If not now, when? If not us, then who?
Our party's greatest strength is its people. It's time to reconnect our volunteers, renew our constituency associations, and rebuild a membership worthy of Alberta's future.
Read the plan
Membership is the lifeblood of a political party. Our members knock on doors, raise funds, bring forward ideas, select candidates, and keep the party connected to the people it serves. When membership declines, that foundation weakens. John Diefenbaker, one of Canada’s most successful Conservative prime ministers, understood the urgency of growth: if your membership isn’t growing, it’s dying. We must reverse this trend immediately—and launch a massive rebound that takes our membership back to where it was, and well beyond.
I'm absolutely determined to reverse that decline. The job of Vice President of Membership must be more than a title: it must be a vital link between the Provincial Board and the membership leaders serving in our 87 constituency associations.
“Our best ideas won't all come from the top. They'll come from the people who know their communities best.”
Connect all 87 constituency associations immediately through monthly Zoom meetings with their VPs of Membership. Establish a highly active Membership Standing Committee, meeting regularly and drawing on regional voices from across Alberta.
Draw on the talents and gifts of our CA membership VPs. There is a cornucopia of ideas waiting to be heard, tested, shared, and put to work across Alberta.
Immediately launch a province-wide drive to restore our membership to six figures as quickly as possible, including a focused effort to invite back members whose memberships have expired since the last election.
Work with our powerful social media influencers to launch a personal challenge: write down five reasons you joined the UCP, identify ten people who aren't members, and share those reasons with all ten before midnight. Then challenge others to do the same and follow up on the results.
Use simple, useful membership reports to spot trends, recognize success, hold ourselves accountable, and help each constituency association grow its base.
Welcome new members with a personal connection to their local CA and a real invitation to participate. Pilot the Welcome Wagon, learn from what works, and make room for the many other ideas our volunteers will bring forward.
My involvement with the UCP began in 2021. Since then, I've served as Edmonton Regional Director on the Provincial Board (2022–2024) and as President of the Edmonton-Southwest Constituency Association.
For decades, my work in publishing, communications, and nonprofit leadership has taught me the value of clear goals, sound organization, and people who are trusted to do their jobs.
Our party is home to people who will not agree on every issue. We can debate with conviction while keeping our attention on the work that unites us: stronger communities, a stronger party, and a better future for Alberta families.
We have an election to win. That means focusing on the broad ground we share, respecting our members, and giving local volunteers the tools to succeed.
I'm bursting with ideas about how to rebuild our membership. But the greatest opportunity is to tap the talents and gifts of our constituency association VPs of Membership—and turn their ideas into results.
Have an idea to help us grow? I’m ready to hear it right now. Email me at Vince.Byfield@gmail.com.
Vince Byfield
Candidate for Vice President of Membership
United Conservative Party of Alberta