The CBA’s 2020 Annual General Meeting is about 4 months away, but it is not too early to make plans to attend the Wednesday, February 19 meeting, to debate resolutions and decide whether they become official CBA policy.
Resolutions are an excellent way for members to take part in shaping CBA policy on issues of interest to them and to the benefit of the legal profession. The deadline for submitting resolutions for debate at the Annual Meeting is Monday, December 9, 2019.
Resolutions shall not exceed 300 words and shall include:
- the preamble (if any), giving concise, factual information about the nature of the problem or reason for the action being requested; and
- a resolving clause, clearly outlining the action to be taken.
Forms for submitting resolutions are available online. Resolutions may be submitted to Tamra L. Thomson by:
- email ─ tamrat@cba.org
- mail ─ Canadian Bar Association, 66 Slater St., Suite 1200, Ottawa, ON K1P 5H
After resolutions are received, they are translated, checked for accuracy, and vetted by the Policy Committee to ensure they’re clear and concise.
Another part of the process starts in mid-January, when the resolutions are posted online, each with its own discussion board. Any member can log in and post comments. Members will also be able to post documents to support their arguments on the board.
“The discussion board is your opportunity to discuss issues before the meeting starts,” says Tom Laughlin, Board member and Chair of the Policy Committee. “Members said they wanted to be more involved in the process of setting CBA policy, and this is a step in that direction. We think of it as CBA Advocacy 360, a full circle where members have a say in and know more about the work in CBA’s advocacy agenda.”
Amendments to a resolution must be submitted (to Thomson) by Jan. 31. Members should also let Thomson know if they plan to speak to the motion at the AGM. Movers will have five minutes to speak, while other members will have three.