Riding Association

A local volunteer team of the BC Green Party recognized by Provincial Council as the official local branch of the BC Green Party representing one Electoral District.

*NOTE: Riding Associations (RA) are internal volunteer structures of the BC Green Party. They are NOT Constituency Associations as defined by Elections BC, though they can serve similar functions.

Introduction

This handbook provides volunteers and RAs with the information and resources necessary to carry out activities in their communities that contribute to election readiness. It provides some overall guidance for organizational and administrative practices, as well as outlines key responsibilities in regards to tracking capacity building.

Purpose

As RAs organize, decisions should be made with both RA tactics and legacy in mind. Some RA Execs stay on for many years cultivating their Election Readiness skills. When they eventually choose to step back, or support in a different capacity, we want to ensure that those skills, insights, and institutional knowledge doesn’t leave with them.

RA Execs should ensure that all information is stored in a way that is accessible and clear. In this way, Execs can “stand on the shoulders of giants” to see further into Election Readiness strategy and continue building. We provide ways to do this within this Guide.

Strategy, built by: Tactics & Tasks

The Strategy: Have Green supporters join Riding Associations (or Regional Riding Associations) in order to build election-readiness skills and capacity so that they may work towards electing Green MLA(s) in their riding (or region).

To achieve this strategy, we are going to implement these key tactics and associated tasks that include, but are not limited to:

Tactic	Tasks
Recruit, Manage, and Engage Volunteers	Ensure your RA Working Spreadsheet is continually added to each RA Meeting (more info here). Ensure your tab of the RA Stats Tracker is filled out during the first week of each month (more info here). Hold Executive Meetings monthly, with Executive members given at least one week notice. Hold an Annual General Meetings every 12 months to update members on RA activities and elect Executive members if needed. Following the  format laid out in AGM Guide || RA || 2026. Your RA’s tracking sheets, Meeting Minutes, etc will all be stored in your RA Drive in the BC Greens Drive. To access this Drive once onboarded, you must use the email you provided in your RA’s Agreement, Toolbox & Checklist.
Identify Green Voters and Supporters	Engage in various outreach activities to identify and connect with BC Green supporters, including: Door canvassing; Phone canvassing; Attending community events; Hosting events and regular meetings; Advocating for key issues provincially and locally; If it isn’t recorded in Gvote, it didn't happen! We lean on the data in Gvote come election time to connect with supporters to assure they vote, so make sure all data is stored in Gvote (and the Working Sheet if needed).
Build an Election-Ready Team	When an election is called, you may become a part of the campaign team, help train them, or carry on as a key volunteer. All actions should be directed towards learning and building the skills necessary to elect Greens. Become comfortable using Gvote and our Google Drive(s). These two resources will be leaned on heavily during Elections and when training volunteers. Teach rather than do! In order to build capacity, we need support through effective delegation. Resist the urge to do things for people and instead teach them. Think in a growth mindset. Sending an invite to a few people won't get the same reach as using Gvote to send the email, and having the event posted on the website. Leverage the tools we have to constantly be reaching out as far as we can. Be data-nerds! Every interaction is information. Whether it's tracking RSVPs or noting down a volunteers skills, it all needs to be tracked in Gvote to better build as a team. Act like election time is around the corner. By learning BC Green systems and skills, as well as understanding some BC Election rules,  you are preparing yourself for leading teams in future elections. Reach out to value-aligned organizations to build relationships, be of service, and recruit. Let’s work together! Remember the Goal: Electing BC Greens. With each decision think - how is this helping to elect more BC Greens? If you aren’t sure, is the tactic a good one?
Raise Local Funds for the Next Election	Conduct fundraising efforts through a variety of channels, including phone calls, emails, hosting events, and social media. This money helps the candidate travel around to meet the community, pays for supplies for the campaign (like lawn signs), pays campaign staff, and much more!
Foster a Green Community (Internally)	Share personal stories and the underlying "why" behind your mission to strengthen the RA’s ties and deepen engagement. Volunteers don’t always come out because they want to build signs for example, but they will come out to spend time with the Green friends and work to elect someone they know and trust! Build strong connections with Green members through: Phone calls & emails Let Greens in your community know you’re active on the ground! Explain what you are doing and ask for their involvement. Events: Host and attend events, then host again inviting folks you met at the events you attended ;) Social Media Share BC Green Party, Leader, and MLA social media posts on the RA's social media accounts.
Community Outreach and Involvement (Externally)	Help expand and strengthen the BC Green network within your community. You know your community best. We need your eyes and ears on the ground to keep us informed as to who can help us with our mission. Identifying local organizations and events in your community and listing them in your RAs Working Spreadsheet regularly. This helps to broaden our reach or find stakeholders to connect with for policy development or advocacy work; Collaborating with groups and events that align with our values; Let community leaders know that we are active and looking to work together. Even if we don’t yet represent them Provincially, they should know we are still working on making things better.
Advocate on Topics of Local Importance	Advocacy efforts may include sending emails, posting on social media, promoting petitions, attending community events, and supporting advocacy groups in their initiatives — all while actively contributing to positive change. You will get updated via email with new advocacy opportunities and/or you can find petitions, surveys, and other engagement resources on both the BC Greens Website and in the BC Green Resources Drive.
Identify and Support Prospective Candidates	Leverage all of the above activities, along with additional strategies, to identify and support community leaders, advocates, and changemakers as potential candidates. Keep track of all prospects in your RA’s Working Spreadsheet. You know folks in your community better than we do, introduce us!

RA Benefits

As a Riding Association, you are recognized as an official branch of the BC Green Party. Forming an official RA has the following benefits:

• RAs are featured on the BC Greens Website.
• RAs are involved in the official Candidate Nomination process within the RAs riding(s).
• RAs have access to RA Funds through emailing organize@bcgreens.ca
• RAs receive guidance and training on how to reach specific statistics that determine the tier of your riding/campaign come election time;
  • These metrics are reached by carrying out different RA activities and initiatives.
  • Due to tiers being determined by statistics, they are under your control! If you want to move up, you have the control of that with the right skills, data tracking, and leveraging of systems.

• Overall, the benefits of being part of your riding’s RA is that you get to directly contribute to making your community a better place to live for you and your family, neighbors, friends. Be proud of that!

List of Riding Associations

• Victoria Regional Riding Association

Regional Riding Association Agreement

[RIDING/S] (Regional) Riding Association Agreement 2026

The Field Team will make a copy of this document for your RA once elected!

This Agreement, dated [Date], certifies the elected Executive Members of the [Riding or Regional Riding Association] as an official branch of the BC Green Party.

By signing this agreement with the Provincial Council, the (Regional) Riding Association Executive agrees to fulfil the roles and responsibilities of a (Regional) Riding Association, as laid out in this document. The Agreement is renewable following the next Annual General Meeting of the (Regional) Riding Association.

Related General Resources

• (R)RA AGM Guide || 2026 → Annual General Meeting Info
• RA List and Stats Tracker (all Ridings) || RA || 2026 → Monthly Progress Tracker
• Handbook || RA || 2026 → For all things Riding Association
• Individualized RA resources are on the Resource Tab

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Definitions 2

Background 2

(R)RA Purpose & Functions 2

Provincial Office Support 3

Terms of the Agreement 3

1. Conduct 3

2. Financial Administration 4

3. (R)RA Executive Operations 4

4. Key Deliverables 5

Duration of Agreement 5

Declaration 5

Signatures 5

Definitions

Riding: A geographic area defined in the BC Electoral Districts Act, also known as an electoral district or constituency.

Riding Association (RA): A local volunteer team of the BC Green Party recognized by Provincial Council as the official local branch of the BC Green Party representing one Electoral District.

*NOTE: Riding Associations (RA) are internal volunteer structures of the BC Green Party. They are NOT Constituency Associations as defined by Elections BC, though they can serve similar functions.

Regional Riding Association (RRA):  A local volunteer team of the BC Green Party recognized by Provincial Council as the  official local branch of the BC Green Party representing  multiple  Electoral Districts that make up a “Region”.

(Regional) Riding Association Membership: (R)RA membership refers to BC Green Members in good standing* whose registered address is within the riding(s) covered by the RA or RRA. In order to be  an official BC Green Party (R)RA, the riding (or region) must have 25 members in good standing.

NOTE: Member lists must be obtained from the BC Green Field Team (organize@bcgreens.ca) as the member list in Gvote is not accurate.

*A member in good standing has donated at least $10/year or is 14-29 years old and therefore membership is free.

RA (or RRA) Executive: The  Executive is a team of four to eleven (4-11) people who provide oversight and direction for activities undertaken by the (R)RA. Nominees for an (R)RA Executive can choose to apply for one (1) or two (2) year terms.

*A member can be as young as 14 therefore that is the youngest age to join the Executive

(R)RA Agreement: The BC Green Party (R)RA Agreement is an agreement between the (R)RA Executive and the Provincial Council. To certify an (R)RA as an official branch of the BC Green Party, a declaration to honour the Agreement must be made by the (R)RA Chair on behalf of the entire Executive. To retain an (R)RA’s certification, the Agreement must be updated annually.

Background

(R)RA Purpose & Functions

The Riding Association (or Regional Riding Association) exists to work towards electing Green MLA(s) in the riding (or region), by building election-readiness capacity. Functions include, but are not limited to:

1. Identifying Green Voters and Supporters
2. Recruiting, Managing, and Engaging Volunteers
3. Fostering a Green Community
4. Community Outreach and Involvement
5. Advocating on Topics of Local Importance
6. Raising Local Funds
7. Identifying and Supporting Prospective Candidates

The (R)RA Handbook provides guidance for the operations of the (R)RA.

Provincial Office Support

The (Regional) Riding Association is supported by the provincial office which provides a variety of core services, including:

• Financial administration & tax receipt distribution
• Inter-team communication tools & resources
• Branding & graphics standards
• Online & print promotional tools & resources
• Training modules & guides
• GVote and other system support
• Assistance implementing outreach plans that include voter contact, volunteer recruitment, grassroots development, fundraising, and local candidate recruitment
• Coaching on effective team management, community building, and campaign strategies, including but not limited to recruitment, data collection, canvassing, and other essential field tactics

Terms of the Agreement

(R)RAs are required to meet the criteria established in the BC Green Party Constitution and Bylaws.

1. Conduct

The (Regional) Riding Association commits to:

• Operate in a manner consistent with the Six Core Green principles, and promote the values and policies of the BC Green Party.
• Ensure all  Executive Members review and comply with the following:

• Constitution & Bylaws
• Code of Ethics
• BC Green Party Safe Spaces Guide
• Privacy Policy
• Privacy & Security

• Ensure all Executive Members sign:
  • Volunteer Agreement & Waiver
  • Privacy Training Form
• Ensure that any member of the Executive that fails to conduct themselves in accordance  with these requirements is removed from the Executive.
• Ensure that meetings are facilitated in a respectful, constructive and pragmatic fashion that enables equitable speaking time to members present.
• Be inclusive in its communication and ensure that members and volunteers are connected with regularly, and given opportunities to contribute to the growth and activities of the (R)RA.

2. Financial Administration

The (Regional) Riding Association Executive will:

• Appoint a Treasurer who is responsible for the overall financial administration of the (R)RA.
• The Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that:
  • The (R)RA complies in all respects with electoral financing rules set out by the BC Election Act and by the BC Green Party in the Treasurer’s Guide || 2026;
  • The (R)RA does not accrue more expenses than it has revenue;
  • Expenses are submitted to the provincial office in a timely manner.

3. (R)RA Executive Operations

• The (R)RA will hold an Annual General Meetings to update members on activities and elect Executive members as necessary.
• Elections of Executive Members will be in accordance with Party Guidelines.
• The Executive will consist of not less than four (4) and no more than eleven (11) Members
  • *If the Executive has fewer than 11 members, the Executive can appoint Interim Executive Members for terms that last until the next AGM. This includes an AGM if there is interest from Members on the floor.
• In addition to the Treasurer, Executive members will fill the bolded roles below, and strive to  identify people to fill the rest of roles for 1 or 2 year terms:
  • Chair
  • Data and Privacy Officer
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • Fundraising Coordinator
  • Communications and Social Media Coordinator
  • Canvassing Coordinator
  • Event Coordinator
• The (R)RA Executive will hold meetings at least once every eight weeks. Executive Members will be given at least one week's notice, except in exceptional circumstances. Meetings will be open to all members and volunteers in the Riding.
• The (R)RA Executive team will  organize opportunities to engage all party members, supporters, and volunteers at least four (4) times per year.
• The (R)RA Executive will ensure that all data collected through (R)RA activities is entered into Gvote (or equivalent software)  in a timely manner.
• The Executive will assign at least one (1) person to attend the Field Team’s Monthly Province-wide (R)RA/Volunteer Meeting and Training.
• The Executive will ensure the BC Green Field team’s (R)RA tracking sheet is filled out during the first week of each quarter.
• The Executive will register the names and contact information of members of the Executive with the provincial office and notify the office of any changes in a timely manner.

4. Key Deliverables

The (Regional) Riding Association  is responsible for building election-readiness. Specifically, the (R)RA will ensure the structures are in place to support the campaign:

• Facilitate MLA candidate selection: Identify potential candidates and hold nomination events.
• Secure financial resources for the candidate (or candidates)’s campaign(s).
• Grow and train the local volunteer base.
• Increase Green supporters and voters identified in GVote (or equivalent software).
• Identify local organizations and community leaders in the riding or region.
• Build supporter connections and advocate on local issues via outreach and engagement activities.

Duration of Agreement

• This Agreement may be amended from time to time by mutual consent of the signatories.
• This Agreement may be terminated by either party with 60 days notice
• This Agreement expires 12 months after it is signed or when it is replaced following the election of a new RA Executive (whichever is earlier).

Declaration

The (Riding Name) Riding Association (or Regional Riding Association) Executive:

• Agrees to conduct the operations of the Riding Association in the spirit of this Agreement; and in accordance with BC Green Party Bylaws, as well as all other governing documents of the BC Green Party;
• Understands that violation of this Agreement may result in the Agreement being revoked, or other action as deemed appropriate by Provincial Council.

Signatures

To sign, double click the “Example” box → highlight the writing with your cursor by clicking and dragging → delete the writing → Click the down arrow next to the “Line” symbol → Select “Scribble” → Draw signature → Click “Save and Close”

**You can also sign a physical piece of paper with the date and title “[YOUR RIDING] RA Agreement Signature” to organize@bcgreens.ca!