A Tweetcap of the Oct. 1 meeting, because, let’s face it, aren’t tweets easier to read than just a recap?
After a near two-hour meeting last time, the UVSS Board of Directors conveyed for a much shorter event in the Vertigo Lounge of the Student Union Building on Oct. 1.
The agenda topics ranged from discussing specific wording in a couple of policies to a proposed change to Robert’s Rules of Order, along with a surprise presentation from the director of finance and operations Curtis Whittla.
As Director of Outreach and University Relations Pierre-Paul Angelblazer brought the meeting to order, Whittla proposed a last-minute amendment to the agenda that would allow him to give a presentation to his fellow board members.
After a nicely said acknowledge of territories from Isabella Lee, Curtis Whittla amends the agenda, and will bring up the 2017/18 election draft audit in the priority business, and will also be presented at the Oct. 11 AGM
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
The meeting continued with updates from clubs and course unions, where Director of Student Affairs Isabella Lee reported that the latest meeting with course unions “was horrible” and that they “had a very bad time.”
“We tried to [give] out funding today,” she said, “and unfortunately the numbers didn’t seem correct by about $5 000, so I will be talking to our accountants tomorrow to double check the actual numbers.”
Following updates from clubs and course unions, Whittla fired up the projector and handed out copies of the draft audit of UVSS financial statements from the 2017/18 year, and budget projections for the 2018/19 fiscal year.
The audit says that the UVSS presented fair results, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year ended in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations.
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
For clarity purposes, the Martlet will be reporting in more detail on the 2017/18 audit and the 2018/19 budget in a separate piece.
Whittla concluded his presentation and the meeting moved to the scheduled main motions.
After little discussion, Angleblazers poses the question to the Board if they are tired from the audit talk, and a collective sign and laugh encapsulates the room. The motion passes.
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
First came a discussion about the Policy Development Committee and the specific wording regarding their involvement in electoral policy.
Now in the priority business, a recommendation to the BoD where the Policy Development Committee will make recommendations to the Electoral Committee regarding the maintenance and development of Electoral Policy.
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
The board then debated a motion regarding an expansion of Robert’s Rules of Order, which brought forward the first disagreement of the evening.
An expansion of the 'Robert's Rules, a motion intending to maintain impartiality for the chair is discussed.
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
Robert’s rules establishes that impartiality must be maintained by the chair of board meetings, yet as it stands, some board members felt that this impartiality was not being maintained. As such, the motion was to ensure greater impartiality from the chair of board meetings through establishing more concrete language in policy.
For some background info, The chair cannot vote on a resolution, move a resolution/motion, and motivate/debate a motion.
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
Lee was the first to say she wouldn’t support the motion due to the redundancy of the motion.
Lee believes the motion is a bit redundant, now that there is a policy about the problem, and she feels the new proposed motion adds extra words.
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
Both Director of Campaigns and Community Relations Ainsley Kerr and Director-at-Large Jordan Gilson countered Lee by saying the proposed motion would increase activity among board members.
Kerr joins her by speaking for the movement, she says often aspects of Robert's rules can be overlooked.
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
After discussion around the table, the motion passed, with Lee and Director-at-Large Tyler Arnold as the two members who voted against the motion.
The board then quickly passed a couple motions clarifying the rebate program for co-op students and distance students, including striking the obligation that the Director of Finance must track the number of co-op rebates students receive and when they were received.
Next, the board talks about amendments for student rebates. The previous director established the past student rebate, which said the director should track the number of Co-op Rebates.
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
Whittla says 80/90% of the angry calls he gets are from distance students who still have to pay UVSS fees. Now this motion expands the wording to distance students, who shall submit a cheque request plus proof of address to the director to receive a rebate.
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
Following this, the board moved to in camera and it was time for the Martlet to leave.
The UVSS AGM will be Oct. 11. I've been @joshkozelj27 and I hope you all have a great night! pic.twitter.com/rwsYl4onNv
— The Martlet (@TheMartlet) October 2, 2018
The next board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the SUB Upper Lounge, while the UVSS AGM will be held Oct. 11 at 2:30 p.m. in Vertigo.
