Sheila Bear, RN, Local 78
I am Sheila Bear, and I am running for the SUN Board of Director representative for the South East Network. I currently sit as a Board representative for what was known as Region 3 for the past 2 terms.
I have been a Registered Nurse for 35 years, working in rural Saskatchewan. I have worked in acute and LTC, and now is System Flow as a Bed Coordinator. I am a proud SUN member and have been involved in my Union for many, many years. I have held many positions at the local level (Pres,
Vice-Pres, Treasurer, NAC committee, OH&S), SDC Chairperson, Negotiations committee member, and BOD representative.
I enjoy being a part of SUN, and representing my co-workers and fellow registered nurses. I have learned a lot in each position I have held, and continue to learn. I try to be a mentor, an understanding ear, an avenue to answers (because I certainly do not have them all), a sounding board, a helpful hand. I hope to continue in this position and be a liaison with the South Lead to pass information between the members and SUN Provincial, to get locals active and members engaged and yearning to learn about SUN and what it offers. I know that COVID and the nursing shortage have made our lives and work places difficult, let’s work together to try to make them better. Let’s keep making SUN the strongest voice of healthcare in Saskatchewan. I ask for your support.
Kelli Howells, RPN, Local 63
Kelli has been a registered psychiatric nurse for over 29 years. Most of her career has been in rural long-term care, starting at Souris Valley then later at the new building Tatagwa View. She also worked rural acute psych at the Weyburn in patients' facility. Kelli loves her role as an advocate for her seniors and makes it a priority that they receive safe, dignified care.
Kelli got involved with her local union in 2017 as a facility rep. She then moved into the vice president roll, and in 2021 she was elected as co-president. Kelli enjoys her co-president role and is
striving to increase Sun's community presence. Last Canada day local 63 entered a float into the parade, they sponsored five local nursing students' bursaries and donated a decorated Christmas tree for a local charity auction the Family Place.
Kelli has a passion for nursing and serving others, she feels it would be a privilege to expand her knowledge and serve her fellow members by representing them at a provincial level.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her five kids as well as her fur babies. In 2015 she became a volunteer first responder and in 2019 she became a volunteer firefighter for the 737-fire department. Kelli enjoys travelling and is usually found knitting something for someone.
Leslie Saunders, RPN, Local 184
My name is Leslie Saunders, and I am pleased to submit my name to run for SE network representative. I have worked in various rural Southeast facilities since 1999. I currently work in System Flow at St Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan. I have been involved with the union for 20 years. I have served as local president, SDC Chair and SDC Secretary Treasurer. I have had the honor of being the Region 5 Board of Directors Representative since 2013. I have served on the Executive, Policy, Governance, AD Hoc structure, and Lifetime membership committees. In recent years there has
been increased pressure put on nurses as we have had to deal with covid, nursing/staffing shortages and ongoing transitional change. My work experience has given me an in-depth perspective of the ongoing issues that members face in rural areas. My union experience has provided me with a tool kit to assist in dealing with those issues. I have had the opportunity to get together with locals and members to listen, support, mentor, provide resources and create change. It is an honor to represent SUN nurses by developing a strategic direction that reflects members views and charts the course of SUN provincial work. I first got involved with my union because nobody else would. I stayed involved because someone must. We are stronger together and together we can make a difference. I would be grateful for your vote in this election.
Thank you for your support.