1919 WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE CENTENARY CONFERENCE (WGSCC) COMMITTEE:
MINUTES: MONDAY, JULY 16, 2018 | UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG
Present:
Jim Naylor (Chair)
Krishna Lalbiharie
Janis Thiessen
Scott Price
Tim Gordienko
Jim Mochoruk
Sharon Reilly
David Camfield
Rhonda L. Hinther
Jeff Taylor
1. REPORT FROM MEETING WITH CENTRAL COMMITTEE
The umbrella central committee, established by the Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) — and now referred to as the Advisory Committee — met on July 3, 2018. The meeting of said reported generally on finances in connection with all activities and affirmed an overall funding commitment of $900,000.00 to all 1919 Strike-related events. The committee also reported on developments within the History and Education Committee.
Jeff Taylor met with the MFL in respect of the Graphic History project, which will be produced at a reasonable price point in print ($20) and online (free) and paid for entirely by the MFL. A number of copies will be provided for free to unions, too.
The Graphic History Collective will provide copy by the end of August to publishers. Jim Naylor suggests that we should organize a book launch at some point (possibly at McNally Robinson). We will also determine advertising and promotion fees for ads with various publishers and periodicals. Jim also mentioned that he will be writing the introduction to the Graphic History book and spoke about furthering some discussion about the positives and negatives concerning the “Street Car” motif as a conference brand.
Jim reports the MFL will likely have some additional monies to provide to various other projects later on, and that the MFL might be interested in developing an ongoing relationship in support of a labour history and education program.
2. SSHRC GRANT UPDATE AND FINANCES
The WCSCC was unfortunately not awarded its SSRHC grant, but we will re-apply for said by the August 1, 2018 deadline. No explanation was forwarded re: application rejection, but it was generally suggested that we ought to reapply with a greater emphasis on highlighting outreach initiatives re: Connection category criteria — this, including further educational-entertainment options throughout the conference. Scott Price and Jim Mochoruk raised the idea of roundtable and keynote podcasts as examples of said. Social media live presentations are also a possibility.
Given that our denial might be connected with budget matters, it was moved that we ought to drop the second keynote option in our application.
Krishna will immediately pursue securing our keynote options, beginning with Jane McAlevey as our top choice, followed by Saru Jayaraman.
Jim Mochoruk indicates that we can shave off expenses re: SSHRC application by dropping the second keynote option, for example. Jim M. also suggests that we prioritize our expenses by ensuring first that our roundtable participants are fully funded re: travel, followed by grad students, activists and the precariously employed. Jim M. also recommends that we encourage, where applicable, conference participants to secure funding options from their representative organizations, unions, etc.
Jim Naylor and Janis Thiessen mentioned that we have further grant funding possibilities up to $20K re: University of Winnipeg’s Riley Foundation.
Jeff Taylor indicates that, regardless of our successes (or not) re: SSHRC, we have some guaranteed financial security via the U of M’s Faculty of Arts Dean’s Office.
Jim Naylor reports that our major funding sources/potentials include: SSHRC, the U of M (Faculty of Arts Dean’s Office), the U of W, MFL and conference registrations.
Jeff Taylor indicates that if we continue to be denied funding through SSHRC — this, other than for technical reasons or something substantively missed in the application — our lack of success could be owing to political reasons, in which case we might want to pursue some sort of public intervention or campaign.
3.BILLY BRAGG
Rhonda L. Hinther indicates that things re: pursing Billy Bragg are ongoing, with Jason Hooper continuing options and opportunities.
Janis Thiessen mentioned that we might be able to apply to the University of Winnipeg re: conferring an honouray degree to Bragg, which may serve to encourage Bragg’s participation.
Discussion concerning the CCPA’s involvement needs to be further discussed. We will invite Jason Hooper to attend our next meeting re: costs covered (and by whom) and what Bragg-event iterations are available to us.
4. DISCUSSION RE: ADDITION OF DISABILITIES ROUNDTABLE SPEAKER REPRESENTATIVE
It was decided that we leave the roundtable compositions as is, but that we seek to find space within the conference (if possible) to include a panel or session on workers with disabilities, similarly to proposed efforts regarding a student and youth workers panel. Rhonda suggests that should someone from the Building an Inclusive Labour Movement roundtable bow-out, we prioritize securing a replacement from the workers with disabilities community.
5.WGSCC COMMITTEE STRUCTURE: LOGISTICS AND COMMUNICATIONS ADDITIONS
Currently, the WGSCC committee includes both finance and roundtable subcommittees. Jim Naylor proposes the creation of a Conference Logistics Committee, which will directly oversee tasks concerning the execution of events. Jim Naylor, Krishna, Paul Jenkins and Janis Thiessen volunteer as members.
Krishna suggests that we also create a Communications and Public Relations Committee, to which Krishna, Jim Naylor and Rhonda have agreed to participate. Krishna will connect with MFL Communications and Research Coordinator Andrew Todd.
Krishna will revise our current website such that the front page graphics display fits properly; the Call for Papers section no longer forms our homepage; and will advertise our finalized list of roundtable participants at 1919-2019.com and on Facebook. Krishna will also see about switching from wordpress.com’s limited format to another web platform — this, with a full web relaunch and social media push come the Fall.
6. PUBLICATIONS CONNECTED WITH THE CONFERENCE
Jim Naylor advised that we might want to investigate further publication possibilities in connection with the conference, including special 1919 issues of progressive periodicals alongside special volumes with publishing houses, such as Fernwood, etc.
7. ASSOCIATION OF UNITED UKRAINIAN CANADIANS (AUCC) REPORT
Tim Gordienko reported on the success of the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians’ (AUCC) 100thanniversary gala event, which took place at the Ukrainian Labour Temple on May 12, 2018.
Tim reports that a number of renovations to the Labour Temple are being proposed, including accessibility upgrades. Discussions are ongoing with the AUUC. A meeting in September is being planned, in which it is critical to articulate how improvements to the temple will benefit the AUCC.
8. NEXT MEETING: TBD