Preliminary Report9 October 2013

Whereas a well-educated, informed and active union membership contributes to healthy, democratic decision-making;

  Whereas JACFA members have expressed a

desire for greater consultation and input on decisions that affect their work conditions;

Be it resolved that the General Assembly mandates the JACFA Executive to strike a working group composed of teachers to begin immediately to examine the JACFA constitution.

open invitation to all JACFA members.

four meetings between13 June – 3 October; 12.5 total hours, sixteen total participants.

open discussion format

Tour de table: key concerns and challenges

Small group brainstorming sessions

How can we foster broader participation?

How can we strengthen our faculty union?

What is the relationship between the mandate of the working group and that of the General Assembly?

Volunteers offered to research various aspects of the Constitution and resources available to assist revision.

Roundtable discussion format

Volunteers presented summer research:

1) comparative data on constitutional reform

2) election procedures

3) executive release time

4) JACFA’s legal structure

5) quality of democratic processes

Key topics, themes and concerns compiled.

Draft report presented for feedback.

Content & format agreed upon.

Revised report circulated before 9 October GA.

Democratic processes and structures the Constitution would ideally promote.

Core principles: representation, transparency, accountability and participation.

1) Constitutional Reform (CR),

2) Best Practices (BP), and/or

3) Syndical Council (SC).

AIMS

How can we best represent concerns of all members including “minority” disciplines?

How to incorporate diverse opinions and outlooks?

Clarify ways to increase participation and improve representation with current constitution.

APPROACHES

CR: election procedures, executive term limits.

BP: examine existing models and practices from other CEGEPs and those emerging in 21st century

SC: equal number of reps for all departments and disciplines;

SC: include solidarity rep, women’s group rep, non-perm, retired teachers rep, etc.

AIMS

Strengthen syndical well-being and promote participatory decision-making;

Foster participation by all members in syndical life;

Encourage all members to serve on committees and hold key positions;

Increase attendance at General Assemblies.

APPROACHES

BP: demonstrate to members their participation and input matters

BP: common hour

BP: invite faculty to submit to JACFA News

SC: participation by more members in day-to-day decisions;

SC/BP: increase mobilization within departments;

AIMS

Effective communication between members and between members and executive;

Be proactive and minimize conflicts;

Document decision-making processes;

Ensure all members have equal access to information.

APPROACHES

BP: create conflict resolution policy;

BP: create bylaws espousing effective communication, implementation of neutral and objective decision-making processes.

BP: review committee mandates and membership;

SC: three-way communication between departments, SC and exec.

AIMS

Balance individual (department) and collective (syndical) well-being in academic life;

Clear rules to elect teachers to key positions;

Mechanisms that foster transparency in the exercise of elected positions;

APPROACHES

CR / BP : clarify procedures for electing or appointing representations;

BP: bylaws to clarify responsibilities and role of committee members; clarify mechanisms of communication;