Response

The Vice Speaker and Speaker are the advocates in chief for the Council to the Board. My primary responsibility as Vice Speaker is to ensure that your voice is heard and the goals of the Council are achieved. When there are differing views I will use my skill as an attorney and registered parliamentarian to anticipate the challenges, collaborate with the Board, engage relevant parties, and propose alternative solutions.

As Vice Speaker, when conflict arises it is important that I clearly understand the intent and will of the Council. That work begins with careful study of the resolutions prior to and after council and thoughtful consideration and understanding of the testimony provided at Council. With the Council’s clear intent in mind, I can then anticipate the conflict and determine whether it is based on the position or viewpoint expressed or the underlying interest and intent of the Council. I will then advocate for positions that represent the underlying interests of the Council in a way that best represents the intent of the Council while addressing the concerns of the Board.

Just as the Council floor can be a challenging place to work out the finer details of a resolution, the boardroom too can be a difficult place to resolve conflict. Fostering relationships with individual board members and having personalized discussions regarding their concerns in advance, can help get to the heart of the underlying reasons, motivations, or values driving the disagreement. As Vice Speaker, I will work to anticipate specific conflicts, engage board members early in the process of discussing our differences, and collaborate to find solutions that satisfy the intent of the Council and allay the concerns of the Board.

As an advocate for the Council, I will also look to you, the Council membership for your expertise and opinions. I will use the engagED forum to disseminate information regarding Board discussions and concerns and use it as a place for councillors to bring up concerns, discussion points and proposed solutions. I recognize that to be your voice I also need to hear your voice throughout the process and not just on the Council floor.

If the Board makes a decision that does not reflect the will of the Council I will bring that decision back to you with detailed information regarding the Board’s decision including the positions and votes of individual Board members. I will then work with Council members to propose additional resolutions and alternative solutions to help resolve the disagreements in favor of the will of the Council.