Executive and Committee Roles
Elected Officials: How many are there? What does each do? Is there a job description for each of the roles?
How Many?
There are 25 elected officials which include the following President, 1st VP, 2nd VP, Membership Officer, Treasurer, Glendon Officer, Bargaining Committee UNIT 1 (4 – 1 of which shall be long standing service member), Bargaining Committee UNIT 2 (4), Communications Committee (4), Constitution & Policy (5), Nominations Committee (3)
What does each official do?
The role descriptions are outlined in the call for nominations, and is also available on the YUSA website under “Elections Policy” (hover and you will see the selection of officer terms of reference, which describe the roles and responsibilities for each)
Is there a job description for each of the roles?
See below for a brief summary of each of the officer positions and committees as per the YUSA Elections Policy.
President
The President, who shall be a full-time elected Officer, shall be responsible for the general management and direction, subject to the authority of the Executive Board and this constitution, of the business and affairs of the Union. The President shall preside over all general membership meetings and Executive Board meetings; shall be responsible for the preparation of the agenda for these meetings; shall be responsible for the due and proper administration of the Constitution; shall be responsible for relations with bodies internal (see Article IV, Section 2b) and external (see Article IV, Section 2c) to the University; shall be a non-voting ex-officio member of all Committees unless otherwise specified. The President may be subject to reasonable requirements of insurability and/or bondability as determined by the Executive Board (as taken from Article VIII, Section 1). The President shall be paid by the Union, while holding office, at a salary commensurate with the position, but not less than his/her normal salary rate.
First Vice-President
The First Vice-President, who shall be a full-time elected Officer; shall assist the President with the general management and direction of the business and affairs of the Union, subject to the authority of the President, the Executive Board and this constitution; shall be responsible, along with President, for relations with bodies internal to the University; shall be responsible for the due and proper administration of the Constitution; shall be a non-voting ex-officio member of and shall oversee all Committees unless otherwise specified; and shall, in the absence of the President, be the acting President. The First Vice-President may be subject to reasonable requirements of insurability and/or bondability as determined by the Executive Board (as taken from Article VIII, Section 1). The First Vice-President shall be paid by the Union, while holding office, at a salary commensurate with the position, but not less than his/her normal salary rate.
Second Vice-President:
The Second Vice-President, who shall be a full-time elected Officer; and shall be responsible, along with the President, for relations with bodies external to the University. The Second Vice-President shall also assist the First Vice-President as required. The Second Vice-President shall, in the absence of both the President and the First Vice-President, be the Acting President. The Second Vice-President may be subject to reasonable requirements of insurability and/or bondability as determined by the Executive Board (as taken from Article VIII, Section 1). The Second Vice-President shall be paid by the Union, while holding office, at a salary commensurate with the position, but no less than his/her normal salary rate.
Membership Officer
The Membership Officer shall be responsible for the YUSA’s initial contacts with new employees eligible for membership. The Membership Officer shall maintain the membership records, supervise admittance at general membership meetings and verify the right to vote at elections.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the keeping of the financial records and shall arrange for the custody and disbursement of funds, pursuant to the direction of the Executive Board. The Treasurer may be subject to reasonable requirements of insurability and/or bondability as determined by the Executive Board (as taken from Article VIII, Section 1). The Treasurer shall submit to the Executive and membership a proposed annual budget and a semi-annual financial report (see Article VIII – Finances).
Glendon Officer (GLENDON MEMBERS ONLY):
The Glendon Officer shall be a member of YUSA working at the Glendon campus and shall be elected by members working at the Glendon Campus. The Glendon Officer shall represent the interests of those members in Union matters.
Committees
Bargaining Committee: The Bargaining Committee shall consist of the President, the First Vice-President, a member of the Grievance Committee and four members elected from the general membership, one of whom shall be a long service employee (15 or more years= service), and one member of YUSA working at the Glendon campus elected by the Glendon membership. In the event that no long service employee and/or no member working at Glendon stands for election, the position(s) may be filled by a member-at-large. The function of this Committee shall be to negotiate any changes to the current Collective Agreement (see Article XIII). One member of the committee shall be elected by the committee to be the Chair.
Communications Committee: The Communications Committee shall consist of four elected members of the general membership. It shall be the function of this Committee to keep members informed of YUSA activities and labour-related developments both on and off campus with a newsletter and/or by other means.
Constitution and Policy Committee: The Constitution and Policy Committee shall consist of three elected members of the general membership. The function of this Committee shall be the construction and maintenance of the YUSA Constitution and the YUSA Policy Manual. The Committee shall also advise the Executive Board in the interpretation of these documents.
Nominations Committee: The Nominations Committee shall consist of three elected members of the general membership. The functions of this Committee shall be to aid in the search for candidates for Offices and Committees, Stewards and YUSA representatives on various bodies. The Committee shall oversee procedures for YUSA’s Biennial General Elections and shall conduct any necessary by-elections as outlined in Article XI – Elections.
What is the process for members to run for positions?
Watch out for the biennial call for nominations and submit your candidacy or nomination following the procedure outlined. Consult the Elections Policy at https://yusapuy.ca/yusapuy-elections-policy/
Submitted by Min-A Yoon, Chair, Constitution & Policy Committee.
Executive Board: How many people are on it? What are the functions of the Board? Does it accurately represent the membership?
How many people are on the Executive Board?
Currently there are 14 voting members of the Executive board comprised of:
- Three full-time officers – President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President
- Three officers – Glendon Officer, Membership Officer, Treasurer
- Chairs or Vice Chairs of the standing YUSA Committees:
The Executive Board governs the Union. Article 6, Section 2a of the YUSA Constitution outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Executive.
Section 2a: “The Executive Board shall be responsible to the membership for the general supervision, management and conduct of the Union’s business, funds and property; shall carry out the provisions of this Constitution; shall adopt, subject to membership approval, policies and measures calculated to advance and protect the rights, interest and welfare of the Union and its members and shall report promptly to the membership any and all matters having significant bearing upon same. Executive Board members shall be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.”
The Constitution is available on the YUSA website
What are the functions of the Board?
The Executive Board is responsible to the membership for the general supervision, management and conduct of the Union’s business, funds and property. The Board operates according to the Constitution, and subject to membership approval, the board will adopt policies and measures to advance and protect the rights, interest and welfare of the Union and its members. The Executive Board is required to promptly report to the membership any and all matters that have a significant bearing on the rights, interests, and welfare of the union and its membership.
The Executive Board has the authority to approve the hiring of office staff and temporary help for Union committee business as required. The Executive Board may hire a non-member to act as a non-voting recording secretary for Executive Board meetings.
