SHOP
Email message to Judo BC from Anders I. Ourom, Judo BC legal council, received on March 22, 2020.
Greetings! I hope that all to whom this is being sent are and will remain well.
B.C.’s 27,000 societies, many of which are also registered charities, are a major part of the fabric and economy of our province. They face considerable challenges in the coming weeks and months. Maintaining the health of employees, volunteers, and clients, continuing to serve their members and the public, fundraising and grants, budgets, and on and on. Providing essential services, particularly those in health care and social services. And planning for the time when the pandemic ebbs, hopefully sooner than later.
One challenge societies have is that of holding required meetings, safely. Probably 10,000 or more B.C. societies hold their annual general meetings (“AGMs”) from March – June. Most societies are in the habit of holding regular meetings of the directors (“Board”), staff, and others. The AGM at least, and filing required reports, are mandatory. It may be some time before things like in-person AGMs are permitted again.
The attached four page document summarizes legally workable alternative ways to hold AGMs and Board meetings at this time, through electronic means. It isn’t meant to be complete or conclusive, given that time seemed of the essence, but in most cases should include useful information. It is intended as a public service, and general advice, to societies and charities that have more than enough other alligators to fight just now.
Please feel free to circulate.
Thanks to Martha Rans, Clea Parfitt, Margaret Mason Q.C., and others for their help in drafting, and support from Pacific Legal Education and Outreach.
Anders I. Ourom
[Phone number removed. Please contact the Judo BC office for Anders’ contact information]
ps I am a lawyer in Vancouver. Since 1995, my practice has focused on legal and governance advice to societies and charities.
Members’ Meetings of BC Societies During the Covid-19 Pandemic
