• Revitalizing democracy

    Date: 2014.04.01 | Category: Articles, Green Party, Politics | Tags: ,,,

    Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

    Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    On April 13th, I will be stepping down as President & CEO of the Barrie Green Party after almost 6 years. If I were the President of the US, that’d be a term and a half. Alas, I’m a volunteer President, and so after 6 years it is time to move on.

    I leave behind a legacy of democracy. When I held my first Annual General Meeting in 2009, we could barely make quorum. Over the years we’ve completely replaced the constitution with one that works much better for us, and not only do we meet quorum at our AGM’s, we exceed it. Simple things such has having a speaker, and sometimes Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner help bring out members, friends, and supporters. One change we made in 2014 was moving the meeting from January, to April, where we can promote it at our annual Earth Hour activities.

    This year we present Sandra Holdsworth, a presenter with the Trillium Gift of Life Network who will be speaking on organ donation. Sandra herself is from the Simcoe/Muskoka area, being a local native herself.

    I’ve always felt it was the President’s job to protect democracy within the Electoral District Association. I always claimed the AGM as mine, my event to organize, and invite the members to. To ensure it is not only held, but that anyone who wants to attend can. I also moved it from a boring evening during the week to a Sunday afternoon at the Barrie Public Library, where notably, the room is free.

    The new President of course will be able to chart their own course, but I am proud of my 6 years, and I cannot wait for whatever window opens next.

    “Second star to the right and straight on till morning.” – Captain Kirk, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

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