CWB Governance Manual V4 Draft

This Governance Manual was created to provide guidance on the principles, organizational structure, roles and accountability measures of the Cowichan Watershed Board (CWB). It is intended to be a living document that is revisited and revised as the Board develops over time. 

The first Governance Manual was created in 2010 with the inception of the CWB. 

It was revised slightly in 2016 to provide equal Board member representation (3 seats each) of the founding partners, Cowichan Tribes and Cowichan Valley Regional District.  

The Manual was revised extensively in 2018 after a two year series of Collaborative Watershed Governance Conversations involving elected representatives and senior staff of both founding partners, CWB members and staff, and policy advisors. Version 2 incorporated a diagram to demonstrate how the various sources of the authority come to the table, a statement of recognition of Cowichan Tribes' Statement on Inherent Rights, as well as the inclusion of hul'q'umi'num' language and a new principle. Version 2 was presented to both CVRD and Cowichan Tribes Councils for their adoption in 2018 before finalizing the draft. 

The manual was updated again in October 2023 by the CWB to adjust the seat allocations. 

From 2022-2024, the manual was again reviewed and revised to reflect deeper discussions about the CWB's collaborative governance model, and its purpose, roles, and reporting.  Version 4 was adopted by the CWB on Feb. 26 2024, and is now pending review and endorsement by the CVRD (Sept 25 2024) and Cowichan Tribes First Nation (anticipated fall 2024).