Special Resolution (1) To Enable Registering Constitutional Changes with the Registrar of Societies Be it resolved that: the Wildrose Alliance Political Association repeal its current constitution, and all amendments made prior to this Annual general meeting, it their entirety; and, replace them with the previous version as corrected and supplemented with any amendments duly passed by the membership at this Annual General Meeting, including the updating of proper references and numbering updates (as required as a result of the amendments). THIS ONE WILL NOT BE RANKED AND WILL BE VOTED ON.
Special Resolution (2) To Review Regional Zones 4.2 The Constituency Associations shall be placed into five regional zones as specified by the Executive Committee, each consisting of an approximately equal number of constituencies representing: Edmonton, Calgary, North, South, and Central. Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves that a Special Committee composed of Officers and Members be struck to investigate amending Article 4.2 of the Constitution and executing the amendment as follows at the next Annual General Meeting: 4.2 The Constituency Associations shall be placed into 10 regional zones as specified by the Executive Committee, each consisting of an approximately equal number of constituencies. **NOTE: Passage of this resolution does NOT amend the Constitution. It asks the Executive Committee to form a committee to investigate how the zones would be evenly distributed if more zones were added. There would be several resulting consequential amendments to Articles 7.1 and 7.2** THIS ONE WILL NOT BE RANKED AND WILL BE VOTED ON. The previous description of the regional zones did not allow for an even distribution of constituencies in a manner the members found acceptable. For example, members interpreted the Calgary region to include all 26 CAs within the municipal boundaries of that city and the South region to only include 10, which is not the even distribution envisioned by the Bylaws. Creating 10 zones will make it more difficult to find Provincial Directors from each zone. In the case of vacancies where no suitable member from the zone is willing to serve as Provincial Director, an allowance is made for the Executive Committee to appoint a member who resides outside that zone.
RESOLUTION 3 1. NAME 1.1 The name of this society shall be the Wildrose Alliance Political Association. It shall register a political party with Elections Alberta under the full name of Wildrose Alliance Party and the abbreviated name of Wildrose (hereinafter referred to as the Party ). Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves and endorses that Article 1.1 of the Constitution be amended as follows: 1.1 The name of this Society shall be the Wildrose Political Association. It shall register a political party with Elections Alberta under the name of Wildrose Party and the abbreviated name of Wildrose (hereinafter referred to as the Party ). The Party has identified itself and been identified by the public as the Wildrose Party for a number of years. The inclusion of the word Alliance is a historical artifact that is no longer in use.
RESOLUTION 4 2. PRINCIPLES (entire section) Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves that the bylaws in Article 2 of the Constitution be removed from the Constitution and moved to the Member Passed Policy Document. The contents of Article 2 will require a special resolution to be amended as part of the Member Passed Policy document. The Party is incorporated as society under the Societies Act. The inclusion of principles in the Bylaws is a historical artifact from a time when Alberta Corporate Registries required society bylaws include a statement of principles. Alberta Corporate Registries no longer accepts bylaws in that format and the Party bylaws should be updated to reflect that change by moving the Principles section to the member passed polices where it more naturally fits. To maintain the special status of the principles, a special resolution should still be required to amend them.
RESOLUTION 5 2. PRINCIPLES 2.1 The Party is founded on and will be guided in its policy formation by the following principles. 2.2 Citizens Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities 2.2.1 We believe in the inherent value and dignity of each individual citizen.... Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Calgary-Shaw moves that Article 2.2 of the Constitution be amended to insert the following as 2.2.1 and the rest renumbered: 2.2.1 Wildrose will defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons.
RESOLUTION 6 2. PRINCIPLES 2.1 The Party is founded on and will be guided in its policy formation by the following principles. 2.2 Citizens Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities 2.2.1 We believe in the inherent value and dignity of each individual citizen.... Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Calgary-Bow moves that Article 2 be amended by inserting a new Article 2 and the rest renumbered: 2 The Purpose and Mission of the Party is to represent all Albertans, 2.2 When in opposition, with sound, common sense solutions and alternative to issues raised by the government; 2.3 When entrusted to form government, to govern in such manner as to reflect, strengthen and efficiently serve the common sense values of Albertans as specifically outlined in Article 3 of this Constitution. The current Article 1 defines the Name of the Party and current Article 2 outlines the Principles by which the party is built upon, but there is no Articles that deals with why there is a need for the party or what is the mission of the party. Therefore in the absence of a clear purpose or mission statement the Executive Committee drafted a Mission Statement that has become the over-arching guiding principle of both their focus and activities with respect to the governance of the Party. That mission statement is: To form government There is a primary intrinsic problem with that mission: What happens to the mission of the Party WHEN it forms government? There is nothing particular wrong with the objective to form government, but when that is our sole focus and stated mission, it sends a message that we are more interested in gaining power than serving Albertans. Further, our own party leader publicly launched our election readiness campaign with these words: Albertans are looking for leadership.that isn t consumed with power and winning the next election, but leadership that is dedicated to improving Alberta with positive, common sense policies. Our Leader s stated vision is that we are a Party that is focused on representing Albertans and not a party that is consumed with forming government ; grasping power at any cost. This proposal is to entrench in our Constitution, a mission statement that reflects the vision of our members and aspiration of Albertans. The specific Mission being proposed is:
To represent all Albertans It retains the objective of forming government, but demotes it to being a secondary objective, subservient to the primary mission of representing Albertans. We propose that this mission statement is more in keeping with the stated vision of our Leader and the aspiration of Albertans that are tired of a governing party that seeks only power. We submit, that by putting Albertans first, before our desire to form government, and by demonstrating that we can effectively represent them, they, in turn will entrust us with their authority to form government.
RESOLUTION 7 3.3 Subject to minimum periods of membership which may be set out in this Constitution or otherwise by the Executive Committee, every member is exclusively entitled to: 3.3.1 attend and participate in any General or Special Meeting of their Constituency Association and attend any Board of Directors meeting; Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves and endorses that Article 3.3.1 of the Constitution be amended as follows: 3.3 Subject to minimum periods of membership which may be set out in this Constitution or otherwise by Executive Committee, every member is exclusively entitled to: 3.3.1 attend and participate in any General or Special meeting of their Constituency Association and attend any portion of their Constituency Association Board of Directors meeting that is not in-camera. The Executive Committee has heard concerns from Constituency Associations regarding the need for some confidential or sensitive issues to be dealt with during in-camera sessions and for those portions of meetings to be restricted to Constituency Association board members, all of whom will have executed the Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Undertaking required by the Constituency Association Bylaws.
RESOLUTION 8 4.5 Constituency Associations shall comply with such requirements as to their governance, financial management and reporting, as may be implemented by Executive Committee. Recognition of a Constituency Association may be revoked pursuant to rules and procedures set out by Executive Committee, per the Election Act. Recognition may also be revoked, at the discretion of Executive Committee, if Association membership falls below fifteen (15) members. 4.5.1 Upon the revocation of recognition of a Constituency Association any funds or other assets of the Constituency Association shall be transferred to the Party, to be returned to the Constituency Association upon reactivation. 4.6 Lists of Constituency Association Presidents shall be made available to any President of a recognized Constituency Association who makes a request for such a list in writing to the Party. Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Calgary-Glenmore moves that Article 4.6 be added after 4.5 (Notification of change in CA Bylaws) and the rest renumbered: 4.6 The Executive Committee shall notify Constituency Associations of proposed changes to the Constituency Association Bylaws ( CA Bylaws ) two (2) months in advance of their planned implementation date and Constituency Associations will have one (1) month to comment and suggest revisions to the CA Bylaws back to the Executive Committee. CA governance is influenced by four major documents: The Party Constitution, Policies, CA Bylaws and Candidate Selection Rules and Procedures. While CAs have input to the first two, they do not have input to the latter two except this year when they were invited to comment on a newly proposed CA Bylaws. While not all CA suggestions were accepted, the fact that some were implies that the final version of the document was improved through CA involvement. Further, CAs can be very different from each other (some are rural while others are urban, some are large while some are small, Board sizes vary significantly etc.) so consultation with all CAs can capture a variety of CA Bylaw features that apply universally to the diverse nature of our CAs.
RESOLUTION 9 5. GOVERNANCE 5.1 The governance of the Party shall reflect the following principles: 5.1.1 Authority within the Party resides in its members. 5.1.2 The Leader and Executive Committee are accountable to members of the Party and the Caucus. 5.1.3 The Caucus is accountable to the Party and to their constituents. 5.2. To ensure accountability, there will be regular communication from the Leader and the Executive Committee to Constituency Associations and members. 5.3 The governance of the Party between General Meetings is vested in the Executive Committee and the Leader. Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Calgary-Lougheed moves that Article 5 be deleted and replaced with the following: 5. GOVERNANCE 5.1 As would be expected of a Party ready and capable of forming a government in the Province of Alberta, governance of our party will be clear, effective, efficient and transparent. It will reflect the following principles. 5.1.1 authority within the Party resides in its members. 5.1.2 The Leader and Executive Committee are accountable to members of the Party and the Caucus. 5.1.3 the Caucus is accountable to the Party and to their constituents 5.2 To ensure clarity, transparency and accountability, the Party will produce the following: 5.2.1 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART The Party will produce, keep current and maintain a Party Organizational Chart, which will depict all Party Officers, Committees, Offices and any other relevant personnel and/or entities, their reporting relationships and any other interrelationships 5.2.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE. The Party will produce, keep current and maintain Terms of Reference for all Party Committees. This includes the Executive Committee, the Policy and Constitution Committee, the Credentials Committee, the Nomination Committee, the Local Candidate Nomination Committee and any other committees which have been or may be struck by the Party. The Terms of Reference will include in sufficient detail the purpose and function of the committee, its duties and accountabilities, its membership and selection thereof, its length of term and any other details deemed necessary for clarity and transparency. 5.2.3 MISSION STATEMENTS. The Party will produce, keep current and maintain Mission Statements of all Party Offices including the Party Office and the Political Operations Office. The Mission Statement will include in sufficient detail the structure, purpose and function of the department, its duties, and its accountabilities, performance standards and expectations and any other details deemed necessary for clarity and transparency
5.2.4 POSITION DESCRIPTIONS. The Party will produce, keep current and maintain Position Descriptions for all Party Officers including Leader, President, the various Vice President positions, Provincial Directors, Office Directors and any other positions the Party has created or may create. The Position Description will include in sufficient detail the duties, responsibilities and accountabilities of the position.
RESOLUTION 10 6.3.1 At each General Meeting, the Secretary shall present and call for approval of the Minutes of the previous General Meeting or, if a Minute Approval Committee has been authorized to approve the Minutes, inform the members that the Minutes have been duly approved by that Committee. Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves and endorses that Article 4.2 of the Constitution be amended as follows: 6.3.1 At each General Meeting, the Secretary shall present the Minutes of the previous General Meeting and inform the members that the Minutes have been duly approved by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets on a monthly basis and can review and approve the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting in a timely fashion. This allows for the necessary Corporate Registry and Elections Alberta filings to be made following the election of new members to the Executive Committee and any amendments to the Bylaws.
RESOLUTION 11 6.9 In preparation for an Annual General Meeting, the Executive Committee shall appoint the following Committees, the members of which must be members in good standing of the Party: 6.9.2. A Policy and Constitution Committee whose duties are to prepare a call for and accept policy resolutions and Constitution amendments and to review and comment on all policy resolutions and Constitution amendments submitted for consideration by the members at the General Meeting. The Policy and Constitution Committee will ensure that all resolutions submitted to it are available to all members; Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves that Article 4.2 of the Constitution be amended as follows: 6.9 In preparation for an Annual General Meeting, the Executive Committee shall appoint the following Committees, the members of which must be members in good standing of the Party: 6.9.2 at least once every two (2) years, a Policy and Constitution Committee whose duties are to prepare a call for and accept policy resolutions and Constitution amendments and to review and comment on all policy resolutions and Constitution amendments submitted for consideration by the members at the General Meeting. The Policy and Constitution Committee will ensure that all resolutions submitted to it are made available to all members; Article 6.5 permits the Executive Committee to state the business to be transacted at an Annual General Meeting. Some members have nevertheless interpreted the clause requiring the formation of a Policy & Constitution Committee to mean that every Annual General Meeting must include amendment of the Member Passed Polices and the Bylaws in its agenda. This amendments allows for different forms of policy discussions to take place during Annual General Meetings (focus groups, brainstorming sessions etc.) and allows for greater flexibility in the agenda for Annual General Meetings. There is a limited amount of time at any Annual General Meeting and formal amendment to policy and the Bylaws are too important to permit other sessions to run concurrently. Amending policy and the Bylaws every year limits the ability to do other things during an Annual General Meeting such as campaign training and Constituency Association board training. Allowing formal policy and Bylaw amendments to take place at least every other year, allows for much greater flexibility and opportunity for engagement of members during Annual General Meetings.
Related resulting amendments: 10.3 Notice of the call for proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be sent to all Party members no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next scheduled Annual General Meeting at which Policies will be amended. All proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Policy and Constitution Committee in writing as a Notice of Motion at least ninety (90) prior to the date of the next scheduled Annual General Meeting at which Policies will be amended. All duly proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be made available to Party members no less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next scheduled Annual General Meeting at which Policies will be amended. 12.2 Notice of the call for proposed Special Resolutions to rescind, alter, add or otherwise amend this Constitution shall be sent to all Party members no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next scheduled Annual General Meeting at which amendments will be considered. All said proposed Special Resolutions shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Policy and Constitution Committee of the Party in writing as a Notice of Motion at least ninety (90) days prior to the date of the next scheduled Annual General Meeting at which amendments will be considered. All duly proposed Special Resolutions shall be made available to Party members no less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next scheduled Annual General Meeting at which amendments will be considered.
RESOLUTION 12 6.9.4 a Nominating Committee (if necessary), which must be created not less than ninety (90) days prior to the Annual General Meeting of the Party; and 6.9.4.1 The Nominating Committee, shall consist of three (3) members, none of whom may be a candidate for President. If the membership has not previously been notified as to the date of the Annual General Meeting, they must be notified ninety (90) days prior to the Annual General Meeting that the Meeting will include the election of the Executive Committee and that nominations for positions from the membership is now open. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for the officer positions to be filled at the Annual General Meeting. Candidates for officer positions and all officers must be members in good standing of the Party. The Nominating Committee shall report to the Executive Committee prior to the notice of the Annual General Meeting being sent to all members, and such report shall be included in the notice of the Annual General Meeting. Nominations may also be made by any member up to sixty-five (65) days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting, and such nominations shall also be included in the notice of the Annual General Meeting. Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves and endorses that Article 6.9.4 of the Constitution be amended as follows: 6.9.4 a Nominating Committee, which must be created not less than one hundred-twenty (120) days prior to the Annual General Meeting of the Party. 6.9.4.1 The Nominating Committee, shall consist of three (3) members, none of whom are seeking election to the Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee shall notify the members not less than sixty (90) days in advance of the Annual General Meeting of which positions on the Executive Committee will be elected that year and that nominations are open. Nominations shall close seventy (70 days) in advance of the Annual General Meeting. The Nominating Committee shall ensure all proposed nominees are members in good standing of the Party and that they have collected at least ten (10) signatures of members in good standing of the Party who support their candidacy. The Nominating Committee shall disqualify any proposed nominee who is not a member in good standing or who has not collected the required signatures. The Nominating Committee shall, at least sixty (60) days in advance of the Annual General Meeting, notify the members of the candidates standing for election to the Executive Committee. The confusing wording in this clause resulted from the amalgamation of two earlier resolutions of the same article, each passed by the members without consideration of the other. Additionally, the process followed in recent years of permitting candidates who were endorsed by the Nominating Committee and those who weren t was awkward and cumbersome. This wording makes the criteria for seeking election and role of the Nominating Committee clear.
RESOLUTION 13 6.10 Upon payment of the registration fee, any member in good standing of the Party shall have the right to attend and speak at all General Meetings and any member in good standing of the Party for at least fourteen (14) days before the date of such meeting shall have the right to vote on all matters properly brought before the membership for consideration. Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee and endorses moves that Article 6.10 of the Constitution be amended as follows: 6.10 Any member in good standing of the Party who has paid the prescribed registration fee, personally or through an immediate family member, shall have the right to attend and speak at the General Meetings and any member in good standing of the Party for at least fourteen (14) days before the date of such meeting shall have the right to vote on all matters properly brought before the membership for consideration.
RESOLUTION 14 7.11 The following individuals shall not be eligible to be elected or appointed to be voting members of the Executive Committee: 7.11.1 Members of or employees of Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, except the Leader; 7.11.2 Members of, or employees of Members of the Parliament of Canada; and 7.11.3 Employees and contractors of the Party or any other political party. Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Calgary-Glenmore moves that Article 7.11 be amended as follows: 7.11 The following individuals shall not be eligible to be elected or appointed to be members of the Executive Committee: 7.11.1 Members or employees of Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, except the Leader and the two members of Caucus who are elected by Caucus selected pursuant to Article 9.5; 7.11.2 Members or employees of Members of the Parliament of Canada; and 7.11.3 Employees and contractors of the Party or any other political party. The only non-voting members of the EC are the two chosen Caucus members (see 7.1.1). According to the current 7.11 only these two positions would be eligible to be elected or appointed to the EC, but as this is solely the prerogative of Caucus only voting positions remain. Thus the current 7.11 has no application.
RESOLUTION 15 7. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 7.13 No officer shall serve more than six (6) consecutive years in any combination of executive committee positions. Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Calgary-Bow and Lacombe-Ponoka moves that Article 7 be amended by adding Article 7.14 and renumbering the rest: 7.14 Members of the Executive Committee, whether elected or appointed, are prohibited from seeking nomination, or appointment, as a Wildrose candidate, for the entire period of the term of office for which they were elected or appointed, regardless of whether they are currently serve in that office. 7.14.1 Notwithstanding Article 7.14, members of the Executive Committee are free: 7.14.1.1 To seek election, or appointment, to any vacant position on the Executive Committee. 7.14.1.2 To seek election as Leader of the party provided they have resigned their position on the Executive Committee first. 2014 saw a move to have candidates for the next election in place to ensure that the party is represented in all 87 constituencies by good credible candidates and to give them adequate time to prepare for a snap election should the PC leadership race result in a leader who wants to secure a mandate to govern from Albertans sooner rather than later. As a number of EC members decided to step down and seek the nomination, the Executive Committee was left with a number of vacant positions for some time and unable to properly address various issues related to those positions. It has also been perceived by many of the membership at large that some may have originally joined the EC for purely partisan reasons to further an objective of seeking a constituency nomination and it is the intent of this sub Article to prevent this from occurring in the future.
RESOLUTION 16 7. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 7.1 The officers of the Party shall be a President, a Vice-President - Membership, a Vice-President- Policy, a Vice-President- Fundraising, a Vice - President -Communications,, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and ten (10) representatives to be referred to as Provincial Directors, two (2) from each of five (5) regional zones who are residents within one of the Constituency Associations within that regional zone. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed in this Constitution Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Lacombe Ponoka moves that Article 7.1. be amended and 7.8 be added as follow and the rest renumbered: 7. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 7.1 The officers of the Party shall be a President, a Vice-President - Membership, a Vice-President- Policy, a Vice-President- Fundraising, a Vice - President -Communications, a Vice-President-Political Operations, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and ten (10) representatives to be referred to as Provincial Directors, two (2) from each of five (5) regional zones who are residents within one of the Constituency Associations within that regional zone. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed in this Constitution 7.8 The Vice President-Political Operations shall be responsible for: 7.8.1 Acting as the primary liaison between Political Operations and the Executive Committee responsible for maintaining ongoing communications with Political Operations and communicating their planning strategy to the Executive Committee; 7.8.2 Assist with strategy & planning by the Executive Committee and Caucus and communicate that direction to Political Operations; 7.8.3 Be responsible for informing the Executive Committee and the Constituency Association boards of nomination results as they occur; 7.8.4 Develop on-going training for members and Members of the Legislative Assembly and assist with and oversee performance reviews of Political Operations staff; 7.8.5 Generate quarterly reports to the Executive Committee and Constituency Association board members and at least twice annually including once at each AGM to membership at large in concert with the Vice President Communications and Vice President Policy to keep the membership informed. Political Operations is one of the most critical elements of the Wildrose which currently is not responsible to the member elected Executive Committee but responsible directly to the Leader alone. The Vice President- Political Operations position would give the elected members of the EC direct input and direction of the daily activity of the Political Operations staff coupled with oversight of all pol-ops activity.
RESOLUTION 17 7. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 7.1 The officers of the Party shall be a President, a Vice-President - Membership, a Vice-President - Policy, a Vice-President - Fundraising, Vice - President -Communications, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and ten (10) representatives to be referred to as Provincial Directors, two (2) from each of five (5) regional zones who are residents within one of the Constituency Associations within that regional zone. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed in this Constitution 7.2.1 The President, the Vice-President-Fundraising, the Secretary, and one Provincial Director from each of the five (5) regional zones, shall be elected in odd numbered years. Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Calgary-Cross moves that article 7.1 and 7.2.1 be amended and a new 7.8 be added as follows and the rest renumbered: 7. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 7.1 The officers of the Party shall be a President, a Vice-President - Membership, a Vice-President - Policy, a Vice-President - Fundraising, Vice - President -Communications, Vice President Community Outreach, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and ten (10) representatives to be referred to as Provincial Directors, two (2) from each of five (5) regional zones who are residents within one of the Constituency Associations within that regional zone. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed in this Constitution 7.2.1 The Vice-President-Membership, the Vice-President-Policy, the Vice- President-Communications, the Vice-President Community Outreach, the Treasurer and one Provincial Director from each regional zone, shall be elected in even numbered years. 7.8 The Vice President Community Outreach shall be responsible for the party s outreach programs including outreach to new Canadians and their organizations.
RESOLUTION 18 7. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 7.2 Subject to this article, the officers shall be elected by ballot at the Annual General Meeting of the Party for a two year term. Their term of office shall commence at the close of the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected and shall conclude at the close of the Annual General Meeting where their successors are elected. Notice of Motion Special Resolution: the Executive Committee moves and endorses that Article 7.2 be amended as follows: 7.2 Subject to this article, the officers shall be elected by ballot at the Annual General Meeting of the Party for a two year term. A member may not seek election for more than one position on Executive Committee at a time. Their term of office shall commence at the close of the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected and shall conclude at the close of the Annual General Meeting where their successors are elected. The lack of specific prohibition on members seeking election to more than one position has resulted in members seeking election to more than one position. The Executive Committee does not believe it was ever the intention of Party members to permit someone to be elected to more than one position.
RESOLUTION 19 NEW Notice of Motion and Special Resolution: Calgary Bow moves the following Article 7.10, be added between the existing Articles 7.9 & 7.10 as follows: 7.9 Provincial Directors are the representatives and liaisons of their region s Constituency Association to the Executive Committee. The duties of the Provincial Directors are to: 7.9.1 Chair regular (minimum quarterly) meetings of their region s Constituency Association Board Presidents. 7.9.2 Attend on a rotating basis their region s Constituency Association Board meetings at least once quarterly 7.9.3 Attend regular & special Executive Committee meetings 7.9.4 Attend regular Provincial Directors meetings 7.9.5 Assist the Executive Committee and Party Staff with field work on behalf of their region s Constituency Association. Current Articles 7.3 through to 7.9 outline the various responsibilities of the offices, excluding Provincial Directors. The Party admitted in their recent Memo that there is a need for formal enumeration of duties attributable to the role of a Provincial Director. They put forth the following unofficial summary of the duties : The Provincial Director is the Executive Committee member who has the closest dealing with Constituency Associations. After being elected, Provincial Directors are assigned a regional group of Constituency Associations to liaise with and work with during their term, while reporting to the Party s Executive Committee and facilitating Constituency Association growth and development with staff in the Party Office and Political Operations. A Provincial Director s responsibilities include: Attending monthly (or more regular) Executive Committee meetings; Attending twice monthly teleconference Provincial Directors meetings; Holding monthly meetings of their Region s CA Presidents; Attending their Region s CA meetings quarterly; Meetings will likely require travel (some reimbursement is available pursuant to the Party travel and expense reimbursement policies); Liaising between the Region s CAs and the Executive Committee and Political Operations Staff;
Assisting the Executive Committee and Political Operations Staff with any field work that may be required; Assisting the Executive Committee and Political Operations Staff in the collection of CA information; Assisting Candidates in achieving pre-election targets; Sitting on committees and doing committee work as required General knowledge of CA Bylaws and Candidate Selection Rules and Procedures. The estimated monthly commitment of this position is 15+ hours. We believe it is imperative that: The grassroots, not the EC, determine what the responsibilities of the Provincial Director should be; These responsibilities need to be formally enumerated within the Constitution. This proposal is to insert a new section between Articles 7.9 and 7.10, that outlines the role of Provincial Director.
RESOLUTION 20 7.2.4 The Executive Committee may, with the approval of two-thirds of its members present and voting, appoint members to fill the term of office of any vacancy on the Executive Committee between Annual General Meetings, provided that the person is a member in good standing and, in the case of a vacancy in a Provincial Directors position, that the person appointed shall reside in the regional zone that has the vacancy. Nominees for vacant Provincial Director positions shall be sought from the regional zone that has the vacancy. Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Calgary Bow moves that Article 7.2.4 be amended as follows: 7.2.4 The Executive Committee may, with the approval of two-thirds of its members present and voting, appoint members to fill the term of office of any vacancy on the Executive Committee between Annual General Meetings, provided that the person is a member in good standing 7.2.4.1 When a Provincial Directors position becomes vacant that position shall be filled by election of, as an Interim Provincial Director, for a term expiring at the next Party AGM. The position of Interim Provincial Director shall be elected by a majority of the CA Board Presidents from the regional zone that has the vacancy, and shall full rights and responsibilities as a Provincial Director; 7.2.4.2. Provincial Directors positions that become vacant less than sixty (60) days before a scheduled Party AGM shall remain vacant until the next scheduled Party AGM The current section 7.2.3 states that Provincial Directors (PD) are elected by members from the respective regional zones. We submit this upholds both: - Grassroots democracy - The concept that PDs are, in some fashion, to be representatives of the respective CAs Current section 7.2.4 authorizes the EC to appoint ANY vacant EC office between AGMs. We submit this is reasonable practice for all non PD positions, as it s simply too cumbersome to get a full membership voting. However, where PDs are representatives of regional zones, it is not as cumbersome to get voting from the smaller regional subset of members. Nevertheless full zone membership voting can be a practical obstacle, given the geographic spread of many CAs. A reasonable compromise, ensuring a semblance of grassroots democracy balance with practicality, would be to authorise the local zones CA boards to elect replacement PDs as interim PDs to serve until the next AGM, with full PD rights and privileges on the EC.
Related required amendment: Amend Section 7.2.4 as follows: Insert the bold print: The Executive Committee may, with the approval of two-thirds of its members present and voting, appoint members to fill the term of office of any vacancy, excluding Provincial Directors, on the Executive Committee Remove: and, in the case of a vacancy in a Provincial Directors to the end of the clause
RESOLUTION 21 NEW Notice of Motion and Special Resolution: the Executive Committee moves and endorses the following Article 7.18, be added after the existing Articles 7.17 as follows: 7.18 The Executive Committee may conduct any business that could be conducted by way of motion at a meeting, by a passing a resolution in writing. Such resolutions in writing are subject to the same requirements as if they were made by motion at a meeting, and shall be recorded by the Secretary in the same manner as a motion passed at a meeting. There are occasions where simple matters arise between regular meetings of the Executive Committee that can be dealt with by written resolution and do not require a special meeting of the Executive Committee to be convened.
RESOLUTION 22 9. CAUCUS 9.1 If the government is formed by the elected members of the party, all government legislation and resolutions must have majority caucus approval before going into the Legislature or being proclaimed. 9.2 Caucus members may, by a majority vote of Caucus, order a secret vote by ballot, on any issue. 9.3 Members of Caucus may only be ordered expelled from Caucus on the initiative of the Leader and supported by a majority vote of Caucus, held by secret vote by ballot. 9.4 Caucus, through a majority secret ballot vote may recommend that the Leader dismiss a member of the Leader s staff. 9.5 Caucus will elect two of its members as non-voting members of the Executive Committee, with the right to speak for Caucus. 9.6 Caucus may request the Executive Committee to call the Leader to account on any matter by a majority vote of Caucus, held by secret vote by ballot. Notice of Motion and Special Resolution: the Executive Committee moves that Section 9 of the Constitution be deleted in its entirety. There is no legal, practical, or procedural basis upon which a political party s bylaws can govern the procedures of elected members in their role as members of a caucus in the Legislative Assembly. This provision of the Bylaws is a historical artifact from a time before forming government was a realistic possibility. The continued inclusion of this article makes the Party appear naïve, immature, and not ready to form government.
RESOLUTION 23 10.2 Any five (5) members in good standing of the Party may propose Policies for consideration by the members. Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves that Article 10.2 of the Constitution be amended as follows: 10.2 Any Constituency Association of the Party in good standing may propose Policies for consideration by the members. Because of this loophole in our policy process that is left over from a time when we had very few members or Constituency Associations, instances have occurred where members of special interests groups have purchased five memberships for the purpose of having a free platform to promote their agenda(s) at our Annual General Meeting. Article 4.1 of the Bylaws states a key part of the Party s organizational structure: The Constituency Association is the primary organization through which the rights of members are exercised. In accordance with Article 4.1, members should be engaging with the Constituency Associations to exercise their rights as member of the Party. Requiring a member to find at least one Constituency Association willing to support their policy proposal increases the efficiency of the policy process and serves to ensure that the policies brought forward to the full membership are actually representative of the grassroots members. If a member cannot garner support for a policy proposal from even a single one of the 87 Constituency Associations, the policy proposal has virtually no chance of success at the Annual General Meeting and it should be reconsidered or refined for presentation in a future year. Further, the Bylaws already require constitutional amendments to come via a Constituency Association and this amendment will bring the policy process in line with the constitutional amendment process.
RESOLUTION 24 Current Articles: 10.3 Notice of the call for proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be sent to all Party members no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Policy and Constitution Committee in writing as a Notice of Motion at least ninety (90) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All duly proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be made available to Party members not less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. 12.2 Notice of the call for proposed Special Resolutions to rescind, alter, add or otherwise amend this Constitution shall be sent to all Party members no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All said proposed Special Resolutions shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Policy and Constitution Committee of the Party in writing as a Notice of Motion at least ninety (90) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All duly proposed Special Resolutions shall be made available to Party members no less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves that Articles 10.3 and 12.2 of the Constitution be amended as follows: 10.3 Notice of the call for proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be sent to all Party members not less than one hundred-twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next Annual General Meeting. All proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be submitted to the Chair of the Policy and Constitution Committee in writing as a Notice of Motion at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next Annual General Meeting. All duly proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be made available to Party members not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the next Annual General Meeting. 12.2 Notice of the call for proposed Special Resolutions to rescind, alter, add or otherwise amend this Constitution shall be sent to all Party members not less than one hundred-twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next Annual General Meeting. All proposed Special Resolutions shall be submitted to the Chair of the Policy and Constitution Committee in writing as a Notice of Motion at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next Annual General Meeting. All duly proposed Special Resolutions shall be made available to Party members no less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the next Annual General Meeting. As the Party has settled into a regular pattern of holding the Annual General Meeting in the fall, the Executive Committee has heard feedback that having the deadlines for submissions fall in the summer months presents challenges for some Constituency Associations and for the Policy Committee. This
amendment allows for the deadlines to be closer to the end of summer and into the fall, providing more flexibility to the Constituency Associations and the Policy Committee.
RESOLUTION 25 Current Articles: 10.3 Notice of the call for proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be sent to all Party members no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Policy and Constitution Committee in writing as a Notice of Motion at least ninety (90) prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All duly proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be made available to Party members no less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. 12.2 Notice of the call for proposed Special Resolutions to rescind, alter, add or otherwise amend this Constitution shall be sent to all Party members no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All said proposed Special Resolutions shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Policy and Constitution Committee of the Party in writing as a Notice of Motion at least ninety (90) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All duly proposed Special Resolutions shall be made available to Party members no less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. Notice of motion Special Resolution: The Executive Committee moves and endorses that Articles 10.3 and 12.2 of the Constitution be amended as follows: 10.3 Notice of the call for proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be sent to all Party members no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Policy and Constitution Committee in writing as a Notice of Motion at least ninety (90) prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All proposed Policies or amendments to existing Policies submitted on time, in the proper format, and not deemed duplicate by the Policy and Constitution Committee shall be made available to Party members no less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. 12.2 Notice of the call for proposed Special Resolutions to rescind, alter, add or otherwise amend this Constitution shall be sent to all Party members no less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All said proposed Special Resolutions shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Policy and Constitution Committee of the Party in writing as a Notice of Motion at least ninety (90) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting. All proposed Special Resolutions submitted on time, in the proper format, and not deemed duplicate by the Policy and Constitution Committee shall be made available to Party members no less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the next scheduled General Meeting.
The meaning of the phrase duly proposed is the subject of debate every year that policy and constitutional submissions are made. This amendment removes that ambiguity.
RESOLUTION 26 11. NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES 11.1 Executive Committee shall create rules and procedures for the selection of candidates ( Candidate Selection Rules and Procedures ) and these shall be provided to all Constituency Associations. The Executive Committee shall establish the Candidate Selection Committee that shall have the right to disallow the candidacy of any person before or after nomination by the Constituency Association, subject to the appeal of such a decision to Executive Committee whose decision shall be final. 11.2 The rules shall provide for a Constituency Nomination Committee in each constituency that shall, subject to the rules, be responsible for the administration of the candidate selection process in the constituency. Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Calgary-Glenmore moves that Article 11.2 be inserted and the rest renumbered 11.3 The Executive Committee shall notify Constituency Associations of any changes to the Candidate Selection Rules and Procedures. The Executive Committee shall meet between 30 and 60 days after the changes are made, to consider any revisions suggested by Constituency Associations. CA governance is influenced by four major documents: The Party Constitution, Policies, CA Bylaws and Candidate Selection Rules and Procedures. While CAs have input to the first two, they do not have input to the latter two except this year when they were invited to comment on a newly proposed CA Bylaws. It is reasonable to expect that improvements in the Bylaws would be replicated in the Rules by obtaining input from the CAs on this document as well.
RESOLUTION 27 11. NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES 11.1 Executive Committee shall create rules and procedures for the selection of candidates ( Candidate Selection Rules and Procedures ) and these shall be provided to all Constituency Associations. The Executive Committee shall establish the Candidate Selection Committee that shall have the right to disallow the candidacy of any person before or after nomination by the Constituency Association, subject to the appeal of such a decision to Executive Committee whose decision shall be final. 11.2 The rules shall provide for a Constituency Nomination Committee in each constituency that shall, subject to the rules, be responsible for the administration of the candidate selection process in the constituency. Notice of Motion Special Resolution: Drumheller-Stettler moves that Article 11 be amended by adding 11.1.1 as follows: 11.1.1 Such rules and procedures shall include a mechanism whereby the need of a candidate nomination process to be undertaken in any Wildrose incumbent-held constituency shall be put to a question for all members of the Constituency Association to answer with a "Yes" or "No" majority during the Annual General Meeting of the Constituency Association prior to or in advance of any nomination event to take place in that constituency.