Background:

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The Constitution of the Together Against Poverty Society is the fundamental expression of our purposes as a society. It currently reads:

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1. The name of the Society is “Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS)”

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2. The purposes of the Society are to provide services in BC’s Capital Regional District:

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1. To better the lifestyle and living conditions of people living in poverty through legal advocacy, and public legal education and public awareness;

2. To make the general public aware of the problems of people living in poverty and of ways in which the general public can assist in solving them;

3. To work in cooperation with other community groups and social service providers in improving the lives of people living in poverty; and

4. To provide training for people living in poverty as well as the community groups and organizations that assist them to enable them to advocate for themselves or for their members.

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This proposed Special Resolution relates to the part which says TAPS provides services “in BC’s Capital Regional District.”

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While our work remains as deeply connected to the CRD as it always has been, recently TAPS has also engaged in work that extends beyond the CRD.  This includes responding to Law Foundation requests to support lawyers and advocates in other places (Prince George, Nanaimo), as well as the creation of the Staff Lawyer position which includes an element of province-wide support for anti-poverty advocates seeking support regarding judicial review, etc.

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The current Strategic Plan describes TAPS as “the largest anti-poverty organization on Vancouver Island”, and mentions services “across the Capital Region and Southern Gulf Islands”.  On p.5, we identify the goal:  “increase our media presence outside the Capital Regional District, focusing on regional outlets across Vancouver Island as well as provincial media.” 

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The Board is committed to maintaining the local focus and grounding which have always been at the heart of the organization.  At the same time, we support the work of the organization which extends beyond the CRD, and seek to ensure that there is a clear and transparent congruence between the strategic work of the organization and our governing documents.

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Therefore, the Board proposes that our Constitution be amended to provide:

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2. The purposes of the Society are to provide services based primarily in BC’s Capital Regional District:

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This resolution is supported by the full board and the Executive Director.

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To succeed, this Special Resolution must be passed at the AGM by at least 2/3rds of the votes cast by the voting members, whether cast personally or by proxy.  Voting by proxy is governed by section 3.15 of the Bylaws, which reads:

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3.15 Voting by proxy is permitted:

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(a) A member may appoint a proxyholder by giving written authorization to the

Board with:

(i) the date of the authorization

(ii) the member’s full name;

(iii) the proxyholder’s full name;

(iv) written authorization that the proxyholder may vote on the member’s behalf;

(v) the date of the general meeting the authorization applies to; and

(vi) the member’s signature.

 

Questions and discussion will be welcome at the AGM. 

 

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