Women's Action Committee
The Women's Action Committee (WAC) meets twice a year, including a one-day meeting held in conjunction with the annual Women's Conference.
WAC is composed of one academic and one general/professional staff representative from each Division, plus an Indigenous representatives and the female National Officers - currently the National President and National Vice-President (General Staff).
The Division-based representation provides a link between Division caucuses/meetings and the National Office.
The roles and responsibilities of WAC members are:
Participation
- Actively contribute to the work of WAC. This includes assisting with conference organisation, facilitation and participation in debates.
- Promote the work of WAC and the Union by disseminating information to women.
- Play a proactive role in activities for women including Division and Branch Women’s Caucuses.
Organising and Mentoring
- Build on existing structures for women to enhance women’s participation and representation at all levels of the Union.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of Women’s networks at Division and Branch level.
- Encourage other women to participate formally in the Union by mentoring other women activists into leadership and representative roles.
- Organise, in association with Divisions and Branches the implementation of training for women at a Division and/or Branch level. In some cases this may involve the delivery of training by the WAC member.
Accountability and Procedural Responsibilities
- Attend meetings and conferences where possible and notify in timely fashion if unable to attend.
- Be well prepared for meetings and actively seek input from women members through the Division and Branch structures.
- Report on WAC activities, policies and decisions to Divisions and Branches. This shall include a formal report after each WAC meeting and the Women’s Conference to Divisions and Branches for circulation to women members.
- Report to WAC on activities in Divisions.
- Seek information from women about workplace issues in order to incorporate women’s perspectives into the Enterprise Bargaining process.
