• Petition for the Submission of a Referendum Question (Director Remuneration Prohibition By-Law)

    This petition for a By-Law Amendment Referendum Question toward the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) is made in accordance with SFSS By-Law 16 (Referenda) and Societies Act Section 81 (Members' Proposals). Your personal information will be solely used for signature collection and communication relating to this initiative and will only be shared with the SFSS Independent Electoral Commission (and relevant Society bodies such as Council) for ensuring the integrity of the petition process. All personal information relating to this petition is governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

  • Background

    Directors of the SFSS (Executive and Council members) earned a combined $386,627 in SFSS Fiscal Year 2023, up from $254,478 in 2020 - a roughly 52% increase over 3 years. At the same time it is unclear how Director's are justified in receiving a stipend given that the majority of work reports go unfilled, do not meet hours, or have excessive amounts claimed for "reading emails". The majority of Council members are not involved even in meetings - with absentee rates on average high. This begs the question is it moral to provide a salary to those who are not transparent in their work, and can directly increase their own salaries with virtually no practical oversight? Prohibiting renumeration for Directors could also be used to lower the SFSS' deficit without raising the membership fee, and be budgeted towards initiatives that benefit the majority of students - not just an elected few. This petition seeks to establish a referendum question on the prohibition of director remuneration.

  • The Question (By signing this petition you acknowledge that you agree with this proposal)

    Whereas there is a lack of transparency regarding Director (Society Executive and Council) work;Whereas Director (Society Executive and Council) combined compensation has increased by nearly 52% in 3 years;Whereas $386,627 of Society budget can be saved and reallocated towards improving student services or lowering student fees by prohibiting Director compensation;Be it resolved that By-Law 5(3) “Members of Council shall receive a stipend.” is removed;Be it resolved that By-Law 6(9) “Council may, by way of regulation, set stipends that are payable to members of Council,including for members of the Executive Committee.” is removed;Be it resolved that By-Law 6(14) “Any increase to stipends shall take effect on the following May 1st. Council shall not consider changes tothe remuneration structure between the date that nominations open for General Elections and May 1st.” is removed;Be it resolved that a new bylaw “By-Law 26: Prohibition of Director Remuneration” is enacted;The new By-Law shall read “The society shall not remunerate directors. No salary, commission, or stipend shall be provided for sitting on Council”

  • Sources

    Section 81 of the Societies Act: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/15018_01#section81 SFSS By-Laws: https://sfss.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2021-10-27-Simon-Fraser-Student-Society-ByLaws.pdf

  • Eligibility to Sign

    Given that this petition is legally binding to put a referendum question should 5% of SFSS membership sign, you must be an SFSS Member in order to sign. This means according to SFSS By-Law 2 (Membership) you are a student of Simon Fraser University enrolled in an undergraduate course or program, currently enrolled at time of signing or have been enrolled within the previous two semesters, and in good standing with the Society (you have paid your SFSS Activity Fees either as part of your tuition or in the Member Services Office). You have also not been expelled from the Society. If you are not sure if you are a member of the SFSS (most SFU undergrads are by default) you may contact the SFSS Policy, Research & Community Affairs Coordinator by email at policyresearch@sfss.ca .
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