Women in the I:'W.A. made history at the 2000
convention when a constitutional resolution
was passed establishing a national women’s
committee.

Delegates unanimously adopted a resolution
submitted by four locals which called for a for-
mal, permanent women’s committee to be
enshrined in the constitution.

The function of the committee is to act as an
advisory board to the national executive board
on matters pertaining to women’s issues and
formulate and adopt policy matters.

Part of its mandate will be to develop and
coordinate training programs for women and
make recommendations to the national execu-
tive for approval prior to any program, recom-

is

iy

¢ Local 2171 member Brenda Wagg (ri;

ight), current chairperson of the National Women’s Com-

mittee, joins her Brothers from the local union.

Permanent Women’s Committee Formed in Constitution

mendation or policy changes being implemented.

Brenda Wagg, the chairperson, of the women’s
standing committee, thanked the constitutions
committee and the convention for the motion of
concurrence and approval.

“Brothers and Sisters, this resolution will pro-
vide the I.W.A. Women’s Committee with a
structure and a mandate an a process to democ-
ratically elect women to the committee,” said
Sister Wagg. “Women are proud to be members
of this proud union with a bright future and I’m
happy to say that the Women’s Committee,
being constitutionally recognized, is part of that
future.”

The committee will have a chairperson, four
vice chairpersons and a secretary and will be

elected every two years at an annual I.W.A.
national women’s educational conference. Addi-
tional women’s conferences shall be called when
deemed advisable by the national executive
board in consultation with the National Women’s
Committee.

Delegates elected from locals shall be accred-
ited. Each local will be entitled to one delegate for
every 1,000 members or fraction thereof.

The committee will meet up to four times annu-
ally. All locals will be notified of the committee
meeting at least 14 days in advance.

Any members of the I.W.A. in good standing
shall be entitled to attend committee meeting as
an observer with voice but no vote and minutes of
those meetings will be forwarded to local unions.

e This year’s convention saw an increasing number of women delegates from various parts of Canada taking an active role in the I.W.A.

LUMBERWORKER/DECEMBER, 2000/17