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Regionalization
in the NCR
- What does it mean?
What is regionalization?
For many years, PSAC members
have wanted to play a significant role in their Union. But the
PSAC is a very large and multifaceted organization. Some have
felt lost in it or not a real part of it. In response to this,
the political and administrative structures have undergone significant
changes.
In 1994, at the Triennial PSAC
Convention, the Constitution was changed to place more power
and authority in the regions. The Alliance Executive Committee
- a National President and four Executive Vice-Presidents at
headquarters - would be changed, in two stages. First, one of
the four Executive Vice-President positions was abolished, and
replaced by a Regional Executive Vice-President for Quebec.
Three years later, in 1997, two more Executive Vice-President
positions disappeared, and were replaced by six Regional Executive
Vice-Presidents (REVPs). The new
Alliance Executive Committee has one National President,
one National Executive Vice-President and seven REVPs.
Each REVP lives in his or her
Region. They are closer and therefore more directly accountable
to the membership. Among other duties, they are in charge of
the Regional Offices and the delivery of education. They are
the PSAC's political voice in their regions. They will chair
their Regional Councils. And they are advocates for their regions
within the PSAC as a whole, while at the same time having national
responsibilities as assigned by the National President.
There are seven regions: Quebec,
the North,
British Columbia, the Prairies,
Ontario, the National
Capital Region, and the
Atlantic Region. T
OK, but what does
all this mean for my Local?
My first priority is to get a
Regional Council established. Given
the small geographic size of the NCR compared to other regions,
it is possible to have the Locals directly involved in running
this Council. Here are just a few areas that a Regional Council
could help with:
- Communications
- Faulty communication has been a constant problem in the
NCR. The sheer number of members (40,000) has made it difficult
to get information out to them, or to hear from them. A Regional
Council would be a forum in which Local representatives, among
others, could share information, produce a communications
network, have their voices heard directly by the Alliance
leadership, and generally get plugged in.
- Local
Development - Local leaders in this region have
often found it difficult to reach their own members. Poor
turnout at Local meetings and burned-out activists have been
the result. This has a variety of causes. Very large Locals
spread out over many worksites, for example, present enormous
challenges, even to the most energetic and dedicated of Local
executive members and stewards. A Regional Council could run
a "Locals Helping Locals" program where ideas, strategies,
and various resources are shared.
- Education
- The regionalization of education gives us an opportunity
to tailor available courses to the needs of Locals and the
region, and to develop new kinds of training if and when the
needs arises.
- The "Two Sides of the River" Problem
- A Regional Council could provide a solidarity-building forum,
linking the members in the Outaouais and Ottawa-Carleton with
better communications and shared activities.
How do we contribute
our ideas and input?
Suggestions, ideas
and concerns are always welcome. You may send them to me in
writing if you wish:
Maria M. Fitzpatrick
Regional Executive Vice-President,
National Capital Region, Public Service Alliance of Canada,
15 Holland Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4T2
or by fax (613)
761-7606
or by e-mail at
fitzpam@psac-afpc.com
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