Annual General Meeting of Oxfam Canada Members
Oxfam members,
The Annual General Meeting of Oxfam Canada's membership is coming up on October 13 and your participation in this meeting is very important.
At this year's AGM you'll be asked to approve a new governance model which includes new objects and articles and a new By-Law. This package of reforms is the result of two years of consultation, reflection and compromise, led by the Governance Task Force of the Board. It is strongly endorsed by the Board because it ensures that Oxfam will have a Board with the expertise, skills and diversity of backgrounds required to drive our mission and provide effective oversight to our complex organization. At the same time, the model assures we will continue to have a broad-based membership from across the country, with Board members drawn from every region. It ensures that members have the right to elect all Board members and increases members' power to approve mergers, dissolution or other major decisions affecting Oxfam's future.
The new objects and articles are needed so that Oxfam Canada can comply with Canada Revenue Agency requirements and with new legislation that covers all federally incorporated not-for-profit corporations. This is the first time the objects have been updated since 1966.
The recommended By-Law builds on the best of our traditions and also equips us for the future, while bringing us into compliance with federal legal requirements. Given that Oxfam continues to advocate policies to end poverty and injustice that challenge the status quo, we want to ensure that we don't give regulators any cause to target Oxfam and our work further.
Members have already provided a great deal of input through our various consultations but we want to provide as many opportunities as possible to answer your questions before the AGM in order that members can make an informed decision. To that end, we have attached some background information and provided some links. We will also organize other opportunities across the country to learn more about the reforms and contribute your ideas to the new Rules and Procedures that will be developed in the coming months to accompany the By-Law.
The support of two-thirds of members voting is needed to approve the Special Resolution adopting the new By-Law and Articles so we are hoping you will join us on October 13th and cast your vote in favour of this important reform package.
We strongly believe the recommended reforms will improve Oxfam's governance and strengthen our contribution to a global movement for change committed to building a better future now. Thank you in advance for your active participation in this process which is critical to our success.
Margaret Hancock Yvonne Stanford
Chair, Board of Directors Chair, Governance Task Force
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
Annual General Meeting
Saturday October 13, 2012
3:00 PM EDT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of Members of Oxfam-Canada will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012 via teleconference, web conference and in person at the Oxfam-Canada National Office at 39 McArthur Avenue in Ottawa in the Board Room at 3:00 p.m. EDT and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, for the following purposes:
1. to approve the Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012;
2. to appoint Auditors of the Corporation;
3. to consider and, if thought advisable, to confirm, with or without amendment, a Special Resolution to:
- adopt Articles of Continuance and a new By-law and to authorize the directors to make an application for continuance under the new Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act,
- change the name of the corporation from OXFAM-CANADA to OXFAM CANADA; and
- amend the purposes/objects of Oxfam-Canada.
A copy of the proposed Special Resolution, Articles of Continuance and By-Law are available for viewing and download; and
4. to transact such further or other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
All members are invited to attend to have their voices heard at this important meeting.
By Teleconference: Please dial 1-888-886-7786 at the time of the call
By Webcast: The webcast URL is: http://www.meetview.com/oxfam20121013/
In Person: Board Room, Oxfam Canada National Office, 39 McArthur Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario
The Agenda of the Annual General Meeting and the materials referred to above are now available for viewing and download below.
Further information on the process for voting via teleconference or webcast will be provided within the next couple of weeks.
Please contact Tami Mallette, Executive Assistant to the Board, at membership@oxfam.ca should you have any questions.
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