Advocacy Committee

Advocacy 2011-2012

• Chair: Duncan
• Members:

Topics of focus

• Media relations
• Municipal government relations
• Communications with the media, government actors, advocacy committee volunteers and interested members of EBC and Edmonton cycling community

Terms of Reference

General Purpose

To communicate with the local government about issues relating to bicycle infrastructure and policy. To inform the membership about ways that they can make the needs of the cycling community known to the government and help to have their voices heard. To work with the local media to promote positive cycling behaviours and events. To increase public acceptance of the bicycle as a legitimate mode of transportation. To establish relationships with both elected and appointed officials in the municipal government in order to facilitate the above.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Level of Authority

• Is the committee's work public-facing? Probably not
  • Can the committee make decisions regarding public-facing matters? This would depend on how we interpret the Spokesperson policy.
  • Is board approval required? Depends on how we interpret the Spokesperson policy.
  • Publications, blogs, and public representation?
• What authority does the committee have to make decisions involving cash? Limits, thresholds? Deal with this on a case by case basis. This is mostly a relationship and time commitment.
• Can the committee enter into contracts (verbal included) on behalf of EBC? No

Reporting Relationship

The committee will report to the board at monthly meetings. The chair of the committee or someone appointed by the chair will give the report. Reports will be written. They will be submitted five days before board meetings.

Composition and Appointments

The committee will include of a mixture of board members and members of EBC in general who are interested in advocacy and cycling in Edmonton. The committee will be lead by a chair, selected from the EBC board for a 1 year term. Members are welcome to show up to any meetings and to contact the committee chair and any other member of the committee in regards to advocacy.

Meetings

Meetings will occur once a month or every two months. To be determined at the first meeting.

Resources

Financial

The committee may apply for appropriate grants to support their efforts. The committee may also require occasional funds for printing and distribution of advocacy materials.

Staff

• How many volunteers will be needed? Unknown
• How many hours of volunteer time? Many
• What are the key volunteer roles? Don't know

• What kind of paid staff time is needed? Representing EBC at budget hearings. Meeting with city representatives
• Are paid staff required for meetings? Yes, as some meetings may be during the workday.
• How many hours of staff time is needed? Unclear.

Specific Annual Objectives

Mobilize and animate the community when a large response to an issue is needed, by putting out a call to the membership. Increase awareness of cycling issues with the community at large by maintaining a media presence on those issues. Put pressure on city council about the active transportation budget and plan with letters, an active presence at city council and other related meetings, and making sure that they are aware of how many people it will affect. Communicate with city councillors to find out who is supportive of our initiatives, and keep appraised of who in the city offices can be of assistance to our issues.

• Goals with numbers, dates (e.g. 200 new members by June 2010) - Report to our membership on how the active transportation budget is being dispensed
• Goals made measurable (e.g. 20% improved BikeWorks user satisfaction, measured using a survey developed by the committee)
• Reason for prioritizing of these goals, if not clear

Reports and Target Dates

• e.g. user satisfaction report published one month prior to the AGM

Review and Evaluation Process

We will report monthly on our progress.

• How will progress and projects be evaluated?
  • When?
  • Who?
  • How often?
  • Using reports?
  • How will stats be collected?

Approval Date and Review Date

• When was this TOR approved by the board?

Meetings

Meeting Minutes

• Committee Name Minutes November 2011
• Committee Name Minutes December 2011
• Committee Name Minutes January 2012