Women and Gender Equity Committee

Although many gains in women's rights have been made over the decades, the struggle for gender equality in the workplace and in society at large is far from over. The Women and Gender Equity Committee (formerly Status of Women Committee) works on strategies for increasing diversity and achieving equality in our institutions and in our communities. FPSE representatives regularly receive training and skills-building workshops on human rights, diversity, and equity issues. Additionally, FPSE's Annual General Meeting offers participants an annual opportunity to explore current rights issues.

Committee Members

Chair	Thompson Rivers University Faculty Association Mahtab Nazemi
Staff Rep
Local Reps
Local 1	Capilano University Faculty Association Essya Nabbali
Local 2	Thompson Rivers University Faculty Association Mahtab Nazemi (Co-representative) (Chair) Natalie Clark (Co-representative)
Local 3	Faculty Association of the College of New Caledonia Bill Gottschall
Local 4	Douglas College Faculty Association Dorrita Fong
Local 5	Kwantlen Faculty Association Mina Sahota
Local 6	College of the Rockies Faculty Association Amber Petersen
Local 7	University of the Fraser Valley Faculty & Staff Association A. Lauren Couture
Local 8	Vancouver Island University Faculty Association Eliza Gardiner
Local 9	Okanagan College Faculty Association Eva Gavaris
Local 10	Selkirk College Faculty Association Leesa Dean
Local 11	Academic Workers’ Union (Coast Mountain College) Yuriko Riesen
Local 12	Camosun College Faculty Association Deidre Murphy
Local 14	Langara Faculty Association Vacant
Local 15	Vancouver Community College Faculty Association Jennifer Cummins
Local 16	North Island College Faculty Association Cynthia Zhao
Local 17	TRU Open University Faculty Association Georgann Cope Watson
Local 19	Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Employees’ Association Beverly McLean
Local 21	Education & Training Employees' Association Vacant
Local 22	Emily Carr University of Art + Design Faculty Association Vacant
Local 24	Quest University Faculty Union Vacant
Exec Liaison	FPSE Vice President 1 Jasmine Nicholsfigueriedo
NRFC Liaison	Vacant

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

Develop a general plan of activities for each upcoming year and present this plan to the Presidents’ Council.
Encourage the establishment of Status of Women Committees within member unions.
Organize and offer workshops and other forms of educational activities.
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.
Remain cognizant of initiatives through government relating to women.
Work cooperatively, as appropriate and feasible, with other organizations and institutions involved in status of women-related activities.
Maintain ongoing contact with each local’s Status of Women Committee.
Act as an advocate for the rights of women in the college and institute system in BC.

Terms of Reference

Reporting: 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.

A member will be appointed by the Executive Committee, with voice but without vote, to act as liaison between the Standing Committee, the Executive, and Presidents' Council.

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 must be the designated representative of a local to continue being Chairperson.

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.

Resources of Interest

Status of Women Committee Resource Guide
Child Care Survey (October 2009)