May. Discussion on the new form as finance wants to be more accurate but lumping items together. It was suggested to use the standard amount for accommodations as we are not sure the price for those years. Discussion occurred on the breakouts of the meetings.
Motion # 10 Paul Hubley moved; Scott McConaghy seconded to use this spreadsheet for our budget for 2026-2027. CARRIED.
d. 2025 Approved ARE Budget
Discussion occurred on the approved 2025 budget.
e. 2024 Annual Financial Report for Approval for ARC
Discussion occurred as this was also presented at the last meeting. The executive did have the cost of the AGM Hospitality room deducted. Discussion occurred on the overspending on promotional items. Paul will have an explanation in the presentation at the ARC. It was also noted the raffle prizes amount exceeded policy.
f. 2026 Proposed Budget for Approval for ARC
Motion # 11 Paul Hubley moved; Kim Keats seconded the approval of the amended financials. CARRIED.
Action: Paul provide Donna with order to post documents.
Action: Paul to update SC and AGM hospitality amounts.
Action: Paul to update the budget from ARE meetings.
Action: Paul to update miscellaneous budget item.
Action: Paul to speak with Christine about raffle item budget line.
Action: Paul to include details on promotional items in speech at ARC.
Motion # 12 Tony Chubbs moved; Tamara Critch seconded the approval of the financial report. CARRIED.
9. Training Committee Chairperson’s Report
Carolyn stated her report is located on the google drive. Discussion occurred on the training budget issues occurring. Finance has approved the 2 BST sessions, but 2026 training school and 2025 November extra session remain outstanding. Carolyn submitted a special request to the BOD to approve this training. Items brought forward from training committee meeting from March 28th:
- Member Facilitated training at ARC will be Resolution Workshop.
- Steward Council preparation: Max will hold a Q&A session, Saturday morning Duty to Accommodate, Saturday afternoon Navigating Challenging situations amongst stewards. NSO is going to all councils doing a presentation on the steward portal. Mark will have a conversation at the BOD about the portal. Social event as a casino night or bingo event. Discussion on dime bingo occurred.
- Discussed training event location and dates for 2026. September BST Halifax, November extra Halifax, February BST 2027 Halifax, 2027 Training school Halifax, September BST Halifax. Looking into Marriott properties.
- Going forward on steward applications there will be a start and end date of your term.
It was noted that the regional executive should do everything we can to keep that extra training session. It was also suggested to host the constituent executive training virtually.
Motion # 13 Carolyn Hynes moved; Mark Bellefleur seconded to host the resolution workshop at ARC. CARRIED.
Motion # 14 Carolyn Hynes moved; Scott McConaghy seconded to approve steward council items. CARRIED.
Action: Mark will as the BOD about the NSO presentation.
Action: Carolyn to bring to TEAM about doing some executive training virtually.
Motion # 15 Carolyn Hynes moved; Kim Keats seconded that the Training Committee Chairperson’s Report be approved. CARRIED.
10. Atlantic Young Professionals Committee (AYPC) Report
Christine noted that her report was on the google drive. They will be holding a virtual information session on April 2nd. Discussion occurred about AYPC members being observers to ARC but having some issues and we need to risk manage the AYPC observers. Mark will follow up with office and how many observers are attending. Christine provided quotes on three locations for the stand alone meeting in July; Delta Dartmouth, Delta Charlottetown, Delta St. John’s. Delta Dartmouth was cheapest option.
Motion # 16 Christine LeDrew moved; Carolyn Hynes seconded that stand alone meeting be held at Delta Dartmouth July 18-19. CARRIED.
Action: Mark to ask Donna for observers list of ARC.
Motion # 17 Christine LeDrew moved; Tamara Critch seconded that the AYPC Chairperson’s Report be approved. CARRIED.
11. Committees of the Board Reports
The regional executive reviewed the reports on the google drive that were submitted.
a. BLPC
b. Elections Appeals
c. Elections
d. Executive Compensation
e. Finance
f. HRDC
g. ITSP
h. PRQC
i. SAC
j. TEAM
k. YPN
Christine noted the Ontario regional youth committee brought a resolution to their regional council to make two members at large positions specific for members under 40 and it was defeated.
Action: Mark to follow up when people are not submitting reports.
Motion # 18 Christine LeDrew moved, and Lori Rowe seconded that the Committees of the Board reports be moved as presented. CARRIED.
12. New Business
a. Steward Check-In Evaluations – January
Discussion occurred on the evaluation and SERLO. Suggestion to introduce the regional executive.
b. Seasonal Social
Mark stated to move line 87 to line 70 as we will invite staff to the steward council director’s dinner. Line 86 and 88 to go to Meet and Greet #3. New ERO has been hired and need to change line 515 to 7. Discussion occurred that since we will not be having a seasonal social the meeting was scheduled for a Friday so we should look at moving to a Saturday. This year is already scheduled so we will have a meet and greet in Halifax.
Action: Mark to inform staff about Christmas event not occurring and will be invited to dinner at SC.
Action: Paul change naming from Seasonal Social to Staff Appreciation.
Action: Paul change number of ERO to 7.
c. Meet & Greet Locations – Next 3 years
It was noted that the November 2026 date is pending until confirmation of National AGM date. Meet and Greets are tied to the executive meeting and their locations.
d. Meeting Booking Dates & Locations to May 2027
Training committee, Strategic Planning and Regional executive meeting in Moncton August 2026. This is not showing on the calendar of events.
November executive meeting at Delta Dartmouth – waiting on National AGM date to select date.
January 2027 – Delta Dartmouth
i. Steward Council
ii. ARC
e. Fredericton Office
Executive was updated that some of the NB Group members got together and put some points together for the Fredericton resource as the AC had asked. Provincial representatives are meeting with PIPSC President, Regional Director, and chair of the AC regarding the staff resource.
On another note, Atlantic office has hired a new ERO to start in May.
f. ARC Event Planning
Discussion occurred on Friday night event. Some suggestions were hypnotist, regular bingo, cornhole, and casino. Discussion on ARC raffle charity.
Motion # 19 Lori Rowe moved, and Tony Chubbs seconded that the charity for ARC raffle be Greener Village. CARRIED.
Action: Mark to buy gift cards for prizes. 10-$XX, 1-$XX, 1-$XX
Action: Mark to purchase cards and the big deck of cards.
Action: Christine to speak with Donna about having drinks and finger foods at Friday night event.
13. Round Table
Carolyn noted that we do not have a participant gift for training events. Discussion occurred on purchasing notebooks.
Motion # 20 Mark Bellefleur moved, and Carolyn Hynes seconded to purchase 100 forest green notebooks. CARRIED.
Discussion occurred on an event for steward council since using the dime bingo for ARC. Executive decided on Trivia night.
Mark thanked everyone for a great meeting. He noted that we have a budget for visibility items and all other regional executives have some items.
Action: Lori to purchase 100 forest green notebooks.
Action: Donna to obtain a quote for someone to host a trivia night at SC.
Action: Mark to obtain prices of jacket or a shirt for executive.
Motion # 21 Kim Keats moved, and Mike Pauley seconded that the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:16pm.