Proposed Bylaw Amendments for November 2026 SAGM
Note: New language is bolded. Language to be deleted is struck through
#1 Add a $3000 maximum to the annual Reconciliation Fund donation
Bylaw 11.4 (c) (Finances – Donations – Reconciliation Fund)
Purpose: This amount is currently uncapped (unlike the related Social Justice Fund, which is tied to member number) and is based on interest earned on our largest long-term savings account. This amendment aims to balance financial sustainability, especially given declining membership numbers and dues in recent years, against the fund’s purpose. This past year the donation was nearly $6000, which was higher than estimated at the time of the fund’s creation.
Proposed:
Bylaw 11: Finances
4. Donations
c) Reconciliation Fund
i. the annual interest from the largest of CUPE 4163’s long-term savings accounts, not to exceed $3000.
#2 Add reporting requirements for Component Vice-Presidents and the Equity Vice-President at the SAGM
Bylaw 6.4 and 6.5 (Duties of the Officers – Component Vice-Presidents; Equity Vice-President)
Purpose: Housekeeping to include standard AGM reporting practice in position descriptions
Proposed:
Bylaw 6: Duties of the Officers
4. Component Vice-Presidents
l) make a written report of their activities and component updates at the Annual General Membership (AGM) and Semi-Annual General Membership (SAGM) meetings.
5. Equity Vice-President
e) make a written report of the Equity Action Committee’s work at the Annual General Membership (AGM) and Semi-Annual General Membership (SAGM) meetings.
#3 Set hybrid membership meetings as the default and set the requirements in line with the CUPE National bylaws
Bylaw 3 (Membership Meetings)
Purpose: Formally allow for hybrid meetings for AGMs and SAGMs going forward and lay out requirements for verification and voting
Bylaw 3: Membership meetings
9) Meeting format. a) Membership meetings shall be held in a hybrid format. The Executive may elect to hold specific meetings only in-person or only virtual on a case-by-case basis. Meeting notices will include the meeting format. b) Members joining virtually must have their camera on for verification when joining the meeting and when voting by show of hands and their full name as their sign-in name. c) In-person and virtual participants must use the same method of voting, unless the National President approves otherwise. When a secret or confidential vote is taken the vote will take place using a secure electronic voting platform.
#4 Update president language to capture full-time position and pay at Component 2 instructor Step 13 and fix number duplication
Bylaw 6.2 (q) (Duties of the Officers – President), Bylaw 6.9 (b) (Duties of the Officers – President position vacancies and leaves)
Purpose: To update the bylaws to match the updated Component 3 collective agreement language around president pay to set a standard for Presidents across components. Additionally, the original bylaws provide part-time options for the president, but past practice has been full-time and recent Acting President terms have made it clear that part-time is not sustainable to support the local adequately. Housekeeping to avoid numbering duplication is also included.
Bylaw 6: Duties of the Officers
2. President
q. The President will be a paid position. Compensation will be in one of three forms:
A part-time paid release from their employment, to be negotiated with the Employer. The amount of the release shall be determined by the Executive according to budgetary capacity, union office workload, and the availability of cost-sharing with the Employer.
Wages equivalent to the Local’s costs for a part-time paid release for a Component 2 instructor at Step 4 13 of the salary schedule. Such wages shall be no less than 36 hours per month week at Step 4 13 of the Component 2 Instructor rate.
A combination of part-time paid release and wages. The cost of such a combination will not exceed the cost a part-time paid release as outlined in (i) above.”
9 10. President position vacancies and leaves
b. The Acting President will be a paid position. They will either take a paid Union President leave as per the collective agreement, or a more limited position will be taken on.”
#5 Amend notice of bylaw language from 60 to 30 days to match CUPE National requirements
Bylaw 14 (Amendments)
Purpose: 30 days is the required notice under CUPE National bylaws. It provides enough notice to members to review proposed changes before AGMs/SAGMs while matching National requirements and allowing the board more flexibility in preparing amendments.
Bylaw 14: Amendments
b) These bylaws shall not be amended, added to, or suspended except upon a majority vote of those present and voting at a regular or special membership meeting following seven (7) days notice at a previous meeting or at least sixty (60) thirty (30) days written notice.