Reform executive committee structure
THE PROBLEM
The most important committee within Equity's governing structure is unquestionably the Executive Committee. It is this committee that is empowered to act on behalf of the National Council between regularly scheduled meetings, including and especially during times of emergency. The committee's import was never more clear than during the beginning of the COVID crisis in the U.S., with the committee meeting on an almost daily basis for a period of nearly two weeks in the wake of the closure of virtually all Equity workplaces.
The Executive Committee has seventeen members. The union's eight officers hold permanent seats, while the remaining nine committee members are selected by the National Council, with three Councilors from each of Equity's regions (Central, East, and West) required to be chosen.
While the makeup of the committee was originally intended to guarantee regional inclusivity, this makeup currently inhibits the Council's ability to consider other matters of inclusivity, including ensuring that the Executive Committee is appropriately populated with BIPOC Councilors, Councilors with disabilities, and caregiver Councilors. Especially in light of the fact that Equity has elected only one BIPOC officer in the entire history of the union, it is all the more important that there be no barriers to the Council's ability to create an inclusive and representative Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee has seventeen members. The union's eight officers hold permanent seats, while the remaining nine committee members are selected by the National Council, with three Councilors from each of Equity's regions (Central, East, and West) required to be chosen.
While the makeup of the committee was originally intended to guarantee regional inclusivity, this makeup currently inhibits the Council's ability to consider other matters of inclusivity, including ensuring that the Executive Committee is appropriately populated with BIPOC Councilors, Councilors with disabilities, and caregiver Councilors. Especially in light of the fact that Equity has elected only one BIPOC officer in the entire history of the union, it is all the more important that there be no barriers to the Council's ability to create an inclusive and representative Executive Committee.
THE SOLUTION
Beginning in 2022—when the next members of the Executive Committee will be elected—the nine "at-large" seats on Equity's Executive Committee should be able to be filled by any sitting member of the National Council, regardless of their region of residence.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee shall be made up of the union's 8 officers, as well as 9 at-large members, elected by the National Council, without regard to region of residence.
