RCA Annual General Meeting Agenda & Annual Report Now Available

We’ve just released the Recycling Council of Alberta’s 2024–25 Annual Report — a look back at another successful year of advancing circular economy action across Alberta. We invite you to review it ahead of the upcoming RCA Annual General Meeting and conference or at your leisure. 

The AGM is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, review financial results for the year ending March 31, 2025, and vote on proposed bylaw changes* and new Board members. 

It’s also a great opportunity to network with fellow members over snacks and refreshments, generously sponsored by Alberta Waste and Recycling. 

*Proposed Bylaws  

At the 2024 AGM, the Board of Directors committed to completing a bylaw review prior to the 2025 AGM. This review has now been finalized, and the Board is presenting a proposed set of new bylaws. The revisions are designed to strengthen governance and enhance the Board’s effectiveness, in alignment with the 2030 Strategic Plan. A detailed summary of the changes, along with the full draft bylaws, is available on the website or by following the links here. Members will be asked to vote on the proposed bylaws at the 2025 AGM. If you have suggestions or questions, please contact us at info@recycle.ab.ca. 

The main proposed bylaw changes are:  

  • Reducing the size of the Board from 13 to 9 Directors. A smaller Board will allow for more effective discussions, stronger engagement from each Director, and more efficient decision-making.  
  • Introducing a blended nomination process. The Board will have the flexibility to present a slate of nominees to the membership, alongside the traditional open nomination and election process. Once fully transitioned, the Board will consist of 5 Directors presented by the Board and 4 Directors elected directly by the membership. This model balances continuity and stability with open participation, ensuring strong leadership while maintaining member voice.  

Notable Structural / Organizational Changes:  

  • Liaisons: In the past, some non-voting Board seats were offered as liaison positions for partner organizations and selected municipal representatives. These roles were never formally included in the Bylaws, and moving forward the RCA will not reserve seats in this way but, instead, may consider key partners and municipalities as presented names for nominations each year. All members are encouraged to run for the Board, take part in our new collaborative working groups launching soon or to stay connected with the Board via other events and regular RCA communications. The Board believes this approach creates more meaningful opportunities for members to contribute their expertise, ensures all directors are chosen by the membership, and makes the best use of everyone’s time and resources.  
  • Governance Flexibility: Several detailed policy and procedural items that previously cluttered the bylaws will be moved into Board-level policies or operational procedures. This change keeps the bylaws clear and focused on governance, while allowing the Board to update policies more easily and respond quickly as circumstances change.   
  • Clarity & Consistency: The updated bylaws provide clearer definitions, use consistent terminology, and outline the specific responsibilities of Board Officers. This ensures everyone has a shared understanding of roles and expectations, reducing confusion and strengthening accountability.  
  • Best Practices Alignment: With guidance from a lawyer specializing in non-profits, the updated bylaws have been written to align with sector best practices and the requirements of Alberta’s Societies Act. Key improvements include adjusting the size of the Board of Directors, establishing standing committees, moving governance policies to the Board level, and strengthening financial oversight (e.g., giving the Board responsibility for selecting the annual financial reviewer).  
  • Inclusivity & Future-Proofing: The bylaws now include flexible provisions for meeting attendance and voting methods, making it easier for more members to participate. Updates also provide the option for the Board to pursue gaming-related funding in the future, should it be in the best interest of the organization. 
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