75th P/NWT RC - Saskatoon Branch Report
The Saskatoon Branch Executive (Executive) has a strategy of being active in engaging Saskatoon area PIPSC Constituent Body Executives, Stewards, members and the public. Engaging these four groups means having one-on-one conversations and hosting events where accurate information can be provided, there are opportunities for networking, and, most importantly, an opportunity to empower and motivate individuals to get involved and take action.
To achieve our goal the Executive selected a number of creative and achievable events. A calendar of events and an event budget was created to ensure the success of all the events. Finally, to engage the entire Executive, every Executive member volunteered to assist 1-2 other Executive members with organizing at least one of the selected events.
As a result of this planning, events such as Member Appreciation Night were held. I am proud to inform you that as a result of Saskatoon Branch Member contributions at these events our Saskatoon Branch was able to make food and cash donations to the Food Bank of Saskatoon. In addition, the Executive created a “Champions of Lunch and Learns” Sub-Committee to ensure there were a number of Lunch and Learns held involving a number of topics and held in a variety of work locations throughout the Saskatoon Branch Region.
The Saskatoon Branch held it’s AGM on October 26, 2017 at the German Cultural Centre. PIPSC Prairie/North West Territories (P/NWT) Regional Director, Nancy McCune, was the guest speaker. Nancy provided information on the Strategic Direction of PIPSC which includes value to members, increasing the influence of PIPSC and ensuring PIPSC operates as a model organization. Nancy also spoke to the PIPSC Building rental issues and P/NWT Regional Matters including the formation of the P/NWT Youth Committee.
During the AGM business meeting held after the banquet, the members elected the following as the PIPSC Saskatoon Branch Executive for 2017-2018:
President: Robert Trudeau, CRA
Vice-President: Rob Scott, CSC
Secretary: Tammy Okemaysim, PWGSC
Treasurer: Glenn Groskopf, CRA
Member at Large: Colleen Leinenweber, CSC
Member at Large: Judy Holt, PWGSC
Member at Large: William Stewart, CNSC
Member at Large: Ruojing Wang, CFIA
Member at Large: Maureen Haakenson, Retired
Member at Large: Dean Egland, CRA
Member at Large: Rachel Boyko, CSC
The Saskatoon Branch had the honor to serve as the host Branch for the very successful 2017 Prairie/NWT Regional Council. PIPSC Members from across the P/NWT Region had the opportunity to participate in Executive and Treasurer Training, a Pension and Benefit Information Session presented by PIPSC Pension and Benefit Officer, John Staric, and decisions involving the governance of the P/NWT Region. The highlight of the Regional Council was the banquet and horse races held at Marquis Downs. Horse Number 5 in the Fifth Race will always be remembered!!!
Members of the Executive, and Saskatoon area Stewards and members are very active. In addition to attending and working on the various Branch Events, they have attended the P/NWT Labour School, Stewards Council, and Regional Council, Group AGMs, the PIPSC National AGM and various other training and meeting opportunities. In addition, they are involved with PIPSC National Board of Directors Committees and local, regional and national group activities. The group activities includes representing members and participating in contract negotiations.
I would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to the members of the Saskatoon Branch Executive. Without their professionalism, innovative ideas, unwavering dedication, tireless efforts and ability to work collaboratively, our Branch would not be able to achieve its goals.
On behalf of the Saskatoon Branch Executive and the members we serve, I would like to say a special thank you to a member of our Executive who stepped down from the Executive this last year; Brendan Weiman. Brendan’s energy, creativity, effort, knowledge, experience, and leadership are greatly missed.
I would like to thank Glenn Groskopf for accepting the responsibility of being our Saskatoon Branch Treasurer subsequent to Brendan stepping down.
I would also like to welcome Rachel Boyko to our Executive as a Member at Large. Rachel has been busy since joining the Executive. Among other activities, Rachel is the Chair of both our Saskatoon Branch Youth Committee and Social Media Committee Rachel is also our Saskatoon Branch Representative on the P/NWT Regional Youth Committee.
Finally, on behalf of the Saskatoon Branch Executive, I would like to thank the Saskatoon area Stewards and members for their hard work and participation in the various events, meetings and activities listed above. The involvement of our members in our Union is the key to any successes we achieve. Our Union is only as strong as the strength of the members it serves.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Trudeau
President, Saskatoon Branch
Saskatoon, SK
306-975-6416(W), 306-249-6522(H), 306-371-4412 (C)