Status of Women Committee

Through legislation and collective agreements, educators are entitled to workplaces that are safe and free of harassment and that provide an environment in which diversity is respected. FPSE members care deeply about equality and social justice, not only in our working lives, but also in society at large. The Status of Women Committee works on strategies for achieving equality in our institutions and in our communities. FPSE representatives receive regular training on human rights and equality law and FPSE's Annual General Meeting offers participants an annual opportunity to explore current rights issues.


Committee Members:

Chair

Candace Fertile
(Local 12)

Staff Rep

Lesley Burke-O'Flynn

 

Local Reps:

Local 1

Capilano University Faculty Association
Joanne Quirk

Local 2

Thompson Rivers University Faculty Association
Gail Morong
Natalie Clark

Local 3

Faculty Association of the College of New Caledonia
Anna McLauchlan

Local 4

Douglas College Faculty Association
Kathie Leroux
Marni Westerman (Alt) 

Local 5

Kwantlen Faculty Association
Shereen Hassan

Local 6

College of the Rockies Faculty Association
Linda Olm

Local 7

University of the Fraser Valley Faculty & Staff Association
Lori Wirth

Local 8

Vancouver Island University Faculty Association
Allyson Anderson

Local 9

Okanagan College Faculty Association
Marlo Edwards

Local 10

Selkirk College Faculty Association
Leanne Reitan
Janet Mayr  (Alt)

Local 11

Academic Workers’ Union (Northwest Community College)
Sheree Ronaasen 

Local 12

Camosun College Faculty Association
Candace Fertile (Chair)

Local 14

Langara Faculty Association
[Vacant]

Local 15

Vancouver Community College Faculty Association
Heather Chan

Local 16

North Island College Faculty Association
Serena Patterson

Local 17

TRU Open University Faculty Association
Laurain Mills

Local 19

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Employees’ Association
Roman Erinburg

Local 21

Private Sector Faculty & Staff Associations
[Vacant]

Local 22

Emily Carr University of Art + Design Faculty Association
[Vacant]

Exec Liaison

Terri Van Steinburg
FPSE Second Vice-President

NRFC Liaison

Sue De Bruin (Local 16)


Policy Statement:


The responsibilities of the Status of Women Committee of FPSE shall involve any activities which contribute to an improvement in the status of women within locals. Such activities should address both the current and future needs and interests of women in colleges and institutes in BC.

Responsibilities:

  1. Develop a general plan of activities for each upcoming year and present this plan to the Presidents’ Council.
  2. Encourage the establishment of Status of Women Committees within member unions.
  3. Organize and offer workshops and other forms of educational activities.
  4. In conjunction with other Standing Committees, ensure that all Convention workshops/ panels/ plenary activities reflect a recognition of the need for gender parity and are free of sexist content.
  5. Remain cognizant of initiatives through government relating to women.
  6. Work cooperatively, as appropriate and feasible, with other organizations and institutions involved in status of women-related activities.
  7. Maintain ongoing contact with each local’s Status of Women Committee.
  8. Act as an advocate for the rights of women in the college and institute system in BC.


Terms of Reference:

Reporting to: Reports regularly to the FPSE President and the Presidents’ Council.

Composition: Each local shall name a specific member as their designated representative to this Committee. The Non-Regular Faculty Committee may appoint one person to the Committee.

Term of Appointment: Locals shall endeavour to elect or appoint representatives for a two year term.

Chair: The Committee shall elect a new Chairperson at the last meeting of the Committee held prior to the convening of the Annual General Meeting and Convention.

The Committee shall endeavour to elect a Chairperson who has served on the Committee a previous term as local representatives.

The Chairperson or designate shall have observer status at meetings of the Presidents’ Council with voice but no vote. The responsibility of the Chairperson includes attendance by the Chairperson or designate at the Presidents’ Council meeting immediately subsequent to a meeting of the Committee or upon request of the FPSE President.

The Chairperson shall attend the Annual General Meeting and Convention. The Convention shall provide orientation and planning opportunities for Committee Chairpersons and facilitate their meeting as a group.

The duly elected Chairperson of the Committee shall continue to serve as Chairperson where the Chairperson ceases to be a designated local representative to the Committee.

Meetings: Such meetings as are required to fulfill its responsibilities, limited only by the funding allocated to the Committee. The Committee may substitute or include a workshop or conference for a meeting.

Observers: By invitation of the Chair.

Quorum: A majority of those member locals that have appointed Status of Women Committee representatives.

Voting: Positions adopted by consensus among designated representatives; otherwise by simple majority of those voting. (By-Law #6.)

Funds: As allocated in the annual budget.

Links of interest to the Status of Women Committee:

SWC Documents:

Child Care Survey (October 2009)