Creation of the new OPSEU Solidarity and Humanity Fund Board for governance of the Live and Let Live Fund and the OPSEU International Solidarity Fund

On May 19, 2004, the OPSEU Executive Board approved a seven-member OPSEU Solidarity and Humanity Fund Board to direct the future growth of both the Live and Let Live and International Solidarity Funds. The new board has a number of roles, including consulting with groups across both OPSEU and the community to increase awareness and support for these Funds and the projects they support.

While the funds have been active in the past year, this new governance structure will now seek charitable status in accordance with Revenue Canada requirements. This will allow for greater growth and the utilization of new revenue-generation and fund raising measures.

The Executive Board also approved an additional one time grant of $10,000 to cover set up and legal procedure costs for charitable registration. This grant ensures that the money raised by the Funds from OPSEU Locals and members continues to be used for HIV/AIDS Projects in Africa and Ontario, and the International Solidarity Fund projects currently under consideration.

The details of this important development are set out below:

STRUCTURAL OVERVIEW and GUIDING PRINCIPLES GENERAL UNIFIED BOARD

The General Board shall be constituted as follows:

(1) OPSEU President or in their absence OPSEU’s First Vice President. (It is understood that if neither can attend the President shall send a designee.)

(3) OPSEU Board members (the liaison from the Live and Let Live Fund (1) and the liaisons from the International Solidarity Fund (2))

(1) Representative from the Provincial Human Rights Committee

(1) Representative from the Provincial Women’s Committee

(1) Representative from the Provincial Youth Committee

TOTAL: 7 seats

It is understood that the Solidarity and Humanity Fund Board members may consult with other committees, caucuses, agencies, unions and organizations both within OPSEU and from the general community. These consultations may occur in a variety of ways depending on the nature of the issue involved (e.g. conference call).

The following groups will be part of the consultation process as required, however they will not have a seat on the General Board:

Workers of Colour Caucus; The Aboriginal Circle; Disability Rights Caucus; Regional Fundraising Coordinators; Rainbow Alliance; OPSEU Member Groups (Casey House; David Kelly Program; Mental Health Sector) Note: This is not intended as an exhaustive listing of possible contacts.)

It is also understood that depending on operational needs the Solidarity and Humanity Fund Board shall have the authority to create sub-committees to meet particular needs. Such needs may include program/project management, revenue generation and education/communications, etc.

OPSEU’staff, particularly from the Equity Unit, will also from time to time support the work of the Solidarity and Humanity Fund Board.

Given the details set out above, the Live and Let Live and the International Solidarity Funds now intend to take the following steps:

1. Assign OPSEU legal counsel to the application process for Charitable Registration.

2. Adopt the governance structure set out in this report.

3. Work to develop simple and effective revenue generation and fund raising initiatives including an approach based on collective bargaining/payroll deduction with Employer matching.

4. Promote the combined principles of the Live and Let Live and International Solidarity funds both within our membership and in the community.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MOTION

Be it resolved that the Executive Board endorse the establishment the OPSEU Solidarity and Humanity Fund (OSHF), under the governance structure set out in this report, with a General Board intended to combine and coordinate the current Live and Let Live and International Solidarity Funds; and

Be it further resolved that the Executive Board provide to the Live and Let Live and International Solidarity funds (in addition to current commitments) the funds required for set up and charitable registration, not to exceed $10,000, with such funds to be drawn from the Contingency Fund.

CARRIED – MAY 19, 2004