 The following are the minutes from PGWNet meetings held since the formation of the network. This should provide some background to the network particularly for those who have recently joined or are intending to join. 2001: Special Meeting @ Brisbane Minutes of the Special and Final Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Pacific Graduate Women's Network (PGWNet) held at the Women's College, University of Queensland, Brisbane, at 2pm, 27 July 2002.
Present:
Beverley
Turner NZFGW - Convener PGWNet Steering Committee, in the Chair
Observers:
Louise Croot IFUW Beverley invited Louise Croot, representing the IFUW President, to read a letter of greeting from Reiko Aoki. Greetings were also received from Murielle Joye, Secretary-General of IFUW and Ellen McCrae, President of NZFGW. 2. Apologies
were received from: 3. Meeting
Protocol: The Chair explained that
the 6 groups who were Full Members of PGWNet ( AFUW, NZFGW, FAWG,
SAWG, ATUW,
VAWG) were entitled to 2 votes each and the three newly formed groups
(SIGWA, NAWG, UPNGWA) 4. Adoption
of Agenda: The Chair explained
the rationale for the order of business as given in the Agenda
and that outcomes of all discussions should
be recommendations to the incoming Executive. 5. Minutes
of the previous PGWNet SC Meeting
in Ottawa 2001 6. Correspondence
and Communications: The
Chair reported that apart from regular email communication there
were two pieces of OUTWARDS
communication At this point Lily Vesikula, President Elect of PGWNet, asked for one minute's silence for the late Grace Molisa. This was seconded by Shirley Randell. Both Lily and Shirley spoke of the extremely high regard in which Grace had been held in the Pacific Island nations. One minute's silence was observed. 7. Report of the Convener of the PGWNet Steering Committee: D. Buckley explained that the Convener's Report would be included in the Proceedings of the Regional Conference. Beverley acknowledged the efforts made by D. Buckley and the AFUW -Qld in arranging for the meeting to occur. This was passed with acclamation. Beverley spoke to the key points
in her report: Daphne Buckley moved the adoption of Beverley's report with acclamation. 8. Financial
Report: See attached report: Beverley
spoke to this report. She explained that NZFGW
had offered to pay the dues to PGWNet
for the three newest members - Niue, Solomon Islands and Papua New
Guinea NOTE: Individual member's fee of US$5 p.a. appears appropriate - to be actioned/confirmed by the new PGWNet Executive. 9. Implementation
of PGWNet Constitution: The Constitution
was left lying on the table following the meeting in Ottawa. 10. Composition
of PGWNet Council and Council Officers: The
Chair explained that It was pointed out that By-Laws and time lines for the biennial election of the President are required. It was suggested that there be one month's notice for nomination and that those nominations close one month before a meeting of the Council. Recommendation: That
the incoming Executive prepare By-Laws re nominations and elections.
11. Clarification
of Roles/ Areas of Responsibility: Beverley
explained the importance of the links between the PGWNet Executive,
the Membership Consultant
and the Membership Committee of IFUW. The above process will be subject to review every two years. PGWNet Executive needs to be a lobby group as a regional entity for advocacy, development of resolutions, participation in Conference Interdisciplinary Seminars and Workshops. 12. Membership:
[Background discussion]: This was specifically in response to the fact that Pacific NFAs because of their demographics may not be able to have large enough memberships to qualify for full membership of IFUW (50+)… It was considered that most likely numbers will range from 20 to 50. At this stage Fiji and PNG are the only NFAs likely to go over the 50 mark. IFUW should be asked to recognise this and accommodate small island states such as the Pacific NFAs. [ii] Graduate women considering Individual Membership of PGWNet should discuss this with B. Turner. (b) Practical Support
Aspects: (c) Linkages:
[i] Encouraging collaboration
will be the responsibility of the PGWNet Executive. 13. Recruitment:
14. Publicity
Review: The Chair identified a number
of points that needed to be noted: 15. Reports from Individual Countries: These were to be presented on the Sunday morning as part of the Workshop programme. 16. Looking Ahead: This had been addressed in the Convener's Report. 17. Future Meetings: 18. IFUW Triennial Conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia, 4 - 10 August 2004. J Strauss said that the Conference venue would be Sheraton Hotel and pointed out that there is a large range of alternative accommodation nearby. Pacific Island members were reminded to start early to get any necessary visas. Members were reminded to register with the CIR any interest in pre or post Conference visits, (there will be a new Australian CIR in Nov. 2003.) There is to be one evening free for National Groups and it was suggested PGWNet might like to have a Pacific Regional Social event. 19. Communication: This was deferred to the Sunday morning session on IFUW. 20. Archives: The Chair reminded members about the importance of retaining copies of their Newsletters; of 'backing up' and of retaining copies of significant documents. 21. Other Business: 22. Election of the
Inaugural President of PGWNet: The
Chair announced that Lily Vesikula of FAWG had been nominated by
FAWG and SAWG, her nomination
had been seconded jointly by other members of PGWNet and declared
her "elected unopposed". This was greeted Incoming Executive: Lily then addressed the meeting and acknowledged the work and
commitment of AFUW and NZFGW in the formation of the regional
group. Turner who, as the interim Convener, had been the driving force
in getting PGWNet to this point. She also thanked Daphne Buckley
for her initiative in making this regional workshop possible
and the Queensland branches of AFUW who had been so generous in
their support for this meeting. Dissolution of the
Steering Committee: It was noted that all member nations of PGWNet now need to inform the new PGWNet Executive as to their country representatives to PGWNet Council. [The meeting closed at 5.15pm] Confirmed: Date:
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Progress
since the inaugural meeting in Suva on 24 July 1999