VOTING
You are on the ASB to make decisions and that means voting on all resolutions and bylaws
unless you are required or permitted to abstain from voting. The Board must ensure that
each abstention and the reason for it are recorded in the minutes of the meeting. If there is
a public hearing on a proposed bylaw or resolution, you must abstain from voting on the
bylaw or resolution if you were absent from all of a public hearing, and you may abstain if
you were absent for a part of a public hearing. You must also abstain from voting on
matters in which you have a pecuniary interest (see “Conflict of Interest” section).
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple
interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in another. It is
typically defined as “a set of circumstances that creates a risk that professional judgement
or actions regarding a primary interest will be unduly influenced by a secondary interest”.
(
Wikipedia)
Alberta’s municipal ASB members have a strong record of public service to their
communities. First and foremost, you are responsible for upholding the public interest
above any private interests you may have. Membership of the ASB is a position of public
trust. The Municipal Government Act describes pecuniary interest and sets out the
procedure you must follow if such a matter comes up at a meeting in which you are
participating as an ASB member. Failure to follow these procedures can lead to your
disqualification.
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