Provincial ASB Resolution Session

The Provincial ASB Resolution Session is conducted at the Provincial ASB Conference. The Conference is organized by the Alberta Association of Agriculture Fieldman as a fundraiser for their association and information session for ASB members. It is held each year in January. Information about the upcoming conference and to register can be found on the Alberta Association of Agriculture Fieldmen website. All inquiries about registration should be directed to the AAAF.

At the conference the Agricultural Service Board Provincial Committee (ASBPC) facilitates the Provincial Resolution Session that allows all resolutions passed in the five regional ASB conferences with a provincial scope to be voted on by the full membership.

Resolutions past at the Provincial ASB Conference Resolution Session become active for three years and are advanced by the volunteer ASB members elected by the regions to the ASB Provincial Committee.

2026 Provincial ASB Resolution Session Information

Amending the Rules of Procedure (ROP)

Every year member ASBs have the opportunity to review and propose amendments to the Rules of Procedure (ROP) governing the resolution process. In 2025 the ASBPC engaged the advice of a professional parliamentarian to review both the Terms of Reference for the ASBPC and the ROP for the resolution process and make recommendations.

On September 1st every year the ASBPC sends out the Report Card on the Resolutions and any suggested amendments to the Rules of Procedure for ASBs to consider and discuss at their regional conferences. This year a proposed Provincial Resolutions Process (PRP) document was distributed for ASBs to consider as a potential replacement to the current ROP. Members can request a copy from your local ASB.

On September 16, 2025 the ASBPC hosted a webinar explaining the changes and reasoning behind the proposed replacement document. Information about the changes and the recorded webinar can be viewed on our website “Proposed – Provincial Resolutions Process”. The changes reflect the feedback from the members, advice from the parliamentarian and Regional ASB Representatives.

This year’s conference will follow the current ROP. If the proposed PRP is ratified by the members it will come into effect on September 1, 2026.

Chair and Fieldman meeting

For the past 4 years the ASBPC has been asked by members for a Chair/Fieldman meeting. This meeting has for the most part been ad hoc, and does not yet have a Terms of Reference. Feedback from the meetings has been that participants appreciated the opportunity to share the top three issues from their municipality and hear from others. Last year the ASBPC gathered information at the regional conferences about their top three issues and shared that information at the Chair/AAAF and invited the ASBs to participate in a survey to help determine the direction for future Chair/AAAF meetings. The results of the survey can be found here: 2025 Chair and Fieldman Meeting Survey Results

The results of the survey highlighted a few things for the Committee:

  1. The unique role of the ASBs is not well known by the the members. ASBs have a special relationship with the provincial government as advisors, not advocates.
  2. Many ASBs are unaware that the ASBPC is not a paid position. Any compensation is covered by the municipality that the representative comes from, and compensation varies by municipality
  3. Many ASB members are unaware of how to engage with the resolution process and the ASBPC.
    • Most communications from the Chairs should be directed to your ASBPC Regional Rep.
    • Subscribe to the Blog post on the ASB website and follow the ASBPC LinkedIn account for updates
    • Emails from the ASBPC Executive Assistant go to the AAAF members and ASBPC Reps. The ASBPC Reps send to the ASB Chairs in their regions
    • Some regions have Regional meetings chaired by the ASBPC Reps, organized by the Regional Conference Committee to review and grade resolution responses and discuss potential new resolutions.
    • ASB Connector newsletter from the Government of Alberta (subscribe on the Alberta.ca website or through the link on the ASB website)
    • Online biannual (spring and fall) ADM Townhalls organized by the Province.

This year the Committee has decided to have a round table facilitated discussion at the Chair and Fieldman meeting to take place on January 20, mid afternoon prior to the welcoming reception. Details and agenda will be distributed with the December 1, resolution package from the ASBPC.

An orientation presentation about the ASBPC, roles and how to be involved is planned for during the conference.

Conference documents for ASB members: