Committees and Working Groups

BCSTA has three types of committees:

  • BCSTA standing committees
  • BCSTA ad hoc committees
  • BCSTA representation to external committees

BCSTA standing committees are formed by resolution on the AGM floor. Membership in, and terms of reference for, these committees is governed by bylaw. Committees with this status include the Indigenous Education Committee, the Finance and Audit Committee, the Legislative Committee, the Professional Learning Committee and the Credentials Committee.

BCSTA ad hoc committees are established by the board of directors, or the Provincial Council, have their terms of reference formulated by the creating body and must report back to the Provincial Council. The Bylaw Review Committee, Climate Action Working Group, Capital Working Group and Comprehensive School Health Working Group are examples of ad hoc committees.

BCSTA representation on external committees is a highly sought after commodity. As the recognized voice of trustees in the province, BCSTA representatives are sought by a number of organizations for participation on committees, advisory groups and in discussion forums.

Prominent among those seeking BCSTA representation is the Ministry of Education and Child Care. BCSTA has representatives sitting on a variety of committees established by this ministry including the ministry’s SOGI Working Group, Leadership Standards Working Group, Joint Code of Conduct Working Group and the BC Teachers’ Council. Ministry committees influence the policy and program development initiated by the Ministry of Education and Child Care.

Other groups, such as the Ministry of Children and Family Development, BC School Sports, the BC Teachers’ Federation, Canadian School Boards Association, Teacher Qualification Service, K-12 Indigenous Education Partners and the English Language Learners Consortium, regularly request, and often receive, BCSTA representation on their committees and working groups. Other notable working groups that involve BCSTA include the K-12 Indigenous Education Partners’ Group, $10/day Child Care Committee, Ministry of Finance School Protection Program Advisory Committee, BCPSEA Coordinated Legal & Arbitration Support Services Advisory Committee (CLASS), Anti-Racism Partner Collaborative & Educator Network and the BC School-Centred Mental Health Coalition.

BCSTA also has several internal informal working groups. An example of such a group was the Local Elections Engagement Committee that assembled in preparation for the 2022 elections.

BCSTA’s Standing Committees:

Indigenous Education Committee
A focus on Indigenous student achievement

Learn more about the Indigenous Education Committee


The Indigenous Education Committee represents boards’ interests in Indigenous education – at the same time, developing ideas and recommendations for the vital work of improving Indigenous student achievement. As well, the committee continually seeks to heighten knowledge, awareness and understanding of Indigenous issues.

The committee stays alert to potential challenges with provincial policy and implementation, and keeping members up to date. It develops recommendations on Indigenous education matters for action by BCSTA.

Legislative Committee
Supporting governance by reviewing motions and maintaining policies

Learn more about the Legislative Committee


The Legislative Committee is responsible for examining motions which are submitted by member boards, branch associations, the Indigenous Education Committee, the Professional Learning Committee and Provincial Council for consideration at BCSTA’s general meetings and Provincial Council meetings.

Under Bylaw 11a, the Legislative Committee may “examine, correlate, amend, reject and report upon notices of motions submitted to it.” The Legislative Committee does not assess the merits of the motions that are submitted to AGM or Provincial Council. The Legislative Committee is also “responsible for the maintenance of the Association’s policies, and may recommend changes to the board of directors for presentation to the membership.” (Bylaw 23(b)).

Professional Learning Committee
A focus on the heart of education

Learn more about the Professional Learning Committee


At the heart of education is student achievement – and that’s the focus of BCSTA’s Professional Learning Committee. With its pulse on B.C. public education, the committee identifies educational issues of interest and concern to membership. Members then recommend action on these issues for consideration by the board of directors, Provincial Council and AGM.

The Professional Learning Committee helps create the AGM program, as well as recommending topics for other trustee professional development. 

Since 2007, the committee has set as its mission: Education – Communication – Support: Leading the way for trustee development for student achievement. The Professional Learning Committee’s members include: a representative from each of BCSTA’s branches, a member of the BC School Superintendents’ Association and a member of the board of directors.

Finance and Audit Committee
Responsible for the fiscal stewardship of the Association

Learn more about the Finance and Audit Committee


The Finance and Audit Committee’s (previously known as the Finance Committee) duties include collecting dues, fees, levies and other revenue, recommending reasonable controls to ensure the safekeeping of Association funds and ensuring that proper financial records are maintained.

Further, the Finance and Audit Committee prepares BCSTA’s annual budget in cooperation with the board of directors. It monitors the Association’s expenditures and directs audit services.

The Finance and Audit Committee reports jointly to the board of directors and Provincial Council.

Credentials Committee
Providing oversight and verification at our Annual General Meeting

Learn more about the Credentials Committee


The purpose of the BCSTA Credentials Committee is to review the number of official trustee delegates registered for each year’s AGM, and, based on those numbers, to determine the number of votes needed to be elected to the board of directors or to pass an extraordinary motion. The committee’s responsibilities begin each morning of the AGM Business Session when they are called on to calculate and certify the official delegate count. Their role is one of oversight and verification on behalf of our Association as a whole.