GOVERNANCE
The Canadian Office Products Association (COPA) was founded in 1933 and is incorporated in the Province of Ontario. The Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who abide by the constitution and by-laws. The Board of Directors reviews the constitution and bylaws regularly and any proposed amendments are sent to the members for review and approval.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COPA is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of fourteen members, with seven each from the dealer and vendor communities, plus up to four appointees. The Board focuses on setting policy and direction through strategic planning for the future of the Association. Implementation of Board policy and direction is the mandate of the President.
The Board meets several times per year in-person and via conference calls. In-person meetings are typically held in the GTA at the COPA office or in conjunction with COPA industry events. The meetings are a half to a full day in duration.
Board members are responsible for their own travel expenses; as such, Directors must have the full support of their supervisor or company.
ELECTION PROCESS
Each year the Association conducts an election for positions on the Board of Directors.
The 14 member Board consists of seven vendors and seven dealers. The membership will elect the Board while the Board will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair from amongst the elected Directors. The Board will also elect up to four appointees each year to sit on the Board—the appointees do not have a vote in Board decisions but can attend meetings and contribute to discussions.
Directors serve a two-year term of office up to a maximum of three consecutive terms. However, if a director is elected to the position of Vice-Chair, the two consecutive term policy does not apply.
Elections are a two stage process: first a call for nominations is issued for the vacant positions and, second, an online membership vote is held. The Association accepts both third-party and self nominations. However, only the primary contact designated by a member company may stand for election and only the primary contact (or their proxy) for the company may cast a vote during an election.
For more information, please see the
Association Constitution & By-Laws