Resolution Writing 101 Today Resolutions and Policy Resolution

Resolution Writing 101

Today: • Resolutions and Policy • Resolution Process • The Good, the Bad and the Ugly • Why does it matter? • The AGM Resolution Session • Feedback

• Why me? Disclaimer • Sorry! • It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it

Resolutions and Policy • Policy Direction • Advocacy

Resolutions Process Minor editing Endorse/not Endorse/no recommendation Defeated resolutions UBCM categorizing • From board or council to NCLGA • NCLGA to UBCM for comment • NCLGA Agm for debate • NCLGA Advocacy • UBCM for debate • UBCM Advocacy

The Good B 63 POLICE OFFICER RECRUITMENT FUND West Kelowna UBCM Gold Star Resolution 2013 ID the problem Implications of the problem Solution to the problem One issue, stand alone TBIR, clear and concise Format WHEREAS the federal government has announced that it will not renew its financial commitment to the Police Officer Recruitment Fund program which expires in March 2013; AND WHEREAS this loss of funding will impact policing costs and programs as the fund aided in adding more police officers across Canada, and the Province utilized funds to create special units to combat major crimes and drugs, thus supporting and enhancing local police forces: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request the federal Minister of Public Safety and the provincial Minister of Justice and Attorney General to continue funding the Police Officer Recruitment Fund.

The Bad How do you lobby regulations? • WHEREAS the increase in rail shipment of petroleum products and other dangerous goods pose an increased chance for spills and greater environmental risk; • THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NCLGA and UBCM lobby Environmental Emergency Program regulations around rail transport of petroleum products and dangerous goods to strengthen and include improvements to spill preparedness, response and recovery.

The Bad continued Spelling, grammar, sentence structure and format What is being asked of NCLGA and UBCM? Recognize their role Serve common needs Affirm focus Recognize a valuable sector and that BCers support it • WHEREAS, 187 local governments in British Columbia - 98% of the total are signatories to the Climate Action Charter that commits them to work towards carbon neutral operations, measure community-wide emissions and create complete compact, energy-efficient communities, • WHEREAS, engaging in symbolic actions such as writing letter, passing resolutions and filing class-action lawsuts in the name of "climate liability" against major innovation drivers and employers is not an appropriate direction for BC municipalities becasue it will hinder rather than help the ability of municipalities and local communities to continue their work to implement the Climate Action Charter end enable healthy, thriving local economies, • THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NCLGA and UBCM recognize their role to represent and serve the common needs of all local governments in BC in our diverse, resource-based province and to affirm that decarbonization and reduction of GHG emissions should continue to be an important focus for civic policy-makers, industry, British Columbians and other stakeholders, recognizing the value of BC's resource sector and its contribution to British Columbian's quality of life and that British Columbians support the resource sector to continue its work to serve the needs of society while transitioning to a low carbon economy.

The Ugly The parties. . . who? What. . . MOU (or MOD)? Requested action? What is NCLGA, (or UBCM) being asked to do? • WHEREAS, the Province of British Columbia and UBCM entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) titled 'Local Government's Participation in the New Relationship with First Nations', • AND WHEREAS, this MOD establishes local government's role as primarily being a 'respected advisor' to the Province on First Nation issues, however local governments' responsibilities to their constituents place them as a stakeholder which goes beyond simply advising the Province on these issues, • THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the parties to this MOU recognize this MOU is considered nonbinding on local governments unless local governments become signatories to this MOD.

The Ugly continued Separate (but related) issues Confusion between preamble and action. . . we all get the point! • WHEREAS the provincial government was involved in an initiative to seek input on rural education in fall/winter 2016 -2017; • AND WHEREAS school district funding is inadequate for some districts to provide busing to all rural and remote students: • THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM executive have discussions with Ministry of Education to make clear definitions of rural and remote. Identifying the significant difference between lower mainland rural and remoteness with northern rural and remoteness. • AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NCLGA and UBCM lobby the BC Government and the Ministry of Education to provide all required funding to bus eligible students to and from school. Because all rural and remote students must have equal access to public education.

• Quality Why does it matter? • Resolutions don’t go anywhere • Responses from the Province rarely satisfy us • At UBCM, “they” changed our Resolution Capacity and future success

The AGM Resolution Session • Speak to your Resolution • Debate! • Wordsmithing • Resolutions from the floor • Vote

Feedback What would you like to see? more resolutions fewer resolutions more debate discussion sessions leading to consolidation of resolutions Drafting of resolutions at the agm electronic voting prioritizing resolutions by board, based on ideas sent in all year Any changes to the process would require amendments to Constitution and Bylaws

Thank you