Giving credit where credit is due

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As those who read this blog will know, I am usually quite critical of our student representatives who sit on the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa's Board of administration (SFUO BOA) and of the SFUO executive. However, a motion that passed at the Sunday, January 15 2011 SFUO BOA meeting caught me by surprise (in a good way)! The motion, which passed its second and final reading during the meeting, tasks the SFUO executive with the preparation, through the BOA Finance Committee, of an updated budget presentation in both the fall and winter semesters (see below).

SFUO BOA Motion - Section 3.2.3.1.7


In the "Whereas" section, the following statement also shocked me:

Whereas a student union should strive to continually be more transparent and accountable to best serve its members

I would like to congratulate the SFUO BOA for having passed this thoughtful motion. For once, you have demonstrated that you are capable, responsible individuals. Could it be that you're all just beginning to understand the importance of the words "transparency" and "accountability"? I found this informative document on Industry Canada's website entitled "Primer for Directors of Not-for-profit Corporations: Rights, Duties and Practices" which outlines how any not-for-profit corporation is to be managed (aussi disponible en français) I suggest that you all sit down and review it as it contains some very important information.

I recently asked the SFUO V-P Communications, Paige Galette when the SFUO would be holding its next Annual General Meeting. She said for me to keep my eyes and ears open for the announcement. Now, I can't remember ever hearing of an AGM ever taking place since I began my studies at the University of Ottawa (and of course, I stand to be corrected!). However, I do recall a Political, International and Development Studies Student Association (PIDSSA) holding an AGM at the beginning of my first year. This meeting was held as serious allegations were brought forward against the President of the time and he was facing impeachment. The PIDSSA AGM filled an entire classroom in Morisset, which has a capacity of 200 people. As I recall, people were sitting between the tables and standing on each side of the room. In the end, the motion to impeach the PIDSSA president was unsuccessful as it required a two-thirds majority. That AGM successfully reached quorum because it had been well publicized (although the issue that was dealt with probably added to students' interest). If there has in fact been a SFUO AGM in the past 4-5 years, I can assure you that they have not been properly publicized nor have they been covered in by the student media (La Rotonde and The Fulcrum).

Let's hope that Ms. Galette will follow through, along with the rest of the SFUO executive, and ensure that an annual general meeting of the corporation is held before the exam period in April 2012.