Study Resolution on Active Democracy (2010)

Approved by the CUC Annual General Meeting, May 2010

Whereas, by virtue of its By-laws, the affairs of the Canadian Unitarian Council (“the CUC”) are managed by a Board of Trustees (“the Board”) who may exercise all such powers of the Council as are not expressly directed or required by the By-laws of the Council or by the Canada Corporations Act to be exercised by the Council at its general meetings;

And whereas the Board has committed to undertake its responsibilities in an open and transparent manner through the adoption of formal written policies with corresponding accountabilities and monitoring mechanisms;

And whereas the Board is committed to ensure that the Mission, Vision, Ends and other policies reflect the CUC’s broadest values and perspectives;

Such that, in this instance, the Board seeks assistance from the Council’s members in examining the relationship in policy between the Council and its Board;

Be it resolved that:

  1. The CUC Board is directed to form a Study Group to undertake a two-year national conversation regarding the democratic processes employed in the governance of the CUC, to include, but not necessarily limited to:
    1. the decision-making authority of the Board relative to the Council;
    2. the relationships between individuals within the member congregations and the CUC Council, Board and staff;
    3. the selection of delegates to the Annual Meeting by member congregations;
    4. means for promoting discussion, within and among member congregations, of matters coming before the Annual Meeting;
    5. the feasibility of electronic voting at the Annual Meeting; and
    6. multi-generational representation including Youth, young adults, professional religious educators and Ministers within the Council.
  2. The Study Group shall be composed of representatives of member congregations, UUMOC (Unitarian Universalist Ministers of Canada), Canadian UU Youth, young adults, professional religious educators, the CUC Board and Staff, as well as a Chair and such other persons as the Board shall appoint from time-to time;
  3. The Study Group shall present an interim report with preliminary recommendations to the 2011 Annual Meeting;
  4. The Study Group shall bring formal resolutions to the 2012 Annual Meeting.