Centre Wellington Citizens' Coalition
"Supporting community participation in democracy"
The Objectives of the Centre Wellington Citizens' Coalition are to support participatory democracy and responsible governance in order to protect and enhance the quality of life in the Township of Centre Wellington.
Creating a citizens' network through which all Centre Wellington residents may voice their needs and opinions to government and the public through constructive controversy, discussion and dialogue of all values and viewpoints on neighbourhood, community-wide and civic participation issues. The Coalition shall not take or advocate a position on a community issue unless directed to do so by a vote of the membership.
Promoting civic literacy throughout the community, increasing voter interest, turnout and discussion of municipal election issues, encouraging strong leaders to become municipal candidates and keeping the community informed on Township Council issues and decisions. The Coalition shall not endorse or campaign for political candidates.
Working with community groups, including the business community, elected officials and municipal staff, to initiate and encourage collaboration, creativity and thoughtful long-range planning for economic, social and cultural development; to support the maintenance and enhancement of our natural environment through responsible and sustainable, development; and to promote the healthy economic development of our community through strategic planning for new business opportunities and positive employment.
Building an effective organization which develops yearly plans and objectives to serve the needs and direction of its members; attracting and retaining members from a cross section of the community; fostering inclusiveness (gender, age, background) in the executive and membership.
Fostering a democratic culture which promotes leadership development in the community and the organization; which attracts and facilitates high-caliber executive participation; which promotes a learning organization with minimal structure, consensus decision-making and effective meetings; and which provides a statement of principles, values and conduct for executive participation.
Coalition leaders inspire a shared vision, enable others to act, seek new paths, set new standards, share work and facilitate the leadership of others.
Coalition leaders support each other through actions which: encourage, harmonize, and provide objective and constructive support to the organization and individuals.
Coalition leaders encourage the effective meeting roles of: initiator, information seeker, opinion seeker, information giver, opinion giver, evaluator, coordinator, energizer, procedural technician, recorder and visionary.
Coalition leaders make decisions together by: trusting, brainstorming , consensus, straw polling, voting, accepting disagreements and trusting.
Coalition leaders ensure that everyone in the meeting is responsible for its success through a well-planned and organized agenda; attention to accomplishing the tasks (objectives) of the meeting; attention to the maintenance of relationships and harmony in the group and starting and ending on time.
Coalition leaders follow best practice discussion guidelines by: listening carefully to others, not interrupting, asking questions, building on the ideas of others, encouraging new ideas, discouraging personal attacks and treating everyones contribution as valuable.
The Corporation shall be managed by a board of 12 directors.
All 12 directors are elected at each Annual General Meeting
The Board of Directors shall meet at least four times per year.
All meetings of the board of directors shall be open to members
Six Directors constitutes a quorum
Vacancies on the Board may be filled from among the membership
The Directors shall receive no remuneration
The Executive Committee will consist of three co-chairs, the Treasurer, a Secretary and Chairs of committees.
Executive Committee members are all members of the Board of Directors.
Executive Committee members are appointed by the Board of Directors.
The Executive Committee will not enact bylaws.
All Executive Committee decisions will be ratified by the Board of Directors.
Minutes of Executive meetings will be forwarded to the board on a timely basis for confirmation of decisions.
A Quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of one-half the number of officers plus one other.
A minimum of one Co-chair must be present at all Executive and Board meetings.
The Co-chairs together with the Treasurer and Secretary are charged with the general management and supervision of the affairs and operations of the Corporation under the Board of Directors.
Membership is open to individuals age thirteen or above, who are resident in, or pay taxes to, the Township of Centre Wellington.
The Corporation may accept the membership of organizations residing in the Township of Centre Wellington.
Each member, individual or organization, shall have one vote at all general meetings of the Corporation and they shall pay annual membership dues as determined by the Board of Directors.
Each member shall be entitled to vote by proxy who shall produce and deposit sufficient appointment in writing.
No member shall be entitled to a vote at a general meeting unless membership fees are paid in full at the time of that meeting.
At every annual meeting, in addition to any other business that may be transacted, the report of the directors, the financial statement and the report of the auditors shall be presented and a Board of Directors elected for the ensuing year and the remuneration of the auditors shall be fixed at a fee to be determined by the Directors.
The quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of members shall consist of not less one half of the current members present in person or represented by proxy.
All cheques issued in the name of the corporation, will be signed by two officers of the Corporation - one Co-chair and the Treasurer or in the Treasurers absence by the Secretary.
The affairs of the Corporation shall be carried on without the purpose of gain for its members and any profits or other accretions to the Corporation shall be used in promoting its objects.
* a complete draft constitution is available on request