Decisions regarding the operation of the OPIRG Provincial Network (including policies,
the hiring of staff, budget allocation, division of labour etc.) are made by the Ontario
PIRG Board of Directors. The Ontario PIRG Board of Directors is comprised of staff and
board members from individual PIRG chapters (one staff and one board member from
each PIRG). Decisions regarding staff are guided by the CUPE 1281 Collective
Agreement, while decisions regarding network activity are guided by OPIRG policy and
Charitable Status guidelines as the provincial network is a registered charity.
Annual Meetings
The provincial network holds a minimum of two meetings every year – the annual general meeting (AGM) and the provincial board meeting (PBM).
Annual General Meeting (AGM): An Ontario PIRG annual general meeting is held every
October. Business related to the provincial network is presented and discussed. This
includes (but is not limited to): financial statements and the auditors report, the
approval of the provincial budget, the election of the provincial board of directors, and
the setting of a date for the provincial board meeting. Decisions are made by consensus.
Provincial Board Meeting (PBM): The Ontario PIRG Board of Directors meets at least
once a year in order to discuss and make decisions on matters related to the network.
The Ontario PIRG Board of Directors is comprised of a staff and board representative
from each individual PIRG chapter. At least 60% of the directors form quorum to make
decisions. Decisions are made by consensus.
OPIRG Provincial Collectives
Finance & Administration Collective (FAC)
Generally, FAC is responsible for all things involving the budget, money coming in and going out, use of the Ontario PIRG charitable number, provincial and unionized chapter staff health benefits and LTD insurance (where applicable), maintaining and updating internal and government records regarding the composition of the Provincial Board. The Provincial Coordinator helps with these tasks.
Internal Development Collective (IDC)
What this collective does:
- Organize the AGM in the fall and the PBM in the winter
- Administration eg. email lists, membership updates
- Coordinating Board Training School and School for the Public Interest
- Staff retreat coordination
- Policy and bylaw updates and maintenance
Chapter Support Collective (CSC)
What this collective does:
- Collaboration Lunches (monthly): https://ontariopirg.org/collab-lunches
- We respond to support requests, or concerns that chapters are dealing with, which could include: Issues with the board, Issues with the staff (limited by Collective Agreement – The Shop Steward responds to HR issues and liaises with the union), Issues with office space, Support and resources for Defunding campaigns or referenda, Support for Financial instability, and support with any Issues at a Chapter’s university administration or students’ union
- Support and connect chapters who are doing or want to do similar or collaborative work
- Respond to general queries that someone asks about the network or would like to see for the network
- Share resources (e.g. policies, procedures, etc) from various chapters with everyone so that we are sharing and supporting each other
- Create resources that will be beneficial to the chapters
- Introductions and Information about OPIRG Provincial
- opirg.org – maintains for the network
- Provincial guides and resources
- Zines