Hi, folks!MINUTES: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2018 | 1:30PM | UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG
1919 GENERAL STRIKE CENTENARY CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Present:
Julie Guard
Janis Thiessen
Jim Naylor
Tim Gordienko
Victor Dobchuk
Paul Moist
Sharon Reilly
David Camfield
Paul Jenkins
Jeff Taylor
Rhonda L. Hinther
Scott Price
Krishna Lalbiharie

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS

(a) SSHRC GRANT: We successfully received our applied SSHRC grant (2ndround) in the full amount of $25,000.00, which we’ve earmarked for conference travel and hotel monies re: roundtable participants and graduate students.

(b) BILLY BRAGG: We have negotiated with the West End Cultural Centre at a rate of 150 tickets at $80 per, alongside a contribution of $3,000.00 to WECC.

There are possibilities for tour dates in Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatoon. Jason Hooper (WECC) is in the process of coordinating possibilities to that end.

Jim Naylor notes that CCPA has dropped-out of sponsoring Bragg.

(c) TENTATIVE CONFERENCE EVENING SCHEDULE:

• Wednesday, May 8, 2019: Opening Event | Location (TBD)
• Thursday, May 9, 2019: Gathering and Keynote (Jane McAlevey) | Ukranian Labour Temple
• Friday, May 10, 2019: West End Cultural Centre (WECC)

Sharon Riley and Jeff Taylor note that efforts out West are being organized in connection with 1919 commemorative activities, and that Jason Hooper should see about coordinating with groups there who might be interested in producing a Bragg tour.

(d) BRAGG HONOURARY DEGREE: Janis Thiessen is given direction to approach the appropriate U of W committees and boards to investigate the conferral of an Honourary Degree to Bragg.

(e) RILEY FELLOWSHIP IN CANADIAN HISTORY: Janis Thiessen reports that her application for conference-related funding has been the only application received by the granting committee – this, in the amount of $20,000.00.

(f) UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG FACULTY OF ARTS FUNDING: Janis Thiessen has also been directed to formally approach the U of W’s Faculty of Arts for funding in the amount of $20,000.000-$30,000.00 (or more) — this, taken together with what the U of M’s Faculty of Arts has promised, which approximates $40,000.00 (+).

(g) COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES AT THE MILLENNIUM LIBRARY: Paul Moist and Janis Thiessen report that a five-part 1919 series in connection with the Millennium Library is in the works, which is shaping-up as follows:

Week One: The 1919 Winnipeg General Strike Tour / 100th Anniversary Edition (Nolan Reilly): March 20, 2019.

Week Two: Labour Protest Songs (Kent Davies; Darryl Reilly; Derek Black): March 27, 2019.

Week Three: Reflection on Revolt: Remembering the Winnipeg General Strike (Book Launch – Dennis Lewycky): April 3, 2019.

Week Four: Brookside Cemetery Virtual Tour (Paul Moist): April 10, 2019.

Week Five: Panel: the Fight for a Better Life – Contemporary Lessons from the General Strike (Basia Sokal; Kevin Rebeck; Indigenous Representative): April 17, 2019 — Note that organizers are contemplating Darla Laird of the CLC to fill the third seat on this panel.

2. COMMITTEES:

(a) Entertainment Committee [Julie Guard, Scott Price, Janis Thiessen, Krishna Lalbiharie]:

Julie Guard reports that the committee met to discuss possibilities of programming local artists and will consult with Jason Hooper about the best means of approaching said.

Dates of local programming would be for the Wednesday, May 8, 2019 opening and possibly for the Friday, May 10, 2019 WECC event (should Bragg fall-through??)

Considerations include: rates of pay re: performers in accordance with union rates.

(b) Finance Committee [Jim Naylor, Jeff Taylor, Jim Mochoruk, Rhonda Hinther, Paul Jenkins, Krishna Lalbiharie]:

SUBSIDIES:

(i) Jim Naylor reports that he will email all roundtable participants re: airfare and hotel bookings subsidies — that each participant’s flight and accommodations are fully paid for, but that we ask, in the event that individuals coming from organizations with providing and affordable budget lines for conference attendance, approach their orgs. to pay “their own way” where possible.

(ii) Jim Naylor reports that he will email students, post-docs, sessional teachers, the underemployed: airfare and hotel bookings subsidies — that each of these participant’s flight and accommodations are fully paid for, but that we ask, in the event that individuals coming from organizations with providing and affordable budget lines for conference attendance, approach their orgs. to pay “their own way” where possible.

Some debate on point (ii) and considering a revised fee for delegates under this category was raised. The Finance Committee will meet to discuss said and offer suggestions in keeping with financial accessibility particularly for students and the underemployed.

(iii) The idea of a daily conference rate was suggested, relative to the estimated regular conference fee of $100.00, which was reflected in our SSHRC grant application. David Camfield noted that we had discussed (as early as 2016) another fee schedule, which provided for other rates reflective of lower-income conference prospectives, etc., which will be revisited by the Finance Committee for discussion and report-back.

(c) Communications Committee [Jim Naylor, Rhonda Hinther, Paul Jenkins, Krishna Lalbiharie]:

(i) Krishna Lalbiharie reports that he will supply a fully revised website by mid-November, which will hopefully include a preliminary conference schedule, booking offerings re: rooms, rates, etc.

(ii) Jim Naylor notes that registration will be carried out through the University of Brandon’s website which will be linked on our page.

(iii) Further social media promotion will be carried out following the re-launch of our website. Krishna will also investigate merch (tote bags, tee shirts, etc.)

(iv) Paul Jenkins was tasked with securing further rooms for attendees.

(d) Programming Committee and Roundtable Committee [David Camfield, Scott Price, Paul Moist, Jim Naylor]:

It’s imperative that we secure facilitators for each roundtable session. This committee will consider candidates re: said.

 
(e) Logistics Committee [Paul Jenkins, Jim Naylor, Janis Thiessen]:

(i) Paul Jenkins is directed to secure buses in advance (possibly 5 buses) for transport to events and for Strike tours. We will also need to acquire tour guides. Kevin Rebeck and Paul Moist are assets for recommending people.

(ii) The idea of doing bag lunches on the bus tours was raised and agreed upon.

(iii) Logistics re: coffee breaks and food was also raised throughout the conference. Janis Thiessen will see about securing quotes from Diversity Catering. Rhonda Hinther will connect with Janis on finances and food.

(iv) Tim Gordienko reports that the Thursday evening at the Ukranian Labour Temple will include a perogie meal, Ukranian dancers, etc. It will also include an historic tour of the Temple.

(v) Krishna will speak with MFL re: 1919 Beer sponsorship.

 
3. NEXT MEETING: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2018

NOTE: A TASK REVIEW SHOULD FORM PART OF EACH WGSCC COMMITTEE MEETING