Richmond Vancouver Regional Executive – 2023 Election Results

As a proud alumnus of the University of Victoria, with a degree of nursing I have had the privilege of being a registered nurse for the last 23 years and counting. I have worked as a pediatric, emergency, and public health nurse previously, and now I am working as a telenurse. On top of my roles as a nurse I have been a union activist and steward since 2012 for HealthLinkBC in capacity of contract and occupational health and safety steward. My goal has always been to continuously learn and share that knowledge, I do this through facilitating union workshops for the last 4 years. There was an opening for mental health representative which I was excited to step up and commit to. After working in this role, I realized the strength and learning that will take place for myself and for my BCNU members, and therefore I would now like to run for this position in the upcoming election. 
I have attempted to engage with membership through our lunch outreaches, mental health dinner, regional meetings, mini regional dinners and most recently through ratification education for our memberships. I have been advocating for our membership every step of the way. I have also organised breathwork virtual sessions for our RIVA members and given opportunity will continue with sessions.
As a member of the RIVA executive team, I have actively participated in planning and decision-making process for our region and helped in execution of the strategic plan. I have acted as facilitator and resource for our region related to mental health issues and OHS issues and worked collaboratively as needed with OHS representatives. If I am elected, I will continue to learn and promote awareness of psychologically healthy and safe workplaces, continue to promote awareness of respectful workplace polices and procedures. I will continue to act as advocate on behalf of RIVA membership. I will work to continue to identify gaps and work with membership and team to reduce mental health stressors for our regional members.

I am a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with 30 years experience working in healthcare. A majority of those years have been working in Forensic Psychiatry and Mental Health and Substance Use. I have always maintained a strong involvement with the union and have served in various positions as a union member. I am a steward and have served as local chair for the RIVA region under the UPN. I have also served as Mental Health Representative and OH&S Representative. I am a strong advocate for safety in the workplace which makes me the ideal candidate for this position. 

As the OH&S Representative for the RIVA region I commit to working closely with the employers to identify, eliminate, or control hazards in the workplace. I will communicate with workers about health and safety concerns and work with the employer to help resolve these concerns. I will act as a facilitator for OHS education in the region which includes information on Health and Safety days and events throughout the year.

I will cultivate positive, productive relationships with members and others as well as helping employers comply with OHS legislations.

I am putting my name forward to be your Regional Professional Responsibility Advocate for the next term. It has been my honour to serve the RV Region as the Regional Communications Secretary during this last term. I am interested in taking on the challenge of a new role on your Regional Executive Team. I will do my very best to represent the Members of Richmond Vancouver Region through supporting Member Engagement and responsiveness. i will bring my commitment to fairness, accountability and Professionalism and Unionism to this role if elected. I am currently working as a Full Time Public Health Nurse in Vancouver. In Solidarity, Shannon Wright

I hope that you will re-elect me as your council member for the Richmond Vancouver Region. During the last 3 years, our team has focused on member outreach. Members are the foundation of this union and it is important to keep members needs at the forefront. I will not make any promises that I am unable to keep, so my only promise is to continue being a strong fierce advocate for our you. I will advocate at the council level in BCNU, with the government and when representing you at the worksites. 
My Goals
• Foster a strong, RESPECTFUL, transparent grassroots organization that is inclusive of all members
• Continue to ADVOCATE for a democratic BCNU that listens and responds to the needs of ALL its members, encourages grassroots participation, respects differing opinions and eliminates barriers to participation as members are the most important assets of our union
• PROTECT and improve members Benefits, employer wants to discuss our benefits in the next round of bargaining, and we need strong leadership to make sure we improve our benefits.
• Ensure that the COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT is enforced and workload issues are addressed in an appropriate manner
• Provide opportunities for member involvement and EDUCATION
• Provide strong LEADERSHIP and empower ALL members through collaborative decision making and team building
• Support DIVERSITY, EQUITY and INCLUSION through support of our HRE caucus’s
• Respond to members NEEDS in a timely manner
• Continue to MEED with members on a regular basis and listen understand and support when needed
• Ensuring members safety is at the forefront by strengthening and supporting our Joint Occupational health and safety committees.
My Experience

• Registered Nurse acute care: 30 years 
• BCNU activist/leader 19 years as PRF Advocate, steward liaison, lobby coordinator and Regions chair/council
• Labor relations officer: 5 months
• Organizing: LPN campaign in 2012 to help bring RN’S LPN’S AND RPN’S into one union
• Member educator and representative for Mosaic of color and Human Rights and Equity caucus
• Rotation developer during the implementation of the 37.5 hour workweek

Union Education
• Labor relations course: Queens University
• Governance Leadership Excellence: Queens University

I am knowledgeable in the operations of the union. Therefore, I would never make unrealistic promises that can't be kept because I value and hold the interest of the membership dearly. I will run my campaign with honesty, forthrightness, transparency, accountability and trustworthiness. 

What I can promise you is that your concerns will be brought forward and heard in a timely manner, they will be treated with the upmost respect because if they are important to you, then they are important to me. I will be your eyes, your vote and your voice at the regional level, during convention and attending conferences always bearing in mind the interest of my colleagues and members.

I'm a Registered Nurse since December 2003. 
-I Worked in Orthopaedic Trauma at VGH for 4.5 years . 
Since July 2008 I’ve worked at Burnaby Mental Health and Addictions (now called Red Fish Healing Centre). This sparked my passion for psychiatry, where I have worked alongside amazing RNs, RPNs and LPNs in different settings. 
In 2010 my passion for advocacy was born after witnessing inequalities in the workplace and the struggles of a worsening workload. It was at this time that I stood up and became a Steward. 
In 2014 I joined the Regional Executive because I wanted to be a strong voice for you, our membership. During my time in the Executive I’ve held many roles.
- Communication Secretary
-Mosaic of Color Representative. 
-Full- time Steward at Large.
-Steward Liaison
-Mental Health Representative 
-Treasurer from 2018 to present.

My Objective:

For this term, my objective is to continue to use my leadership skills, and my knowledge of BCNU Policies, NetSuite, and expense forms to make sure that members union dues are spent respectfully and wisely. Therefore, providing an oversight of the financial stake of the membership. I will ensure that spending priorities reflect Union goals and are fiscally responsible.

I am approachable and transparent. I will continue to maintain an accurate account of all funds received and expended by the region, using BCNU’s accounting system. It is paramount to have a strong, knowledgeable voice on the financial team. I will continue to be that voice. I will ensure your hard earned Union dues are spent wisely. I have been a strong advocate for you, and I would love to continue to be that strong representative for the Richmond Vancouver (RIVA) Region. 

A vote for me is a vote for you.

Vote Liz Carter for your RIVA Treasurer.

"If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's the power of using your voice.” – Michelle Obama. 

Hello! My name is Sherrill Harmer. I have been a nurse for almost 42 yrs and currently work full-time as a Telenurse at Healthlink BC (811).
Over the last seven years as a steward along with five years as steward coordinator at Healthlink, I can say I have learned a lot and enjoyed working for the members. The values I prioritize bringing to the position include honesty, integrity, patience, and empathy. For my professional priorities, I remain knowledgeable on details of our contract, grievance processes, knowledge of EDMP and Duty to Accommodate.
When the role for Steward Liaison opened unexpectedly five years ago, I was appointed to the role. I entered with motivation to learn, grow, and contribute to a group that has huge meaning in my life. I enjoyed the role and was successfully elected to continue my journey three years ago. Since being elected three years ago, I have worked hard to support, retain, and grow interest among our members.
RIVA has been fortunate to have great interest in the business of the union and have proudly managed to gain thirteen Unit Representative at sites throughout RIVA. I am hopeful that in the next Steward Elections, some of the Unit Reps may take the next step and become stewards. Seeing our union grow with new individuals is a vital part of our community at RIVA.
As a Steward Liaison, I work to support the stewards. Twice a year, I guide a full education day, attend regional meetings, luncheons, outreaches and step up as a steward if there is not one on-site. I am proud to also be part of the executive RIVA team, where I actively attend executive meetings, input into the spending budget, assist with nurse’s week, plan agendas for regional meetings and other duties that arise in the position.
If elected, please know that I will continue to fulfill my duties as the Steward Liaison with huge care, consideration, and motivation to serve our members.