Governance
Please check the events calendar for upcoming governance meetings.
The following is a summary description of the governance structure of the GVTA. For complete descriptions refer to the GVTA Members' Guide. If you have any questions about the agenda or Robert's Rules of Order procedure for meetings, please contact info@gvta.net.
GVTA MEMBERS' GUIDE
The GVTA Members' Guide contains the constitution, bylaws, policies and procedures of the GVTA.
The constitution and bylaws can only be amended by a General Meeting, with a 75% majority.
The Policies and Procedures provide additional detail about the objectives and governance structures of the GVTA. The Executive Committee, LSRA and General Meeting can establish or amend policies and procedures with a 50% majority. Less representative bodies cannot amend or contradict policies or procedures established by a more representative body (e.g. the Executive Committee can not amend a policy set by a General Meeting).
General Meetings and the Annual General Meeting
The General Meeting (GM) is the sovereign body of the GVTA. The Members' Guide outlines the special role of General Meetings and the Annual General Meeting (AGM). All members have voice and vote at GMs and AGMs. Policies established at a general meeting may only be changed or rescinded at a General Meeting. There must be at least two GMs per year; one must be the AGM, which is usually held in the Spring.
Local Staff Representative Assembly
The Local Staff Representative Assembly (LSRA) meets monthly and consists of the Executive Committee, TTOC Representatives elected by the TTOC general membership, and Staff Representatives elected by Association members in each school.
While only elected Staff Representatives and Executive Committee members may vote, all GVTA members have the right to attend and speak at LSRA meetings. Staff Representatives carry a number of votes proportional to the size of their teaching staff.
The Local Staff Representative Assembly:
adopts policies and prescribes procedures for the attainment of the Objectives of the Association
provides advice to the Executive Committee and Standing Committees
brings forward issues of concern to the Executive Committee
reviews the finances of the Association
conveys decisions and information to members
makes recommendations to General membership Meetings
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee (EC) directs and supervise the business and conducts the affairs of the GVTA. The EC meets bi-monthly.
The members of the Executive Committee are elected at the AGM, these are:
President
First Vice-President
Second Vice-President and Health and Safety Officer
Secretary Treasurer
Contract Committee Chairperson
Professional Development Committee Chairperson
Social Justice Committee Chairperson
TTOC and New Teacher Committee Chairperson
Indigenous Education Chairperson
Climate Justice Chairperson
Local Representatives to the BCTF Representative Assembly (3)
Member-at-Large Self-Identifying as Indigenous
Members-at-Large (2)
Standing Committees
Several Standing Committees are established by the GVTA Constitution and Bylaws. These committees are responsible for conducting some of the affairs of the GVTA and to provide recommendations and advice to the Executive Committee. The members of these standing committees are elected by the general membership at the AGM. The committee membership lists are found on the Committees and Appointments page.
The Contract Committee researches and advises on all contract issues as determined by a survey of members. The Contract Committee investigates violations and seek enforcement of the contract in conjunction with the president.
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee is an advisory committee regarding professional development policies. The Professional Development Committee has the authority to disburse joint funds allocated for professional development.
The Social Justice Committee is an advisory committee regarding social policies and issues. It recommends social justice grant applications to the Executive. It supports Social Justice initiatives recommended by the BCTF, and supports Social Justice initiatives in the schools and the community
Teachers on Call and New Teachers Committee
The TOC and New Teacher Committee is an advisory committee regarding TOC and New Teacher issues. It organizes TOC and New Teacher issues meetings, supports TOC and New Teacher initiatives recommended by the BCTF, and organizes the New Teacher Induction Ceremony.
Indigenous Education Committee
The Indigenous Education Committee is an advisory committee regarding Indigenous Education issues; the committee supports Indigenous Education initiatives recommended by the BCTF, and advocates for local Indigenous education policies.
The Climate Justice Committee is an advisory committee regarding climate policies and issues, which makes recommendations to the Social Justice Committee and/or the Executive Committee, supports climate justice initiatives recommended by the BCTF, in schools and the community.
The H&S Committee is an advisory committee to the GVTA Executive Committee regarding the health and safety of the membership in relation to their employment in the school district; the committee advances the health and safety, and related rights, of members through advocacy and assertion of rights in provincial legislation and regulations, supports member-related health and safety initiatives recommended by the BCTF, and supports the caucus of GVTA members to the District Occupational Health & Safety Committee.