Operating Reserve - Education Fund Policy

Purpose

At its March 2023 Strategic Planning session, the Board of Directors approved the creation of a notional fund within the greater Operating Reserve that would be dedicated to the union’s goal to provide members, activists, and leaders with greater education. 

It was decided at that time, that the Board would first assess AMAPCEO’s capabilities and those of its Professional Unions’ Network of Canada (PUNC) colleagues before drafting a ‘use policy’. 

That having occurred, the primary purpose of this policy is to address how the Operating Reserve – Education Fund will be applied – above and beyond core educational efforts.

Scope

This policy is meant to enhance AMAPCEO’s foundational education programming by funding the provision of specialized forms of education for members, activists, and leaders that would not otherwise be affordable within the operating budget¹.

This fund is also intended to support the union’s bursary program as defined within AMAPCEO’s Bursary Program policy, and to support the union’s commitments to equity related education and training. 

Program Development, Procurement, and Partnerships

The specialized education or training contemplated within the scope of this policy may be achieved through the use of: 

1. In-house program development carried out by staff.
2. External procurement of subject matter expertise to aid with in-house development, or the procurement of ready made curriculum or skills training provided by educational organizations such as Toronto Metropolitan University or Lancaster House.   
3. Partnerships with AMAPCEO’s allies such as PUNC or the OPS Union Bosses’ Network.  

Allocations

This reserve (of up to $1M) relies upon the health of the greater Operating Reserve and its policies and competing priorities. 

The bulk of the fund whether at its maximum or otherwise shall primarily be allocated toward special forms of education for members, activists, and leaders. 

Provided this fund has the capability to do so – an allocation of up to $100,000 shall be preserved for the union’s Bursary Program and its recipients (relatives of members).²

The Board of Directors shall continue to determine the number and dollar amount of bursaries to be awarded each year in alignment with the Bursary Program policy.

Approval

Any specialized forms of education contemplated under this policy would initially require the conceptual approval of the Board of Directors and thereafter the financial approval of its designee – the Executive Committee, as the process moves forward.   

¹Expenses forecasted and/or realized within the context of this fund are not subject to the operating budget process.  As such, the Board of Directors may consider use of the fund at any point in the calendar/fiscal year.  

²The amount referenced is not meant to unduly influence the funding amounts referenced within the Bursary Program policy. It is meant to identify a maximum number and to approximate a 10% allocation share within the greater fund that reflects union’s focus on active members.