PETITION FOR FAIR, TRANSPARENT AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE OF SUDBURY BANGLADESHI ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (SBAC)

A Call for a Fresh Election, Accountability, Transparency and Unity
To: The Members, Executive Committee and Relevant Governing Authorities of SBAC

We, the undersigned general members of the SBAC community, respectfully submit this petition because of our serious concerns regarding the current governance, decision-making processes, and uncertainty surrounding the operation of the organization.

SBAC is a community organization that exists to serve its members. We believe that its leadership and decisions should be based on its Constitution, established rules, democratic principles, transparency, accountability, and fairness.

In recent circumstances, there have been significant disagreements and uncertainty within the organization. Elected members of the Executive Committee have been suspended from their positions, and concerns have been raised regarding whether proper procedures, notice, consultation, and an opportunity to be heard were followed before such actions were taken.

As general members, we believe that important decisions affecting elected representatives and the functioning of the organization should not be determined by one individual or through processes that are unclear to the general membership.

We are not asking members to take sides or to determine who is right or wrong in any personal or internal dispute.

Instead, we are asking for a democratic solution that restores confidence in SBAC and allows the organization to properly perform its duties for the benefit of the entire community.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREFORE REQUEST:
1. A Fresh Election of the SBAC Executive Committee
We respectfully request that SBAC conduct a fresh, fair and transparent election for the Executive Committee, in accordance with the SBAC Constitution, applicable rules, and any legal requirements governing the organization.

The election should provide all eligible members with a fair opportunity to participate, nominate candidates, vote, and choose their representatives.

2. An Independent and Fair Election Process
We request that the election process be conducted in a manner that is:

Fair and impartial;
Transparent and properly communicated to all eligible members;
Free from personal or factional influence;
Properly documented;
Conducted according to the SBAC Constitution and applicable rules; and
Accessible to all eligible members.
Where appropriate, an independent or mutually agreed election committee or election officer should oversee the process to ensure confidence in the results.

3. Proper Governance Until the Election
Until a new Executive Committee is elected, we ask that SBAC continue to operate in a responsible and orderly manner and that major organizational decisions be made through properly authorized and documented processes.

No individual member should have unilateral control over matters that properly belong to the Executive Committee or the membership as a whole.

4. Transparency in Organizational and Financial Matters
We request greater transparency regarding SBAC's organizational and financial affairs.

This should include, where applicable:

Proper Executive Committee meetings;
Advance notice of important meetings;
Official minutes of meetings;
Proper financial oversight;
Appropriate access to financial information by authorized members;
Proper recording of organizational decisions; and
Compliance with the SBAC Constitution and applicable legal requirements.
5. No Decisions Through Unofficial or Factional Processes
We respectfully request that important organizational, disciplinary, financial, and governance decisions not be made through unofficial, private, or factional meetings that do not have proper authority under the organization's Constitution.

Decisions affecting SBAC and its members should be made through properly authorized procedures and communicated transparently to the membership.

WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR A NEW ELECTION
There are currently too many uncertainties surrounding the leadership and decision-making of SBAC.

When elected members are suspended, when there is disagreement about who has authority to make organizational decisions, and when members are uncertain about whether proper procedures have been followed, confidence in the organization can be seriously affected.

As general members, we believe that the best way to move forward is not through further division or personal disputes, but through a democratic mandate from the membership.

A fresh election would allow the members of SBAC to choose their representatives openly and fairly and would give the new Executive Committee a clear mandate to carry out its responsibilities.

Our goal is not to target or punish any individual.

Our goal is to ensure that SBAC can function again effectively, lawfully, transparently, and in accordance with its constitution and the wishes of its members.

WHAT SIGNING THIS PETITION MEANS
By signing this petition, you are expressing your support for:

A fair, transparent and properly conducted re-election of the SBAC Executive Committee, together with responsible governance, accountability, financial transparency, and compliance with the SBAC Constitution and applicable rules.

Signing this petition does not mean that you are declaring any individual guilty or innocent.

It does not require you to take a personal side in any dispute.

It simply means that, as a member of the SBAC community, you believe that the organization's future should be determined through a fair, transparent and democratic process.

OUR REQUEST TO THE SBAC MEMBERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP
We respectfully ask the current leadership and all relevant SBAC representatives to listen to the concerns of the general membership and take appropriate steps toward a peaceful and democratic resolution.

We believe that a properly conducted election can provide SBAC with:

A renewed democratic mandate;
Clear and legitimate leadership;
Greater member confidence;
Improved transparency and accountability;
An opportunity to resolve existing disagreements; and
A stronger foundation for SBAC to serve the community in the future.
We are asking for unity, not division; fairness, not favouritism; transparency, not uncertainty; and democratic governance, not unilateral decision-making.

We respectfully request that the necessary steps be taken to organize a fair and transparent re-election of the SBAC Executive Committee at the earliest reasonable opportunity.