Support YOUR Governing Bodies

Federal Council

If we really want to change the face of politics we need to be the change we want to see in the world. That’s why the Federal Council of a political party, on behalf of the membership, should be empowered to step up and take the reigns of the organization.

Provincial/Territory Representatives should play a vital role not only in providing input to the governance of a party but also in acting as a conduit between local members in their jurisdiction and Council.

The role of the president should be to ensure that decisions of the Party, Federal Council, Executive Council and committees of Federal Council are duly carried out and represents the Council to staff, volunteers and members as may be required to ensure efficient and professional execution of decisions.

Federal council should be elected to represent the membership and help set the direction and culture of the party. As a governing board, it is responsible to focus on the larger issues, delegate with clarity to staff, and rigorously evaluate the accomplishments of the organization in accordance with our values and principles.

To be effective and truly representative half of council should be elected each year and a member must be in good standing for at least six months before casting an on-line ballot.

If you are a member of a political party in Canada you are also automatically a member of your local Electoral District Association (EDA). As a member you elect a local executive who’s job it is to prepare to elect or re-elect your local member of parliament.

You can choose to run for a position on your executive or simply support their efforts by volunteering, donating or just electing them.

Finally, don’t forget to involve yourself in the process of forging policy and governance resolutions. This should take place through a protracted online process that commences about six months before the biannual general meeting. Most importantly it should only happen after the membership has collectively forged a common culture that reflects the values and ambitions of the party as a whole.

Return to Politics

 

The Federal Council is made up of volunteers who carry a massive responsibility for the success of a party.  This proposal would allow council to connect with local EDAs in their communities and hear first hand about the challenges they face and the support they receive from the national office. And in so doing they would work hand in hand with the leader to build a strong movement united in a common objective.

This proposal would incentivize the engagement and expansion of the membership while acknowledging that to be effective, a governing board needs to do more than meet once a month and grind through an agenda.
 
  • Take all membership dues and set them aside to finance the services the Federal Council provides to the membership
  • Provide each member of council a stipend commensurate with the membership
  • The President would receive $1.00 for each member of the party
  • The Vice Presidents and Treasurer would each receive $0.50 for each member of the party
  • Provincial reps would receive $1.00 for each member in their province (the more members they have the more work it is to stay in touch with them)
  • Young Council members would receive $0.50 for each member under the age of 30
  • A slight premium could be included for volunteer members of the executive
This formula would consume somewhere between $3.50 and $5.00 of a standard $10 membership due. The remainder could be utilized to fund travel for council members. 
 
It would give the President and Vice Presidents the mandate to travel widely and demonstrate the commitment of council to actually serve the membership across this great country. They could team up with provincial reps on council and staff organizers to reach out and listen to not only EDAs but campus clubs and other Green groups.