YES ...
confusion continues to reign supreme within the BC Conservative Party ... just
days before its Annual General Meeting which takes place this Saturday
(February 20th) in Richmond.
A little
over a week ago I had a brief conversation with the area Regional Director
asking what my status was following an official submission the Current Board
and Executive. That submission pointed
out not just one, but a large number of areas of the Party's Constitution,
which were trampled on when my membership was declined.
In a
nutshell, these included that the:
... concept of fiduciary
trust and adherence to high ethical standards is not an optional requirement of
a public organization incorporated under the Societies Act. It is a legal
requirement as well as a moral imperative.
Back to
my discussion with the Regional Director.
I asked him if the Board had reversed its' decision, regarding denial of
my membership application, and was told that all I had to do was reapply and
that it 'should' be approved. I then
asked if it would be accepted as of my original submission last November, and
he indicated he was not sure.
That then
led me to email the following questions to the BC Conservative Party:
I have heard, but not directly from the Board, that my membership denial has been reversed. Please email confirmation of this, and that it is effective as of my original application. Thank you ... alan
I have heard, but not directly from the Board, that my membership denial has been reversed. Please email confirmation of this, and that it is effective as of my original application. Thank you ... alan
As of
this morning (Monday February 15th), I now have a written response, from the Party, which in its
entirety states:
Hi Alan,
I acknowledge receipt of your
query that you sent in through the Contact Form on the Party’s web site.
It is my understanding that your
query is about your application.
The online payment of $20 that
accompanied your application was returned to
I note that the cheque has been
cashed.
With regard to your query, I
advise that your information is incorrect, the Board decision concerning your
membership application has not been reversed.
Yours sincerely, Bob
Bob Bray, Chair
Membership Committee
NOTE that Membership Committee Chair Bob Bray has indicated the "information is incorrect", however this IS information that was provided to me by a MEMBER of the current Executive and Board of the BC Conservative Party. This wasn't provided to me third hand, and then passed down from some one, to some one else, to me. It came from a member of the Board. Yes there seems to be confusion, however it IS NOT on my part, it is wholly within in the administrative side of the BC Conservative Party.
As noted
above, the submission to the party on my behalf, regarding the decision to deny
me membership in the BC Conservative Party, was based on ...
The concept of fiduciary trust and adherence
to high ethical standards is not an optional requirement of a public
organization incorporated under the Societies Act. It is a legal
requirement as well as a moral imperative.
Instead
of accepting my membership, the CURRENT Board and Executive has trampled on the Parties Constitution, and SPECIFICALLY, its Code of Conduct:
ARTICLE 2
- ETHICAL PRINCIPLES.
The Party
and its Members subscribe to the
following general ethical principles and agree to abide by them in their
individual and collective actions with one another and the citizens in general
when acting on behalf of the Party or otherwise when acting in any manner
associated with the Party, namely:
... act at all times honestly, in good faith and in a manner which will
enhance the image of and be in the best interests of the Party.
... always
be truthful, treat others fairly and with respect, and accept that honesty is
essential to the development and maintenance of the trust that is essential to both
building and developing the Party and
the Province
... never knowingly misrepresent the stated
purposes, principles, values or policies of the Party
... when
in any way representing the Party, its Officers, Directors, Associated bodies
or Members, work for the general benefit of the Party and not for
personal gain or enhancement. Further, all members, employed staff, supporters
or associates must:
... adhere
to the principles, policies and general agreements of the Party when representing
the Party or working on behalf of
the Party
... individuals
working on behalf of the Party are in positions of trust and must not violate
that trust by using the position for personal gain or enhancement
... fair
and responsible governance of the Party is jeopardized and put at risk in situations
where a conflict of interest influences the making of decisions
... if and when
there is a direct, indirect or perceived conflict of interest, those concerned
must avoid the position or the issue and fully declare possible involvement and
thereafter resign, recuse, or in all ways otherwise remove the potential for
possible conflict of interest
... all Members
must work toward mutually beneficial partnerships and work collaboratively with
one another with the object of building the Party and providing effective
governance to all the citizens of the Province
... resist
using majority votes to overpower opposing ideas and the views of dissenting
members
... achieve full,
open and accurate disclosure of relevant information, including being
transparent and fiscally responsible to the Party’s interests and its
donors
... be collegial, forward looking and adopt problem-solving attitudes,
including past real or perceived injustices, and treat all with mutual respect,
displaying courteous behaviour and at all times properly consider and evaluate
the views of others so that balanced and correct decisions might be achieved.
... all
Members involved in decisions materially affecting the operations of the Party,
undertake in all ways reasonable
...to make such decisions only when all
interested parties are present or have received adequate information and notice
to be present ... to avoid making
assumptions without properly assessing the views of the other interested
parties
... all Members holding office and/or
responsibilities in the Party, including its Boards, Committees, Associated or
supporting organizations or other entities, must undertake to communicate responsibly, collaboratively, openly and
without delay
I will acknowledge that I have been critical of
the current (mainly appointed and un-elected) Board and Executive. My reasons have its been secrecy, not raising
the profile of the Party in a positive way with the public, failing to address
the alarming decline of membership, failing to reverse anyone making financial
donations to the party, failing to provide meaningful input from the membership
to create concise policy that clearly differentiates it from the NDP, Liberals,
and Green Parties, as well as a number of other areas.
NONE of these things are reason to decline my
membership. In fact by my raising them,
the Board and Executive have with malice to me and others, trampled on their obligations
as laid out under the Constitution, specifically with regards to Ethical
Conduct.
What a sad state of affairs for those members
still hanging on to a hope of the Party's survival. That hope by now must be hanging on by a
thread.
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