UPDATE MAGAZINE July/August 2015
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BCNU DAY
A PROUD HISTORY, AN EXCITING FUTURE 3 2
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JUNE 11 – BCNU DAY – WAS AN EXTRA SPECIAL occasion this year. The date marked the grand opening of the union’s new Education Centre. The proceedings started under sunny skies with a welcome from First Nations Elder Margaret George from the Tsleil Waututh Nation. President Gayle Duteil then welcomed the over 150 guests. “This Education Centre belongs to the membership of the BC Nurses’ Union,” she said. “It is your centre – a place that is symbolic of your profound commitment to the values and ideals of your union – a union that in turn recognizes that members are at the heart of everything we stand for.” Burnaby Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, provincial opposition leader John Horgan and other elected officials were on hand to congratulate BCNU members on their new facility. Guests got a chance to tour the building and learned about its high energy efficient standards and facilities for hosting the union’s extensive educational programs on-site and via teleconferencing province-wide. Construction of the Education Centre was approved by BCNU Council in 2011. The project stayed on budget, and now the facility will allow for the delivery of services in-house, saving money on events and meetings that were previously held off-site. “It is my sincere hope that this Education Centre will become a hub of learning, and the sharing and generation of ideas and knowledge about professional nursing, labour and human rights and workplace health and safety,” said Duteil at the closing of the event. update TAKE A TOUR!
Members are welcome to drop in to see the new building anytime between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday’s until the end of August. Visit www.bcnu.org for BCNU Education Centre virtual tour videos.
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THE PEOPLE 1. BCNU’s Council gathered for its inaugural meeting in the new fifth floor boardroom. 2. BCNU President Gayle Duteil, Executive Councillor Deb Ducharme, Vice President Christine Sorensen, Treasurer Mabel Tung and Executive Councillor Dan Murphy buried a time
capsule that will not be opened for 25 years. 3. Senior citizen Eva Webb celebrated her 100th birthday and was saluted by all in attendance. She was accompanied by her granddaughter and BCNU professional advocacy officer Suzie Ford. 4. Five former BCNU
presidents were on hand. From left: Cathy Ferguson, Debra McPherson, Colleen Bonner, Ivory Warner, Gayle Duteil and Wilma Buckley. 5. Tsleil Waututh nation Elder Margaret George told guests of her experience in the residential school system.