#local 98

Whereas individual members have the right to start petitions to enter and leave the Federation; and

Whereas the threshold to start a vote to certify is ten percent (10%) of students and the threshold to start a vote to decertify is twenty percent (20%) of students; and

Whereas the decertification petition requires double the amount of signatures compared to the certification petition; and

Whereas the amount of signatures required to start a decertification petition is unreasonably high for larger Locals to obtain; and

Whereas the decertification process nevertheless entails a democratic referendum posed to a membership following the petition; and

Whereas members have the right to accessible, democratic bylaws; therefore

Be it resolved that the bylaws be amended such that a petition to start a vote on decertification can be called by fifteen percent (15%) of members; and

Be it further resolved that Bylaw 1.3 a. iii be amended to read as follows:

The students collectively belonging to a local student association will have sole authority to initiate a vote on decertification, as described in Bylaw I, Section 6, by submitting to the National Executive of the Federation a petition, signed by not less than fifteen percent (15%) of such students, calling for the vote.

Be it further resolved that Bylaw 1.6 be amended to reflect this change and that the first paragraph of Bylaw 1.6 be amended to read as follows:

As per Bylaw I, Section 3.a.iii a petition calling for a vote on decertification shall be signed by no less than fifteen percent (15%) of the students collectively belonging to the member local student association and delivered to the National Executive of the Federation.