Conventions

It’s hard to believe that two years have passed since our last convention. If you recall, it was at the last convention that delegates supported the resolution of a Biennial Convention, with an Education Conference in the intervening year. Consequently, I will now be reporting for the past two years at this, our Seventh Constitutional Convention.

When I think about what to report, I usually look back at the preceding year and then look forward to the future. This time I thought that I would look back a number of years to help us understand the challenges that we have faced and how we should look to the future.

Over the years the convention reports typically portray each year as unique and often difficult with having endured many challenges. Yet when I reviewed the last five years, every year seems to have been a unique and often a difficult year. In the past five years, we have endured several occurrences of downsizing within a number of our chapters. Some chapters—the Legal Services Society lawyers in particular—were decimated. The decline in membership numbers also resulted in a financial challenge for the union. Although our financial resources have always remained healthy, we were unable to provide the necessary level of service with dues revenue alone, on at least one occasion we relied on our reserve fund. We also looked to the membership for support in a very challenging situation, which we received wholeheartedly!

Government also imposed at least four years of wage freezes or restraints on many of our members, and even rolled back wages for some of our chapters. Collective agreements were gutted and members were under attack like never before.

We also endured a direct attack on our union when the government decided that our largest bargaining unit, the Government Licensed Professionals (GLP) should be forcibly removed from the Professional Employees Association (PEA). Amazing; it’s hard to believe that a small union like ours could endure so much. But we did!

These past two years have really been no different. Since the spring of 2006, we have concluded or are engaged in collective bargaining for every chapter of the PEA. This has been a daunting task for both staff and bargaining committees and has presented some very unique challenges.

I’m sure that you will all recall the three to four thousand dollar ‘carrot’ that the government dangled in front of all unions. Not only was this money a one time offer affording no cumulative benefit in overall wages, it was also time constrained. This had the desired affect of pushing all bargaining to rapid conclusion. Unfortunately, bargaining committees were hard pressed to convince members that this was not the best deal. As other unions settled, our members were pressured to follow suit. This round of bargaining was the most compressed and constricted set of negotiations in our history as we concluded new collective agreements with Government Licensed Professionals, University of Victoria, Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, Legal Services Society, and Prince George School District; five of our 10 chapters.

If staff and members weren’t busy enough, we were also participating in bargaining as part of two bargaining associations, Health Sciences Professionals and Community Health Services and Support chapters. Staff and bargaining committee members are also currently bargaining on behalf of members at St. Margaret’s School, Okanagan Regional Library and one new chapter. This brings me to the exciting additional initiatives which the PEA has undertaken recently.

This past year the PEA certified our newest chapter, the Law Society Lawyers. These members have a history of dealing with a very difficult employer and finally looked to the PEA for assistance in their challenges. Since that time the chapter has been engaged in an unusually challenging round of bargaining that recently culminated in a positive strike vote by the membership. This action will hopefully facilitate the achievement of a first collective agreement for chapter members. The efforts of both the executive of the Law Society Lawyers and the bargaining committee of this newest chapter need to be recognized. They have worked in a difficult environment through a tortuous round of bargaining and have remained committed to the achievement of an agreement nonetheless.

In other activities, the Association Executive has initiated an organizing campaign to offer the support of union certification to other potential chapters. Through our ads in the College of Teachers magazine we have had several expressions of interest which are still being explored.

As well, the PEA has seen steady increases in the membership of many of our chapters. It has finally been recognized by the government that the cuts that we suffered were too deep and the employer has quietly rehired staff in most sectors. We have also seen a significant membership increase at the University of Victoria.

Together, all this has helped to strengthen our union. In the midst of all the turmoil, and buoyed with member support, we have persevered. We overcame the obstacles and we continue to look hopefully to the future.

Into the future I hope that we will be successful in attracting new chapters to the PEA. As I mentioned previously, our newest chapter is in negotiations now, and hopefully we will be able to report a successful conclusion soon. Member involvement is another area that we need to continue to promote. Many chapters are already looking at strategies to engage their members and build on existing involvement.

Finally, in the next few years, we need to continue exploring ways to increase our learning. We need to learn and understand more about the workings of the union. We need to learn and understand more about each chapter. We also need to learn and understand about each others’ challenges and unique differences. We have seen how we can come together in times of crisis, so I hope that through events such as convention, education conference and local representative training, we will continue to learn and will value our diversity.

In closing, there are many who must be acknowledged. Although bargaining is only one of the many tasks that the union coordinates, this year a significant focus was placed on this task. The staff and the bargaining committees are to be commended for their diligence and dedication. It is usually a frustrating experience that is often underappreciated.

Thanks must also go out to the myriad of volunteers who give of their time to do the business of the PEA. We have members who sit on chapter and PEA executives, members who serve on our many committees and members who are our local representatives. Your contributions are very appreciated and critical to a healthy, engaged union.

But due to the fact that we are a small union, we also rely heavily on our superb staff to carry out our business. This year saw Jodi Jensen, our Executive Director, take a well deserved leave. We hope that she is having a great time and is reinvigorated for her return in July.

In Jodi’s absence, Tony Bute has assumed the role of acting executive director-. I don’t think that he knew what he was in for when he graciously accepted this challenge. Not only has Tony had to handle the day to day business of the PEA, he has had to monitor and advise on the difficult negotiations of our new chapter; he has had to manage staff assignments considering the long and short term ramifications; he has had to organize the convention which is no small task; and he has had to do all of this while being short staffed. He has done a great job and I personally would like to thank him for all his patience and hard work.

Ernie Gorrie, our labour relations officer in the Victoria office has also been extremely busy and has jumped in wherever needed. He brought excellent experience and has always done extremely thorough work. I know he will be missed when he returns to his base position following his secondment with the PEA.

In our Surrey office we welcome back Jennifer Duprey who has been on maternity leave. As is usual for Jennifer, she is already off and running to support our largest chapter, the GLP. Barinder Rasode, our other labour relations officer in Surrey, has been holding down the fort for the past year and doing a great job providing service to a number of chapters.

This brings me to our support staff. A special thank you must also go to those who are the voice on the phone and who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Caroline Ward and Marianna Crawford in the Victoria office and Joanne Petersen in the Lower Mainland office are the people who support the organization with their positive and willing assistance. We are indeed fortunate to have such a talented, hard working staff. Thank you for being there when we need you.

Finally, I would like to thank you – the members – who take the time to get involved. From the delegates to the convention, to members who cast a vote in an election or referendum, to members who take the time to write a letter, it is your involvement that counts. I know that everyone seems to have too few hours in the day and I truly appreciate your commitment to the union.

Thank you for your time and attention. I truly believe that together, and with your support, we will continue to be the “little union that could”.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathryn Danchuk

President

I would like to begin by acknowledging the successes achieved by the Professional Employees Association over the past two years. While the Association has been faced with some significant challenges, I think today we are stronger and more resilient – in terms of the successes we have achieved, the strength and commitment of our volunteers, and in regard to our financial stability. We have also seen our membership numbers rise and are hoping to strengthen our organization through the acquisition of additional chapters in the future.

The past year in particular has been an eventful one for the PEA with a wide range of activities occupying the time of both our many member volunteers and the staff. We have engaged in bargaining on behalf of many chapters; filed grievances and forwarded a number of issues for adjudication at arbitration; participated in job evaluation projects and other initiatives with various employers; and certified and initiated bargaining for our newest chapter, the Law Society Lawyers.

We have also seen our financial reserves weather some market challenges to remain healthy and reach new heights. You will have an opportunity later today to have input into some of the policies related to our investments and help determine how we will manage them over the coming years. We have the oversight of the various executive committee members over the past years as well as our very competent and helpful investment advisors to thank for the strong status of our reserve fund.

Addressing further our collective bargaining initiatives – our main focus in the past year – it has been a demanding time with some unique obstacles. In addition to our largest chapter, the Government Licensed Professionals (GLP), the Association has concluded, or is in the process of concluding, new agreements on behalf of all chapters, either independently or as part of a bargaining association.

Unfortunately, this round of bargaining has been highlighted by a very different scenario than we have ever before experienced in public sector negotiations, which applies to the vast majority of our members. The process has exhibited a form of legal blackmail which severely fettered the Association’s ability to bargain effectively on behalf of members.

In a situation where union members were effectively bribed with payments of relatively large sums of money – enough for a down payment on a vehicle or a chance to eliminate debt, for example – it was difficult for bargaining committees to inform and convince members that other outcomes, including greater cumulative wage increases over a number of years, may be more beneficial to their long-term financial interests than a one-time payment of a few thousand dollars.

We experienced situations where employers – most notably the government itself – ignored reasoned arguments and market wage statistics. The attitude of public sector negotiators has been “you are well paid and we don’t intend to pay more than we are offering – leave if you don’t like it!”

While not using those exact words, the message came across loud and clear.

In addition to the restrictions on wage increases, which the government directly subsidizes, employers are now also restricted in their ability to make independent decisions regarding the use of existing funds in their own best interests and the interests of their employees. Although ministry representatives were not present at the table in many cases, it was clear that the employer could not act or make decisions without having received prior government approval.

In the relatively recent past, governments were content to allow the parties to negotiate and the bargaining process to work to completion. This “hands-off” approach forced genuine engage-ment in meaningful discussions by both the employer and the union in an effort to conclude an agreement. In the new environment that includes the threat of back-to-work legislation hanging over the heads of union members, employers have little incentive to bargain in good faith, but can rather appeal to the government that their operation is “essential” and wait for their employees to be ordered back to work and consequently to accept whatever the employer – (e.g. government) – has to offer. As a result, even those employees who retain the legal right to strike are limited in their ability to use that bargaining tool.

It is now more important than ever for PEA members to remember the history of the development of labour unions and the rights that unions and their members have achieved. Remember a time in the not-too-distant past when employees routinely worked 10 or more hours a day, six days a week, with no pay for statutory holidays, limited access to medical benefits, sick leave and many other benefits that most of today’s workers take for granted.

The list also includes rights such as protection from termination without cause; the right to work free from discrimination; the right to not be fired because you miss work due to illness; the right to due process when you are accused of wrong doing – all which are now considered basic rights of employment in many workplaces. But those rights only exist because union members of the past and present stood up and fought for those rights.

We have seen many of these rights eroded, with employers denying and/or restricting access to medical leave, cutting back on benefit plans and presenting other proposals which signal a gradual erosion of benefits. In some extreme cases the government has even stepped in and cut wages and benefits unilaterally – including to some PEA members in our health sector bargaining units.

Only when members are willing to stand up together against employers to retain these rights will they be affirmed and maintained into the future. Please remember; it wasn’t, as various media suggest, so-called “powerful union leaders” who achieved these rights – it was the collective action and will of the working members within those organizations that gave the leaders the support to attain what they did.

The entire landscape of labour relations and of unions’ ability to properly represent their members in an unfettered way is currently under assault. The current climate is one in which the unity and resolve of members is more critical than ever before. PEA members have stood together in the past fighting challenges such as the government’s attempt to take our GLP chapter out of the PEA; and in supporting bargaining committees in their efforts to achieve agreements. It will take this continued unity and resolve to ensure that the PEA remains viable and effective into the future as we work under the new environment in which we find ourselves.

Turning now to a more enjoyable focus, I wish to engage in the pleasurable task of pointing out our biggest success of the past two years – and of most years – which is the active participation of the large group of member volunteers who step forward to provide their time and energy to support and represent their fellow Association members in many different ways.

I want first to recognize the Association Executive members who donate a great amount of time and effort to the PEA, often with little incentive other than the positive outcomes they occasionally see as a result of their efforts.

I want to extend a thank you to all the members who worked on bargaining committees during

a very challenging round of negotiations over the past year, and which are continuing at the present time. I want to recognize those who have served on chapter executives and other committees, as well as our strong group of local representatives. Their’s is often a thankless task for which they receive little recognition, and more negative feedback than positive.

The Association intends to explore an expansion of our local representative training in future in order to build on the knowledge attendees have gained in the advanced course.

I next want to recognize the PEA staff who work on behalf of Association members in many capacities, including representing members in conflicts with the employer and playing a lead role in the bargaining of collective agreements.

Our labour relations officers (LROs) include Barinder Rasode, who represents members in several chapters in the lower mainland and who is currently engaged in bargaining and other initiatives on behalf of members; Ernie Gorrie, who has been handling GLP and several other chapters’ issues over the past year, along with some difficult negotiations with the Law Society of BC. Ernie is in his second stint as a relief employee for the PEA. And finally I want to welcome back long-serving LRO Jennifer Duprey from her leave, and wish her the best in taking on the servicing of the GLP Chapter.

I also want to recognize the work of our support staff in Surrey and Victoria. Joanne Petersen is responsible for most of the administrative details in preparing for convention and works out of the Surrey office. She is one of the main pillars that support the major PEA assemblies. In Victoria, Caroline Ward is the financial guru of the PEA and handles your expense claims and requests for union leave, as well as assisting in the financial management of the PEA. And Marianna Crawford is the person whose welcoming voice you usually hear when you call the Victoria office. Marianna provides support for Victoria LROs, arranges the Association Executive meetings, and helps members with travel requests and other administrative needs.

Lastly, I want to recognize and thank your long-serving president, Kathryn Danchuk. Kathy always has the best interests of the members at heart, and is also a strong supporter of the staff of the Association. She is a calm and effective leader at the Association Executive table, and has been extremely helpful and supportive of me in my role as acting director.

In closing, I want to say it is a pleasure to work for all of you, both in my role as labour relations officer, and most recently as your acting director. The last five months have confirmed to me the challenges in the director’s job which has been skillfully performed by Jodi Jensen for the past number of years. I look forward to her return in July!

Respectfully submitted,

Tony Bute

Acting Executive Director

The Professional Employees Association’s revenue comes from members’ dues and investment income. Dues totaled $1,391,685 in 2006, an increase of $116,833 from 2005, while our budget anticipated dues of $1,270,504. This increase resulted first from our gaining 120 additional paying members and secondly by increasing our members’ salaries through newly-negotiated contracts, progression increments and increases flowing from the implementation of the Joint Job Evaluation project at the University of Victoria. We neither budgeted for nor received dues from our new Law Society Lawyers Chapter members, since they will not pay dues until we negotiate a first collective agreement for them, the PEA’s usual practice with new certifications.

The PEA’s Investment Policy calls for a minimum of 60 percent of our portfolio to be held in bonds, allowing only 40 percent to be in equities. At present the policy restricts the PEA from holding shares in companies for which a major activity is the manufacture of guns or weapons of war, or tobacco products. Policy also mandates that our reserves always be sufficient to support members of the PEA’s largest bargaining unit through a two month dispute plus the costs associated with a grievance going through the courts to the Supreme Court of Canada. Evaluation of investment performance occurs quarterly and looks to ensure that performance matches or surpasses benchmarks measured over four year rolling periods.

On December 31, 2006 the PEA held an investment portfolio consisting of $2,734,946 in equities, $4,363,292 in bonds and $411,405 in cash and equivalents for a total of $7,509,643. Our equities are managed by two professional fund managers for which the PEA is charged an average of 0.91 percent of the market value of the portfolio. Investment reserves of $78,463 are held toward retirement leave costs for PEA staff. Our entire portfolio returned 7.04 percent for 2006, less than our benchmark which yielded 8.68 percent. This compares with a portfolio yield of 9.34 percent in 2005, better than the benchmark which yielded 7.72 percent. Investment income for 2006 totaled $376,478, after expenses. That, added to dues revenue, resulted in total revenue of $1,768,163.

Our operating expenses for 2006 totaled $1,369,688, an increase of $231,393 over 2005. Many of our accounting categories showed little change from 2005 expenses, however a few did. Costs charged to the Executive and Constitution category decreased since we held an educational conference in 2006 rather than a full convention. Staff expenditures showed an increase over 2005, because of maternity leave and other staffing changes which were anticipated in the 2006 budget. Our office leases show a net decrease of $9,066 compared with 2005, reflecting increases in the cost of the Victoria office being more than offset by decreased costs for the new Surrey office when compared to the former Burnaby office.

Only two account categories show significant spending in excess of the 2006 budget. Membership Services and Administration was over by $36,670 due to Government Licensed Professional Chapter classification appeal hearings, and legal costs relating to the Oil and Gas Commission successorship hearing. There was a significant increase in negotiations costs compared with 2005, since most of our public sector chapters negotiated new contracts in 2006 and contract negotiations were underway for our new Law Society bargaining unit. As a result, Negotiation was over budget by $49,182.

I’d like especially to thank the PEA’s Financial Officer, Caroline Ward for making my role as treasurer transparent and well informed. Also thanks to our portfolio manager, Paul Siluch of Raymond James for keeping us up to date on market trends and our auditor, and Tony Charles-Roberts, of Moore Roberts & Cowland, for keeping us on the straight and narrow. Also thanks to members of the PEA Finance & Investment Committee, Jim Russell, Pat Giommi and Bill McGhee along with ex officio members Kathy Danchuk and Tony Bute, and finally our Convention Ways & Means Committee members, John Foxgord, Alison Ward and Megan Williams.

COMMITTEE

REPORTS

for

presentation

to the

2007 PEA

CONSTITUTIONAL

CONVENTION

May 25 & 26, 2007

� Resolutions Committee

� Ways & Means Committee

Resolutions Committee

The Resolutions Committee consists of four delegates appointed by the Association Executive: the Association’s First Vice-President who chairs the committee, one other Association Executive member, and two convention delegates.

The committee meets shortly after the submission deadline to determine whether or not it will recommend support for each resolution. When determining a recommendation of concurrence or non-concurrence the committee evaluates:

< What are the possible ramifications of the resolution?

< What will the impact on current policy be?

< Is it a change to our constitution or policy?

< Is it going to cost the membership money to implement?

< Is it practical and how would the union deliver the change?

The discussions around the Resolutions Committee table more often than not reflect exactly what we hear from convention delegates before they vote on the motion. Every member of the committee has worked hard on your behalf weighing the pros and cons of the resolution prior to determining our recommendations. They know that the Association Executive, as the governing body of the union when convention is not in session, must uphold the direction set by convention.

The Resolutions Committee met on April 19, 2007 and referred the Secretary-Treasurer’s Report, 2005 and 2006 Audited Financial Statements and 2007 Budget to the Ways & Means Committee.

The Resolutions Committee referred Resolution #2 and Resolution #3 to the Ways & Means Committee.

The committee recommends that the President’s Report and the A/Executive Director’s Report be adopted and makes the following recommendations on the resolutions submitted to convention:

RESOLUTION #1

WHEREAS the Association Convention in 2005 adopted amendments to the Association By-laws to replace the annual convention with a biennial convention;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the PEA By-laws be amended as follows:

Article III – CONVENTIONS

< All traveling, salary and subsistence expenses of the delegates attending the Association’s ~~annual~~ convention shall be paid for out of funds of the Association at a rate to be determined by the Association Executive.

Article IX – AUDITORS

1. The auditors of the Association shall be appointed by the ~~Annual~~ Convention.

2. The auditors shall submit a report of their audit and the financial position of the Association to the ~~Annual~~ Convention.

Article VIII – SECRETARY-TREASURER

8. The Secretary-Treasurer shall cause the preparation of an Annual Statement of the Association’s financial position as soon as possible after the close of each fiscal year. This statement shall be so prepared as to give a clear and reasonable statement of the Association’s financial position and shall be in such form as the Association Executive and the Association’s auditors may require. It shall be submitted for audit and certification as soon as possible after the close of the fiscal year, and shall be placed before the ~~Annual~~ Convention of the Association.

Submitted by: Association Executive

The committee recommends CONCURRENCE because this is a housekeeping change reflecting the fact that convention is no longer held on an annual basis.

Committee Recommends: Concurrence ü Non-Concurrence _______

Delegates Voted: Concurrence ______ Non-Concurrence _______

RESOLUTION #2

WHEREAS the PEA investment resources are now valued at over seven million dollars; and

WHEREAS there is a recognition that socially responsible investing is a positive way to respond to the social and environmental issues that face our members as a part of the greater population;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the PEA explore and implement policy that would eliminate investments in companies that engage in war profiteering; abuse human rights; utilize exploitive labour practices; or contribute excessively to carbon emissions (such as coal-powered energy production).

Submitted by: Association Executive

The committee referred this to the Ways & Means Committee.

Committee Recommends: Concurrence _______ Non-Concurrence _______

Delegates Voted: Concurrence _______ Non-Concurrence _______

RESOLUTION #3

WHEREAS the PEA recognizes that global warming and other environmental challenges are creating a threat to the planet; and

WHEREAS the PEA recognizes that it has the opportunity to respond to this issue by altering the criteria of its investment policy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the PEA actively pursue investing a greater portion of our equity investments into renewable and alternative sources of energy and companies that are committed to reducing carbon emissions.

Submitted by: Association Executive

The committee referred this to the Ways & Means Committee.

Committee Recommends: Concurrence _______ Non-Concurrence _______

Delegates Voted: Concurrence _______ Non-Concurrence _______

RESOLUTION #4

BE IT RESOLVED that the PEA Executive conform to the PEA Constitution, including its spirit and intent, in all its activities and actions.

Submitted by: Brian Chow, GLP Chapter Supported by: Julie Orban,

Gerald Reichenback,

GLP Chapter

The committee recommends CONCURRENCE as we believe that the PEA Executive should and does conform to the PEA Constitution, its spirit and intent, in its activities and actions.

Committee Recommends: Concurrence ü Non-Concurrence _______

Delegates Voted: Concurrence _______ Non-Concurrence _______

RESOLUTION #5

WHEREAS duly elected chapter executives need to communicate directly with their respective constituents from time-to-time; and

WHEREAS duly elected chapter executive members should have the ability to directly communicate with their constituents; and

WHEREAS duly elected chapter executive should have the ability to formulate their communication with their constituents; and

WHEREAS current communication venues may be subject to editorial review;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the PEA Executive develop a policy, within 3 months of passing of this resolution, which provides mechanisms in which the various chapter executives of the PEA can communicate directly with their respective constituents.

Submitted by: Jim Annunziello, GLP Chapter Supported by: Julie Orban,

Gerald Reichenback,

Brian Chow,

GLP Chapter

The committee recommends NON-CONCURRENCE because we are mindful of both the need to protect the Association and its members from potential legal liability, and the privacy issues that arise in membership communication. Mechanisms for chapter executives to communicate with members, with protections against liability to the PEA, already exist.

Committee Recommends: Concurrence _______ Non-Concurrence ü

Delegates Voted: Concurrence _______ Non-Concurrence _______

RESOLUTION #6

WHEREAS it is in the interests of the PEA to encourage more membership participation in the highest levels of the organization; and

WHEREAS the existence of an executive with long and well known service makes it difficult for new challengers to become part of the executive in an organization with a geographically scattered membership; and

WHEREAS most of the professional bodies to which PEA members belong have a tradition of limited executive service and maintain vibrant organizations that serve their members well;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the by-laws of the Association shall be amended to include the following:

No member shall serve more than six (6) consecutive years as a Table Officer. A member may again serve as a Table Officer after a two (2) year period of not serving on the Association Executive in any capacity.

Submitted by: Gerald Reichenback, GLP Chapter Supported by: Julie Orban,

GLP/Chapter

The mover and all signers of this resolution requested in writing on April 18 that it be removed from consideration.

The committee recommends CONCURRENCE with the request to remove the resolution from consideration.

*Resolution #6 is a constitutional resolution. Because the request for withdrawal of this resolution occurred within 45 days of convention, PEA Association Executive Policy provides for convention to approve the request for withdrawal.

Committee Recommends: Concurrence ü Non-Concurrence _______

Delegates Voted: Concurrence _______ Non-Concurrence _______

The committee recommends CONCURRENCE as this would provide the PEA with the opportunity to be more proactive in managing our investments in such a way as to avoid supporting companies that do not reflect positive social, workplace or environmental values.

WHEREAS the PEA recognizes that global warming and other environmental challenges are creating a threat to the planet; and

WHEREAS the PEA recognizes that it has the opportunity to respond to this issue by altering the criteria of its investment policy;

WHEREAS, the current Association Executive investment policy defines limitations on investments as follows:

“The Committee shall not approve investments in companies for whom a major activity is the production or manufacture of guns and weapons of war, or tobacco products.”; and

WHEREAS the PEA investment resources are now valued at over seven and one half million dollars; a

WHEREAS the PEA recognizes that global warming and other environmental challenges are creating a threat to the planet; and

WHEREAS the PEA recognizes that it has the opportunity to recognize and respond to this issue by altering the criteria of its investment policy;

The committee recommends CONCURRENCE as this would provide the PEA with the opportunity to be more proactive in managing our investments in such a way as to support companies that espouse positive environmental values.

Resolutions for consideration at the PEA’s Biennial Convention slated for May 25 and 26 in Victoria must be submitted to the PEA’s Victoria office by April 11, 2007.

In accordance with the Association’s constitution and by-laws, resolutions may be submitted by any member, chapter or the Association Executive, and must be received at the Association's headquarters at least 45 days before convention.

Any resolution submitted by an individual member must be signed by one other member of the Association.

Once reviewed by the Association’s Resolutions Committee, copies of the resolutions will be mailed to all convention delegates and chapters at least 30 days prior to convention.

Members may refer to the Resolutions Guide under the Convention box on the PEA home web page for more information regarding the submission of resolutions.

The 2007 PEA convention will be held on Friday May 25 and Saturday May 26, 2007 at the Laurel Point Inn in Victoria, as determined by the Association Executive at its October 16, 2006 meeting in Vancouver. In accordance with a motion approved by delegates at the 2005 convention, the Association holds biennial conventions in odd-numbered years and an Association education conference in alternate years.

Convention activities will include reports from the President, Secretary-Treasurer and Association Executive Director, as well as the election of table officers for the following two years. Members will also debate and vote on convention resolutions submitted by members, chapters or the Executive, and hear from speakers on various topics. The deadline for the submission of resolutions is Wednesday April 11, 2007. Resolutions must be received in the PEA's Victoria office by that date for consideration at the convention.

There will be a convention dinner at 6:30 on Friday evening, with a no-host bar available prior to dinner. Delegates will be allowed to bring one guest to the dinner, paid for by the Association, on a first come-first served basis based on space availability. Travel and any other expenses of guests are the responsibility of the delegate.

The convention delegate entitlement for each chapter is determined by Executive policy based on the numbers of members in each chapter on January 26, 2007. Chapters will be notified of entitlement after that date. Each chapter is entitled to one delegate for each 50 members or part thereof. Members of the Association Executive attend the convention by right and do not count against the chapter's delegate entitlement.

Delegates will be provided with leave, accommodation, meals and travel costs in accordance with PEA policies.

Delegates to Convention

The list of delegates and committee members for the 2007 Biennial Convention is available at this link.

Delegates to Convention

Send mail to the PEA webmaster with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: October 03, 2007

Send mail to the PEA webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: October 03, 2007