Climate Action Standing Committee

The FPSE Climate Action Standing Committee seeks to assist locals in pursuing initiatives to address the climate emergency. Climate impacts are inevitable and necessarily linked with issues of concern to unions and union members such as collective agreement language, education curriculum, health and safety of workers, and work to achieve environmental, racial, social, and economical justice for all. As such, the committee will coordinate and collaborate with other FPSE committees as needed early in policy development processes through a climate action lens. The committee will work together to advance the broader understanding of the inevitable impacts of climate change to increase perspectives and communication in interconnected.

Committee Members

Chair	Okanagan College Faculty Association Rosalind Warner
Staff Rep
Local Reps
Local 1	Capilano University Faculty Association Tahmina Shayan
Local 2	Thompson Rivers University Faculty Association Christine Petersen
Local 3	Faculty Association of the College of New Caledonia Jennifer Little
Local 4	Douglas College Faculty Association Kim Trainor
Local 5	Kwantlen Faculty Association Kathy Dunster
Local 6	College of the Rockies Faculty Association Sheena Svitich (Co-Chair)
Local 7	University of the Fraser Valley Faculty & Staff Association Daniel Smythe / Ted Zak
Local 8	Vancouver Island University Faculty Association Vacant
Local 9	Okanagan College Faculty Association Rosalind Warner
Local 10	Selkirk College Faculty Association Rob Macrae
Local 11	Academic Workers’ Union (Coast Mountain College) Chris Gee
Local 12	Camosun College Faculty Association Ian Browning
Local 14	Langara Faculty Association Bradley Hughes
Local 15	Vancouver Community College Faculty Association Skye Richards
Local 16	North Island College Faculty Association Amber Stroeder
Local 17	Thompson Rivers Open University Faculty Association Steven Earle
Local 19	Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Employees’ Association Lara Condello
Local 21	Education and Training Employees' Association Vacant
Local 22	Emily Carr University of Art + Design Faculty Association Kristy Waller
Local 24	Quest University Faculty Union Vacant
Exec Liaison	FPSE Member-at-Large Sharon Mansiere
NRFC Liaison	Vacant

Responsibilities

Develop a general plan of activities for each upcoming year and recommend this plan to the Presidents’ Council.

Develop and recommend to Presidents’ Council strategic initiatives focused on the climate crisis, including through the collective bargaining process.

In conjunction with other Standing Committees, ensure that locals advocate for climate justice and climate action to address the climate emergency and the protection of ecosystems.

Share resources on best practices related to the development and implementation of climate-change pedagogy in institutional and union education.

Work cooperatively, as appropriate and feasible, with other organizations and institutions to act on the climate emergency.

Committee members may be recommended, by this committee, to represent FPSE on affiliates’ (e.g., CAUT, CLC, BCFed…) complementary committees and working groups.

Liaise with specific local, provincial, national and international organizations which advocate for climate justice and recommend Presidents’ Council formalize those relationships.

In consultation with FPSE Academic Governance resources, support Presidents’ Council in the assessment of climate action and impacting policies and processes from institutions’ boards, senates, education councils, and those that come directly out of the President’s offices.

Terms of Reference

Reporting to:	Reports regularly to the FPSE President and the Presidents’ Council.
Composition:	The Climate Action Standing Committee is composed of one designated representative from each local. Members are appointed by their local Presidents. 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.
Meetings:	Such meetings as are required to fulfill the Committee’s responsibilities allocated to it. The Committee may substitute or include a workshop or conference for a meeting. The Committee shall weigh the climate impact of travel when deciding whether to hold face-to-face meetings. The committee will have at least two formal meetings every year with one intended to be in‑person and the other virtual. Committee ad hoc working groups will meet virtually.
Chairperson:	The Committee shall elect a new Chairperson, for a 2-year term, 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 a local representative. The Chairperson is a voting member of the Committee. 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 Presidents’ Council meetings 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
Vice-Chair	The Committee shall elect a new Vice-Chair at the last meeting of the Committee held prior to the convening of the Annual General Meeting and Convention. Should the Chair be unavailable, the Vice-Chair shall assume the role and duties of the Chairperson.
Observers:	By invitation of the Chair.
Quorum:	A majority of those member locals that have appointed Climate Action Standing Committee representatives.
Voting:	Positions adopted by consensus among designated representatives; otherwise by simple majority of those voting.
Funds:	As allocated in the annual budget.
Policy Statement:	The FPSE Climate Action Standing Committee seeks to assist locals in pursuing initiatives to address the climate emergency. Climate impacts are inevitable and necessarily linked with issues of concern to unions and union members such as collective agreement language, education curriculum, health and safety of workers, and work to achieve environmental, racial, social, and economic justice for all. As such, the committee will coordinate and collaborate with other FPSE committees as needed early in policy development processes through a climate action lens. This committee will work together to advance the broader understanding of the inevitable impacts of climate change to increase perspectives and communication on interconnected issues.
Responsibilities:	This committee will: Develop a general plan of activities for each upcoming year and recommend this plan to the Presidents’ Council. Develop and recommend to President’s Council strategic initiatives focused on the climate crisis, including through the collective bargaining process. In conjunction with other Standing Committees, ensure that locals advocate for climate justice and climate action to address the climate emergency and the protection of ecosystems. Share resources on best practices related to the development and implementation of climate-change pedagogy in institutional and union education. Work cooperatively, as appropriate and feasible, with other organizations and institutions to act on the climate emergency. Committee members may be recommended, by this committee, to represent FPSE on affiliates’ (e.g., CAUT, CLC, BCFed…) complementary committees and working groups. Liaise with specific local, provincial, national and international organizations which advocate for climate justice and recommend Presidents' Council formalize those relationships. In consultation with FPSE Academic Governance resources, support President’s Council in the assessment of climate action and impacting policies and processes from institutions’ boards, senates, education councils, and those that come directly out of the President’s offices.

Resources of Interest