Category: Council Summary

Brief summary of Council proceedings.

Posted on

October 2019 Council Summary

For the full October GM/Council package, see here.

The next Council meeting will take place on November 28 in MC 110.

Speaker’s Corner: 4-5 pm (prior to Council meetings, last Thursday of the month) @ the Grad Club. For all Council related matters, contact speaker@sogs.ca.

Upcoming Events:
  • Family Halloween Party: Monday, Oct. 28 @5pm. Costume party for the little ones + pumpkin carving + costume contest and loot bags for kids + parents in costume get a free cocktail! Pizza party. $5 per SOGS member and $10 for non-members, kids are free. See our Facebook event for more details.
  • Harry Potter Trivia: Wednesday, October 30 @7pm at the Grad Club. There will be a special Harry Potter-themed appetizer menu.
  • Monthly Karaoke Night: Friday, November 15 at 7 pm
  • Board Game Night: Wednesday, November 20 at 7 pm. We have over 60 board games, so there is something for everyone.
  • Beers and Peers networking event: Wednesday, November 20 from 6-8 pm at the Grad Club.  
Important Deadlines:

2018-2019 HEALTH CLAIMS must be sent to the insurance company by November 30. If you mail them out at the SOGS office, you will need to bring them in by mid-November to ensure they are processed in time.

Self-Care and Support
  • SOGS Peer Advisor for Academic Matters: Ariana Potichnyj (advisor.academic@sogs.ca)
  • Graduate Peer Support (GPS): Drop-In Sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-7 pm in the Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, room 1110. (@Western.SOGS facebook.com/events/2290381097940907/)
  • Dissertation drop-in: Fridays from 10 am – 3:45 pm. Bring your lunch, coffee and snacks, and write in a stress-free space all day in the SOGS multi-purpose room.
 SOGS Financial Support and Funds
New Commissioners for the Council year:
Call for Nominations:

SOGS members in good standing wishing to nominate themselves to any of the following positions must send their nomination (and an optional 1-page election poster/platform) to the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) no later than November 19 at 5:00 pm EST.

  • SOGS Pride Commissioner
    The Pride Commissioner advocates on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ SOGS members. In addition to representing the community’s interests at SOGS Council meetings, the Pride Commissioner helps connect students to resources, supports local LGBTQIA+ events, and seeks out ways to support LGBTQIA+ individuals.
  • SOGS Chief Returning Officer
    The role of SOGS Chief Returning Officer (CRO) is primarily to oversee elections and referenda. For more details please see the latest Constitution and Bylaws document, particularly sections 2.2.3, 2.4, 2.19.3.3, and 3.3. If you have questions about the position, please contact speaker@sogs.ca.
  • Members for the Appeals Review Commission
    The role of the Appeals Review Commission is to rule on appeals relating to presidential elections and referenda. For more details please see the latest Constitution and Bylaws document, particularly sections 2.4.2., 2.4.10, 3.2.7, 3.2.8, and 3.3.1. If you have questions about the position, please contact speaker@sogs.ca.
Motions
  • A motion was passed to revise Bylaw 2.15.4.4. to read: “Written minutes must be recorded by an office staff member or Executive member in attendance at the meeting. The minutes shall be presented at the next Council meeting.”
  • A motion was passed approving a letter in support of Western Librarians and Archivists to be sent on behalf of SOGS in by the Executive Committee to Western’s President, Provost, and Chair of the Board of Governors.
  • A motion was passed to revise bylaw 2.2.6.5 to adjust Commissioner reporting times in the Fall term to support and align reasonable expectations of newly elected incumbents. (Commissioners are elected in October.)
  • A motion was passed to ratify the updated Grad Club Policy document. The policy was updated include language for Non-Disclosure and Code of Ethics documents. 
  • A motion submitted from the floor was passed to extend the Freedom of Expression ad-hoc committee term to September 2020.

 

 

 

Posted on

September 2019 Council Summary

For the full September Council package, see here.

The next Council meeting will take place October 24th in MC 110.

Speaker’s Corner: 4-5pm (prior to Council meetings, *last Thursday of the month) @ the Grad Club. For all Council related matters, contact speaker@sogs.ca.

Upcoming Events:

  • Graduate wellness week 2019 Events: (All additional info is found at sogs.ca/wellness-week or on the SOGS Facebook page)
    • Craft Night @ The Grad Club (Monday, Sept. 30 @7pm)
    • Strengths Seminar (Tuesday, Oct. 1 in IGAB room 1N05 @1:30pm.) Take the GALLOP STRENGTHS test (first 15 students are FREE, after that it’s $17 per student). 
    • Trivia Night at the Grad Club (Tuesday, Oct. 1 @ 7pm)
    • Financial Literacy Seminar (Wed. Oct. 2 @ 10am-1pm in IGAB Atrium). REGISTRATION REQUIRED
    • Wellness Forum (Thurs. Oct. 3 @10am-1pm in the IGAB Atrium) ** REGISTRATION REQUIRED
    • Rick McGhie at the Grad Club (Thurs. Oct. 3 @7pm)
    • Family Football Game (Saturday, Oct. 5 @1pm at TD Stadium). *Students get in free by showing student ID + 4 FREE tickets for family.  Get your family tickets here. Used code “SOCIALSOGS” at the check-out. 
    • WEEK LONG FITNESS PASSES! Get your fitness card at the SOGS office! Go to 5 fitness classes + head over to the WEC and the Student Health Services to get the back of your card stamped and be entered to win a $100 gift card for groceries. 
    • WEEKLONG HEALTHY LUNCHES at the Grad Club! See the menu here. 
  • GRADtoberfest @ The Grad Club. October 17 @7pm. $10 for members | $15 for non-members. Buy tickets in the SOGS office. Your choice of: Octoberfest sausage, veggie sausage, and chicken schnitzel + fries and pretzel + beer samples. See our Facebook invite for more details. 
  • Family Halloween Party: Monday, Oct. 28 @5pm. Costume party for the little ones + pumpkin carving + costume contest and loot bags for kids + parents in costume get a free cocktail! Pizza party. $5 per adult, kids are free. See our Facebook invite for more details.

Self-Care and Support

  • SOGS Peer Advisor for Academic Matters: Ariana Potichnyj (advisor.academic@sogs.ca)
  • Graduate Peer Support (GPS) Drop-In Sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-7 pm in the Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, room 1110. Lear more on our Facebook Event listing
  • Dissertation drop-in: Fridays from 10am-3:45pm. Bring your lunch, coffee and snacks, and write in a stress-free space all day in the SOGS multi-purpose room.

 SOGS Financial Support and Funds

Guest Speaker

  • Declan Hodgins, USC Secretary-Treasurer, presented a report on the SOGS UCC fee and which USC services benefit graduate students.

Elections

  • Call for Commissioner (Accessibility, Indigenous, Pride, Racial Equity and Inclusivity, and Women’s Concerns) nominations: Submit nominations to speaker@sogs.ca by 4pm on October 15th (elections to take place at October Council)

Motions

  • A motion to give Vice Presidents voting rights at all SOGS meetings, including Council and committee meetings was referred to the Bylaws and Constitution Committee for review.
  • All other motions will be discussed at the next Council meeting due to loss of quorum.

 

Posted on

August 2019 Council / General Meeting Summary

August 2019 General Meeting/Council Summary

Read the full August General Meeting / Council package, see here.

The next Council meeting will take place September 26th in MC 110.

Speaker’s Corner: 4-5pm (prior to Council meetings, last Thursday of the month) @ the Grad Club. For all Council related matters, contact speaker@sogs.ca.

Upcoming Events:
  • SOGS Fall Orientation for Graduate Students. All events are or start at the Grad Club. Some events require tickets, which can be purchased in MC room 8.

MONDAY, Sept. 9
    • Family BBQ *Kids eat free*. Tickets $5 at SOGS office. Bring your own white fabrics to tie-dye. 
    • Bring Your Own Crafts Night: 7pm. 
TUESDAY, Sept. 10
    • Drop in Breakfast: 8:30-11am Free coffee. 
    • International Graduate Student Issues Committee Meet & Greet: 3-5pm.
    • Meet Your Commissioners event: 5-7pm. Ice cream. Prizes and trivia!
    • Trivia Night. Prizes for winning teams. Get there early to grad a good seat. 
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11

 

    • Welcome to Your Grad Club: 4-7pm. Appetizers and prizes. 
    • Board Game Night: 7-11pm.
THURSDAY, Sept. 12

 

    • Amazing Race: 1:30-3:30pm. Starts at the Grad Club. Sign-up via the link on our Facebook event page. Huge prizes: $200, $150, $100 gift vouchers + free tickets to Bonfire Night for top 3 winning teams. All participants earn a $5 gift voucher for the Grad Club. 
    • Gradcast Trivia Night: 5-7pm. Meet the Gradcast committee! Gradcast is the official radio show of SOGS.
    • Bonfire Night: 7pm, Corn on the cob, hot dogs + drink. Unlimited s’mores. Movie theatre popcorn. Screening of “Dodgeball” $5 tickets available at SOGS. 
FRIDAY, Sept. 13

 

    • Indigenous Graduate Student Breakfast: 9-10:30am. Free breakfast. Sign up via the link on our Facebook event page. 
    • Karaoke Night: 7pm-12am. Complimentary drink tickets (max 3 tickets) for singing (max 1 drink ticket per solo/group song) + pub grub appetizers. 
Self-Care and Support
  • SOGS Peer Advisor for Academic Matters: Ariana Potichnyj (advisor.academic@sogs.ca)
  • Graduate Peer Support (GPS): drop-in will resume in the fall (mid-September) – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-7pm room TBA.
  • Dissertation drop-in: Fridays from 10am-3:45pm. Bring your lunch, coffee and snacks, and write in a stress-free space all day in the SOGS multi-purpose room.
 SOGS Financial Support and Funds
Motions
  • A number of motions were passed regarding amendments to the SOGS Constitution, Bylaws, and Policies. These amendments reflect changes in the SOGS membership structure affected by the Student Choice Initiative. These amendments include: 
    • changes to the membership requirements under section 1.5.1. of the Constitution;
    • addition of a new category of membership for graduate students granted a Leave of Absence;
    • new wording in Section 1.6.1.4. of the Constitution that directs to the Bylaws for determining departmental representation at Council;
    • clarifications to the Duties of Commissioners (Bylaws 2.2.6.);
    • minor wording changes within Chapters 3 and 4;
    • added statement within the Bylaws regarding the Constitution and Bylaws superseding Committee Policy documents;
    • minor wording changes to a number of Committee Policy documents;
    • Changes to the Goblet of Knowledge procedures: SOGS members will receive one free drink from the Goblet as long as they submit a request with minimum notice of 2 business days; non-members may use the Goblet but will not receive a free drink.
  • A motion was passed to use $1600 from the Orientation Handbook line item to purchase additional SOGS swag for orientation.
  • A motion was passed to use a portion of the funds allocated to the Graduate Student Research Assistant position towards funding a Public Relations position.
  • The 2019 year-end financial audited statements were approved.
  • A motion was passed to change the title of the Racialized Commissioner to “Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner.”
Posted on

July 2019 Council Summary

Read the full July Council package here.

The next Council meeting will take place August 22  in MC 110. *Please note this is in conjunction with a SOGS General Meeting.

Speaker’s Corner:4-5pm (prior to Council meetings, last Thursday of the month) @ the Grad Club. SOGS Council Feedback survey: tinyurl.com/SOGSCouncil.  For all Council related matters, contact speaker@sogs.ca.

Upcoming Events:

  • The Grad Club is hiring a new trivia master/mistress. Email gradclub@uwo.ca if you’re interested 
  • The Women’s Concerns Commissioner and the Wellness Education Centre want to organize a Parenting Support Group for Graduate Students. Please help by filling out this survey. 
  • SOGS is commencing the Household Donation Drive on August 1-September 14. Bring your small to medium-sized household goods to the SOGS office. The department with the most donated items wins a sweet prize.
  • Monthly Karaoke Nights: Aug 23, 7pm @ the Grad Club
  • SOGS goes to Canada’s Wonderland! Saturday, August 17 (8am-8pm). $65 per person. Buy your tickets at the SOGS office AFTER the long weekend. 

Self-Care and Support

  • SOGS Peer Advisor for Academic Matters: Ariana Potichnyj (advisor.academic@sogs.ca)
  • Graduate Peer Support (GPS): drop-in will resume in the fall.
  • Dissertation drop-in: Fridays from 10am-3:45pm. Bring your lunch, coffee and snacks, and write in a stress-free space all day in the SOGS multi-purpose room.

 SOGS Financial Support and Funds

Elections

  • SOGS Ombudsperson: Martin LeFebvre was acclaimed.
  • SOGS Racialized Commissioner: Mohammad Sharifi was elected.

Motions

  • A motion was passed to call a SOGS General Meeting on August 22, 2019, to address proposed amendments to the SOGS Constitution. These amendments reflect changes in the SOGS membership structure affected by the Student Choice initiative and must be finalized before the SCI options are put into effect.
  • A motion was passed to schedule the 2019 August SOG Council meeting to coincide with the general meeting on August 22, 2019.
Posted on

June 2019 Council Summary

For the full June Council package, see here.

The next Council meeting will take place July 25th in MC 110.

Speaker’s Corner: 4-5pm (prior to Council meetings, last Thursday of the month) @ the Grad Club. For all Council related matters, contact speaker@sogs.ca.

Upcoming Events:

  • Monthly Bring Your Own Crafts: July 8th, 7pm @ the Grad Club
  • Monthly Board Game Night: July 17th, 7pm @ the Grad Club
  • Monthly Karaoke Nights: July 19th, 7pm @ the Grad Club
  • VRcadia event July 25 (after council) (8pm – ?). Refreshments will be provided. VRcadia is the VR event space at Richmond St. and Oxford St. The owner is a previous SOGS member. Entire space will be booked off for SOGS members.
  • SOGS goes to Canada’s Wonderland! Saturday, August 17 (8am-8pm). $65 per person. Buy your tickets at the SOGS office AFTER the long weekend. 

Self-Care and Support

  • SOGS Peer Advisor for Academic Matters: Ariana Potichnyj (advisor.academic@sogs.ca)
  • Graduate Peer Support (GPS): drop-in will resume in the fall.
  • Dissertation drop-in: Fridays from 10am-3:45pm. Bring your lunch, coffee and snacks, and write in a stress-free space all day in the SOGS multi-purpose room.

 SOGS Financial Support and Funds

Elections

  • Speaker: Lola Wong was acclaimed as the new SOGS Speaker
  • Call for SOGS Ombudsperson nominations (election to take place at July Council): SOGS members in good standing wishing to nominate themselves to the position must send their nomination (as well as an optional 1-page election poster/platform for inclusion in the SOGS Council mail-out) to the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca) no later than July 16th  at 5:00 pm EDT. 

Motions

  • A motion was passed to create the position of Racialized Students’ Commissioner.
  • A motion was passed to provide an honorarium to the GSTA Committee Chair for his service in May-June 2019.
  • A motion passed to delay the start of the Research Assistant position until January 2020.
  • A motion to restructure and update Section 3.6 “Other Policies” and to relocate these policies into a new Chapter 4 entitled “Position Statements” was passed.
  • Motions were passed to extend the Freedom of Expression committee’s term to Fall 2019 in order to plan and execute a Freedom of Expression event in mid-to-late September, and to allocate $200 from the President’s discretionary fund to this September event.
  • A motion was passed to charge HST on SOGS membership dues.
Posted on

May 2019 Council Summary

Read the Council Summary

For the full May Council package, see here.

The next Council meeting will take place June 27th in MC 110.

Speaker’s Corner: 4-5pm (prior to Council meetings, last Thursday of the month) @ the Grad Club. For all Council related matters, contact speaker@sogs.ca.

Upcoming Events:

  • Breaking the Fast BBQ End of Ramadan Celebration: Thursday June 6th, 5-7pm @ the Grad Club.
  • Monthly Bring Your Own Crafts: June 10th, 7pm @ the Grad Club
  • Monthly Board Game Night: June 19th, 7pm @ the Grad Club
  • Monthly Karaoke Night: June 21st, 7-10pm @ the Grad Club

Self-Care and Support

  • SOGS Peer Advisor for Academic Matters: Ariana Potichnyj (advisor.academic@sogs.ca)
  • Graduate Peer Support (GPS): drop-in on Tuesdays (5:30pm-6:30pm) in MC 17 will resume in the fall.
  • Dissertation drop-in: Fridays from 10am-3:45pm.

SOGS Financial Support and Funds

Elections

  • Ombudsperson: SOGS has elected a new Ombudsperson: Martin Lefebvre
  • Call for SOGS Speaker nominations: SOGS members in good standing who wish to nominate themselves to the position of Speaker must send their nomination (and an optional 1-page election poster/platform) to the SOGS Executive (executive@sogs.ca) no later than June 18th at 4:00 pm EDT.

Motions

  • A motion was passed to sign a five-year agreement with SOGS’ current health care provider/broker.
  • A motion was passed to update the Policy Committee Bylaws (2.9.5.11.) to reflect current practice so that the Policy Committee is no longer responsible for maintaining the motions database.
  • A motion was passed to use the remaining 2015-2016 surplus funds ($2180.04) to host one staff event and one event with its wider membership to raise awareness and secure support in the face of the Student Choice Initiative. Any remaining funds from this amount will be used towards SCI expenses.
  • A motion was passed to strike an ad hoc committee to encourage graduate students to remain part of the SOGS membership and to promote the “Stick with SOGS” campaign.
  • A motion was passed to strike an ad hoc committee to assist the Women’s Concerns Commissioner with planning the Take Back the Campus March during October’s Consent and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
Posted on

SOGS January Council Summary

January 31, 2019

  • Full January Council Package (includes reports and agenda).
  • The SOGS Annual General Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 12th, 6:00pm, North Campus Building, room 117. Bring your Western ID!
  • The next council meeting will be on Thursday, February 28th, 6:00pm, Middlesex College, room 110.
  • Speaker’s Corner will happen before every council meeting, Thursdays at 4pm in the Grad Club.

Announcements:

  • The SOGS Presidential Election campaigning period is now open. CRO, Madison Bettle is organizing a Q&A with both candidates on Wednesday, January 30 afternoon in MC 105B – time TBD. PLease watch for an announcement. The polls for voting will be online Feb 4-5. You’ll receive notice from the University Secretariat with a link to vote online.
  • SOGS Annual General Meeting will be on FEBRUARY 12 in NCB 117 at 6 pm.
    • Councillors are not required to attend; Committee Chairs and Commissioners, however, are required to attend to present their reports.
    • All SOGS members are welcome to attend. Bring your WesternOne ID to check in at 5:30 pm.
  • Does your department host wellness events or outings? SOGS offers the Wellness Joint Fund for departments to help support wellness events for graduate students on and off campus. http://sogs.ca/wellness-joint-fund/
  • WINTER GAMES on University Hill event. Free! February 6 from 3:30-5:30pm. Snow person and snow angel making + hot beverages + winter fun and self-care.
  • CFS will be at the Grad Club February 12 and 13 from 10am-4pm to meet with SOGS members and talk about their campaigns AND to issue ISIC cards.
  • CFS will be hosting a COFFEE HOUSE event February 13 at the Grad Club from 5pm-8pm. Bring your poetry and spoken word!
  • Tubing at Boler Mountain – February 23. TIME/COST TBA. Tickets will be made available in the SOGS office.
  • Immigration Info Session with Mia Loebach-Readings, RCIC | Wednesday, February 27th 4:30pm – 6:30pm | UC 3110 Conron Hall | Online Registration to follow.
  • SOGS members – Free tax filing through CFS : ufile.ca
  • GPS committee – MC room 17, Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm.
  • Dissertation drop-in – Fridays all day.

Motions – Summary and Outcomes:

VP of Finance Motion: The motion to approve the 2019-2020 SOGS and Grad Club budgets was passed by council. The full budget breakdown can be found in the council report appendix here. In light of the Ford government’s January 17th announcement regarding student fees, councillors are encouraged to speak to fellow members about what SOGS is and provides, the awards they can apply for, the events they can attend, and the causes they can support.

Finance Committee Motion: The motion to accept the updated Finance Committee policy was passed by council. This update more accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities of the Finance Committee, acting as a useful template for future policy documents.

SOGS President Motion: The motion to strike an ad hoc committee to study SOGS’s structure and that of other graduate student societies in Canada, and for that ad hoc committee to maintain an arms-length relationship with the current executive while adopting the terms of reference outlined in the report, was passed by council. The committee shall have a maximum of eight voting members, elected from the SOGS membership by SOGS Council at the February 2019 Council. The SOGS Ombudsperson will act as ex-officio, non-voting member, and a committee chair will be elected amongst its members.

VP of Advocacy Motions: Two motions from the VP of Advocacy were passed. The first motion regarded writing a letter to the President, Provost, and Chair of the Board of Governors of Western in support of the project to development a general space for Indigenous graduate students. It is important for SOGS to take action and support the needs of Indigenous students, who should have a safe space on campus. The second motion regarded updating the Commissioner Bylaws, so Commissioners report twice per academic term, as well as report to the VP Advocacy prior to the Council package report submission date. This motion is to improve our current reporting methodology, keeping everyone in the process accountable.

Bylaws Committee Motion: The motion to include new Bylaws regarding Presidential nominations was passed. The Bylaws now reflect, In the event that a second nomination period is required for the presidential election, the online polling shall be conducted by the CRO, with assistance from the DCRO, no later than the third full week in March. No access shall be granted to the results of the on-line polling during the election, by any member or employee of the Society, with the exception of the CRO and the DCRO. The CRO and DCRO must verify daily that the on-line polling station remains operational, with the CRO taking ultimate responsibility.

This summary is provided to increase transparency, and to support Councillors in completing their obligations under Bylaw 2.3.5; “shall regularly communicate with his or her constituents concerning the activities, programs, and decisions of the Society”. If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Administrator (sogs.communications@uwo.ca) or the Speaker (speaker@sogs.ca).

As always, check out our website (www.sogs.ca) and follow us on Facebook (@Western.SOGS) and Twitter (@WesternSOGS) for communications, updates, and information about upcoming events!

Proudly powered by WordPress
Skip to content