I
SOURCE
The money begins with members
Dues, reserves, property and investment income are collective resources built over time by members.
They are not the private domain of whichever officers happen to administer them.
OPEN →MONEY IS POWER
Member money should build member power
Financial rules are constitutional rules because money determines what institutions can actually do. Members should be able to see who proposes a budget, who approves it, who spends under it and who checks the result.
ILLUSTRATION / VISUAL — TO BE ADDED
II
FINANCIAL OFFICE
Financial responsibility needs a visible home
A defined constitutional Financial Officer can prepare the proposed provincial budget, present it for approval and monitor its execution.
OPEN →III
SEPARATION
Spending and setting the limits are different jobs
The body spending money should not be the only body deciding how much it may spend and under what limits.
OPEN →IV
INDEPENDENT BODIES
Independence needs enough money to function
An institution is not truly independent if another body can silence it by withholding the resources needed to operate.
OPEN →V
TRANSPARENCY
Protected does not mean hidden
Budget protection cannot become freedom from financial reporting.
Independent institutions remain accountable for how they use member resources.
OPEN →VI
RESERVES
Savings need a purpose
Reserves and investments should not grow simply because a large number looks impressive.
They should support the union’s long-term ability to represent members, organize, bargain and sustain collective action.
OPEN →