ARNBC Bylaws Resolution Soundly Defeated

The Association of Registered Nurses of BC (ARNBC) held an Extraordinary General Meeting December 13 in New Westminster. A bylaw amendments resolution was being proposed that would allow the ARNBC to increase fees that nurses pay to them, without any consultation with members. The changes that registered nurses in attendance voted against also aimed to restrict a nurse's entitlement to run for office in the organization, a fundamental democratic right. In addition, the defeated bylaws resolution would have allowed for duly elected board members to be removed from office by other board members, a practice which could be abused and undermine members rights. Nurses' concerns for transparency and accountability of the ARNBC's proposed changes were generated by parts of the resolution package that could limit access to ARNBC documents and records. And finally, language was being put forward that could limit member participation at some General Meetings.

Nearly two hundred nurses attended the EGM and these worrisome and unnecessary restrictions on member participation and oversight of the organization were soundly defeated by a ratio of three to one. The BC Nurses' Union will continue to support nurses in their call for accountability, democracy and transparency within the ARNBC.