Scroll Top
Maggie Benston Centre, #2203, 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
778-782-3899
Get Involved

AGM 2024

Hello Graduate Students!

The GSS is holding its 2024 Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, February 13 at 5pm.Β This year’s meeting will be held in a hybrid fashion:

  • In person: SFU Main Library, room 7200 (Burnaby Campus)
  • Online: A Zoom link will be forwarded to anyone signing up at least two hours before the meeting

The meeting is open to all members in good standing of the Society (typically, those who have paid the GSS fee)Β and is one of the most important events of the year for the GSS’s general membership. All members with an SFU email account and verified student ID number may join us online/Zoom, but should RSVP at least two hours in advance of the meeting. We will strive to include anyone who fills out the RSVP late, but may not be able to verify the information in time for the meeting. Due to the capacity of the room made available at SFU, a maximum of 50 members will be able to attend in person.Β Unfortunately, due to SFU and fire marshal regulations, we cannot make any exceptions in this matter.

The full agenda for this meeting may be found below.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact our Director of Student Life atΒ student-life@sfugradsociety.ca.

We look forward to seeing you at the AGM!

P.S. A post-AGM reception will take place in The Study (on Convocation Mall, next to the principal entrance of the Maggie Benston Centre), starting after the meeting, at 6:30pm. There will be a cash bar and nachos! Those who attend the AGM will get a free drink ticket at the door.Β Tickets for admission are $6.

AGM 2024 Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Land Acknowledgement

The GSS occupies shared Coast Salish territories, including the traditional and unceded lands of the SαΈ΅wxΜ±wΓΊ7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Tsleil-Waututh, xΚ·mΙ™ΞΈkΚ·Ι™yΜ“Ι™m (Musqueam), Kwikwetlem, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Katzie, Kwantlen, Qayqayt, and numerous StΓ³:lō First Nations.

3. Appointment of Speaker

Be It Resolved That the assembled GSS membership appoint Pierre Cenerelli as Speaker of the 2024 AGM.

4. Appointment of Secretary

Be It Resolved That the assembled GSS membership appoint Saba Ghezili as Secretary of the 2024 AGM.

5. Declaration of Quorum

  • Full quorum is 100 GSS members in good standing (all points can be discussed and officially minuted)
  • Functional quorum is 20 GSS members in good standing (point 12 below can still be discussed, but not officially minuted)

6. Adoption of the Agenda

Be It Resolved ThatΒ the assembled GSS members adopt the agenda of the February 2024 AGM, as circulated (or amended).

7. Approval of the February 2022 AGM Minutes

Be It Resolved That the assembled GSS members adopt the minutes of the February 2023 AGM, as circulated (or amended).

8. Speaking privileges for our guest speakers

Be It Resolved That the assembled GSS members provide Gary Chun (auditor at Thompkins Wozny LLP), Ali Versi (Program Manager at Studentcare), and Harjap Grewal (GSS Advocate and Policy Advisor) with speaking privileges at the February 13, 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Graduate Student Society.

9. Reception of the audited Financial Statements for 2022 – 2023 and auditor’s report

  • Will be presented by Gary Chun of Tompkins Wozny LLP, followed by a question period

10. Appointment of the auditor for the 2023 – 2024 Fiscal Year:

Be It Resolved That the GSS membership appoint Gary Chun of Tompkins Wozny LLP as our auditor for the 2024 – 2025 Fiscal Year.

11. Reception of the GSS Annual Report

The 2023 – 2024 GSS Annual Report may be consultedΒ here. At the meeting, members will be provided with the opportunity to ask questions about this report.

12. Presentation

A representative from Studentcare, which administrates the GSS Benefit Plan (extended health and dental), will be presenting the plan’s current financial situation, as well as future options for our plans as they relate to the fees charged and the benefits provided. AΒ summary of this presentation may be foundΒ here.

If no significant action is taken regarding our Benefit Plan, the claims made by our members will exceed the premiums they pay to the insurance company. If that is the case, we will have toΒ increase the plan fee well beyond the rate of inflation, significantly cut the benefits offered to our members,Β or enact a blend of these two options. Fee increases above the rate of inflation – as required by provincial law and regulations – must be approved by a referendum of our entire membership. This will have to occur by the end of March 2024 in order to apply to the 2024 – 2025 policy year.

13. Announcements:

a. A post-AGM reception will take place in The Study (on Convocation Mall, next to the principal entrance of the Maggie Benston Centre), starting after the meeting, at 6:30pm. There will be a cash bar and nachos! Those who attend the AGM will get a free drink ticket at the door.Β Tickets for admission are $6.

14. Adjournment