Annual General Meeting 2025

Synopsis of Bylaw Changes for Key City Theatre Society

Download the Proposed Changes to the Bylaws

Why are we proposing changes to the Bylaws?

Bylaws should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure the organization can operate effectively in the present day.  Since the Bylaws were first written, the society has adopted gender neutral language, incorporated the use of virtual and hybrid platforms for meetings, and has done all the initial set up procedures specified in the original bylaws.  Additionally, some of the language in the current Bylaws lacks clarity.

What process led to the proposed changes and what happens next?

The Governance Committee reviewed the Bylaws and proposed the changes.  An Ad Hoc Committee was struck, including two former KCTS Board members, to review and amend the document.  The revised changes were approved at the September meeting of the KCTS Board.  A notice of motion to approve these changes is part of the meeting notice for this year’s Annual General Meeting.  A document with the specific changes, including explanations, is available above on this page.  A vote to approve these changes will occur at the 2025 AGM.

Specifically, what changes are we proposing?

1.         Gender neutral language – the current bylaws use masculine pronouns.  We proposed to change these to “they/them”, and to change “chairman” to “chairperson”

2.         Consistency with Model Bylaws – The government of BC provides a set of Model Bylaws for non-profit societies (Schedule 1 of the BC Societies Act).  The current Bylaws are in need of some revision to achieve this consistency.

3.         Remove unnecessary language – The current Bylaws specify things like how the initial Board of Directors should be set up and when the first AGM should occur. The first AGM as well as first elections have happened and are no longer need to be part of the Bylaws.

4.         Changes for clarity – The current language is not clear regarding topics such as defining what a General Meeting is and what must happen at one, specifying how to deal with Board vacancies, and when ballots are used for voting. Our proposed changes aim to clearly articulate the rules on these topics.

5.         Updates to match current practice – The current Bylaws don’t mention electronic voting or hybrid meetings. They specify notifications to member via traditional mail, and giving documents in paper form. We are proposing updates to recognize the electronic tools were have access to and currently use.

6.         Retain Term Limits for Directors but extend the maximum to 8 years – Board members are elected for two year terms and currently may serve a maximum of 6 consecutive years.  There is always a struggle between keeping experienced Board members to ground the organization in its past and recruiting new Board members to bring fresh ideas for its future. We would like to allow for experienced Board members to serve an additional term, if they so desire.

Still have questions or simply want more information?

Please feel free to contact Michelle McCue, President, Key City Theatre Society:

kctsboard@keycitytheatre.com