Dear Progressive Conservative:
This past weekend, a special general meeting of our party was held at the Old Orchard Inn in Greenwich, Kings County. I would like to thank Charlie Hendsbee, President of the Kings South PC Association – as well as other Kings County PCs – for the hospitality they extended to their fellow Tories.
As you’re probably aware from previous correspondence, the purpose of this special general meeting was to decide on an outstanding constitutional amendment that was proposed by the party’s constitution committee in November 2008 and deferred by the party at the 2009 and 2010 annual general meetings. In 2010, we had been directed by delegates to address this amendment no later than December 31, 2011 – hence this weekend’s special meeting.
PC Party members attending the special general meeting overwhelmingly approved an amendment to article 12 that will provide a future provincial executive with guiding principles they must consider when deciding upon a leadership selection process (not that we’re expecting a vacancy in the leader’s job anytime soon!). A thank you should go to constitution committee chair Jeff Hunt and his members Adam Grant and Dwight Rudderham for their work in preparing for this meeting and bringing a three year old proposal to a conclusion one way or another. An updated version of the party’s constitution will be uploaded to www.pcparty.ns.ca in December (once Jim David has completed the PCHQ move to the Bank of Montreal building at 5151 George Street).
Our leader Jamie Baillie joined the special general meeting at its conclusion, delivered remarks to those attendance and then answered questions from PC Party members. For those who have yet to attend an event with Jamie (or if you know of other party members, supporters, family members or friends who haven’t seen Jamie up close), I strongly encourage you to take advantage of a future opportunity (perhaps our 2012 annual general meeting February 10-11-12 at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in Halifax). You won’t be disappointed by Jamie’s leadership and real world knowledge on how to get Nova Scotia back on track.
Following the special general meeting, our provincial executive met – the latest in a series of meetings we have held in communities around the province. We accepted the recommendation of the provincial campaign chair Tara Erskine and her team to invest in an association management program that includes voter identification. More information about the program – as well as opportunities for training – will be provided at the 2012 annual general meeting.
We also received reports from our various party committees – with particular attention paid to the 2012 annual general meeting, policy and fundraising. Thanks to the work of PC Nova Scotia Fund, the support of many individual donors and careful cost controls led by treasurer Dan Avery and provincial director Jim David, we are forecast to end 2011 with a surplus once again.
We are a little more than two months from our 2012 annual general meeting. I have asked all provincial executive members to consider and reflect upon whether they feel they should continue to serve. I have encouraged – and will continue to encourage – PC Party members to consider whether they feel they have something to offer at the provincial executive.
In that spirit, I undertook my own reflection and reached the following decision, which I conveyed last week to our leader Jamie Baillie and to provincial executive members this weekend: I will not be letting my name stand for president for another two year term. In delivering this news to the executive, I said:
“I do so with mixed emotions, and a heavy heart, because this is a volunteer job that – despite the ups and downs of political party activity during a tough period of rebuilding – I truly love! We have so many dedicated party members and it has truly been a privilege to have been welcomed at so many different PC gatherings around the province.
“But I make this decision with a clear conscience for two main reasons:
“First, as you know, this summer, Cathy and I became parents of a wonderful baby boy named Sam after several years of waiting. I only get one shot to be a Dad. There are no “do-overs”. No second chances. Every minute, hour, day and night is precious – particularly with a new born. I need to spend fewer nights at meetings and dinners – and more nights at home with Cathy and Sam.
“Second, I will be stepping away from the role at a time when the party is in much better shape than it was when I became president.
“Two years ago, we were only months past a crushing provincial election defeat.
“We didn’t have a permanent leader chosen by the party.
“We didn’t have a provincial campaign team.
“We were struggling to raise money.
“We were third place in the polls.
“Tories were disengaged, upset and uncertain about the future – a future our party was facing without any plan to rebuild.
“Thanks to the hard work, dedication and long hours put in by thousands of volunteer PCs, including the leaders at this table, together with our caucus...
“We now have a great new leader, who will be our next Premier – Jamie Baillie.
“We have a clear, easy to understand strategic plan – Outlook 2014.
“We have an active provincial campaign team to quarterback our efforts for the next campaign.
“We are building our war chest – all from individuals.
“We have been the alternative to the NDP for the last six months.
“In short, Tories are upbeat, new people are joining the party, and women and men are expressing strong interest in running as candidates under Jamie Baillie’s leadership in the next election.
“Everyone at this table should be proud of the contributions they have made to this progress. I am so grateful for the support and level of commitment to our party you have shown.
“So, with things looking up, now is the time for change as president, without too much disruption to the party.
“I’m sharing this news now – and I will be doing so with the broader party in my report on Monday – to allow anybody who is interested in running for president the time to consider and prepare a candidacy.
“And I’m happy to give anyone running for president my perspective on the job and the party.
“But after February, I will still be there for the party, just in a different role. We have a great tradition of past presidents staying active – a tradition I will uphold.
“I will continue to serve on the executive and management committee as past president. And I will focus my time and effort in my own constituency.”
I will continue to fulfill my duties as president between now and the weekend of February 10-11-12, when a new president will be chosen by the party. Between now and then, I will try to thank as many of you individually as I can for your support over the last two plus years. If we don’t happen to connect in person, over the phone, by email or twitter – please know that I will always treasure the time I had as president of our party and your work in advancing the Progressive Conservative cause.
As always, keep in touch at robert.batherson@pcparty.ns.ca or through 902-429-9470.
Robert Batherson
President, PC Party of Nova Scotia
