About EFCL

 Responsibilities

• EFCL to Member Community Leagues

• Member Community Leagues to EFCL

• Community League Executive to their Community

• Community League Executives to their Members

EFCL to Member Community Leagues

Once a Community League has become a member of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL), the relationship between the two organizations will be enhanced if:

1. The EFCL Board shall recommend policies, identify concerns, and promote initiatives for consideration by Community Leagues.

2. The EFCL Board shall represent concerns as requested by a majority of the Community Leagues at a General Meeting.

3. The EFCL Board shall represent the Community Leagues to governmental bodies and/or other outside organizations for the promotion of the best interests of the Community League movement.

4. The EFCL Board will provide opportunities for information exchange and skill development in Community League members, which will assist volunteers in carrying out leadership responsibilities.

5. The EFCL Board members shall act as a leadership resource to Community Leagues, either on request or at the Board's initiation.

6. The EFCL Board and Treasurer shall properly manage the EFCL's financial affairs.

7. The EFCL Board through its committees, shall coordinate programs and services on a citywide basis.

8. The EFCL Office shall act as an information retrieval and referral service to the Leagues and shall make other services such as photocopying, typing, and mailing services available.

9. The EFCL Board shall collect information on the Community Leagues to provide a picture of the functioning of the Community Leagues movement in order to better serve them.

10. The EFCL Board shall provide mediation or intervention when disputes with and amongst members occur.

11. The EFCL shall provide financial, legal and operational advice or assistance upon request.

Back to Top

Member Community League to EFCL

The working relationship between member Community Leagues and the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL) will be more effective when the following are observed.

1. The Officers of the Community League shall know and abide by the EFCL Code of Ethics and Bylaws.

2. The Community League Board shall send a representative to all EFCL meetings where such representation is requested.

3. The Community League representative to the EFCL meeting shall report back to the Community League.

4. The Community League Board shall cooperate with the EFCL in the collection of information about their operations to allow for effective representation by the EFCL.

5. The Community League shall cooperate with the EFCL in providing input, to governmental bodies in keeping with it's role as a citizen organization.

6. The Community League Board shall assist the EFCL in their representative role by providing or helping to locate volunteers for Ad Hoc Committees or for the Board of Directors.

7. The Community League representative shall review all EFCL mail and forward the material to the appropriate volunteer for action.

8. The Community League Board shall recognize their right and responsibility to make suggestions to the EFCL so that individual and collective needs can be met.

9. The Community League Board should ask for help from the EFCL whenever they are in doubt about what to do and before circumstances get out of hand.

10. The Community League Board shall conduct League affairs in a businesslike manner in order to preserve and uphold the good name of other Leagues.

11. The Community League shall file meeting minutes, annual financial statements and changes to their Board of Directors with the EFCL for archiving.

12. The Community League shall file copies of their newsletters with the EFCL for archival purposes and assisting with program inquiries.

Back to Top

Community League Executive to their Community

As well as serving its own members, the Community League Executive has a responsibility to the greater community. To enhance the relationship between the Community League and the community, the Executive should observe the following:

1. To realize that by conducting the affairs of the Community League in a proper and businesslike manner and in a friendly atmosphere, the League activities and membership benefit.

2. To realize that efforts must be made to reach out to include non-members into the Community League. This can be done by broadening the fee structure and offering a wide variety of programs. The philosophy of inclusiveness can go a long way in developing a good community.

3. To make every effort to welcome people into the life of the community. Reaching out to new residents or saying hello at the General Meeting builds a pleasant atmosphere in which to live and work.

4. To determine, from time to time, the needs of the broad community, not only to serve the community, but in so doing, attract new people into the activities of the Community League.

5. To be aware that the community changes from time to time because of change in age and interests and that the Community League must be prepared to meet these changing needs to remain viable.

6. To accept a group of residents into the organization in an atmosphere of welcome and cooperation (for example, a group of young parents wanting a playschool program or some citizens expressing concern about community problems). If any such group is willing to provide the manpower to run the program, to cover the costs, and provide members to sit on the Board, the Community League should, where possible, provide the facility, newsletter space, a little help, and a smile! The new group has the right to expect as much, as these are often new members, future participants in other League programs or as volunteers.

7. To realize that each Community League is part of a citywide structure and that how each League conducts its affairs reflects on every other League in the City.

8. To be familiar with agreements in place with local schools and to nurture this relationship. (Joint Use Agreement)

9. To be aware that churches, local businesses and institutions are an important component of community life and should be included whenever possible.

Back to Top

Community League Executive to its Members

The Community League exists for and through its members and the Board of Directors must therefore serve them in the following manner:

1. To ensure all activities are conducted with courtesy and respect and without discrimination. The members of the Board are community leaders and must set an example.

2. To realize the Board serves the membership of the Community League and is responsible to it.

3. To provide opportunity for the membership to discuss and approve actions that affect them. Approval is obtained in a General Meeting, notice of which has clearly stated the subject(s) being considered.

4. To notify members about meetings, in a timely manner, and the purpose and to provide sufficient information for them to make an informed decision. Difficulties often occur because appropriate information is not provided.

5. To answer honestly questions that members ask.

6. To know the whereabouts and contents of your Bylaws and to review them regularly.

7. To establish operating policies to supplement Bylaws.

8. To conduct the business of the Community League in a legal and businesslike manner. Appropriate procedures and conduct will help protect the volunteer and avoid mismanagement.

9. To adopt proper transition procedures and a method whereby policies can be carried forward from year to year. Procedures must be followed so that when questions are asked, they can be answered and supported by proper records. Procedures properly followed protect the integrity and good name of the volunteers.

10. To ensure that minutes contain motions clearly worded, including details of the action to be taken, the amount of funds needed, the nature of the responsibility, the group responsible for the action, and the time frame within which action is expected or required. Ensure that the motion is properly moved, seconded, debated, voted on and recorded. The minutes are a legal record of your decisions.

11. To inform representatives that they cannot commit their group to some action without that group's approval. The Board cannot commit the League to action without consent of the membership.

12. To realize when people volunteer, they do not necessarily have all the skills needed for the job. The Community League should be willing to provide a course/workshop and/or bring in resource people or information for members to improve their skills.

13. To set up ways of expressing gratitude to the volunteers who assist in the activities of the Community League.

Back to Top