Federal Council Elections - Job Descriptions

What Does Federal Council Do? 

Federal Council is the body that governs the Party between Biennial General Meetings (National Conventions) of the membership. As the party also has a Leader and Shadow Cabinet to put the party's message before the public, Council's role is focused primarily on the Party's strategic and budgetary planning and development. As Party policy is set by the membership in general meeting, and the Shadow Cabinet is responsible for formulating the Party's platform for any given election, Federal Council does not create party policy or the platform. 

If you have media skills, or an interest in policy development or political strategy -- your help would be better directed to Shadow Cabinet, the Party's Federal Campaign Committee, supporting a local candidate, or running yourself!

Requirements

1. A willingness to dedicate at least 10 to 20 hours per month of personal time and effort to council work including attending meetings by teleconference, time between meetings preparing materials and reading reports, time spent serving on Council sub-committees, and attendance at one or two weekend Council retreats per year.
2. The ability to effectively communicate in a team environment.
3. The ability to perform at a governance level and display the leadership skills required of a Federal Council of this nature.
4. A strong belief in the purpose and six key principles of the Party, and a commitment to applying them to the management of the Party.
5. A familiarity with Party policy, platform, and governance documents, such as the Party's Constitution, Bylaws, the Green Rules of Procedure, applicable Codes of Conduct, GPC Fund Bylaws -- and a commitment to further the understanding of these documents.
6. Access to the Internet and familiarity with computer word processing, spreadsheet, presentation programs, the ability to view such documents, and the ability to read and understand financial statements.
7. A very high standard of personal ethics.

Councillors should:

1. Always act in good faith and in a manner which they believe is in the best interest of the Party and membership as a whole, contribute to discussions as part of decision-making, and respect Federal Council decisions on all issues.
2. Respect the confidentiality of in-camera discussions and privileged information.
3. Provide leadership to ensure that Party employees are viewed as an integral part of the Party and are treated fairly and equitably.
4. Make certain the Party has clear long, medium, and short-term plans that can be developed and measured realistically.
5. Project a positive image as a leader of the Party.
6. Seek input from the membership and report openly on all aspects of the Party's activities (respecting confidentiality).

Other Valuable Skills

1. Experience in financial management, work or experience with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), experience in a treasurer role.
2. Experience in practicing law or an understanding of legal requirements and implications relevant to political parties, governing boards, and corporations.
3. Governance experience. That is, a previous role on a nongovernmental organization (NGO), corporation, or political party's board of directors.
4. Fundraising experience and/or demonstrated fundraising skills.
5. An ability to promote consensus and team building, as well as conduct conflict resolution.
6. A wide range of political knowledge and experience.
7. Life experience reflective of Canada's diversity in both its people and landscape.

Job Description: Provincial/Territory Representatives

Provincial/Territory Representatives play a vital role not only in providing input to the governance of the GPC but also in acting as a conduit between local members in their jurisdiction and Council. Using as a base, the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, the Councillors Fiduciary Responsibility and Code of Conduct, the Provincial/Territory Representatives will:

1.  Represent Party members and EDAs in their respective provinces or territories on Federal Council
2.  Contribute as an equal member of Federal Council in making responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
3. Be an active member on at least one of the Council sub-committees.
4. Contribute to the annual and long term strategic planning of the Party.
5. Be a member of the Green Party of Canada Fund.
6. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council.

Role of the Executive Council (or Executive)

Using as a base, the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, the Councillors Fiduciary Responsibility and Code of Conduct, the Executive Council shall:

1. Act as the interim decision making body on behalf of Federal Council, with the overall goal to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Council.
2. Meet regularly, on a weekly basis to respond to the immediate decision making needs of the Party. Wherever possible, allow for Federal Council, and any other members to observe the meetings.
3. Ensure that Executive activities are transparent and accountable.
4. Affirm that the interim decisions reflect the will of Federal Council at the monthly Federal Council meetings.

Job Description: President

Using as a base, the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, the Councillors Fiduciary Responsibility and Code of Conduct, the President shall:

1. Act as the Chair of Federal Council and ensure that Federal Council and Executive Council meetings are organized and facilitated in accordance with the Party's Rules of Procedure, including the appointment of process people.
2. Ensure that decisions of the Party, Federal Council, Executive Council and committees of Federal Council are duly carried out. 
3. Represent the Council with staff, volunteers and members as may be required to ensure efficient and professional execution of decisions.
4. Be a member of the Executive [as defined by Bylaw 2.6.1 of the Party's Bylaws].
5. Be a member of the Green Party of Canada Fund.
6. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council.
7. Contribute as an equal member of Federal Council and Executive Council in making responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
8. Call upon the Vice President Francophone and Vice President English to support the execution of these roles.
9. Be elected for a two-year term by the membership.

Note: the President is the Chair of Federal Council

Job Description: Vice Presidents

Using as a base, the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, the Councillors Fiduciary Responsibility and Code of Conduct, the Vice Presidents French and English shall:

1. Assist the President in ensuring that the President's responsibilities and decisions of the Party, Federal Council, Executive Council and committees of Federal Council are duly carried out.
2. Be a member of the Executive [as defined by Bylaw 2.6.1 of the Party's Bylaws].
3. Be a member of the Green Party of Canada Fund.
4. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council.
5. Contribute as an equal member of Federal Council and Executive Council in making responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
6. Be elected for a two-year term by the membership.

Job Description: Fund Representative, often referred to as Treasurer

Using as a base, the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, the Councillors Fiduciary Responsibility and Code of Conduct, the Fund Representative shall: 

1. Represent the Green Party of Canada Fund [as defined by Articles 7.3.8 and 12 of the Party's Constitution].
2. Be a member of the Executive [as defined by Bylaw 2.6.1 of the Party's Bylaws].
3. Be a board member of and represent Federal Council within the Green Party of Canada Fund.
4. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council.
5. Contribute as an equal member of Federal Council and Executive Council in making responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
6. Be elected for a two-year term by the membership.