Dal Women's Centre short-handed
The DWC examines its staff structure after co-ordinator quits
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DWC board member, Kaley Kennedy (centre) puts forth motion at annual general meeting. (Photo: Michelle Hampson)
The Dalhousie Women's Centre (DWC) has been sporadically open this term since the co-ordinator, its only staff member, quit during the summer and was not replaced. Members voted last night at the annual general meeting to create three working groups, one to draft a proposal for staff structure.
The DWC budget normally allocates $30,000 to fund the now-vacant position of co-ordinator.
Currently, the centre is open on Mondays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., because of Collette Clementson. She was hired and paid by department of student services, separate from DWC funding, to be the international student assistant to the co-ordinator.
Although there is no longer a co-ordinator to assist, Clementson continues to work two, five-hour shifts a week. Volunteers run the centre during rest of the week, when they can.
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DWC members fill out their ballot for the new board. All five members who ran were elected. (Photo: Michelle Hampson)
At last night's meeting, newly-elected board member Kaley Kennedy, put forth a motion to create three working groups that will address:
- Drafting a preliminary budget for the 2011-2012 year
- Updating the constitution to reflect standard governance procedures, the King's Student Union and Dalhousie Student Union's society policies, and Nova Scotia Societies Act
- Drafting a proposal for a staff structure including job description
"Be it further resolved," Kennedy added, "that the intern board will call a special general meeting to discuss the recommendations of the procedure."
The motion was passed. No objections were raised by the almost 20 people present.
Kennedy says she brought forth the motion because she was concerned about the centre and "wanted to make sure the governing structure was proper before major decisions were made."
Two staff structure proposals were brought to the meeting, but since the working group motion was passed, these were not discussed. The motion was meant to allow a more thorough review of staff structure proposals.
The working group on staff structure will look at both staffing models brought to the meeting, in addition to doing further research on the issue.
DWC members have been debating what staff structure is suitable for the centre. Some believe three volunteers should be given honourariums, while others believe two part-time staff members should be hired.
Emily Davidson, a DWC member who attended last night's meeting, is in favour of the latter structure.
After the meeting, she said, "I'm really excited about how we just gave ourselves some time so that that model of a staffing situation can be brought up, a model that looks at a different type can be looked at. [We can] be more thorough, so that when we get together at the special general meeting, we can make some firm decisions."
The DWC mandate is to assist women, and any one dealing with oppression. It is located next to the Dalplex, and provides a "safe-space" and home-away-from-home for all staff, faculty and students at Dalhousie University and the University of King's College.
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