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Women's Issues Committee Minutes
5:15 PM Teleconference
Wednesday 8-31-05
AMENDED
Present: Teresa, Barbara, Laura, Nadine, Toya, Suzan
Absent: Jade, Gordon
...discussion already under way when secretary joined teleconference...
May 2005 minutes were received. Barb moved to approve them. Toya seconded. Approved Minutes.
Q: Toya asked a question. See first page so she knows how much money to ask for.
A: Nadine hasn't contacted Pam Tosher. Maybe $1,000 per chapter or to help in other ways a.e. provide rural travel or a meeting place
Discussion: Asking for above money or other donations. Pam in Fairbanks part of a retreat and in attendance this weekend. Suzan will email contact information for Pam to Nadine. Training won't cost us anything.
Budget Review: Barbara
$5,000 in our budget
Discussion:
Money for teleconference, in-person meeting; how to enhance our visibility? Think about it. Bring forth suggestions.
New Meeting Time
No-Thursday or Tuesday evenings
Yes-Wednesdays at 5:15PM
Discussed Jade being absent again. Nadine will contact her re keeping her appointment.
Suzan will be in Hawaii October 28-November 12 but should be at our October meeting
Second Online Survey
Motion to approve it and put it online
Seconded by Teresa
Approved to put it online
Solidarity Update
Toya thinks we should tell about the survey in it
E board was going to put in writing each committee has a corner a.e. "WIC corner", but it was voted down to put it in writing. The E board liaison is finding out why we weren't given the deadline for submission. Possibly there was no email giving us a deadline.
The next Solidarity Update will be hand delivered.
Solidarity Update cont'
Q: Did anyone read the last one?
A: Yes, Barb did. It was good, but not much member/committee/board participation in it.
We need a collaborative effort. They are quarterly publications so we will know the next deadline. All voices are heard - we are a committee. Barb is finding out the next deadline and why the last deadline was missed.
Training Opportunities
Tam Tosher from AFSCME
Northern Region Field Representative
New magazine "PINK" and a "Pink Link"
The first issue was June 2005
Suzan is our legal person. She will find out if they have the trademark, and when they started using it. Suzan will get the email address from Nadine. We may ask their permission to use it. We agree we will back away from using it if we have to.
Web address: pinkmagazine.com
Breastfeeding/Breast Pumping at work
Discussed this concern brought to our attention. Suzan will see if the building has anywhere available for this activity. We wonder if it is a leased building, are they required to provide for this? Teresa mentioned it's opening a can of worms so also check into state building usage as well. If this proceeded as a Resolution for negotiation, Suzan said it "would be a class action".
Daycare at work
Discussed this concern brought to our attention. Thought it was doubtful, and we'd have to negotiate it in our next contract. We can ask the contract negotiation committee to bring it forward. Maybe all the unions could get behind it. Toya suggested looking at 1 or 2 buildings within Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau; maybe where lots of parents are.
We'll explore this after we receive some legal direction. We are Gung-Ho on this.
The Class One committee is working to improve things with nurses in the state. Let them know about this and invite them to come on board with us on this.
New Business
Barbara has two items:
1. She received mail inviting us to the 2005 Western Regional Women's Conference November 4-6 in San Jose, CA. November 3-4 is the Pre-Conference Institute. Discussed sending the Chairperson and one more WIC member to it. We would ask the board for more money and send a couple of ASEA members. There is no fee for attendance. October 3 is the deadline for hotel reservations. They are $141.90 nightly, tax included, double occupancy.
The agenda was partially read, but it was pretty generic including workshops and general sessions. This conference decides who with be the AFSCME committee member, so Nadine should go. Toya said she attended the San Francisco big International Women's Conference and it was amazing, the workshops were great, it was a don't-miss opportunity.
New Business cont'
Barbara moved that an email be sent to all of us for review to request we send 3 people from the WIC to it.
Seconded by Teresa.
Toya asked for clarification on ‘President' vs. ‘Chair' title.
Barbara said she would not be going to the conference.
Teresa said she would not be going to the conference.
2. Should we purchase merchandise for the March Women's Health Month and have a table at the ASEA Convention for profit. WIC is the only committee that can get money from additional sources. She will move for $500 after all the WIC members look at the merchandise. The convention will be February (25?) so the theme will be great timing.
All WIC members need to run for delegate and put their name in the hat.
Face to Face Meeting
October in Anchorage
Host an open house for constituents to meet us. Bring food in. Talk lots for 2 days. Go through Melanie re: travel. Toya suggests bunking with friends or family.
E-board quarterly report
Should've been done August 26th. Call in the report instead of mailing it to Suzan. Nadine will email us first.
Q: How to handle potential conflict/controversial agencies that approach WIC for support.
A: ASEA funds us via dues paying members. They are first. We make all our public information available. We support no controversial issues. We can't take sides as a Union or bind the union in any way.
Discussed past experiences.
Adjourned
6:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura K Ghormley
WIC Secretary
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