Minutes of Founding Meeting

Minutes of the Founding Meeting of the Saskatchewan Chapter of
Fair Vote Canada
January 18. 2009

Attendance: Sandra Finley, Derron Hoover, Elaine Hughes, Gord Hunter, Don Mitchell, Ivan Olynyk, Larissa Shasko

Call to Order at 11:30 am, Don chair pro tem.

It was agreed that Don would chair the initial meeting and we would follow the
Draft Agenda.

Round of introductions, and each individual spoke of why they were in
attendance.

Review of the information document entitled “What is a Fair Vote
Canada (FVC) Chapter?”

- One point raised was the important distinction between how you approach rural versus urban people with an education program.
- The observation was made that there was a significant body of progressive voters in rural areas whose voice was drowned out by more traditional voters. By a similar token, there were more conservative minded voters in the cities whose perspectives were largely unrepresented in urban constituencies.

Review of Draft Bylaws

Various amendments were proposed, debated, and voted upon.

MOVED BY Sandra SECONDED BY Gord
To Adopt Draft Bylaw Document as amended as the Bylaws of Fair Vote Canada - Saskatchewan Chapter. (Bylaws attached)
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Lunch break

Workplan discussion

A draft workplan document was circulated. Discussion ensued. Among the points raised were:

- As speakers were seen as a challenge, it was thought some effort should be put into the creation of a speakers’ bureau.

- It was thought it was important to have a project goal to be working towards, such as a Citizen’s Assembly.

- It was thought it would be important to advocate for a referendum on electoral reform – that it should be a general question, no specifics – and that we could all as individuals lobby for change at community group meetings, through letters, and by talking to MLAs

- It was felt that it was important to have lots of preparation time – we wouldn’t want to make the mistake that they did in Ontario.

- It was felt that it was important to reach out to smaller communities other than Regina and Saskatoon, and that over time we could get to most of the significant smaller communities in the province.

- It was felt that it would be useful to tie in the idea of electoral reform to other grassroots organizations’ work from two perspectives:
o that they could assist us in doing our work, and
o they will likely understand that there is precious little prospect for them to get movement on their issues until there is legitimate electoral reform.

- It was felt that we need to have a presence at other organizations’ meetings and conventions, such as a table at the SFL Convention.

- It was thought that it would be valuable the practice and materials (i.e. pamphlets) of other FVC Chapters.

- Another easy thing to do would be to write op-ed pieces for the community newspaper network, as they often print items verbatim.

- It was seen as important to establish a website & an e-mail address for interested people to contact the Chapter at. It was thought that a goal for 2009 would be to build a website for FVC(S)

Elections

President

Gord nominated Don.
Don nominated Gord. Gord declined.
Nominations closed.

Don Mitchell acclaimed as President.

Vice-President

Don nominated Gord.
Nominations closed.

Gord Hunter acclaimed as Vice-President.

Secretary

Sandra nominated Derron.
Nominations closed.

Derron Hoover acclaimed as Secretary.

Treasurer

Gord nominated Larissa.
Nominations closed.

Larissa Shasko acclaimed as Treasurer.

Executive Members-at-Large

Derron nominated Sandra.
Don nominated Ivan.
Gord nominated Elaine.
Don nominated Rick Sawa, and advised that Rick had given his consent to be nominated in his absence.
Nominations closed.

Sandra Finley, Ivan Olynyk, Elaine Hughes, and Rick Sawa acclaimed as Executive Members-at-Large.


Other Business

Chapter Fees

The pros and cons of having a fee for joining the Saskatchewan Chapter were discussed.

MOVED BY Derron SECONDED BY Larissa
That the financial needs of FVC Saskatchewan Chapter be derived from direct donations rather than from member levy.
CARRIED

Next Steps


Derron and Don shall compile and forward minutes of meeting and Bylaws as adopted to National Organization. We will meet again by conference call after receiving concurrence from FVC National. We assume this will occur in a prompt manner. Tentative conference call will be at 4:00 pm on February 22, 2009. Larissa will e-mail the specifics of the conference call. If the call needs to be postponed, Don will contact all to advise.


Adjournment – 3:15 pm


Derron Hoover - recorder.