supplementary report #2

7/29/2019 Supplementary Report #2

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Supplementary Report #2

Report to the AGM on a one-member, one-vote systemfor EC electionsreferral from the 2012 Spring RA

1. BackgroundThe 2012 Spring Representative Assembly carried the following:That the following motion be referred to the Executive Committee for further discussion witha report and recommendations to the 2013 AGM:

That the BCTF investigate the feasibility of moving to a one-member, one-vote system for allexecutive positions and that this investigation include, but not be restricted to, the pros andcons of various one-member, one-vote systems used to elect executive members of otherunions. This investigation would include a non-binding referendum of members, and wouldreport back to the 2012 fall Representative Assembly.

Similar local resolutions on this topic had been submitted to this meeting of theRepresentative Assembly by the Abbotsford District Teachers Association, CoquitlamTeachers Association, and Prince George District Teachers Association.

Subsequently, the June 79, 2012 Executive Committee meeting passed the following motion:That the following be referred to staff with a report and recommendations back to a futureExecutive Committee meeting:That the following motion be referred to the Executive Committee for further discussion witha report and recommendations to the 2013 AGM:That the BCTF investigate the feasibility of moving to a one-member, one-vote system for allexecutive positions and that this investigation include, but not be restricted to, the pros andcons of various one-member, one-vote systems used to elect executive members of otherunions.

Previously, the following resolutions had been submitted to the 2012 Annual GeneralMeeting, but were not dealt with and were among the unfinished items of business referred tothe RA at the end of the meeting:

Resolution 102Cowichan District Teachers AssociationThat the BCTF investigate the use of online voting for Executive Committee elections and forselect AGM motions, with a report back to the 2013 AGM on its potential impact andimplementation.

CCD13-0045


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Resolution 104Comox District Teachers AssociationThat the BCTF investigate the use of online voting, accessible by all BCTF members, forExecutive elections and for select AGM motions with a report to the 2012 Fall RepresentativeAssembly on its potential impact and implementation.

These resolutions, among many other AGM referrals to the RA, were carried forward throughthe Spring 2012, Fall 2012, and Winter 2013 meetings of the Representative Assembly, but

were not dealt with by the assembly.

2. History of the election of BCTF Executive Committee and related governance decisionsThe BCTF Annual General Meeting has always been a delegated meeting based onproportional representation and has always had as a duty the election of Executive Committeemembers. The original formula for determining the representation at the AGM was 1 delegatefor every 10 members in a local. Persons who did not belong to a local could still berepresented in that 10 people in this category could join together and receive 1 vote. Localsfunded the attendance of their delegates prior to 1983 when the Annual General Meetingdetermined that the cost of the attendance of all delegates to the AGM would be funded fromgeneral Federation funds.

The composition of the Executive Committee, and designated roles, has changed somewhatover the history of the organization; some examples of the Executive Committee positions andelection formats in the earlier history of the BCTF are listed below.

The 1919 BCTF constitution named the officers of the Federation as the president, twovice-presidents, the junior past-president, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary,and a treasurer, all of whom were elected at the Annual General Meeting.

The 1920 BCTF constitution deemed that the Executive Committee was made up of theofficers of the Federation (president, vice-president, junior past-president, and secretary-treasurer), geographical representatives, and three additional members elected by theofficers and geographical representatives. The president was elected at the AGM; the vice-president and secretary-treasurer were elected by the new executive from amongst theirnumber, and the geographical representatives were elected at the AGM by the delegatesfrom each region.

From the 1920s to 1965 the BCTF Executive Committee consisted of 5 table officerselected at large by the local delegates to the Annual General Meeting plus representativesfrom 16 geographical regions. The policy was to allow 1 geographic representative forevery 500 members within a district. In 1958, the general secretary of the day, C. D.Ovans, contacted other provincial teacher organizations to determine other ways toorganize the Executive Committee as it was considered too large and unwieldy, havinggrown to 25 members.

The 1965 AGM changed the composition of the Executive Committee to what existstoday.

Governance reviewsThe Federation has undertaken a number of significant examinations of its governance andstructures using the committee or task force model to conduct the reviews and including in thework the examination of the Executive Committee structures and election procedures.


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Organization Committee, 196465The 1964 AGM instructed the Executive Committee to set up an ad hoc committee onreorganization. The Executive Committee drafted the terms of reference keeping in mind threebasic principles:

To provide the greatest possible efficiency in handling the affairs of the Federation whileat the same time retaining that broad base of interest and participation in the affairs of theFederation by the membership as a whole which has characterized the BCTF.

To ensure that each of the bodies created has an important and vital function to play in thegoverning of the Federation.

To remember that the Federation belongs to the members and that its organizationalstructure should reflect their wishes.

The committee recommended that:

The table officers be the president, first vice-president, second vice-president, and pastpresident.carried by the 1965 AGM

The Executive Committee consist of four table officers, elected for one-year terms, andseven members-at-large, elected for two-year terms (representing the province as awhole).carried by the 1965 AGM

The establishment of the Representative Assembly as a two-way system ofcommunication between the Executive Committee and the membership and designing apercentage based formula for representation for both the RA and AGM.carried by the1965 AGM

Establishing a percentage based formula for the Annual General Meeting.carried by the1965 AGM

Task Force on Reorganization, 197274A Task Force on Reorganization was established by the Executive Committee in the fall of1972 and a report was delivered to the 1974 AGM. The task force terms of reference aresummarized as:

To examine and assess the effectiveness of the organizational structures and proceduresthe BCTF has adopted in pursuing its goals. To analyze and assess how well the BCTFs organizational forms and procedures elicit

both democratic participation and control on the part of the members.

To prepare for consideration of the membership recommendations for change wherechange is deemed appropriate.

Among the many aspects of Federation operations considered by the task force were theresponsibilities of the Executive Committee and the election of members to this body. Thetask force recommended that:

The Executive Committee continue with the same powers and responsibilities. The president, first vice-president, second vice-president, and members-at-large continue

to be elected at the AGM.

Commission on Governance of the BCTF, 198586In the spring of 1984 the Executive Committee established a commission to examinegovernance of the Federation under the following terms of reference:

To examine the existing structures and policies of the BCTF in order to determine theirrelevance and their capability of influencing education policy, teachers salaries, andworking/learning conditions in the current structure of the education system.


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To examine the governance of the BCTF, its structure and operations, in terms ofefficiency of governance and the relevance of governing structures to democratic andeffective decision-making.

To solicit submissions from interested members. To prepare recommendations to the 1986 AGM.The commission examined a wide range of aspects of Federation operations and governance.

With regard to election of the Executive Committee, the commission was unanimous in itsopposition to mail ballots, stating, This process is often presented as a democratic panacea,yet is also the traditional way in which entrenched machines maintain power in many unions.It is extremely difficult to overcome the power of incumbency, the use of the offices of theorganization to prepare for re-election, in the absence of funding for opposing candidates togive them an equal hearing before the voters. Even if the Federation funded all candidates atthe same level, which would be an extremely expensive proposition, name recognition ratherthan policy determination would tend to be the dominant factor in elections. The commissionbelieves that the delegates to the AGM, who have the opportunity to meet, hear, and questioncandidates are the best group to make the decision about who should constitute the ExecutiveCommittee.

The commission also examined election of Executive Committee members by regionalrepresentatives to the AGM, so that regions would have their member on the ExecutiveCommittee. There was no consensus on this point among the members of the commission.The commission also discussed the possibility of formal recognition of parties within theBCTF and the institutionalization of the concept of an opposition, but were concerned that,unless some form of proportional representation was tied to this recognition, it would notguarantee the election of an opposition.

Governance Review 19992003Between 1999 and 2003, the Federation undertook a comprehensive governance review

process, emanating from a motion adopted by the 1999 AGM and guided by an appointedGovernance Review Steering Committee of members and Executive Committee reps. Thereview was very broad, involved extensive consultation and member polling, and concernedmany aspects of the Federations operations and led to recommendations being adopted at the2001, 2002, and 2003 AGMs as well as at the Executive Committee and RepresentativeAssembly levels. In relation to the topic of election of the Executive Committee, theGovernance Review Steering Committee considered the following:

The size of the Executive Committee. The GRSC decided against recommending anychange from the existing 11 member Executive Committee. The committees report stated,Eleven members appear to serve the organization well. A larger body would presentincreased costs and longer meetings. A smaller body would allow for fewer voices in our

diverse province. Electing members of the Executive Committee on a regional basis. The committee

rejected this concept. The report stated, Members felt that Executive Committeemembers should represent provincial, not local/regional interests so as to avoidbalkanization.

Conducting a referendum for the election of the president. The committee rejected thisconcept. The report stated, Elements considered in this regard included the need for abudget for zonal and regional meetings by candidates, the loss to the Federation of theservices of the incumbent during campaign periods, potential loss of campaign equity, andthe fact that very few comments were made in this regard suggesting this is not an issue of


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high priority for BCTF members. The current system of election permits delegates toexamine past involvement and leadership displayed by candidates in all areas of theFederation on behalf of members.

Establishing two-year terms for the president and vice-presidents and an increase inrelease time for Executive Committee members. The GRSC recommended an increase inExecutive Committee release but did not achieve consensus on the length of term for thepresident and vice-presidents, so put forward two options, status quo and two-year terms.

The status quo prevailed.

The 2001 AGM had previously defeated a motion put forward by two members stating:That the Annual General Meeting request the Executive Committee include in the mandateof the Governance Review Committee, an investigation of an at-large BCTF presidentialelection.

The movers had presented alternate wording from the resolution originally submitted, whichwas:That the possibility of an at-large BCTF presidential election be studied by the BCTFGovernance Review Steering Committee within its recommendations to the 2002 AGM, and

that:a. This study examine jurisdictions already having successful models of at-large elections,and

b. This possibility includes a two-year term for the BCTF president.3. Additional local resolutions submitted to the AGM (200212)

Outlined below are the local resolutions related to the election of the Executive Committeethat were submitted to the Annual General Meeting between 2002 and 2012.

2003Resolution 113Submitted by Al Bailey (Kamloops Thompson)/Brad Epp (KamloopsThompson)That the election for the president of the BCTF be elected:1. For a two-year term.2. By a province wide vote of the BCTF membership at the work site and mail for TOCs

and members on leave.

This resolution was not moved at the 2003 Annual General Meeting

2004Resolution 104West Vancouver Teachers AssociationThat the BCTF Executive Committee develop procedures for the election of executivemembers by the entire membership, and that these recommendations be adopted on an interimbasis by the fall 2004 Representative Assembly, subject to review by the 2005 AGM.

This resolution was not moved at the 2004 AGM.

2007Resolution 149Surrey Teachers AssociationThat the BCTF investigate the feasibility of conducting province-wide votes electronically.


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Resolution 148North Vancouver Teachers' AssociationThat the BCTF establish a task force to investigate the feasibility of electronic balloting atboth the local and provincial levels to encourage a greater opportunity for membershipinvolvement, and that a report and recommendations be published in theTeacher prior tobeing presented at the 2008 AGM.

Both resolutions were referred to the RA, however neither were dealt with by the end of the

Winter RA, 2008.

2008Resolution 175North Vancouver Teachers AssociationThat the BCTF establish a task force to investigate the feasibility of electronic balloting atboth the local and provincial levels to encourage a greater opportunity for membershipinvolvement.

This resolution was referred to the RA, however was not dealt with by the end of the WinterRA, 2009.

2009Resolution 169North Vancouver Teachers AssociationThat the AGM recommend to the Executive Committee that it establish a task force toinvestigate the feasibility of electronic balloting at both the local and provincial levels toencourage a greater opportunity for membership involvement.

This resolution was not moved at the meeting.

Resolution 103Comox District Teachers Association (also submitted by North VancouverTeachers Association)That the BCTF investigate the use of online voting for Executive Committee elections and forselect AGM motions, with a report to the 2010 AGM on its potential impact andimplementation.

This resolution was not moved at the 2009 AGM.

4. Local voting procedures for leadership positionsOutlined below are the procedures used by locals of the BCTF in electing their executivecommittee leadership positions.

LocalTotal

members Positions Election proceduresFernie District

Teachers Association

190 Pres, VP, past president, local

negotiating chair, sec-treas.,LR, ProD, SJ, H&S, Ab Ed,LEC M@L (2), TTOC

General meeting, empty spots

can be filled by EC byappointment pending the nextGM where candidates appointedmust formally stand. Provisionfor school-based voting for timesensitive issues but SB votingmust not be used for elections.

Cranbrook DistrictTeachers Association

301 Pres, VP, past president,secretary, treasurer, LR, andalternate

AGM, secret ballot, 50% +1.


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LocalTotal

members Positions Election proceduresKimberley TeachersAssociation 77

Pres, Past pres, VP, Secretary,treasurer, H&S, WLC/Barg, SJ,Ab Ed, ProD, PD Fund Co-ordinator, school staff reps

Staff reps elected by school staffby secret ballot.All other positions filled atelections at AGM, secret ballot,50% +1.

Windermere TeachersAssociation

97 Pres, VP, LRs (2), Barg/WLC,Ab Ed, SJ, H&S, treasurer, PD,TTOC


Nelson DistrictTeachers Association

263 President, VP, secretary,treasurer, Barg, SJ, ProD, AbEd, H&S, TTOC

All elected at AGM exceptpresident who is elected inschool-based voting prior to theAGM.Secret ballot.

Arrow Lakes TeachersAssociation

58 Pres, VP, LR, Barg. ProD,public relations, SJ (2, 1position covers Ab Ed),treasurer, secretary, H&S,

W/LC

All positions elected at AGM bysecret ballot.

Princeton DistrictTeachers Union

43 Pres, VP, treasurer, secretary,ProD, staff reps

General meeting, secret ballot,50% +1.

Staff reps elected at school sites.Golden TeachersAssociation

94 Pres, VP, Sec., Treas., 1 staffrep per school, H&S, PD

General meeting, secret ballot,50% +1.

Revelstoke TeachersAssociation

102 Pres, VP, Sec., Treas., Barg,PD, SJ, H&S, LR, Ab Ed,TTOC, staff reps

All elected at AGM, staff repsfrom each school are elected ineach school in Sept., secretballot.

Kootenay ColumbiaTeachers Union

320 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,LRs (2), alternate LR, Barg.,SJ, Ab Ed, ProD, H&S, SocialCommittee chair, TTOC reps(2), LEC, staff reps

AGM, secret ballot.

Staff reps elected at school sites.

Vernon TeachersAssociation

646 Pres, past pres (as applicable),1st and 2nd vice, secretary,treasurer, local assoc. rep, barg,PD, SJ (2), TTOC,Communications/PR, H&S, AbEd, Mat L (3), president may

appoint other active membersin non-voting capacity

All positions except presidentand TTOC rep elected for one-year term at AGM, secret ballot.School-based, secret ballot votefor president held two weeksprior to the AGM. Poll also set

up at local office.

TTOC rep elected by OCTAV(On Call Teachers Associationof Vernon).

Central OkanaganTeachers Association

1,613 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, PD, AbEd, Barg/WLC, H&S, SJ (2),TTOC, treasurer, LRs (3),MatL (6)

General meeting, secret ballot,50% plus 1.


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LocalTotal

members Positions Election proceduresCariboo-ChilcotinTeachers Association

422 Pres, VP, secretary, LR, ProD,Membership, Regional rep (3south, north, west), collectiveagreement, education,communication, SJ, H&S, AbEd

AGM, secret ballot, 50%+1(unless motion from floor andvote determines otherwise.

Proxy voting permitted formembers in rural areas.

Quesnel DistrictTeachers Association

279 Pres, VP/alternate LR, LR,secretary, treasurer, publicrelations, PD, Barg., Social,SJ/multicultural, H&S,Wellness, Labour Council rep,AbEd, TTOC, LEC.

AGM.

Nicola ValleyTeachers Union

149 Pres, VP, LR, secretary,treasurer, ProD, SJ , H&S,Special Ed, Ab Ed, publicrelations, staff reps, TTOC

President is elected at an Aprilgeneral meeting. Even if there isonly one candidate there is a secretballot held. All other positionselected at AGM in June.

Chilliwack TeachersAssociation

944 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, treasurer,recording secretary, assistanttreasurer, ProD, TTOC, LRs(2), MatL (5), SJ, Barg., pastpresident

Annual meeting, secret ballot,50%+1.

Abbotsford DistrictTeachers Association

1,463 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, Ab Ed,TTOC, SJ, middle school rep,elem rep, sec. rep, treas., H&S,MatL (2)

President, 1 month beforeAGM, school-based election (2yr. term), 1st VP, 2 weeksbefore AGM, school-basedelection; all others at generalmeeting, secret ballot, 50 +1

Langley TeachersAssociation

1,478 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, secretary,LRs(3), H&S, SJ, Ab issues, Edchange, WLC, M@L (3),TTOC, communications

AGM, secret ballot, 50% +1

Surrey TeachersAssociation

5,210 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, Sec.-Treas, Griev Officer (2), H&S,Prof Issues, LRs (all), TTOC,MatL (3)(no more than 15 unless agreater number set from time totime by GM)

AGM, secret ballot, 50+1, one-year terms except GrievanceOfficers and H&S are two-yearterms.

Delta Teachers

Association

1,291 Pres/LR,1st VP/Barg Chair,

2nd VP, past president (asapplicable), treasurer, exec.Secretary, PD, SJ, Public Ed,H&S, TTOC, Adult, itinerant,non-enrolling (1 position), MatL (2), LRs (2)



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Richmond TeachersAssociation

1,625 Pres, VP, working conditions,secretary-treasurer, ProD,communications, staff repofficer, staff collegial councilofficer, LRs (3), MatL (4-primary, intermediate, upperintermediate, graduation)

AGM.

(Note: Some areas ofresponsibility are folded intoother positions, for example,TTOC and H&S are in theWorking Conditions portfolio.)

Vancouver Elementary

School TeachersAssociation

2,724 Pres, 1st/2nd/3rd VPs,

Grievance/IHTO support, sec-treas, past pres. (as applicable),LRs(4), MatL (5), Ab Ed, Antipoverty, Antiracism,Communications, H&S, Pride,Prof Issues, S/W Sustainability,TTOC, WLC/Barg., Adult Edsublocal president

AGM, secret ballot.

Vancouver SecondaryTeachers Association

1,622 Pres, 1st vice, 2nd vice,treasurer, MatL (7, 8 if no pastpres), past pres (as applicable),

H&S, PD, Social and EcoJustice, Technology,WLC/Barg, TTOC

AGM, secret ballot.

New WestminsterTeachers Union

557 Pres, VP, Barg/Grievance,Secretary, Treas., PD, H&S, SJ ,Ab Ed, LEC, Political Action,Bargaining/Grievance AdvisoryCttee (5), LRs (2), AlternateLR (1)

AGM, secret ballot, 50%+1.

Burnaby TeachersAssociation

1,962 Pres, VP, Secondary Rep,Elementary Rep, secretary,

treasurer, LRs, Elementary MatL, Secondary Mat L, pastpresident, PD, PoliticalAction/PR, SJ, Grievance Co-ordinator, Bargaining, H&S,District labour Council Rep.,WLC, Adult Educator, TTOC,Officer at Large

Executive Council:AGM, secret ballot.

President, VP, Officer at Large,Sec. Rep, Elem. Rep, treasurer,Grievance Co-ordinator, LRsand District Labour CouncilRep., one-year terms, elected byAGM.

Chairs of followingCommittees: Barg. H&S, WLC,PD, Political Action/PR, AdultEducators, SJ and TTOC shall

be chosen by the members oftheir respective committees atAGM, one-year terms.

Members at Large, two-yearterms, elected by AGM.


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Maple Ridge TeachersAssociation

1,136 Pres, 1st VP/LR, 2nd VP/LR,H&S, LEC (as applicable),LR/ProD, M@L (2),membership, secretary,treasurer, communications,TTOC, SJ, past president (asapplicable)

The VPs who are also LRs areelected to both positions.All positions elected at AGM, secretballot, highest number of votes.

Coquitlam Teachers

Association

2,429 Pres, immediate past president,

1st VP, 2nd VP, LRs, M@L (5)

AGM, except LRs elected per

BCTF by-laws 2 and 6. Secretballot.

North VancouverTeachers Association

1,302 Pres./LR, 1st VP/LR, 2nd VP/LRSecretary (alternate LR),treasurer, M@L (5)Past president (as applicable)

AGM, secret ballot, 50% +1.All positions one-year terms exceptM@L are 2year termsConstitutionally the president iselected as an LR. 1st VP is also anLR this year but that is not requiredby the constitution.

West VancouverTeachers Association

655 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,M@L (4), ProD (2), LRs (2),

SJ (2), TTOC


Sunshine CoastTeachers Association

286 Pres, VP, ProD, SJ , secretary,treasurer, H&S, Ab Ed, staffreps,TTOC, communicationsofficer

Staff reps elected in schools, allother positions at AGM, secretballot, highest number of votes

Powell River DistrictTeachers Association

186 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,LR, MatL (3, 1 of whom shouldbe a TTOC), SJ, Barg., ProD

AGM, secret ballot.

Except the ProD chair who isappointed rather than elected.

Sea to Sky TeachersAssociation

341 Pres, VP, secretary-treasurer,LR, past president, ProD, SJ ,Barg/Grievance, H&S, Ab Ed,TTOC

AGM.

Central CoastTeachers Association

29 Pres, VP, AbEd, SJ, ProD,H&S

President elected at a general orspecial meeting, secret ballot.Ballots can be sent to the outerschools and an electoral officerappointed to report the results. Alsoa provision for an advance poll thatwould be set up at a particularschool.

All other positions are elected atAGM.All voting by secret ballot.

Haida Gwaii TeachersAssociation

80 Pres, VP, treasurer, SJ, Ab Ed,PD, LR, TTOC, LEC H&S,Barg.

President elected at generalmeeting in February.

All other positions elected atgeneral meeting in May.

Elections by secret ballot.


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Boundary DistrictTeachers Association

131 Pres, VP, treasurer, secretary,LR (2), Alternate LR, Barg,Grievance, PD (2), H&S, AbEd, SJ, TTOC, LEC/PoliticalAction, staff reps (11)

AGM elections, secret ballot.50% +1

Staff reps elected by schoolstaff. Many staff reps also holdother EC positions.

Prince Rupert DistrictTeachers Union

205 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,PD, SJ , Collective Barg, Ab

Ed, LR, Labour Liaison, TTOC

AGM. All positions, exceptpresident, can run from the floor

of AGM. Presidentialnominations requirenominations at least 10 daysprior to AGM.First ballotcandidatereceiving a simple majority ofballots cast declared elected; ifno candidates receive a simplemajority the candidate receivingthe fewest number is eliminatedfrom the slate, procedure

continues until two candidatesremain, candidate receiving asimple majority is declaredelected.

South OkanaganSimilkameen TeachersUnion

204 Pres, 2 VPs (one of which isalso Bargaining Chair),secretary, communicationofficer, SJ, ProD, H&S, TTOC,political action, LR, staff reps

AGM, secret ballot. Staff reps areelected by staffs at the school sites.

Bulkley ValleyTeachers Union

186 Pres, VP/Barg Chair, secretary,treasurer, LR, ProD, H&S, AbEd, SJ, TTOC, staff reps

All positions except staff repselected at general meeting.Staff reps elected at each school

site.Burns Lake DistrictTeachers Union

107 Pres/alternate LR, VP/LR,Secretary/treasurer, Ab Ed,Barg, H&S, LEC M at L (staffreps), PD, SJ , TTOC

AGM, one year terms.All EC members (except Pres)are also staff reps at theirschools. Each school (whodoesnt have an EC member onstaff) elect a staff rep.

Nechako TeachersUnion

264 Pres, VP, treasurer, secretary,all standing committee chairs,LR, staff reps, TTOC FirstNations contact, H&S, SJ

AGM, secret ballot.

Prince George DistrictTeachers Association

917 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP,Secretary, treasurer, SJ , ProD,TTOC, Barg, MatL (4), pastpres. (as applicable)

General meeting, one-yearterms.

Mackenzie TeachersAssociation

35 Pres/Barg, VP, ProD, SJ, Socialrep, secretary, treasurer, TTOC,Ab Ed, staff reps

General meeting, secret ballot.

McBride-ValemountTeachers Association

39 Info to come


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Peace River SouthTeachers Association

188 Pres. and VP PRSTAPres and VP of 3 unitsChetwynd & area, DawsonCreek and area, Tumbler Ridge& area, past president,treasurer, LR, Barg, WLC,ProD, SJ, H&S, TTOC, Ab Ed

Election for PRSTA presidentand VP done by referendumballot at polling placesdetermine by the EC. Two-yearterms.Treasurer appointed by thepresident, approved byExecutive Council and ratified

by the AGM. One-year term.

All other positions elected byAGM.

Chetwynd TeachersAssociation

57 Pres./LR, VP, Barg., ProD, SJ,Ab Ed, Foundation rep (forlocal special association),treasurer

AGM, except treasurer isappointed and ratified by AGM

Tumbler RidgeTeachers Association

25 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,ProD, Barg, SJ, H&S

AGM

Peace River NorthTeachers Association

489 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,W/LC, LR, alternate LR, SJ,Barg, staff rep, ProD

AGM, secret ballot for allpositions except: staff repelected in June or prior to firstEC meeting in Sept.; ProD repelected by ProfessionalDevelopment Committee(committee is elected at AGM).

Greater VictoriaTeachers Association

1,586 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP,secretary-treasurer contractchair, ProD, SJ, TTOC/newteacher, LR (3), Ab Ed, MatL(2)

AGM, secret ballot.

Sooke TeachersAssociation

757 Pres, VP, past president,secretary, treasurer, LRs,alternate LR, Ab Ed,Agreements, SJ, PD, Joint EdChange, Public Relations,Scholarship, Membership, JointIntegration Implementation,H&S, TTOC

AGM, one-year terms, secretballot. Number of ballotsnecessary to be elected shall bedetermined by the meeting.

Standing Committee chairs whosit on the EC are elected by themembers of their respectivecommittees.

Scholarship chairperson elected

at January GM every two years.Saanich TeachersAssociation

663 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, secretary,treasurer, LRs (2), Pro D,Program Chair, ProfCommunications, SJ , TTOC,H&S, First Nations, pastpresident (as applicable)

AGM. Secret ballot.

Gulf Islands TeachersAssociation

150 Pres, VP, past Pres, LR,Secretary, treasurer, SJ, TTOC,H&S, Barg. PD, Ab Ed, PDFund Admin, Hospitality Rep

General meeting.


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Cowichan DistrictTeachers Association

558 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,past president (as applicable),SJ, Agreements, W/LC, ProD,Ab contact, LRs, TTOC, LEC,H&S

General meeting.

Lake CowichanTeachers Association

37 Pres, VP, treasurer, secretaryPD, SJ, TTOC, LR, alternateLR, H&S, Ab Ed, LEC

General meeting in May, secretballot.Any unfilled positions elected at

GM in September.Okanagan SkahaTeachers Union

477 Pres, 1st VP/Barg, 2nd VP,treasurer, secretary, LRs (3 +1alternate), MatL (2), ProD,H&S, TTOC, SJ , Ab Ed, SocialEvents

AGM, secret ballot.

Nanaimo DistrictTeachers Association

1,040 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, secretary,treasurer, past president (asapplicable), Ab Ed, Barg/WLC,H&S, Public Ed Advocacy,ProD, Social, SJ , TTOC, LRs,

Mat L (2 elem. And 2 sec.)


Mount ArrowsmithTeachers Association

329 Pres, VP, 2nd VP, treasurer,LR, In District ProD, PersonalProD, SJ, H&S, TTOC, Ab Ed


Alberni DistrictTeachers Union

290 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP (pres ofUcluelet-Tofino sublocal), LR,secretary-treasurer, Barg, ProD,TTOC, SJ (2), MatL (exceptwhere there is a past president)

AGM, Port Alberni main site,Ucluelet via Skype and Tofinoconnected by telephone.

Ucluelet-TofinoTeachers Association

38 Info to come

Comox DistrictTeachers Association

678 Pres, VP, secretary-treasurer,PD, TTOC, SJ, H&S, Ab Ed,LR (2), MatL (2)

AGM, secret ballot

Campbell River DistrictTeachers Association

416 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, recordingsecretary, treasurer, pastpresident, LR, standingcommittee chairs


Advance ballot permitted forSayward and Cortes IslandSchools and any other ruralschool designated by the tableofficers. If more than 2candidates ballots can bemarked in preferential manner,

i.e., 1st choice, 2nd choice, etc.Kamloops ThompsonTeachers Association

1,094 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP,immediate past president,M@L (6 except if no past pres.than 7), LRs, chairpersons ofstanding committee, treasurer

President elected by secretballot of entire membership(March). VPs elected byseparate ballots of entiremembership after election of thepresident.

M@L (ward system ofrepresentation1 rep electedfrom Barriere, Chase, Logan


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Kamloops ThompsonTeachers Associationcontd

Lake and N. Thompson, 2 repsfrom Kamloops)M@L, LRs, chairpersons ofstanding committees andtreasurer elected at AGM.

Gold Trail TeachersAssociation

143 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,LRs(2), Barg/WLC, PD, AbEd, SJ, H&S, TTOC, MatL (4

from geographic areas), pastpresident (as applicable)

AGM.

Mission TeachersUnion

459 Pres, VP, secretary/treasurer,past president (or MatL asapplicable), MatL (3),communications, EconomicWelfare, Working Conditions,ProD, TTOC, SJ, Barg(normally the Pres.)

President elected in April, onemember one vote, polls at MTUoffice over two days, 50% +1.All other positions elected atAGM.

Fraser-CascadeTeachers Association

143 Pres, past Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP,LR, treasurer, recording

secretary, Barg., ProD, SJ , AbEd, H&S, Social Convenor,M@L (2)

AGM, secret ballot.

Kitimat DistrictTeachers Association

89 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,Barg, Communications, LR,ProD, Social Co-ord., SJ,W/LC, H&S, TTOC, labourCouncil rep, LEC

AGM, secret ballot.Staff reps elected in eachschool.

Fort Nelson DistrictTeachers Association

76 President, VP, treasurer,secretary, LR, alternate LRBargaining, Pro-D, SocialJustice, Health & Safety,TTOC, Liason, Ab Ed StaffReps (1 from each school); forthis year only: Local ElectionContact

President is elected in April at thegeneral meeting all other positionsare elected at our AGM in May.

North Okanagan-Shuswap TeachersAssociation

557 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, secretary,treasurer, LR, Ab Ed, Barg,Communications, H&S,Member Involvement, ProD,SJ, TTOC, immediate past

president

AGM, secret ballot.

Vancouver Island WestTeachers Union

54 Pres, Barg/LR, ProD, WorkingRelations, Ab Ed, SJ , schoolstaff reps

AGM.

Vancouver IslandNorth TeachersAssociation

141 Pres, VP, LR, past president,secretary-treasurer, Barg.,ProD, H&S, SJ, TTOC, Ab Ed,M@L

AGM, secret ballot.

Number of ballots necessary forelection is determined by themembership.


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Creston ValleyTeachers Association

105 Pres, VP, secretary, treasurer,immediate past president, LR,alternate LR, ProD, Ab Ed, SJ,EFAP, Social, LEC, staff reps

AGM, secret ballot.

Kootenay LakeTeachers Association

37 Pres., LR, secretary, treasurer,ProD, all other positions areinformal.

General meeting.

Stikine TeachersAssociation

24 Pres, treasurer, VP/LR, PD,secretary, Barg, Housing, AbEd, SJ, TTOC, H&S, alternateLR

AGM. Secret ballot, 50 +1After 1st ballot if no winner,candidate with lowest votes isdropped, second ballot, etc.

Terrace DistrictTeachers Union

246 Pres, Sec. VP, Elem. VP,secretary, treasurer, LR, BargChair, Sec. Barg. Rep, Elem.Barg rep, Labour Council rep,H&S, TTOC, ProD, SJ, W/LC,Ab Ed, Social chair,Community relations, LEC (asneeded)

AGM.

Upper Skeena Teachers 68 Pres., VP, LR, treasurer, H&S,secretary, ProD, SJ, Ab Ed,social rep, staff reps

AGM.

Nisgaa TeachersUnion

45 Pres., VP, secretary, treasurer,ProD, SJ (2), Ab Ed, H&S,Barg., housing, LEC, TTOC,AGM delegate, OR, staff reps

AGM, secret ballot, 50% +1.Staff reps elected at school sites.

Syndicate enseignanteset enseignants duprogrammefrancophone de laColombie-Britannique

568 Pres, 1st VP, 2nd VP, secretary,treasurer, TTOC, LR, pastpresident (as applicable)

Voting at school sites by secretballot. Results reported out atAGM.

5. Election of provincial executive positions in other provincial teacher organizationsacross Canadaa. Alberta Teachers Association

Membership: over 40,000. Executive Committee: the executive is made up of 5 table officers and 15 district

representatives from 11 geographical districts.

Voting system: president and vice-presidentsone member, one vote province-wide.District Representativesone member, one vote by locals comprising the geographicdistrict.

History/other: this system has been in place for over 40 years. The ballots are mailedin to a PO Box for the association and must be received by a specific date in order tobe counted.

The association believes the advantages of this system to be that it adds to thecredibility of the council members, especially the president, election politics are notpart of the AGM, candidates can see all members, and all members can participate.The platforms of all candidates are published in an issue of the ATA publication.The participation rate is reported as 3252 % in years when there is a presidentialelection and 3340% in years when there is no presidential election.


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b. Saskatchewan Teachers Federation

Membership: over 12,000 members. Executive Committee: comprised of 10 members, the president, vice-president, and

additional members to total 10 (past-president included in that number in years whenthere is a past president).

Voting system: the executive is elected at the Annual General Meeting of the STFCouncil. Locals elect councillors to attend the AGM on a proportional representation

system. Polling stations are set up on the second day of the meeting, with the candidatewho received the greatest number of votes for each position being declared elected.

History/other: this system has been in place since the 1940s. In the 1930s aconstitutional committee was appointed to deal with the ambiguities and concerns inprocedures. The committee recommended that the organization move away from aone-member, one-vote system for electing the president. The federation believes thecurrent system to be democratic, flexible, and efficient. The organization does notassist candidates in campaigning other than to publish bio, picture, and statement, ifreceived by six weeks before the opening day of the Council AGM.

Since 2007, a mail-in system of balloting has been used for ratification of collective

agreement. Ballots are sent directly to an outside audit firm that tabulates the ballotsand makes a report to the STF.

c. Manitoba Teachers Society Membership: approximately 15,000 members. Executive committee: president, vice-president, and 11 members-at-large. Voting system: vote for president is by mail-in ballot of all members. Vote for vice-

president and members-at-large is held at the Annual General Meeting of theProvincial Council. The president is eligible for a maximum of 2 2-year terms. Themembers-at-large are eligible for a maximum of 3 3-year terms.

History/other: this system has been in place for approximately 8 years and MTS feelsit is working well. The nominations close on February 15 and ballots are to be mailedno later than March 13. Ballots are mailed to staff reps with a school voters list.Members can opt to mail their ballot back to MTS (post office box is set up) or returnit to the staff rep. There are plans to move to an electronic system sometime in thefuture.

MTS pays 50% of the first $2,000 in allowable campaign expenses and 25% of the next$2,000, to a maximum of $1,500.

Locals send delegates to the Provincial Council meeting on a proportional representationbasis. Locals are represented on the basis of 1 delegate for every 50 members, but no local

has fewer than 2 representatives.

d. Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association Membership: approximately 45,000. Executive: president (2-year term), past-president, first vice-president, second vice-

president, 2 councillors, table officer (2-year term, to serve as rep to OTF).

Voting system: executive positions are all elected by the delegates to the AnnualGeneral meeting (approximately 639 delegates), except past-president. All have 1-yearterms except the president and table officer.


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History/other: have been using this system for a long time and are not considering anydifferent system. OECTA is investigating a system of e-mail voting for ratifying amemorandum of agreement, but are experiencing challenges (access to e-mailaddresses, etc.).

e. Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Membership: approximately 76,000 members. Executive: president, first vice-president, two vice-presidents, one table officer, andnine other executive committee members. Voting system: all positions on the executive are elected at Annual General Meeting

by registered delegates, secret ballot with voting procedures governed by constitutionand by-laws.

History/other: have used this system for 14 years. The organization was created in1998 through amalgamation ofFederation of Women Teachers Associations ofOntario (FWTAO), and the Ontario Public School Teachers Federation (OPSTF).

f. Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation

Membership: over 60,000 members including teachers, educational assistants,continuing education teachers, and instructors, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, attendance counselors,and many other education professionals.

Executive Committee: consists of the president, 2 vice-presidents, 3 executive officersand the treasurer. Non-voting members of the Executive Committee are the generalsecretary and 3 associate general secretaries.

Voting system: the executive is elected at the Annual General meeting. History/other: This system has been in place for over 40 years. The organization

believes the activists who are most familiar with the organization should choose theExecutive Committee, and have not considered moving to any other system.

g. Association des Enseignantes et des Enseignants Franco-Ontariens Membership: approximately 10,000 members. Executive Committee: consists of the president, first vice-president, second vice-

president, 3 councillors, and the director general.

Voting system: the Executive Committee is elected by the delegates to the AnnualGeneral Meeting.

History/other: the organization was founded in 1939 and is one of the affiliates of theOntario Teachers Federation. The AEFO voting system has always been in place. Theorganization reports that it has not been re-evaluated and is considered to be workingwell.

h. Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers Membership: approximately 8,000 (teachers in English school boards). Executive Committee: consists of the president, general chairperson, treasurer,

secretary, and 3 members-at-large.

Board of directors: officers plus representatives of the membership based on 1 rep forevery 300 members or fraction, for locals over 300, 1 rep for every additional 300 orfraction.

Voting system: voting for Executive Committee members is school/worksite based,supervised by union rep.


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History/other: candidates may choose to have a first and second statement publishedwith a photo in a special edition of the newsletter.

i. Nova Scotia Teachers Union

Membership: approximately 11,000 members (includes K-12, faculty, and staff at NSCommunity College).

Executive Committee: the executive is made up of 4 table officers (president, first-vicepresident, second vice-president, secretary-treasurer) and 21 members elected byregion.

Voting system: president elected by one-member, one-vote, first vice-president electedby the AGM, other executive members elected by members in specific geographicregions.

History/other: for first-vice president, this has been the case since the delegates hearfrom the person first hand. Moving to one-member, one-vote universally was donefor the president as it was seen as more democratic but for the first vice-president,since the term is only 1 year, the AGM has wanted to maintain its authority as thisposition is seen as a stepping stone to become president. NSTU feels that voting byone-member, one-vote in the geographic regions has allowed more small locals to

have representatives on the Executive Committee. Since 2008, online voting has beenused for both the president and the other executive committee members. The NSTUsees the advantage of the system being quick, convenient, and having no spoiledballots. The union identified the overall participation as having dropped withelectronic voting, despite the convenience. The returns on the presidential ballot havebeen in the range of 65%. The union is very satisfied with the online voting system ithas developed and the cost savings.

For the presidential race, the union pays for up to 20 substitute days and pays for othercosts up to a maximum of $2,000 for travel, printing, etc. Union also pays for a limitednumber of posters and distributes these and other campaign materials to school

representatives.

j. New Brunswick Teachers FederationIn 1970, three teachers organizations were formed to serve the needs of teachers in NewBrunswick, where one had previously existed, the New Brunswick Teachers Association.However, in 1970, a new organization was formed, the New Brunswick TeachersFederation, with two autonomous, constituent organizations, New Brunswick TeachersAssociation (NBTA), the English language section, and lAssociation des enseignantes etdes enseignants francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick (AEFNB), the French languagesection. The presidents of AEFNB and NBTA are co-presidents of the NBTF. The NBTFExecutive Committee and board of directors are comprised of some members of the

executive and board of directors of both the NBTA and AEFNB.

i. New Brunswick Teachers Association

Membership: approximately 6,500 members. Executive: president, past president, vice-president, executive director (non-

voting), plus 5 members elected by the board of directors at the boards AnnualGeneral meeting.

Board: the board of directors is made up of 1 director per district with an additionaldirector where the district membership is over 750 plus the executive. There are 30directors all with 3-year terms. The directors have a proportional representationsystem for voting at board meetings.


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Voting system: voting for provincial office is conducted through the NBTAwebsite with all members having the right to vote and with polls being open for aweek. The president serves a two year term and is not eligible for re-election. Inthe first year of the presidents two-year term, there is an election for a vice-president who will be declared the president-elect and will assume the presidencyat the end of the presidents term. In the second year of the presidents term, thereis an election for the position of vice-president. The board of directors votes by

secret ballot to elect 5 additional members of the Executive Committee selectedfrom amongst the members of the board.

History/other: for provincial office, the NBTA publishes a special edition of theirnewsletter with each candidate having a full page and produces an election posterfor staffrooms. Candidates are reimbursed up to $2,000 for election expenses,provided they receive at least 5% of the vote. One week prior to the board ofdirectors Annual General Meeting, directors wishing to run for one of the 5positions on the executive, may submit a short biographical sketch for publicationto the meeting. The turnout with electronic voting has been lower than with theprevious mail ballots.

ii. Association des Enseignantes et des Enseignants Francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick Membership: approximately 2,500 members plus 500 TToCs. Executive: the Conseil dadministration is made up of the president, vice-president,

and 1 rep per local (19). The bureau direction is made up of the president, vice-president and 2 members chosen by the president and vice-president.

Voting system: one-member, one-vote through electronic voting. History/other: have been doing electronic voting for 4 years; previously used ballot

mailing. Association believes the system is working very well. It is quick, simple,and inexpensive and does not involve additional staff time or costs. There has beenhigher participation since going to electronic, and no margin of error.

k. Prince Edward Island Teachers Federation Membership: approximately 1,500 members. Executive Committee: the executive is made up of the president, elected for a two-year

term, and two vice-presidents, elected for one-year terms, and 5 members-at-large.

Voting system: the members of the executive committee, excluding the five members-at-large, are elected by the delegates to the Annual General Meeting as has alwaysbeen the case. The 5 members-at-large are elected in local area association meetings.

History/other: the Federation identifies the advantage of the AGM elections as beingthat the delegates have first-hand experience with who is being chosen. An ad hoccommittee will be studying election systems this year.

l. Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Union

Membership: approximately 6,000. Executive Committee: consists of president, vice-president, and 10 other elected

Executive Committee members (5 alternates are also elected).

Voting system: voting for all Executive Committee positions is done by secret ballot atthe biennial convention. Branches qualify to send delegates based on 1 per every 100members or fraction thereof. Photos and information on candidates is published in theNLTU bulletin at least 1 month prior to the date of the election.


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History/other: branches and special interest groups may instruct delegates on who tovote for on the understanding that, after the first ballot, delegates are released frominstructions and may vote as they see fit.

m. Yukon Teachers Association

Membership: approximately 800 members. Executive Committee: consists of the president, vice-president, treasurer, past

president and 5 members with specific portfolios (Professional Development,Constitution and Policy, Public Relations, Employment Relations, and Membership).

Voting system: all Executive Committee positions are elected by the Annual GeneralMeeting on a one-member, one-vote system. All members eligible to attend the AGMand vote, but typically 140150 do so. Teachers do not belong to locals, but are directemployees of the Department of Education. Proxy voting is allowed for leadershippositions. Election for president is held the day before the AGM; the AGM itself is oneday only.

History/other: candidates may give a speech at the AGM and may choose to have arepresentative present at the ballot count. All YTA members have a government-issuede-mail address.

n. Nunavut Teachers Association

Membership: 826 members. Executive Committee: the central executive is made up of the president, vice-

president, secretary-treasurer, 1 Inuit member-at-large and 5 regional presidents.

Voting system: president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer, and Inuit member-at-large are all elected through a mail-in ballot of members.

History/other: candidates for president must have had at least 2 years previousexperience at the central, regional, or local executive level or staff rep. Candidate forvice-president must have had at least 1 year of experience at the same. Nominees forthe central executive are free to contact the membership in any way they see fit,

keeping the code of ethics in mind. The NTA will publish the vitae, photo, andcampaign platform of all candidates in a special issue of the newsletter. The staff repsact as school-based returning officers. To be declared elected, candidates must receive50% plus 1, or a subsequent election will take place. All central Executive Committeepositions are two-year terms, with the president being limited to two terms. Regionalpresidents and other regional executive positions are elected by the members in theregion through a mail-in ballot vote.

Electronic voting is not an option at this time; technology is limited and Internet can beslow. NTA does have e-mail system for all members. Candidates can use the e-mailsystem to campaign.

o. Northwest Territories Teachers Association

Membership: over 800 members. Executive Committee: consists of the president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer, 1

member-at-large and 1 regional presidents representative.

Voting system: elections are conducted by membership vote through school-basedballoting with a returning officer at each school/worksite. The regional presidents repis elected at the fall Regional Presidents Orientation.

History/other: prior to 2000, all members of the Central Executive were elected at theannual spring meeting of the Central Council. The Central Council, which consists of


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the regional presidents and 1 councillor for every 50 members, plus the centralexecutive committee, is the governing body and final authority.Participation rates are high (89% in last election).Space provided to all candidates in Election Issue, one free mail-out per candidatesand link to candidates webpages on NWTTA website. Members well informed,interested and involved.

6. Election of executive committee positions in other unions

Union MembershipExecutiveCommittee Elections Other

BC Ferryand MarineWorkers

over 4,500 president1st vice-president2nd vice-presidentsecretary-treasurerShips OfficersComponentpresident SOCengineering rep,

SOC catering rep;SOC deck rep;Deas Dockcomponent president;11 unlicensed localpresidents

triennialconventionnominatescandidates forEC, elected for3-year terms byreferendumballot

convention elects3 trustees,returning officer,and deputyreturning officer

BCGovernmentEmployeesUnion(BCGEU)

approximately65,000

president4 vice-presidentstreasurerchairperson of eachcomponent (currently12 components)

triennialconvention electspresident,treasurer, and 4vice-presidents

componentchairs are electedfrom thecomponentExecutiveCommittees

delegates to theconvention areelected on a localand componentproportionalrepresentationbasis

BC NursesUnion(BCNU)

approximately40,000

ExecutiveCommittee consistsof president, vice-president, treasurer,and 2 executivecouncillors

council is made up of5 members of theExecutiveCommittee and 20regional reps(regional chairs andco-chairs)

provincialexecutive andregional chairsare elected bythe membershipin a ballot vote tobe returned tothe BCNU by aspecified date,the elections foreach office areheld every 3years as of 2012

those withhighest votecounts aredeclared elected


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BC NursesUnion(BCNU)contd

previously thesepositions were 2-year terms,regionalcouncillors are

elected in theirregions by themembership ofthe region

CanadianOffice andProfessionalEmployees(Local 378)

approximately14,000

table officers:president, secretary-treasurer, and 3 vice-presidents

Executive Board: 20members, including

reps elected by andfrom the membershipin each employerbargaining unit, plusthe table officers

all positions areelected every 3years; presidentand secretary-treasurer areelected at largeby membership,

mail in ballot;3 vice-presidentsare chosen bysecret ballot ofthe executiveboard members,councillors anddelegate jobstewards atpolicyconventionfollowingtriennialelections

candidates haveaccess to unionmembership rollsand voters list

candidatespersonal profiles

and photos arepublished byunion and sent tomembers homeaddresses

CanadianUnion ofPublicEmployees-BC (CUPE-BC)

approximately85,000

EC made up of 17members:presidentsecretary-treasurer4 general vice-presidents9 regional vice-presidents2 diversity reps8 alternates areelected

presidentsecretary-treasurergeneral vice-presidents areelected at theannualconvention,elections heldevery 2 years

9 regional vice-presidents areelected from 6regions2 diversity repsare elected bythe caucuses


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Federationof Post-SecondaryEducators(FPSE)

over 10,000 presidentvice-president2nd vice-presidentsecretary-treasurer2 officers elected at

large

president, 2 vice-presidents andsecretary-treasurer areelected at the

AGM

2 officers atlarge are electedby thePresidentsCouncil, heldright before andafter the AGM,all are 1-yearterms

two officers atlarge come fromthe membershipof the PresidentsCouncil, are

intended toprovide regionaland genderbalance

AGM isapproximately132 delegateswith proportionalrepresentation

HealthSciencesAssociation(HSA)

approximately13,000 board of directorspresident1 regional directorfrom each of the 10regions

president iselected to a 2-year term atannualconvention (odd#years)board elects avice-presidentand secretary-treasurer everyyear

regionaldirectors areelected by themembers in theregion throughmail in ballots,take office at theend of the AGM

odd #regions inodd #years, even#in even years

consideredelectronic votinginstead of mail-inbut have notmoved aheadwith it

HospitalEmployeesUnions(HEU)

46,000 President, Secretary-Business Manager,Financial Secretary,3 vice-presidents,Senior Trustee,Trustee , Trustee-elect, 12 Regionalvice-presidents

EC positionselected atbiennialconvention for 2-year terms

regional vice-presidents areelected at the

convention isbetween 600670delegates


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HospitalEmployeesUnions(HEU)contd

convention inmeetings ofregionalcaucuses

PublicServiceAlliance,BC Region

18,000 Regional Council ismade up of 23members:regional executive,vice-president,alternate regionalexecutive vice-president, 12regional reps, 6regional equity co-ordinators, 1 H/S rep,

1 component rep, 1charter local rep(representing smalllocals)

all positions areelected every 3years at theRegionalConvention;convention isattended by repson a proportionalrepresentationsystem;regional EC

vice-president,alternate ECvice-president,H/S rep areelected by theentire convention

convention useselectronic votingsystem thatreduces votingtimeconsiderably,outside mediacompany is used

7. Other organizationsa. BC Federation of Labour

The president, secretary-treasurer, and executive council members representinglabour councils are elected by majority vote at the convention, every two years.

Vote conducted by secret ballot of delegates.b. BC NDPLeadership convention

Delegates to convention are based on proportional representation by riding. Voting for the leadership is one-person, one-vote. Mail-in ballot (basically an advance poll) is done prior to convention. Eligible voters

are asked to vote for candidates using a preferential ranking system, i.e., first choice,second choice, etc.

Delegates at convention vote electronically and delegates not at convention voteelectronically through a website.

Authentication for electronic voting through the website is done with a member ID. The candidate with the lowest number of votes is knocked off the ballot (assuming

no one candidate gets 50 +1) and balloting continues until one candidate gets 50 +1.

c. BC Teachers Council

Members in districts elect 5 reps to the Teachers Council for 3-year terms (otherpositions on the council are appointed).

Election conducted through mail ballots to members' homes. Returns per district:

- Fraser 22 %- Interior 27%


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- Northern 28%- Vancouver Coastal 22%- Vancouver Island 21%

d. BC Liberal Party Replaced one-member, one-vote system with preferential ballot of members with

system that weights votes from party members in each riding so each riding has the

same influence. Members rank at least 2 choices. Votes tallied on geographic lines with each

constituency worth 100 points.

First candidate to receive more than half of the points wins the leadership8. Considerations

The nature of democracy and engagement within a member-based organization such as aunion has been widely studied and debated, as have ways to involve members, electleadership, and manage the affairs of the collective. The Federation alone had 4 major reviewsof its organization and structures in a 40-year period, each leading to debate and decision atthe governance bodies.

A commitment to a democratic union can engender quite different but equally emphatic viewsof democracy in action. Therefore, its important to begin a discussion of changes togovernance structures and processes by examining fundamental questions. Such questionsmight include:a. What problem has been identified and how will the proposed change lead to the solution?b. Is there more than one solution?c. Are different or additional steps needed in order to achieve a solution?d. What else will need to be changed in order to implement a solution or solutions?e. What is the intended impact of the change on values, culture, and organization, and what

might the incidental impact be?

f. How would any change process need to be managed and how wouldit be assessed?

When changes to the governance models are contemplated, its incumbent on the organizationto do more than identify the practical steps to be taken; a deeper examination is required inorder to ensure that all factors are carefully considered, the deliberations are well informed,and the determination is reasoned.

9. ConclusionThis report is being presented to the Annual General Meeting by the Executive Committee, asdirected by the RA. The Executive Committee considered the report fully, and is not bringingforward recommendations to the Annual General Meeting.

Dependent on further consideration, any change to the current system of electing the positionson the Executive Committee would require a number of changes to the Federation by-laws,procedures, and AGM Standing Rules of Order. This would involve specificrecommendations to a subsequent AGM, amending:

By-laws 5.1 to 5.5, 8.4, and 8.6 Procedures 2.B.02, 2.B.0.8, 25.B.02.3, and 25.B.04 AGM Standing Rules of Order, Section 13.

supplementary report #2

Documents