1. Home
  2. Federal Council Job Descriptions

Federal Council Job Descriptions

What Does Federal Council Do?

Federal Council is the group that governs the Party between 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 to provide a strategic plan, an annual budget and must ensure that the Party is relevant to the voters, effective in communicating Party policy and efficient in its operations.  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 must ensure that effective and efficient processes are in place to support continuous updating of party policy and 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, supporting a local candidate, or running yourself!
Federal Council is looking for people with board management, legal, financial or (JEDI) Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity skills to prepare the Party for the next Election.

Requirements

  1. A willingness to dedicate between 2-10  hours per week of personal time and effort to Council work, including attending Council and Committee meetings by teleconference, time between meetings preparing materials and reading reports,
  2. An ability to ethically, collaboratively and visibly display exemplary leadership skills, a commitment to achieving consensus and,  the capacity to resolve conflict.  Some governance training is provided.
  3. 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.
  4. Access to the Internet.

 

Councillors should:

  1. Always act in good faith and in a manner which 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 all party units are viewed as  integral to the Party, are treated fairly and equitably and enabled to uphold the members code of conduct.
  4. Make certain the Party has clear long, medium, and short-term costed plans that can be developed and measured and reported on regularly.
  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).

 

Essential Skills

  1. Significant prior experience on a board of directors.
  2. An ability to read and understand financial statements and experience in a treasurer or fundraiser role. Experience in  preparing annual budget reports, tracking income and expenditures, creating budgets and overseeing the implementation of cash management strategies that allow the Party to reach its financial goals is an asset.
  3. Experience in practicing law or an understanding of legal requirements and implications relevant to political parties, governing boards, and corporations, including the Canada Not for Profit Corporations Act, is an asset.
  4. Life experience reflective of Canada's diversity in both its people and landscape
  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. The ability to effectively communicate in a team environment.
  7. The capacity to author, edit or view electronic documents spreadsheets and presentation programs.
  8. An ability to communicate in at least 2 languages is an asset.

 

Job Description: Provincial and Territorial Representatives - Federal Councillors

Provincial and Territorial Representatives (Federal Councillors) 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, and the Federal Council Code of Conduct, Federal Councillors will:

  1. Representing Party members and EDAs in their respective provinces or territories on Federal Council, Provincial and territorial representatives report to, and receive input from, their regional members and EDAs on a regular schedule determined in consultation with the relevant EDAs and members.
  2. Contribute as equal members 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 committees.
  4. Contribute to the development of the annual and long term strategic plan and budget.
  5. Be members 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, and the Federal Council 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. Ensure that Executive activities are transparent and accountable.
  3. Affirm that the interim decisions reflect the will of Federal Council at Federal Council meetings.

 

Job Description: President

Using as a base the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, and the Federal Council 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 Council decisions or Member-Generated Directives.
  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. As Chair of Federal Council, oversee all of the work of Federal Council and Executive Council and facilitate the making of responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
  7. Call upon the Vice President Francophone and Vice President English to support the execution of these roles.
  8. Carry out other duties as required.
  9. Be elected for a two-year term by the membership.

 

Job Description: Vice Presidents

Using as a base the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, and the Federal Council Code of Conduct, the Vice President's French and English shall:

  1. Assist and support 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 and ethically 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. Support the execution of the role of the President, including chairing meetings as requested.
  5. Contribute as an equal member of Federal Council and Executive Council in making responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
  6. Carry out other duties as required.
  7. Be elected for a two-year term by the membership.

 

Job Description: Fund Representative

Using as a base, the GPC Constitution, the Party Rules and Procedures, the Councillors Fiduciary Responsibility and Code of Conduct, and the Fund Certificate of Continuance and By Laws, 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 the Federal Council within the Green Party of Canada Fund.
  4. Contribute as an equal member of Federal Council and Executive Council in making responsible decisions regarding the governance of the Party.
  5. Carry out other duties as agreed by Federal Council
  6. Be elected for a two-year term by the membership.