COPE Local 343’s Constitution Committee members are: Lorraine Boucher, Casey Oraa and Guled Waresame.

The Constitution and by-laws is the governing document for COPE Local 343 and its Executive Board. It must comply with the COPE National Constitution.

Changes can be made to COPE Local 343’s Constitution and by-laws at Convention, which takes place every two years. The process for submitting a resolution to amend the Constitution is set out in Article 6 of COPE Local 343’s Constitution and by-laws.

Unless a bargaining unit has its own by-laws that have been approved by the Executive Board, it must conduct its business/affairs according to the COPE Local 343’s Constitution and by-laws.

The Constitution Committee has developed a bargaining unit By-laws template to assist bargaining units in drafting their own by-laws.

It is therefore, the function of the Constitution Committee to:

• Ensure that the COPE Local 343’s constitution and by-laws comply with the COPE National Constitution.

• Prepare resolutions on behalf of the Executive Board for Convention regarding amendments to COPE Local 343’s Constitution and by-laws.

• Review bargaining unit by-laws and assist to ensure compliance with COPE Local 343’s Constitution and by-laws.

COPE Local 343 also has a Policy and Procedures Guide, which helps to inform the Executive Board in conducing the Local’s business. Members can raise policy and procedural related matters at the Annual General Meeting. In Convention years, the AGM is held in combination with the Convention.