Christopher C. Goodfellow
339 Crystal Falls Road
Arundel Quebec J0T 1A0

March 21, 1998
Via Fax:
9:18 PM
3/21/98

Mr. Robert Girard
2591 Tamarac 
Val David Qc.


Dear Sir, 

Persuant to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Upper Laurentians Chapter of
Alliance Quebec, more specifically under Article VII, Amendments, By-Laws, 7.0,
7.1, 7.3. 

I would appreciate if the following resolution be placed before the Board of Directors
and the Annual General Meeting  and be considered for adoption at the Annual General
Meeting on April 24 1998.

It is my considered opinion after talking with many previous members, who have let
their membership lapse, but are still carried on the membership list of the Upper
Laurentians Chapter that one of their major concerns when asked by me to renew their
membership and bring it to a paid-up status,  was that they could not attend meetings
for one reason or another and they felt disenfranchised and unable to express their
opinion in any other democratic way. While encouraging the greatest possible physical
attendance at meetings is an admirable goal of the organization, it is simply a fact of
life that attendance at meetings in the evening from as far away as 100km. is just not
practical for many members. 

Therefore I respectfully submit the following to the Board of the Upper Laurentians
Chapter for consideration, discussion and possible adoption at the Annual general
Meeting.


Whereas   the Upper Laurentians Chapter membership is spread over a wide
geographic area making it difficult and costly for many members to travel to the
general meetings of the chapter;

Whereas many members are elderly and incapable of travelling but nevertheless
comprise a large number of members who wish to express their views;

Whereas the members in general desire the Chapter to function in the most
democratic method possible and to be an inclusive organization respecting all its
members voices;

Whereas there appears no valid reason for restricting voting priveleges only to
those capable of  physically attending the general meetings of the Chapter when
proper notice and content is given;

Whereas it is commonplace in many organizations today to have a system of vote
by proxy;

Resolved:

"That a system of voting by proxy be established for General Membership
Meetings (as set forth in Article III of the Constitution) to enable all paid-up
members of the Upper Laurentians Chapter to express their democratic right by
proxy vote at said meetings either on questions of general policy, the election of
announced candidates to the Board of Directors, and delegates to the General
Council or any other issue that should be placed before the General membership at
the discretion of the Board of Directors." 


Should this resolution pass, the Board would immediately  institute as soon as possible
an amendment to the Constitution and convene a General Meeting with the required
notice to vote on the adoption of the new amendment. 

I believe Alliance Quebec will only become a vibrant and effective voice when all
members feel that they participate on an equal footing and a system of voting by proxy
would go a long way towards making Alliance Quebec a more inclusive organization. 


Yours truly,
A
Christopher C. Goodfellow. 

CCG/amt