RURAL MUNICIPALITIES OF ALBERTA

Four seats on the RMA Board of Directors are up for election at the RMA 2021 Fall Convention The RMA 2021 Fall Convention will take place November 23 – 26 with the following four seats on the Board of Directors being up for election.  All positions will serve a two-year term (2021 – 2023):

• Vice President
• District 2 Director
• District 3 Director
• District 5 Director

New RMA Board Elections Policy and Procedures Based on recommendations identified by the 2021 Board Governance Review, the RMA has adopted a new Board Elections Policy and related procedures, which will guide the process for all elections moving forward. There are several notable changes to the RMA elections process that RMA members should be advised of, including:

• A formalized advanced nominations process is now in place. The process requires candidates to submit a nominations package prior to a formal nominations deadline, which will be in advance of each fall convention.
• The use of a returning officer to support a sound nominations process and run effective elections.

Complete eligibility requirements for members of the RMA Board of Directors are outlined in section E of the RMA Bylaws, including that the individual must be a duly elected official for a full RMA member municipality. For the position of district directors, individuals must represent a municipality that is within the district that is up for election. RMA full members interested in joining the Board of Directors are requested to review the Fall 2021 Board of Directors Elections Information Package for detailed information on board roles and responsibilities, the commitment required and related RMA governance policies.  RMA also encourages members interested in pursuing an RMA board seat to contact a current board member to gain a full understanding of the responsibility and commitment required. All complete nominations packages must be submitted electronically by 4:30 pm on Monday, November 8, 2021 to the RMA Returning Officer, Olly Morrison, at olly@RMAlberta.com. If any nominations submitted are impacted by the results of the upcoming municipal election, the RMA will communicate directly with candidates to advise that their nomination is ineligible. For enquiries, please contact: Gerald Rhodes Executive Director 789.955.4076 gerald@RMAlberta.com    Tasha Blumenthal Director of External Relations & Advocacy 789.955.4094 tasha@RMAlberta.com

Three board seats up for election at the RMA 2020 Fall Convention The RMA is busy planning for the 2020 Fall Convention, with the format yet to be determined as we continue to navigate the staged relaunch as a result of COVID-19. Information will be shared with members once logistics are more solidified. Three of the seven seats on the RMA Board of Directors will be up for election at the 2020 Fall Convention and will serve a two-year term (2020 - 2022):

• President
• Director for District 1 – Foothills-Little Bow
• Director for District 4 – Northern

In the event that a current RMA board member chooses to run and is successfully elected as President, that Vice President or District 2, 3, or 5 Director position will become available for the remaining one-year period of the two-year term. In this case, the appropriate district election would take place at the same time as the other district elections already scheduled at the 2020 Fall Convention, and an election for Vice President would be scheduled within the current agenda.  

Eligibility Requirements

Section E of the association bylaws identifies eligibility requirements for members of the Board of Directors, including that the individual must be a duly elected official for a full RMA member municipality. For the position of district directors, individuals must represent a municipality that is within the district that is up for election. View the online members map to determine which municipalities are located in each district.  

Board Member Commitment

The duties of an RMA board member are significant and require commitment to the association. There is considerable time required for meetings and committee preparation, attendance, and travel. RMA encourages members interested in pursuing a RMA board seat to contact a current board member to gain a full understanding of the responsibility and commitment required. The overall role of RMA board members is to represent and advocate the broad collective municipal and rural interests of the membership, and to oversee the delivery of services that assist members in their business operations and decision-making processes. Serving on the RMA Board of Directors is an opportunity to help shape the direction and future of your organization and serve Alberta’s rural municipalities. The RMA Board of Directors has 12 regular monthly meetings each year. Those elected to the RMA Board of Directors also serve on the following RMA subsidiary boards:

• RMA Insurance
• RMA Fuel
• Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (GRIE)

These three business boards meet five times per year in a combined meeting under one RMA Business Services board agenda. These meetings are separate from the regular RMA monthly meetings. In addition to the aforementioned board meetings, there is a commitment to participate in strategic planning sessions each year. RMA represents its members on over 70 committees and external boards, which are divided among the Board of Directors; committees require varying levels of commitment ranging from monthly to annual meetings.  

Election Procedures

Nomination procedures and election information will be shared with RMA members once convention logistics are finalized. As planning for the convention continues, the RMA is exploring the use of technology to allow for virtual voting.  Details on the specific voting format being used will be shared with RMA members when determined.  

Terms for Directors

Terms for elected board members shall commence at the conclusion of the convention at which they are elected, and shall, unless sooner vacated, terminate at the conclusion of the convention two (2) years hence.  Following the 2020 Fall Convention, all board members elected will participate in an RMA orientation session in early December, prior to participation in their first board meeting, currently scheduled for December 17, 2020. For further information, read the RMA’s Policy regarding board member responsibilities. For enquiries, please contact: Gerald Rhodes Executive Director gerald@RMAlberta.com Tasha Blumenthal Director of External Relations & Advocacy tasha@RMAlberta.com

Four board seats up for election at the RMA Fall 2019 Convention Four of the seven seats on the RMA Board of Directors will be up for election at the Fall 2019 Convention and will serve a two-year term (2019-2021):

• Vice President
• Director for District 2 – Central
• Director for District 3 – Pembina River
• Director for District 5 – Edmonton East

In the event that a current RMA board member from Districts 1 or 4 chooses to run and is successfully elected as Vice President, that District Director position will become available for the remaining one-year period of the two-year term. That district election would take place at the same time as the other district elections already scheduled at the Fall 2019 Convention.  

Eligibility Requirements

Section E of the association bylaws identifies eligibility requirements for members of the Board of Directors, including that the individual must be a duly elected official for a full RMA member municipality. For the position of district directors, individuals must represent a municipality that is within the district that is up for election. Click here to determine which municipalities are located in each district.  

Board Member Commitment

The duties of an RMA board member are significant and require commitment to the association. There is considerable time required for meetings and committee preparation, attendance, and travel. RMA encourages members interested in pursuing a RMA board seat to contact a current board member to gain a full understanding of the responsibility and commitment required. The overall role of RMA board members is to represent and advocate the broad collective municipal and rural interests of the membership, and to oversee the delivery of services that assist members in their business operations and decision-making processes. Serving on the RMA Board of Directors is an opportunity to help shape the direction and future of your organization and serve Alberta’s rural municipalities. The RMA Board of Directors has 12 regular monthly meetings each year. Those elected to the RMA Board of Directors also serve on the following RMA subsidiary boards:

• RMA Insurance
• RMA Fuel
• Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (GRIE)

These three business boards meet five times per year in a combined meeting under one RMA Business Services board agenda. These meetings are separate from the regular RMA monthly meetings. In addition to the aforementioned board meetings, there is a commitment to participate in two planning retreats each year. RMA represents its members on over 70 committees and external boards, which are divided amongst the Board of Directors; committees require varying levels of commitment ranging from monthly to annual meetings.  

Election Procedures

Please refer to the convention agenda, which will be available on the RMA website,  for nomination and election times. All nominations must be made from the floor and require a mover and a seconder. Both the mover and seconder may speak for a total of two minutes. Each electoral candidate will have five minutes to speak. Electronic voting will be used for the election of the RMA Vice President and all district elections will be conducted by a ballot vote. In the case of an election that has three or more candidates, a clear majority (50 per cent plus one) must be obtained by one of the candidates to be declared the winner. If no majority is obtained in the first round of voting, the candidate with the fewest votes will be dropped, and another vote will occur. This process will be followed until one candidate receives the necessary clear majority.  

Terms for Directors

Terms for elected board members shall commence at the conclusion of the Convention at which he/she is elected, and shall, unless sooner vacated, terminate at the conclusion of the Convention two (2) years hence.  All board members elected will participate in an orientation with the organizational/first board meeting following the Fall 2019 Convention scheduled for December 19, 2019. For further information, read the RMA’s Policy regarding board member responsibilities. For enquiries, please contact: Gerald Rhodes Executive Director gerald@RMAlberta.com Tasha Blumenthal Director of External Relations & Advocacy tasha@RMAlberta.com

Three board seats up for election at the RMA Fall 2018 Convention Three of the seven seats on the RMA Board of Directors will be up for election at the Fall 2018 Convention and will serve a two-year term (2018-2020):

• President
• Director for District 1 – Foothills Little Bow
• Director for District 4 – Northern

In the event that a current RMA board member from Districts 2, 3 or 5 chooses to run and is successfully elected as President, that District Director position will become available for the remaining one-year period of the two-year term. That district election would take place at the same time as the other district elections already scheduled at the Fall 2018 Convention.

Eligibility Requirements

Section E of the association bylaws identifies eligibility requirements for members of the Board of Directors, including that the individual must be a duly elected official for a full RMA member municipality. For the position of district directors, individuals must represent a municipality that is within the district that is up for election. Click here to determine which municipalities are located in each district.

Board Member Commitment

The duties of an RMA board member are significant and require commitment to the association as well as considerable time for meeting and committee preparation and attendance and travel. RMA encourages members interested in pursuing a RMA board seat to contact a current board member to gain a full understanding of the responsibility and commitment required. The overall role of RMA board members is to represent and advocate the broad collective municipal and rural interests of the membership, and to oversee the delivery of services that assist members in their business operations and decision-making processes. Serving on the RMA Board of Directors is an opportunity to help shape the direction and future of your organization and serve Alberta’s rural municipalities. The RMA Board of Directors has 12 regular monthly meetings each year. Those elected to the RMA Board of Directors also serve on the following RMA subsidiary boards:

• RMA Insurance
• RMA Fuel
• Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (GRIE)

These three business boards meet five times per year in a combined meeting under one RMA Business Services board agenda. These meetings are separate from the regular RMA monthly meetings. In addition to the aforementioned board meetings, there is a commitment to participate in two planning retreats each year. RMA represents its members on over 70 committees and external boards, which are divided amongst the Board of Directors; committees require varying levels of commitment ranging from monthly to annual meetings. In addition to the aforementioned duties, the RMA President also sits as a board member on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) which holds multiday meetings across Canada three times per year.

Election Procedures

Please refer to the draft convention agenda for nomination and election times. All nominations must be made from the floor and require a mover and a seconder. Both the mover and seconder may speak for a total of two minutes. Each electoral candidate will have five minutes to speak. Electronic voting will be used for the election of the RMA President and all district elections will be conducted by a ballot vote. In the case of an election that has three or more candidates, a clear majority (50 per cent plus one) must be obtained by one of the candidates to be declared the winner. If no majority is obtained in the first round of voting, the candidate with the fewest votes will be dropped, and another vote will occur. This process will be followed until one candidate receives the necessary clear majority.

Terms for Directors

Terms for directors will begin at the first board meeting following the Fall 2018 Convention (December 20, 2018) following an orientation. The transition for the position of President will begin immediately and the duties of President will commence at the end of the Fall 2018 Convention. The RMA’s Policy regarding board member responsibilities is attached for further information. For enquiries, please contact: Gerald Rhodes Executive Director gerald@RMAlberta.com Tasha Blumenthal Director of External Relations & Advocacy tasha@RMAlberta.com

Four of the seven seats on the AAMDC Board of Directors will be up for election at the Fall 2017 Convention and will serve a two-year term (2017-2019):

• Vice President
• Director for District 2 – Central
• Director for District 3 – Pembina River
• Director for District 5 – Edmonton-East

In the event that a current AAMDC board member from Districts 1 or 4 chooses to run and is successfully elected as Vice President, that District Director position will become available for the remaining one-year period of the two-year term. That district election would take place at the same time as the other district elections already scheduled at the Fall 2017 Convention. ELGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Section E of the AAMDC Bylaws identifies eligibility requirements for members of the Board of Directors, including that the individual must be a duly elected official for a full AAMDC member municipality. As such, should the results of the 2017 municipal election revoke the elected official standing of the incumbent AAMDC board positions that are mid-term, an election to replace that vacancy for the remaining one-year period of that two-year term will occur. At this time we know that the President and District 1 Director have been acclaimed and only the District 4 Director has an election in his home municipality. For the position of district directors, individuals must represent a municipality that is within the district that is up for election. Click here to determine which municipalities are located in each district. BOARD MEMBER COMMITTMENT The AAMDC Board of Directors has 12 regular monthly meetings each year. Those elected to the AAMDC Board of Directors also serve on the following AAMDC subsidiary boards:

• Jubilee Insurance Agencies;
• PFA Canada; and
• Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (GRIE)

These three business boards meet 5 times per year in a combined meeting under one AAMDC Aggregated Business Services board agenda. These meetings are separate from the regular AAMDC monthly meetings. In addition to the board meetings the board has 2 planning retreats each year. Lastly the AAMDC represents its members on over 70 committees and external boards, which are divided amongst the Board of Directors – some meeting just once a year and some monthly. In addition to the aforementioned duties, the AAMDC President also sits as a board member on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) which holds multiday meetings across Canada three times a year. The duties of an AAMDC Board Member are significant and require commitment to the association as well as considerable time for meeting and committee preparation and attendance and travel. We encourage members interested in pursuing an AAMDC board seat to contact a current board member to gain a full understanding of the responsibility and commitment required. The overall role of AAMDC board members is to represent and advocate the broad collective municipal and rural interests of the membership, and to oversee the delivery of services that assist members in their business operations and decision-making processes. Serving on the AAMDC board is an opportunity to help shape the direction and future of your organization and serve the rural municipalities of Alberta. ELECTION PROCEDURES Please refer to the draft convention agenda for nomination and election times. All nominations must be made from the floor and require a mover and a seconder. Both the mover and seconder may speak for a total of two minutes. Each electoral candidate will have five minutes to speak. Electronic voting will be used for the election of the AAMDC Vice President and all district elections will be conducted by a ballot vote. In the case of an election that has three or more candidates, a clear majority (50 per cent plus one) must be obtained by one of the candidates to be declared the winner. If no majority is obtained in the first round of voting, the candidate with the fewest votes will be dropped, and another vote will occur. This process will be followed until one candidate receives the necessary clear majority. TERMS FOR DIRECTORS Terms for directors will begin at the first board meeting following the Fall 2017 Convention (December 18, 2017) following an orientation. The transition for the position of Vice President will begin immediately and the duties of Vice President will commence at the end of the Fall 2017 convention. The AAMDC’s Policy regarding board member responsibilities is attached for further information. Enquiries may be directed to: Gerald Rhodes Executive Director 780.955.4077 Kim Heyman Director, Advocacy & Communications 780.955.4079

Three of the seven seats on the AAMDC Board of Directors will be up for election at the Fall 2016 Convention and will serve a two-year term (2016-2018):

• President
• Director for District 1 – Foothills Little Bow
• Director for District 4 – Northern

In the event that a current AAMDC board member from Districts 2, 3 or 5 chooses to run and is successfully elected as President, that District Director position will become available for the remaining one-year period of the two-year term. That district election would take place at the same time as the District 1 and 4 elections that are already scheduled at the Fall 2016 Convention. BOARD MEMBER COMMITTMENT The AAMDC Board of Directors has 12 regular monthly meetings each year. Those elected to the AAMDC Board of Directors also serve on the following AAMDC subsidiary boards:

• Jubilee Insurance Agencies;
• PFA Canada
• Genesis Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (GRIE); and
• Jubilee Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (JRIE) Advisory boards.

These four business boards meet five times per year in a combined meeting under one AAMDC Aggregated Business Services board agenda. These meetings are separate from the regular AAMDC monthly meetings. The AAMDC represents its members on over 70 committees and external boards, which are divided amongst the Board of Directors. In addition to the aforementioned duties, the AAMDC President also sits as a board member on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) which holds multiday meetings across Canada three times a year.  The AAMDC President is also required to sit on the Board of Trustees for the AAMDC Councillor Pension Plan which meets twice annually. The duties of an AAMDC Board Member and President are significant and require commitment to the association as well as considerable time for meeting and committee preparation and attendance and travel. We encourage members interested in pursuing an AAMDC board seat to contact a current board member to gain a full understanding of the responsibility and commitment required. The overall role of AAMDC board members is to represent and advocate the broad collective municipal and rural interests of the membership, and to oversee the delivery of services that assist members in their business operations and decision-making processes. Serving on the AAMDC board is an opportunity to help shape the direction and future of your organization and serve the rural municipalities of Alberta. ELGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Section E of the AAMDC Bylaws identifies eligibility requirements for members interested in running for a position on the Board of Directors. For the position of district directors, individuals must represent a municipality that is within the district that is up for election. Click here to determine which municipalities are located in each district. ELECTION PROCEDURES Please refer to the draft convention agenda for nomination and election times. All nominations must be made from the floor and require a mover and a seconder. Both the mover and seconder may speak for a total of two minutes. Each electoral candidate will have five minutes to speak. Electronic voting will be used for the election of the AAMDC President and all district elections will be conducted by a ballot vote. In the case of an election that has three or more candidates, a clear majority (50 per cent plus one) must be obtained by one of the candidates to be declared the winner.  If no majority is obtained in the first round of voting, the candidate with the fewest votes will be dropped, and another vote will occur. This process will be followed until one candidate receives the necessary clear majority. TERMS FOR DIRECTORS Terms for directors will begin at the first board meeting following the Fall 2016 Convention, (December 15, 2016) following an orientation yet to be scheduled.  The transition for the position of President will begin immediately and the duties of President will commence at the end of the Fall 2016 convention. The AAMDC’s Policy regarding board member responsibilities is attached for further information. Enquiries may be directed to:

Gerald Rhodes Executive Director 780.955.4077

Kim Heyman Director of Advocacy & Communications 780.955.4079

The RMA Board Governance Review committee is encouraging members to complete the survey by January 21 The Rural Municipalities of Alberta undertakes a Board Governance Review process every four years. This process allows RMA members to review how the RMA Board of Directors functions and ensures it operates in the best interests of members and supports board accountability to members. The review culminates in the committee providing a report to members, with recommendations to be voted on by the membership at the RMA 2021 Spring Convention. To facilitate this practice, the RMA has formed a Board Governance Review Committee (BGRC) comprised of one representative from each RMA district and a non-voting chairperson. The committee is comprised of the following:

• Chair: Bob Barss, Past RMA President (2012 - 2014), Reeve, MD of Wainwright
• District 1: Robin Kurpjuweit, District 1 Chair, Councillor, Cypress County
• District 2: Bruce Beattie, District 2 Chair, Reeve, Mountain View County
• District 3: Kelly Vandenberghe, District 3 Chair, Councillor, Leduc County
• District 4: Leanne Beaupre, District 4 Representative, Reeve, County of Grande Prairie
• District 5: Gene Hrabec, District 5 Chair, Deputy Reeve, Beaver County

Member feedback is an essential component to this process. To enable input, the BGRC has developed and distributed a survey focused on the following governance themes:

• Membership
• Board Structure
• Board Roles and Responsibilities
• Board Election Processes
• Member Input
• Board Compensation

The survey deadline is January 21, 2021. The survey was sent by email on December 21, 2020 to all RMA mayors / reeves and CAOs. If you have not received the link for the survey, please contact your mayor / reeve or CAO. The BGRC is asking that municipal councils work together to complete the survey, although surveys completed by individual elected officials will be accepted as well. If you have any questions on the BGR survey, please contact RMA Policy Advisor Alex Mochid at alex@RMAlberta.com. Alex Mochid Policy Advisor 780.955.4085 alex@RMAlberta.com    Gerald Rhodes Executive Director 780.955.4077 gerald@RMAlberta.com

The 2020 Fall Convention included elections for four RMA board positions Elections at the RMA 2020 Fall Convention provided opportunity for members to put forward their names for two-year terms for President, District 1 Director, and District 4 Director. As sitting District 2 Director Paul McLauchlin was elected President, an election for the remaining one-year term for District 2 Director was required. Based on the outcomes of each election, the 2020 - 2021 RMA Board of Directors is as follows:

• Paul McLauchlin (Ponoka County), President
• Kara Westerlund (Brazeau County), Vice President
• Jason Schneider (Vulcan County), District 1 Director
• Amber Link (Wheatland County), District 2 Director
• Kathy Rooyakkers (County of Wetaskiwin), District 3 Director
• Tom Burton (MD of Greenview), District 4 Director
• Soren Odegard (County of Two Hills), District 5 Director

The RMA looks forward to working with the new Board of Directors and would like to thank all nominees for putting their names forward in this election process. Tasha Blumenthal Director of External Relations & Advocacy tasha@RMAlberta.com Gerald Rhodes Executive Director gerald@RMAlberta.com   

Every year, FCM members elect representatives to the FCM Board of Directors. This normally happens at the annual general meeting (AGM), during the annual conference in June. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 conference as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual elections and a virtual AGM are being held instead. This process will include voting for Table Officers and Directors positions prior to the October 15 virtual AGM, and members will be invited to ratify the election winners at the AGM. Participation in the FCM Board election requires members to register to vote before September 11, 2020 by filling out this form. Once registered, members will receive an automatic email confirmation upon submission and FCM will verify that you are eligible to vote and will advise once added to the registered voters list.  Before each election and the AGM, registered voters will receive a detailed email with instructions on how to vote. The elections for Table Officers and Directors will be taking place on specific dates. To guide the virtual elections process, the FCM has developed a calendar of election events. For information on candidates running for FCM Board positions, please refer to FCM’s Meet the Candidates information. Information for members  interested in running as a candidate for a FCM board position is available, include eligibility requirements and required forms. FCM has developed specific election procedures for this virtual event. For enquiries, please contact: Tasha Blumenthal Director of External Relations & Advocacy tasha@RMAlberta.com Gerald Rhodes Executive Director gerald@RMAlberta.com

Bill 29 proposes a wide range of changes to the municipal election process, including several related to campaign financing and third-party advertising On June 25, the Minister of Municipal Affairs introduced Bill 29: Local Authorities Election Amendment Act, 2020. Bill 29 proposes a range of changes to the municipal and school board election process, including several related to campaign contribution limits, third-party advertising, nomination periods, and other areas. Earlier in 2020, RMA participated in consultations on potential changes to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA). During the consultations, RMA developed the following principles to guide a fair and effective local authority election process:

• Principle 1: Inclusive and accessible – all those meeting eligibility requirements should have reasonable means to participate as candidates, as well as to vote in an election.
• Principle 2: Fair and equitable – all candidates should have comparable opportunities to participate in an election, including through campaigning and participating in the nomination process.
• Principle 3: Transparent and accountable – all candidates should be required to disclose contributions received to ensure adherence to applicable campaign finance requirements.
• Principle 4: Nonpartisan and municipally-focused – the campaigning and election process should be designed in such a way as to ensure that candidates are focused on and accountable to the interests of their municipality as opposed to a political party or broader ideology.

RMA is currently in the process of reviewing Bill 29 based on the principles above and may provide input and proposed amendments to the Government of Alberta prior to the Bill’s second reading. If Bill 29 is passed, RMA will provide members with more information on changes to the LAEA. RMA is also monitoring Bill 26: Constitutional Referendum Amendment Act, 2020 and Bill 27: Alberta Senate Election Amendment Act, 2020 as both bills could potentially influence whether the upcoming 2021 municipal election process will also be used to facilitate province-wide referendums. RMA, along with AUMA, has shared concerns that using local elections as a space for senate appointments and other significant province-wide issues would detract from local issues. For enquiries, please contact: Wyatt Skovron Senior Policy Advisor wyatt@RMAlberta.com Tasha Blumenthal Director of External Relations & Advocacy tasha@RMAlberta.com