1. The Liberal Party of Canada Structures, what it is, and where we fit? By Vincent St. Pierre (Secretary, Calgary Center-North) prepared for September 13 th 2011

2. The Political Party The Liberal Party of Canada is a volunteer based organization that is made up of people from across Canada. It relies on donations from its members, support from the public, and a group of people with shared vision of Canada to survive.

3. Party Organs The party has to be organized. The Liberals are renewing how we are structured in the next six months. However, what currently exists is as follows: – The National Board of Directors – Council of Presidents – Commissions – Standing Committees – Provincial Territorial Associations – Electoral District Associations

4. Leader’s Office The CaucusThe Party

5. National Board of Directors Commissions Standing Committees PTAs Calgary Centre North EDA Council of Presidents

6. National Board of Directors President, regional Provincial Territorial Association Presidents, VP Policy, VP French/English, and Presidents of Commissions manage or supervise the management of the activities and affairs of the Party (21.1.a), approve a budget for the national campaign (21.1.e),

7. Council of Presidents A council made up of 308 Electoral District Association presidents, in addition to table officers. It is empowered by the constitution (17.1) to review policy processes, election readiness plans, strategic/organizational/fundraising plans It is also a portion of the party that encourages EDAs to have a direct line to the party in a more powerful, more formal manner

8. Commissions There are four commissions: Aboriginal, Seniors, Women, and Youth. They encourage policy, involvement in the party, fundraising for candidates, recruitment of candidates, and constituent relations

9. Standing Committees There are four standing committees that operate under the National Board of Directors and report to every Biennial Convention. The National Management Committee; the National Revenue Committee; the National Election Readiness Committee; the National Policy and Platform Committee.

10. Provincial Territorial Associations These are the regional organizations of the Liberal Party of Canada. These are responsible for organizing policy convention, fundraising, communications, creating yearly strategic plans, EDA health and wellness, administration of leader elections, and election preparation

11. Electoral District Associations (1/2) This is the fundamental building block of the party. Without EDAs none of the other party organs matters, without its members and its leadership no Liberals would win elections. All EDAs have table officers and board of directors, all of whom are responsible for the membership, events, fundraising, and policy of the association. There are VP Outreach, President, Vice President, Secretary, VP Policy, and Treasurer are the table officers. There are 20 additional positions on the board for general board of directors.

12. Electoral District Associations (2/2) Committees in the association – Membership – Communications – Constitutional and Party Renewal – Events – Fundraising CPO Fundraising Chair Bucket Chair – Election Readiness – Annual General Meeting Committee

13. Fundraising in the Party There are different ways to fundraise for the party, ranging from Laurier Club (1,100/year split between national and EDA), to bucket fundraising ($5 bills). You can donate a max of $1,100 to the federal party, $1,100 to the EDA, and $1,100 to a candidate. You will hear a presentation on this aspect of the party today. Fundraising isn’t done by committee. It’s done on a one on one basis by every member There is a tax credit calculator at https://www.liberal.ca/donate/ https://www.liberal.ca/donate/

14. VSP’s 10 Rules for Liberal Debate These ten rules have been used to build three riding associations across Canada and have been used in 11 more. I used them myself in Calgary East when I was their interim President.

15. VSP’s 10 Rules for Liberal Debate 1. Be Prepared to Compromise 2. Do Not Compromise Too Much 3. A Balancing Act 4. Disagreement is Good 5. Working Together (after disagreeing) is Better 6. Make politics a habit. 7. Schedule “Fat” Hours 8. Sometimes We Screw Up 9. Sometimes We Do it Right: Schedule “Bragging” Time 10. Support Each Other 11. Allow for Growth http://www.calgaryliberal.com/2011/06/27/vsps-ten-rules-for- liberal-debate/ http://www.calgaryliberal.com/2011/06/27/vsps-ten-rules-for- liberal-debate/

16. Links www.Liberal.ca (Fed website) www.Liberal.ca http://www.liberal.ca/party/documents/ (party bylaws, constitution, rules, etcetera) http://www.liberal.ca/party/documents/ alberta.liberal.ca (Prov Website) ccn.liberal.ca (our website www.CalgaryLiberal.com (My blog) www.CalgaryLiberal.com