![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.une-sen.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/oc_sem_wrapup.png\" "\\"oc_sem_wrapup\\"")
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The Outside Canada region held its regional seminar last weekend. The region includes union members working at the departments formerly known as the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Canadian International Development Agency and P\u0251ssport Canada.<\/p>\n
Given the major changes at these departments, there was a lot to talk about.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith P\u0251ssport Canada being split in two and CIDA merging with DFAIT, I think it\u2019s fair to say that my region is affected,\u201d said Assistant Regional Vice-President Karl Lafreni\u00e8re.<\/p>\n
Lafreni\u00e8re noted that the CIDA Local has been hit especially hard; it\u2019s become the smallest Local in his region, a spot formerly occupied by his p\u0251ssport Local.<\/p>\n
Even the Foreign Affairs Local isn\u2019t immune to all these changes. There\u2019s still some uncertainty about what the amalgamation will mean for the members at 125 Sussex Dr.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs both organizations come together, we can\u2019t help but be nervous about possible reductions,\u201d explained local president Gordon McAllister, who represents members at DFAIT. That said, he\u2019s hopeful that last weekend\u2019s seminar has paved a better future for members of DFAIT and CIDA.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn a positive note, both Locals have agreed to work closely together,\u201d explained McAllister. \u201cI invited their executive as guests to our next annual general meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s also planning other joint meetings with the CIDA Local\u2019s president to better understand each workplace\u2019s issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom my perspective, that\u2019s one of the bigger wins from the seminar; having both Locals work closely together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also notable about this seminar was the great number of young workers present. For Anna Borgognoni, a young worker from Local 70044, this seminar was her introduction to the UNE.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing into the event, I was quite nervous and unsure of what to expect,\u201d admitted Borgognoni. \u201cI was quickly embraced by the group, who provided me with information, answered my myriad of questions, and made me feel like an integral part of the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a great first taste of union activities for me, a newcomer to the union scene.\u201d<\/p>\n
Borgognoni added that she especially enjoyed drafting resolutions, the mock debate that followed and brainstorming outreach campaigns.<\/p>\n
\u201cSaturday\u2019s presentation on Twitter and Sunday\u2019s presentation on political action got a lot of high marks,\u201d declared Regional Vice-President Heather Brooker.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had such an enthusiastic crowd; I think it\u2019s clear now that political action using social media is in our future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those sentiments were echoed by Karl Lafreni\u00e8re, who also believes his members were able to build a bridge between the two presentations.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople don\u2019t understand how many tools we have at our fingertips to communicate with our members,\u201d said Lafreni\u00e8re. \u201cAt least ten people told me they\u2019re leaving with some great ideas; I know they\u2019re related to social media.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople were really happy. It energized them.\u201d<\/p>\n
But just in case you\u2019re leaving with the impression that the seminar went off without a hitch, we should point out that on Saturday, the hotel moved an entire family into our hospitality suite. Ayayay!<\/p>\n
Luckily that got sorted out, and members were able to enjoy themselves without having to share the room with strangers trying to catch some shut-eye.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe normally don\u2019t have a lot of opportunities to meet, all three Locals together,\u201d explained Lafreni\u00e8re. \u201cIt was nice to be able to connect.\u201d<\/p>\n