CBA Annual Conference Review

WHEREAS a review committee was struck in 2001 to study the CBA Annual Conference, with a view to improving attendance, member benefits from the Conference, and Conference finances; 

WHEREAS the Annual Conference Review Committee presented its report at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Council in London, and recommended, inter alia, a new organizing structure which would divide responsibilities for overseeing the general planning and educational programming from the social programming; 

WHEREAS  the Committee also recommended a fixed rotation for the location of the Annual Conference, including an out-of-country meeting every eleven years; 

WHEREAS a special committee (the Canadian Legal Conference Steering Committee) was appointed in November 2002 to oversee the initial implementation of the Annual Conference Review Committee's report;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. Article 15 of CBA Bylaw No 1 be repealed and replaced with the following:

   15. Meeting Committees

   1. Annual Meeting Steering Committee

      There shall be an Annual Meeting Steering Committee, consisting of:

      1. two Co-Chairs, appointed by the Board of Directors, one of whom shall represent the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association;
      2. the Treasurer;
      3. the Chairs of the Local Annual Meeting Committees for the next three Annual Meetings;
      4. the Finance Committee representative of the Branch Presidents;
      5. a member of the Continuing Legal Education Committee, selected by the Chair of that Committee;
      6. a representative of the Canadian Judges Forum, selected by the Forum Executive;
      7. a representative of National Sections, Conferences and Standing Committees, selected by the Executive Officers; and
      8. the Executive Director.
   2. Reporting to Council, the Annual Meeting Steering Committee is responsible for the development and implementation of policies relating to the Annual Meeting, including such matters as timing, programming, financing and promotion. The Steering Committee shall liaise with the Local Committee, and may consult with other groups participating in the Annual Meeting as it sees fit.
   3. Local Annual Meeting Committee

      There shall be an Local Annual Meeting Committee for each of the next three Annual Meetings, consisting of:

      1. the Chair, appointed by the Board of Directors on the advice of the President of the host Branch;
      2. the President of the host Branch;
      3. the Executive Director; and
      4. any other person appointed by the Chair or the Branch President.
   4. The Local Annual Meeting Committee is responsible for the social programming, tours and excursions, children's programming, volunteer recruitment and local fundraising relating to the Annual Meeting. The Committee shall operate in accordance with the Annual Meeting Policy Manual.
   5. Annual Meeting Budget

      The budget for each Annual Meeting and the approval of expenditures relating thereto shall be prepared by the Executive Director after consultation with the Local Committee for that Annual Meeting and shall be reviewed by the Finance Committee as part of the budget process. Contracts relating to the Annual Meeting shall be signed by the Executive Director.

   6. Mid-Winter Meeting Committee

      There shall be an organizing committee for the Mid-Winter Meeting of the National Council, comprised of the Chair, the President of the host Branch, the Treasurer, and any other person appointed by the Chair and the Branch President. The Board of Directors shall appoint the committee chair, on the advice of the President of the host Branch."

2. Article 2(2)(c) of the CBA Regulation be repealed, to remove responsibility for the Annual Meeting from the First Vice-President;
3. Article 2(4) of the CBA Regulation (Treasurer's responsibilities) be amended to add:

   "together with the Executive Director, be responsible for planning the Annual Meeting and ensuring adequate financial resources for the meeting."

4. The 2009 Annual Conference be held at a location outside of Canada, and the Executive Director make recommendations to Council on the exact location.

Certified true copy of a resolution carried as amended by the Council of the Canadian Bar Association at the Mid-Winter Meeting held in Banff, AB February 14-16, 2003.

John D.V. Hoyles

Executive Director/Directeur exécutif