2008 National Conference for Racially Visible Members:

BE THE CHANGE: CREATE A BETTER WORLD!

• AGENDA
• CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES
• PARTICIPANTS
• CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS

We are pleased to be sending you this Registration package for the first stand-alone PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible Members, which will be held March 7 to 9, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, under the theme "BE THE CHANGE: CREATE A BETTER WORLD!"

We encourage you to personally inform PSAC racially visible members in good standing to ensure they are made aware of this conference. Bulletin boards may not always be accessible and additional outreach is very important.

This registration package is available upon request in Braille and/or on diskette (MS Word) through the PSAC Programs Section by contacting Sue Courchaine at 613-560-5457 or by email at courchs@psac.com

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of our 2008 PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible Members are to:

• Educate, politicize and mobilize racialized members by making links between the union, the workplace, the community and equality rights.
• Create and/or strengthen networks within our union and our communities.
• Enhance and support leadership development of racialized members in our union, workplace and beyond.

PARTICIPANTS

1. Delegates

   A PSAC member who is a member in good standing and who self-identifies as racially visible can apply to be a delegate to this Conference.  The selection of delegates will take into account union and equality rights activism, as well as representation criteria (i.e., Region, Component, language and other equity group representation).

   Delegates will be selected by their respective Regions and Components.  The delegates will be entitled to full voice and vote during the conference, including the resolutions and elections processes.

   Funding for Delegates:

   Delegate costs to the 2008 PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible Members will be fully covered as per the 2003 PSAC Triennial Convention decision and PSAC Travel Directive.   Costs covered are as follows:

   • travel costs, including ground transportation;
   • hotel accommodation costs at the Hyatt Regency Hotel;
   • loss of salary;
   • per diem for meals;
   • incidental costs.

2. Observers

   PSAC members who are members in good standing and who self-identify as racially visible may also attend the 2008 National Conference for Racially Visible Members as observers; however, observers will be responsible for all costs associated with their participation, including:

   • loss of salary and meals;
   • hotel and travel arrangements and costs;  
   • the conference registration fee of $150.00;
   • any additional accessibility needs and childcare arrangements (subject to meeting deadline requirements).

   Please note that the number of Observers will be limited to the space available at the Conference. They will have voice only during the discussion period after panel presentations. They can attend workshops, if space permits, but may not be able to select the topic.  Observers do not have the right to vote during the resolutions debate and election process.

3. Guests

   Members of the PSAC National Board of Directors are eligible to attend the 2008 PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible Members as guests.

SELECTION OF DELEGATES AND OBSERVERS

If you are selected as a delegate to this conference, you will be advised by email and regular mail by the first week of February 2008.  Observers will be advised at a later date.

1. Please call (613) 560-5457.  Leave a message and someone will get back to you within 24 working hours. The fax number is (613) 236-9402.
2. You may also contact Seema Lamba, the PSAC Human Rights Programs Officer by email at lambas@psac-afpc.com or Sue Courchaine, PSAC Conference Administrative Assistant by email at courchs@psac-afpc.com.

We look forward to our 2008 PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible Members and see it as an opportunity for our members to continue the important work of advancing the rights and issues of Racially Visible people.

Please consult the PSAC website periodically as background conference material will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

In Solidarity,

Gerry Halabecki, REVP Ontario

Kay Sinclair, REVP B.C.

Co-chairs of the 2008 PSAC National Conference for Racially Visible Members

cc: National Board of Directors
Component National Officers and Head Offices
Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC)
National Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis Circle (NAIM)
Regional Offices
Regional Council Members
Area Councils
Regional Equity Committees
Regional Women’s Committees (RWC)
Equity Mailing Lists PSAC Management Team

APPLICATION FORM

• If you have any questions with respect to the application form or the Conference, call (613) 560-5457. Please leave a message and someone will respond to your inquiry within 24 working hours.
• You may also contact Seema Lamba, the PSAC Human Rights Programs Officer by email at lambas@psac-afpc.com or Sue Courchaine, PSAC Conference Administrative Assistant by email at courchs@psac-afpc.com.