National Resolution 1: Governance Reorganization

RESOLUTION 1

SUBMITTED BY: CHF Canada Board of Directors

CONTACT:
Tim Ross
Executive Director
311 – 225 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, ON   K2P 1P9
Tel: (800) 465-2752
Email: tross@chfcanada.coop

This resolution is for the meeting of:
✓  All CHF Canada members
Ontario Members

Governance Reorganization

WE RESOLVE:

1. THAT the CHF Canada Board of Directors and Ontario Council reorganize into a single governance body by the close of business of the 2021 CHF Canada Annual General Meeting;
2. THAT the new governance body be comprised of 16 seats, including 3 directors elected from the members in Ontario, 1 director elected from the members in British Columbia / Yukon, 1 director elected from the members in Alberta / Northwest Territories, 1 director elected from the members in Saskatchewan / Manitoba, 1 director elected from the members in Quebec / Nunavut, 1 director elected from the members in New Brunswick / Prince Edward Island, 1 director elected from the members in Nova Scotia / Newfoundland and Labrador, 1 director elected from the members in the Aboriginal Community, and 6 directors elected from the members at-large;
3. AND THAT the members direct the Board of Directors and Ontario Council to amend by‑laws and policies necessary for the reorganization of CHF Canada’s governance for the approval of members at the 2020 CHF Canada Annual General Meeting.

OUR REASONS FOR THIS RESOLUTION ARE:

1. The CHF Canada Board of Directors and Ontario Council established a joint committee to evaluate the effectiveness of CHF Canada’s governance structure within a framework that reflects CHF Canada’s values, principles of leadership and service to members.
2. Periodic governance evaluations are a good practice. Other large co-operatives conduct regular evaluations. For instance, the Co-operators conducts a Democratic Structure Review every ten years.
3. The governance review focused on the following goals:
   1. Enhance democratic member control
   2. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of governance
   3. Position CHF Canada for long-term success
   4. Align with best practices in co-operative and membership association governance.

4. As a result of the governance review, the Board and Council approved the following recommendations at its April 2019 meetings:
   1. Reorganize the Board and the Council into a single governance body
   2. Implement a policy requiring periodic governance evaluations
   3. Develop an inventory of desired skills and qualifications for CHF Canada’s governance and committees, and determine how to best integrate it into the nominations and elections process.
   4. Review committee structures for alignment and effectiveness.

5. CHF Canada’s current governance structure was developed following the merger of the national association with the Co-operative Housing Association of Ontario into a single association in 1996. The role of the Board of Directors is to approve and oversee the strategic direction and the management of CHF Canada in all its aspects. The role of the Ontario Council is to guide the programs of the Ontario Region of CHF Canada. The Board of Directors and the Ontario Council propose that these roles can be effectively achieved in a single governance body.
6. The Board of Directors and the Ontario Council support this proposal. This reorganization will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CHF Canada’s governance, improve member representation, and free up resources to more effectively serve the needs of our members.

WE THINK THAT THIS WILL COST:

Costs associated with the reorganization are already budgeted in the 2019 and 2020 operating budgets.