2024 Federal and Young Greens Council By-Elections

Federal Council

What Does Federal Council Do?

Federal Council is the group that governs the Party between Annual General Meetings (National Conventions) of the membership. As the party also has a Leader and Shadow Cabinet to put the party's message before the public, Council's role is focused primarily on the Party's strategic and budgetary planning and development. As Party policy is set by the membership in general meetings, and the Shadow Cabinet is responsible for formulating the Party's platform for any given election, Federal Council does not create party policy nor the platform.

If you have media skills, or an interest in policy development or political strategy, your help would be better directed to Shadow Cabinet, supporting a local candidate, or running yourself!

Federal Council is looking for people with board management, legal, financial or Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) skills to build the Party.

Requirements

1. A willingness to dedicate a few hours per month of personal time and effort to Council work, including attending meetings by teleconference, time between meetings preparing materials and reading reports, time spent serving on Council sub-committees, and attendance at one or two weekend Council retreats per year in Ottawa (costs paid for by the Party).
2. The ability to effectively communicate in a team environment.
3. The ability to perform at a governance level and display the leadership skills required of a Federal Council of this nature. Some governance training is provided.
4. A strong belief in the purpose and six key principles of the Party, and a commitment to applying them to the management of the Party.
5. A familiarity with Party policy, platform, and governance documents, such as the Party's Constitution, Bylaws, the Green Rules of Procedure, applicable Codes of Conduct, GPC Fund Bylaws — and a commitment to further the understanding of these documents.
6. Access to the Internet and familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, presentation programs, the ability to view such documents, and the ability to read and understand financial statements.
7. A very high standard of personal ethics.

Councillors should:

1. Always act in good faith and in a manner which is in the best interest of the Party and membership as a whole, contribute to discussions as part of decision-making, and respect Federal Council decisions on all issues.
2. Respect the confidentiality of in-camera discussions and privileged and private information.
3. Provide leadership to ensure that all party units are viewed as an integral to the Party, are treated fairly and equitably and enabled to uphold the members code of conduct.
4. Make certain the Party has clear long, medium, and short-term plans and a budget that can be developed and measured realistically and reported on regularly.
5. Project a positive image as a representative of the Party.
6. Seek input from the membership and report openly on all aspects of the Party's activities (respecting confidentiality).
   

Essential Skills

1. Significant prior experience on a board of directors is an asset.
2. An ability to read and understand financial statements and experience in a treasurer or fundraiser role. Experience preparing annual budget reports, tracking income and expenditures, creating budgets and overseeing the implementation of cash management strategies that allow the Party to reach its financial goals is an asset.
3. Experience in practicing law or an understanding of legal requirements and implications relevant to political parties, governing boards, and corporations, including the Canada Not for Profit Corporations Act, is an asset.
4. Life experience reflective of Canada's diversity in both its people and landscape.
5. A familiarity with Party policy, platform, and governance documents, such as the Party's Constitution, Bylaws, the Green Rules of Procedure, applicable Codes of Conduct, GPC Fund Bylaws — and a commitment to further the understanding of these documents.
6. The ability to effectively communicate in a team environment.
7. The capacity to author, edit or view electronic documents spreadsheets and presentation programs, ideally in the Google Suite (the official software presently used by the Party).
8. An ability to communicate in at least 2 languages is an asset.
   

Other Valuable Skills

1. Experience in financial management, work or experience with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), experience in a treasurer role.
2. Experience in practicing law or an understanding of legal requirements and implications relevant to political parties, governing boards, and corporations.
3. Governance experience. That is, a previous role on a nongovernmental organization (NGO), corporation, or political party's board of directors.
4. Fundraising experience and/or demonstrated fundraising skills.
5. An ability to promote consensus and team building, as well as conduct conflict resolution.
6. A wide range of political knowledge and experience.
7. Life experience reflective of Canada's diversity in both its people and landscape.
   

Job Description: Provincial and Territorial Representatives - Federal Councillors

Provincial and Territorial Representatives (Federal Councillors) play a vital role not only in providing input to the governance of the GPC but also in acting as a conduit between local members in their jurisdiction and Council. Using as a base the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, and the Federal Council Code of Conduct, Federal Councillors will:

1. Represent Party members and EDAs in their respective provinces or territories on Federal Council. Provincial and territorial representatives report to, and receive input from, their regional members and EDAs on a regular schedule determined in consultation with the relevant EDAs and members.
2. Contribute as equal members of Federal Council in making responsible decisions, exercising due diligence regarding the governance of the Party.
3. Be an active member on at least one of the Council committees.
4. Contribute to the annual and long term strategic planning of the Party.
5. Be members of the Green Party of Canada Fund.
6. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council.
   

Job Description: First Nations Representative

The First Nations Representative (Federal Councillor) plays a vital role not only in providing input to the governance of the GPC but also in acting as a conduit between GPC First Nation members and Council. Using as a base the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, and the Federal Council Code of Conduct, Federal Councillors will:

1. Represent Party members from the First Nations Community and report to, and receive input from, First Nations members.
2. Contribute as equal members of Federal Council in making responsible decisions, exercising due diligence regarding the governance of the Party.
3. Be an active member on at least one of the Council committees.
4. Contribute to the annual and long term strategic planning of the Party.
5. Be members of the Green Party of Canada Fund.
6. Become a member of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle.
7. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council. 
   

Job Description: Inuit Representative

The Inuit Representative (Federal Councillor) plays a vital role not only in providing input to the governance of the GPC but also in acting as a conduit between GPC members from the Inuit community and Council. Using as a base the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, and the Federal Council Code of Conduct, Federal Councillors will:

1. Represent Party members from the Inuit Community and report to, and receive input from, Inuit members.
2. Contribute as equal members of Federal Council in making responsible decisions, exercising due diligence regarding the governance of the Party.
3. Be an active member on at least one of the Council committees.
4. Contribute to the annual and long term strategic planning of the Party.
5. Be members of the Green Party of Canada Fund.
6. Become a member of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle.
7. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council. 
   

Job Description: Métis Representative

The Métis Representative (Federal Councillor) plays a vital role not only in providing input to the governance of the GPC but also in acting as a conduit between GPC members from the Métis community and Council. Using as a base the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, and the Federal Council Code of Conduct, Federal Councillors will:

1. Represent Party members from the Métis Community and report to, and receive input from, Métis members.
2. Contribute as equal members of Federal Council in making responsible decisions, exercising due diligence regarding the governance of the Party.
3. Be an active member on at least one of the Council committees.
4. Contribute to the annual and long term strategic planning of the Party.
5. Be members of the Green Party of Canada Fund.
6. Become a member of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle.
7. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council. 
   

Role of the Executive Council (or Executive)

Using as a base the GPC Constitution and Bylaws, the Party Rules and Procedures, and the Federal Council Code of Conduct, the Executive Council shall:

1. Act as the interim decision making body on behalf of Federal Council, with the overall goal to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Council.
2. Ensure that Executive activities are transparent and accountable.
3. Ensure that the interim decisions reflect the will of Federal Council at Federal Council meetings. 
   

Job Description: President

Using as a base the GPC Constitution and Bylaws, the Party Rules and Procedures, and the Federal Council Code of Conduct, the President shall:

1. Act as the Chair of Federal Council and ensure that Federal Council and Executive Council meetings are organized and facilitated in accordance with the Party's Rules of Procedure, including the appointment of process people.
2. Ensure that decisions of the Party, Federal Council, Executive Council and committees of Federal Council are duly carried out.
3. Represent the Council with staff, volunteers and members as may be required to ensure efficient and professional execution of decisions.
4. Be a member of the Executive [as defined by Bylaw 2.6.1 of the Party's Bylaws].
5. Be a member of the Green Party of Canada Fund.
6. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council.
7. Contribute as an equal member of Federal Council and Executive Council in making responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
8. Call upon the Vice President Francophone and Vice President English to support the execution of these roles.
9. Be elected for a two-year term by the membership.

Note: the President is the Chair of Federal Council.

Job Description: Vice Presidents

Using as a base the GPC Constitution and Bylaws, the Party Rules and Procedures, and the Federal Council Code of Conduct, the Vice President’s French and English shall:

1. Assist the President in ensuring that the President's responsibilities and decisions of the Party, Federal Council, Executive Council and committees of Federal Council are duly carried out.
2. Be a member of the Executive [as defined by Bylaw 2.6.1 of the Party's Bylaws].
3. Be a member of the Green Party of Canada Fund.
4. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council.
5. Contribute as an equal member of Federal Council and Executive Council in making responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
6. Be elected for a two-year term by the membership.

Job Description: Fund Representative

Using as a base, the GPC Constitution and Bylaws, the Party Rules and Procedures, the Councillors Fiduciary Responsibility and Code of Conduct, and the Fund Certificate of Continuance and Bylaws, the Fund Representative shall: 

1. Represent the Green Party of Canada Fund [as defined by Articles 7.3.8 and 12 of the Party's Constitution].
2. Be a member of the Executive [as defined by Bylaw 2.6.1 of the Party's Bylaws].
3. Be a board member of and represent Federal Council within the Green Party of Canada Fund.
4. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council.
5. Contribute as an equal member of Federal Council and Executive Council in making responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
6. Be elected for a two-year term by the membership.

Young Greens Council

Co-Chairs

The two Co-Chairs are responsible for keeping the Young Greens Council organized and working together as a team. They are expected to take the lead on scheduling and facilitating meetings with the support of staff, ensuring that Council decisions are made collaboratively and with consensus. The Co-Chairs ensure that the perspective of provinces and territories that are without a representative on Council are adequately considered during deliberation.

The Co-Chairs are also responsible for representing the Young Greens of Canada membership as the two Youth Representatives on Federal Council. The Youth Representatives are full voting members of Federal Council, which is the Green Party’s highest governing body.

Qualifications

Ideally, though not necessarily, contestants for the two Co-Chair positions have some experience with how the Green Party is organized and operates, or have some previous experience on a governance board. Governance training will be provided.

Contestants should be prepared to contribute a few hours a month to YGC work, and an additional few hours a month to Federal Council duties. One weekend long in person retreat is held for each Council. Co-Chairs will be speaking on behalf of the YGC in Federal Council meetings, facilitating discussion among their peers, and mediating disagreement where necessary. All Council members are held to a high standard of conduct as they are both role models for their peers and representatives of the Party.

Provincial & Territories Representatives

Each Provincial and Territorial Representative is responsible for contributing to the work and the overall success of the YGC Council in achieving its purpose. Although each representative comes from a different jurisdiction, the mandate is to make decisions based on what is best for the YGC membership as a whole. Council brings their diverse views and experiences together to build a united, national movement on behalf of the entire YGC membership.

Provincial and Territories Representatives may choose to represent the YGC as Youth Critic on the Green Party’s Shadow Cabinet, on various committees and governance bodies of the YGC or GPC, or at other events and meetings.

Qualifications

Ideally, representatives are active in the Young Greens community in their region. They must reside in the province or territories they represent for at least eight months each year, and be prepared to contribute a few hours a month to YGC Council work, with one annual, in person retreat. Previous leadership or board governance experience is an asset, but not necessary. Training will be provided. Enthusiasm for the Young Greens movement and a willingness to learn are key! All Council members are held to a high standard of conduct as they are both role models for their peers and representatives of the Party.

Term Lengths

YGC has two year terms for all positions, with a staggered election cycle that sees half of the positions elected in even numbered years, and the other half in odd numbered years.