The Student Association of George Brown College (SAGBC) is considering a “full governance review”, which could potentially restructure its governance system, according to a presentation given to its board of directors on Wednesday evening.
In the presentation given during the SAGBC’s monthly board meeting, Ben Millard, a corporate lawyer who has served as the SAGBC’s legal counsel for several years, recommended a thorough review, citing several issues with its current system. The issues identified by Millard include the frequent turnover in the SAGBC’s board, potential conflict of interests and the job descriptions of its board positions.
Millard’s work with the SAGBC has required him to advise on what he describes as “piecemeal” changes to the SAGBC’s bylaws.
“I have thought for some time that the Student Association is long overdue for a full governance review,” said Millard.
Millard said the review would involve looking at the current structure, identifying problems, conducting a survey of what is working for other student unions and eventually presenting the SAGBC with a report that would have several options on how to address their issues.
Millard’s presentation highlighted the issues the SAGBC faces in board turnover. With SAGBC board members facing elections each year, there’s inevitable annual turnover of executives. Not only that, but during the past two years the board have struggled to maintain its elected positions for the full duration of their term, a point further illustrated by the board approving periods of leave for two board members during the same Wednesday board meeting.
Board turnover, Millard said, negatively impacts the SAGBC’s ability to negotiate with the college.
“I think there’s sometimes a view from the college that if there’s a strong [SAGBC] board that has aggressive goals that don’t always line up with the college, the college can drag its feet to wait until the next board comes and maybe they’ll be more amenable to the college’s perspective.”
It’s unclear as of now how what these proposed changes will be, but Millard’s presentation, which has been discussed privately with board members leading up to the meeting, was received positively by the SAGBC’s chief returning officer, Charles Wilson and general manager, Rosalyn Miller.
“I’m really excited about this approach,” said Miller. “Because it’s not just about a consultant coming up with a brilliant idea, but it’s a team approach.”
