Now is the time to get involved with the political party of your choice.
If we want a political party to represent our pro-family values and beliefs, we, as individuals, must get involved. Once the election writ is dropped, we can get involved with an election campaign. In the meantime, however, there is work to be done at the local riding association level. It is one way we can make friends, influence people and ultimately influence party policy.
Conservative Party Policy Convention
An example of how we can become involved is the forthcoming Conservative party policy convention to be held in Winnipeg, November 13-15th, 2008. Delegates will debate and vote on policy proposals. It is crucial that pro-family conservatives attend this convention to make their voices heard. Each riding association (Electoral District Association / EDA) must hold a Delegate Selection Meeting on a date from May 1, 2008 to August 15, 2008 to elect up to ten convention delegates, including one youth (under 23 years of age) delegate. The following information outlines how you can get involved to ensure pro-family delegates are elected to represent your riding (EDA) at the national convention.
Make sure your Conservative Party membership is up-to-date.
All party memberships expired at the end of 2007, except for those paid after October or multiple year memberships. If you have not renewed your membership in 2008, do so immediately. To renew or purchase a Party membership, go to the party web site at www.conservative.ca and click on the 'Become a Member' button. Membership fee is $10.00 per year. If you have questions about your party membership, call the national office at 1-866-808-8407.
In order to vote at the delegate selection meeting, a person must be a party member for at least 21 days prior to the meeting date. In order to stand for election as a convention delegate, a person
must be a member in good standing for at least 90 days prior to the delegate selection meeting.
2. Contact your local EDA president to get involved.
Indicate your support of the Conservative Party, ask how you can get involved, and ask if there are any upcoming membership meetings that you could attend. If you do not know how to contact your local riding association, call the national party office to find out, or, if your MP is a Conservative, call the MP constituency office to ask for the contact information for the riding association president.
3. Criteria to be eligible to stand for election to become a convention delegate
A person must be a member in good standing and have been a party member for at least 90 days prior to the date of the Delegate Selection Meeting. A person must fill out a delegate information form (ask EDA President for form) including the signature of a mover and seconder. The form must be submitted to the EDA President prior to the commencement of the Delegate Selection Meeting.
4. Voting to elect convention delegates shall be by secret ballot.
To register at the Delegate Selection Meeting, you must have two pieces of identification, one with a photo and one showing your residence address.
5. Convention delegates must pay their own convention registration fees.
Elections Canada requires political party convention delegates to pay their own convention registration fees. Riding associations, if they choose, can help with travel and accommodation expenses.
6. Report contact information for pro-family delegates
After your local riding Delegate Selection Meeting is held, report contact information for pro-family convention delegates to the national REAL Women of Canada office to facilitate future communication. Please send delegate's name, address, phone, email and the name of their riding by Email to realwcna@on.aibn.com or by fax to 613-236-7203. |
