THE CONVENTION COMMITTEES
Convention committees are established for the express purpose of expediting convention business by reviewing thoroughly and making recommendations with respect to resolutions that will be presented to the Convention assembly.
The following committees have been established for our Conventions:
By-Laws
Finance
Collective Bargaining
General Resolutions
Credentials
Nominations Committee
Convention committees, except for Credentials and Nominations, normally meet at least 60 calendar days prior to the opening of the Convention so that delegates and observers to convention receive copies of the committee’s recommendations in advance.
Pursuant to Regulation 4 (5) of the UTE Regulations, each Local is entitled to one (1) delegate to convention committees. In addition, officers of the Executive Council except the President are also assigned to committees. As a result, not all convention delegates will participate as a representative to convention committees.
Therefore, a committee being composed of only a portion of the delegates to a convention possesses the obvious advantage of being able to consider the details of resolutions or other matters referred to it in thorough and patient deliberation that would be practically impossible on the convention floor.
Convention committees do not normally sit and/or conduct their business during plenary sessions of the convention. However, in exceptional circumstances, the Convention Chairperson may direct or give permission for a committee to sit. It may be necessary for committees to meet before or after plenary sessions or during the plenary session, if absolutely required.
A committee is bound by the convention's terms of reference and the committee's deliberations are limited by the extent of the authority given to it. Generally, committees should consider only those resolutions submitted to the convention on that subject for which the Committee is responsible or those resolutions referred to it by the National President.
A committee should reach a conclusion on each resolution referred to it and recommend concurrence or non-concurrence to the convention. Committees may also recommend the separation or division of the resolutions into two (2) or more resolutions. Committees may not, however, combine, separate, reword, or produce composite resolutions that would change, diminish or expand the full intent and trust of the original resolution.
A committee may combine or blend resolutions of a like nature. However, any such action and its rationale should be outlined to the convention at the appropriate time, during the presentation of the committee report.
The report of a Committee should be presented to the Convention by the Chairperson of that committee. The report will take the form of one or more motions by the Chairperson (depending on the number of resolutions or matters to be dealt with) in somewhat the following manner:
"The committee recommends concurrence/non-concurrence in Resolution No..... (whatever number appears opposite the resolution on the convention agenda)". The Committee Chairperson normally moves the recommendation and the Co-chairperson seconds. The Committee Chairperson gives the rationale for the committee's recommendation.
Each resolution or matter the committee has considered is presented in the same fashion until all resolutions or matters have been disposed of by the Convention. It is common for the committee to deal with all recommendations of concurrence first. The order of priority for dealing with resolutions may also be amended by presenting a motion to do so, duly moved and seconded and accepted by a majority of delegates. Matters related to the General Resolution Committee and the Bargaining Committee not dealt at the Convention may be referred to Executive Council to debate and decide in a subsequent sitting. Matters related to By-Laws and the Budget not dealt with at convention may not be dealt with by Executive Council.
Under the Rules of Order adopted by the Union, committee reports are not subject to amendment, but may be referred back to the committee for further consideration with or without instructions.
The report of a committee, or the adoption of a resolution, when accepted, becomes the decision of the convention.