2020- 2022 Policy Process | Green Party of Canada
Where GPC membership collaborates to develop our policies
G21-B004 Adopt a Collaborative Governance Model for Federal Council
Submitter Name
Samuel Moisan-Domm
Ratification Vote Results: Adopted
Proposal
Replace the current Bylaw 2.7 Policy Governance with:
2.7 Governance
2.7.1 All Units shall strive to uphold the highest standards of transparent, accountable and collaborative governance.
2.7.2 Members shall be consulted at least once every two years regarding participatory democracy and governance within the Party.
2.7.3 Independent assessments, with recommendations, shall be conducted and published at least once every four years regarding participatory democracy and governance.
2.7.4 Federal Council and its committees shall be responsible for:
2.7.4.1 Oversight of operations, plans, budgets and results;
2.7.4.2 Coordinating, with the input of members, staff and the Executive Director, the planning, implementation and reporting on annual and multi-year plans and budgets.
2.7.5 The Executive Director shall:
2.7.5.1 Collaborate with Federal Council regarding the planning, implementation and reporting on annual and multi-year plans and budgets;
2.7.5.2 Coordinate and supervise operations, including the planning and implementation of work plans that leverage both staff and volunteer time and expertise;
2.7.5.3 Report proactively to Federal Council regarding operations, plans, budgets and results.
Objective
Clarify the GPC governance expectations by adopting a transparent, accountable, inclusive, open and collaborative governance framework.
Benefit
Clear oversight of operations by Federal Council; wider participation and input to the Party’s strategy and work plans by Federal Council and Members; embody our values by becoming a truly member-driven, grassroots movement.
Supporting Comments from Submitter
This collaborative vision of governance has been successfully used by many parties, including Québec Solidaire.
Green Value(s)
Participatory Democracy
Relation to Existing Policy
Rescind and replace Bylaw 2.7.
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Conversation with Jason Scott
This is key to redefining the role and efficacy of Federal Council. I am no expert on governance, and I'd welcome those more knowledgeable to weigh in. But for reference, the current Bylaw 2.7 has one para which reads "2.7.1 Federal Council shall operate in a manner consistent with the Policy Governance Model." The "Policy Governance Model" (aka the "Carver model") has shortcomings, not least of which is a misperception by some that it advocates / requires hands-off governance. FC must be engaged and informed - not by getting involved in day-to-day ops - but by providing clear guidance to the ED and thus staff. We are a member-driven party. To pick one example close to my heart, if we are to get effective collaboration between GPC staff and EDAs/volunteers, FC need the means to provide that direction from us, as members to the ED. I think this proposal will help.
Hey Jason
Thanks for quoting the existing bylaw. It refers to the Policy Governance Model and is the only such reference in the Constitution, which is very poor logic! Samuel's re-write doesn't make that mistake. :)
You've led me to carvergovernance.com; it's a bit over my head, which is awkward because I think the FC should be accountable to the EDAs and not vice-versa. Here's part of Article 6 from our Constitution:
6.1
All Units and individuals within the Party are accountable to:
6.1.1
the membership in General Meeting,
6.1.2
the Federal Council when the membership is not in General Meeting.
Jason Diceman (the inventor of DotMocracy) offers good ideas at http://futuregovernance.info/ .
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