Resolutions are crucial to the RMA’s advocacy efforts. They allow members to have a direct role in the advocacy process by identifying priority issues that require action by other levels of government. The RMA uses resolutions to guide our advocacy positions and the issues we prioritize when working with other levels of government or stakeholders.
Resolutions are typically directed toward the provincial or federal government, and seek changes to legislation, regulations or policy, address funding or program issues, or encourage alternative policy approaches related to a specific rural municipal issue or concern.
Effective resolution writing is critical. A strongly-worded resolution will support the RMA’s advocacy efforts by providing clear and concise direction as to the issue and preferred solution. The resources below provide helpful information on how to write effective resolutions, as well as the RMA’s resolution process.
This guide is intended to provide member municipalities with a breakdown of changes to the policy and how they may impact all aspects of the resolution development process – from the initial drafting of a resolution within a municipality, to placement on a district meeting agenda, to submission to RMA, to the debate and voting process during the convention.
The RMA is pleased to provide members with an update on advocacy efforts through the 2023 Resolution Status Update – Volume 2 (formerly known as the Advocacy Report Card). The Resolution Status Update is an important part of the RMA’s efforts to be transparent and accountable to members, as it provides an update on advocacy efforts and the status of all active resolutions.
Whether you’re looking for last year’s resolutions or a resolution from 2001, they are all stored here, searchable by keyword, year, status, or sponsoring municipality. The resolution database is a great resource for understanding common rural municipal priorities, or ensuring that a resolution you are planning to draft will not duplicate an issue already addressed through a previous resolution.
This resource answers the most common resolution-related questions, including how to submit resolutions, how to write resolutions effectively, how to access existing resolutions, and how to receive a status update on resolutions.
These tips break down the type of information required in each section of a resolution. Following them is critical to ensuring your resolution contains the necessary information to be understood by member and advocated on effectively.
This fillable Word template will ensure that your resolution contains all the necessary sections and information to meet RMA’s resolution requirements. We encourage members to use this template to draft resolutions as it improves standardization among resolutions submitted from different districts.
The RMA Resolution Process Policy includes information on how resolutions must be structured, submitted, approved and reported on. It also includes information on the Resolutions Committee and resolution voting requirements.
While the information above provides a great start in understanding RMA’s resolution process, any additional questions can be directed to RMA General Manager of Policy & Advocacy Wyatt Skovron by email at wyatt@rmalberta.com or by calling 780.955.4096.
