The Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA) will kick off its 37th annual convention Friday, April 18, 2008 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Hotel in Burnaby, 6083 MacKay Avenue.

Charting our Course is the theme of this years convention, as delegates consider a number of resolutions to set priorities for the unions future. Delegates will also participate in a noon-hour rally to defend publicly funded and delivered health care.

Highlights of the Convention include:

Local and regional issues are on the agenda for a New Westminster and District Labour Council meeting March 26th as part of the labour council's 2008 Municipal Election Program.

The Think Community Forum will open with guest panelists who will share their experiences and innovative approaches to bring lasting, positive change to our communities and schools.

Discussion group topics are:

Whether its politicians, corporate leaders, or health experts, its getting increasingly difficult to know who to believe these days. Even journalists cant always be trusted!

The Canadian Labour Congress hosts an International Women's Day lunch Saturday March 8 featuring guest speakers Denise Savoie, NDP Member of Parliament and Stephanie Seaman BCGEU and Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC board member.

See further details.

The Canadian Labour Congress hosts an International Women's Day lunch Saturday, March 8 at the Nanaimo Golf Club featuring guest spearkers Jean Crowder, MP,  Nanaimo-Cowichan; Jackie Miller, President, BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union, and Claire Trevena, MLA, North Island and Opposition Critic for Childcare, Early Childhood Education & Women's Issues.  

See further details.

Rights, Reels and Resistance is the theme of Co-Development Canada's World Community Film Festival February 8...10 at Langara College.

The seventh annual film festival features documentaries set around the globe about social justice and environmental issues. This years theme reflects the urgent need to acknowledge and celebrate resistance and the fight for human rights in communities across the world.

For information and listings, visit the film festival website.

HSA is offering scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children. We will be awarding ten scholarships for full-time studies, twenty bursaries for full-time studies and two aboriginal scholarships.

The criteria and details are set out on the application forms. To obtain a copy please see the HSA website: www.hsabc.org or contact your chief steward.

This year, Regional Director elections will take place in Regions 2, 4, 6, 8, & 10. All HSA members in these regions are encouraged to put their name forward for these important positions.

Directors meet, on average, every six weeks and take an active leadership role in representing the union. They will receive wage replacement for the time they spend in official meetings at their own regular rate of pay. Part-time and casual members are reimbursed as if they were at work during the meetings they attend.

HSA members will soon be preparing for the 2008 HSA Convention, to be held April 17, 18, & 19, 2008 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown in Burnaby.

Conventions are where chapters from around the province determine the future direction of the union. Policies, actions, constitutional amendments, structural changes are all discussed and debated at convention.

The next HSA Annual Convention will take place April 17-19, 2008 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown in Burnaby.

All HSA members are welcome to attend and speak at the convention. However, only delegates have the right to vote.

For chapters with 49 or fewer members, the HSA chief steward is the sole delegate. If the chief steward is not attending convention, an alternate should be identified. Chapters with more than 49 members are entitled to one additional delegate for each additional 50 members or portion thereof.