The Local Executive has received many requests for funding to go to various Union or labour conventions and/or education conferences. It is valuable for the Local to send members to such events, however, it is very expensive to fund these trips (travel costs, per diems, hotels, and leave without pay). The Local Executive has the following proposal to the membership on how to fund members’ attendance.
Two categories of functions will exist:
1) Fully funded – conferences/conventions where the Local will pay all costs for attendance. These are limited to the CEP convention, CLC convention, and OFL convention. The delegate selection for these conferences is as per Article XI of our bylaws.
2) Partially funded - labour-related conferences/conventions where the Local will offer grants of up to $500 to help defray the costs of attendance. Delegate selection will be based on the guidelines below.
Partially-funded Conference/Convention Guidelines:
There will be a pool of money that will be used to partially fund attendance at labour-related conferences and conventions. Events that are eligible to be funded are those that have educational or political components which will help to build the Local’s strength and contribute to the objectives of the Local as per Article II of our bylaws.
Each individual grant will not exceed $500. This money will be used to pay for direct costs, which do not include reimbursement for leave without pay. Each member will be eligible for no more than one grant per calendar year. The pool of money available for such grants will be set out in the budget every year.
Any proposal for funding must be submitted at least one month in advance of the event itself. Funding will only be reimbursed after receipts have been submitted to the treasurer of the Local.
Final decision for which members receive funding shall rest with the Local Executive. The decision for funding will depend on how the event will benefit the Local and the degree to which it furthers the Local’s objectives.
Any member who receives funding for attendance at an event is expected to produce a written report of activities to the Local Executive and a verbal report at a membership meeting.
