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CANADIAN UNITARIAN COUNCIL aCTIVE DEMOCRACY CONVERSATION. January 2013. ACTIVE DEMOCRACY STUDY GROUP. Formed to examine how CUC “does” democracy Presented report to 2012 AGM – result of decade of conversation & 1 ½ years of study & consultation with congregations
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CANADIAN UNITARIAN COUNCILaCTIVE DEMOCRACYCONVERSATION January 2013
ACTIVE DEMOCRACY STUDY GROUP • Formed to examine how CUC “does” democracy • Presented report to 2012 AGM – result of decade of conversation & 1 ½ years of study & consultation with congregations • Hunger for greater involvement in high level decisions, ie determining priorities • Made recommendations in 8 main areas
ADSG RECOMMENDATIONS • Decision-making within the CUC • Improving relationships & communications • Delegates & delegate selection • Promoting discussion on matters going to AGM • Giving voice to Stakeholders & Associate Members • Electronic voting & access to AGM • Transparency re Board officer selection & nominating process • Recommendations for future Study Groups
HIGHLIGHT FOUR AREAS • Moving away from the budget as the sole place to discuss priorities & make decisions • Electronic voting & participation in AGMs • Proposed 2 year commitment for delegates & best practices for delegates • Giving Stakeholders a voice
1. MOVING AWAY FROM BUDGET AS DECISION-MAKING MECHANISM Concerns: • Not enough consultation on budget priorities • Desire to have greater voice in overall direction of movement • Frustration in not being consulted earlier on budget Recommendations: • Develop ongoing consultation on priorities & budget • Delegates to vote on strategic priorities, Annual Program Contribution & bottom-line budget • Approval of APC & budget mandated in by-laws
2. ELECTRONIC VOTING & PARTICIPATION • Example 1: 10 cluster locations by geography • Example 2: 4 cluster locations • Example 3: Mobile set-up in each region Recommendation: • CUC invest in hardware/software to allow full electronic participation across the country in Council meetings
3. DELEGATES & BEST PRACTICES • Concerns: • Lack of consistent democratic delegate selection • Lack of reporting from delegates • Recommendations • CUC staff develop Best Practices for Delegates • delegates be asked to serve for one or two year terms
4. GIVING STAKEHOLDERS A VOICE Associates-Stakeholders: • Regional, national, international • Have values closely aligned with UU principles • Meet criteria set out by CUC • Enter into agreement/covenant Eg., UU Ministers of Canada, Directors of Religious Education, Young Adult organization, Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice, International Council of Unitarians & Universalists, etc
4. Stakeholder voice (CONT) Recommendations: • Create “Stakeholder Group” • Approved by vote at AGM • Have voice at AGM but not a vote • Ability to put item on agenda • CUC prioritize education about Stakeholder Group requirements & use of Resolutions Process to move ideas & motions at AGM
NEXT STEPS • CUC Month, February 2013 • Delegate selection if not yet appointed • Written feedback on resolutions by February 28 • May 17, 2013 • CUC Annual Meeting • delegates will vote on each of the seven sections of the ADSG recommendations separately
contacts ADSG co-chairs – Rev. Karen Fraser-Gitlitz and John Hopewell activedemocracy@cuc.ca Board Chair: Gary Groot gary@cuc.ca Interim Executive Director: Vyda Ng – vyda@cuc.ca
Thanks • Thanks for your participation • Thanks to CUC staff for preparing the PowerPoint