Report of the Equal Opportunities Committee

Kimberley Koch

Since my last report, the UTE Equal Opportunities Committee met virtually three times over the Summer, June 12, July 16, and August 21 where we continued working on the Regional EO Conferences.

The Theme for the Regional Conferences is “Equity for all; the guest speakers and workshops have now all been confirmed; with the first Regional Conference, be held in Edmonton October 18-20, 2024. The callout for registration went out to the Pacific, Rocky Mountains, and the Prairie Regions August 23^rd with a deadline of September 6^th.

I would like to thank the Committee for all their commitment and hard work on these conferences, and I would particularly like to acknowledge our Technical Advisor, Kristina Cooke and our Admin Assistant, Connie Nunez, for all their efforts in ensuring these conferences are successful.

June 26, 2024, I attended the Virtual NEEDIC meeting, the agenda was full and topics discussed were very timely and beneficial:

1. Diversity & Inclusion Updates:
   
   1. The Agency People Strategy update
   2. The EEDI Action Plan
2. Indigenous Employee Network Update:
   
   1. EX01 Staffing Process for Indigenous Peoples
   2. Truth & Reconciliation CRA Action Plan
   3. National Indigenous Recruitment Initiative
   4. Guest Presenter, John Ward, HR Advisor, Character Leadership Division HRB: “Seven Grandfather Teachings and Character Leadership” 

The next meeting in-person meeting of the EEDIC is set for October 8 and 9 in Ottawa. 

Respectfully submitted,

Kimberley Koch
Chair of the Committee