#2 Ratification results released by AMAPCEO- a small victory!

In the two intervening weeks since writing my first blog under the "TAKE BACK AMAPCEO" heading, I have become aware that many members who voted yes are also angry and disenchanted with the current leadership.

While some criticize this as "negativity", I see two positive trends emerging from the recent tumult.  First: members who were previously disengaged are now realizing the danger of not paying attention.  They are demanding information. Second:  more chapter leaders are now stepping up and providing leadership at the local level. They are demanding accountability from the centre. 

Spurred on by recent member concern about the doings of their bargaining unit, it appears that chapter chairs are moving to reclaim their rightful place in the governance of AMAPCEO.  In contrast to past ratification votes,  this year numerical results were provided to the members.

AMAPCEO's Provincial Council is composed of 23 Ministry and regional chapter chairs, and the nine member Board of Directors ( president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and five directors). Twenty years ago, Provincial Council was a key component of the decision making structure in AMAPCEO.  Council meetings were often contentious, sometimes raucus, affairs as members argued their side of the issue at hand. Democracy reigned.

Sadly, over AMAPCEO's twenty year history,  Provincial Council has faded into obscurity as fewer and fewer questions are brought to it for decision.  Instead, ready-made, pre-packaged policies, pre-approved by the board of directors, are brought to Provincial Council for rubber stamping. Information about alternative options is rarely provided.

The nine person Board usually votes as a block at Provincial Council. Any Board member who disagrees with the Board proposal must give prior notice that they plan to speak against the Board proposal at Provincial Council.  This "practice" is referred to as "board solidarity". Failure to vote with the flock tends to invite the wrath of the gods on the contrary Board member.  As a member of the Board for almost ten years, I know.

Recently though, a  significant "rebellion"  took place prior to the ratification vote. As the hotly contested ratification vote dates (October 16, 17) approached, AMAPCEO members including members of Provincial Council  were surprised to find that they might never be told the exact results of the ratification, other than to find out whether the question "won" or "lost".  No turnout figures!   No percentage voting for.  No percentage voting against!

A week before the ratification vote, twelve chapter chairs invoked Article 30.3 of the AMAPCEO Constitution and demanded two special meetings of Provincial Council. This in itself was startling, as it seems that this authority under the constitution had never been used before. The Secretary of the Association was obviously confused and wanted to know if sending the results by email would be preferable to a meeting!

The purpose of the first meeting,  which took place at 11 pm on Wednesday October 17, was to provide  Provincial Council with the results of the ratification vote and allow for preliminary discussion.  In my view, Provincial Council should have some input into messaging to its members.  At that meeting,  I asked specifically about the draft messaging and was told it was not ready.

The second meeting, scheduled for the next day, was for the purpose of discussing the ratification vote and next steps.  However,  AMAPCEO did not wait for this discussion and issued its messaging bright and early the next morning with apparently little consultation with any governing body.

They just don't get it, do they?