Running for OBA Council and Board of Directors

Election to the OBA Board of Directors and OBA Council

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information below is for information purposes only. All OBA elections are governed by the current OBA By-Laws (http://www.oba.org/En/about/main/bylaws.aspx).
The OBA Nominating Sub-Committee is responsible for managing the election of members to the OBA Board of Directors and OBA Council as set out in the OBA By-Laws (http://www.oba.org/En/about/main/bylaws.aspx).

Notice Period
Notice will be given no later than January 31st and nominations will be accepted until March 30th. It is important to note that the term of office varies by position. Notice will be given in the year that the position is open for election.

Nomination Requirements
Under OBA By-Laws, a nomination must be in writing signed by five current members, with the candidate’s written consent. In the case of elections to Council and for the Directors-at-Large, both the candidate and five nominators shall practice law, be employed or reside in the electoral district for which the candidate is nominated.

Elections
If more than the required number of candidates are nominated, then elections will occur in accordance with the By-Laws. Status as voting or non-voting members of CBA National Council will be determined by the OBA Board of Directors.

Term of Office
Those elected take office at the conclusion of the CBA Annual Meeting, which is held in August.

Board of Directors Positions
The OBA Board of Directors are elected by voting members of the OBA Council. Except for the Treasurer, the following elected positions on the OBA Board of Directors are for a one-year term:

2nd Vice-President (who becomes 1st Vice-President then President) *
Treasurer (two year term)
Directors-at-Large (8)**
Secretary
Chair of Professional Development

* Due to the planned succession of Second Vice-President to First Vice-President then President, elections are not held for the President or First Vice-President. The long standing convention at the OBA has been for the Presidency to alternate between members who work in Toronto and those outside of Toronto.
** If elected, Directors-at-Large must have at least one year’s or one Annual Period’s experience as a Council Member by the time they will take office

OBA Council
There are 84 elected positions on OBA Council all of which are two-year terms (elected in even years e.g. 2010, 2012, etc.) Eight electoral districts have a set number of voting and non-voting members. “Non-voting” refers to CBA Council status. While all elected Council members can vote at OBA Council Meetings, only “voting members” can vote at CBA Council meetings. That said, “non-voting members” can attend and participate in CBA Council meetings. Below is a table outlining the number of elected positions on OBA Council allotted to each electoral district.

District	Positions	Voting vs. Non-Voting
Northwest Region	4	(2 voting, 2 non-voting on National Council)
Northeast Region	4	(2 voting, 2 non-voting on National Council)
Central West Region	6	(3 voting, 3 non-voting on National Council)
Central South Region	8	(4 voting, 4 non-voting on National Council)
Central East Region	8	(4 voting, 4 non-voting on National Council)
Southwest Region	9	(4 voting, 5 non-voting on National Council)
East Region	10	(5 voting, 5 non-voting on National Council)
Toronto Region	35	(18 voting, 17 non-voting on National Council)