OPIRG WORKING GROUPS
Each fall and winter term OPIRG McMaster takes applications for "working groups" on environmental and social justice issues.
For the current list of working groups, view the drop down menu at the Working Groups heading at the top of the web page, and click on the working group name to view a detailed description and contact information.
- To APPLY FOR WORKING GROUPS STATUS, click here. Please read the working group policy before applying.
- OPIRG McMaster WORKING GROUP POLICY (Read it here)
- To view the 2008-2009 WORKING GROUP YEAR END REPORT (pdf) click here.
DATES
- 1st term application deadline – Monday, September 28, 2009. Drop completed applications off at the OPIRG office or e-mail to randy(dot)opirg(at)gmail(dot)com
- 2nd term application deadline - January 21, 2010 - application form here
- ANTI-OPPRESSION WORKSHOP: Saturday January 23rd 10am to 12 noon McMaster University Student Centre room 311-313. Free, but please pre-registration required with randy(dot)opirg(at)gmail(dot)com or 905-525-9140 ext. 26026
- CONSENSUS DECISION MAKING WORKSHOP, THURSDAY, January 23, 2010, 2-4pm Room 311-313, McMaster University Student Centre. Free, but please pre-registration required with randy(dot)opirg(at)gmail(dot)com or 905-525-9140 ext. 26026
- WORKING GROUP ORIENTATION (for approved groups) (dates to be determined)
To find out more, please contact the OPIRG office in the Student Centre room 229, randy(at)opirg(dot)ca or call 905-525-9140 ext. 26026.
What is a working group? Working groups are semi-autonomous groups of students and community members who organize around specific issues relating to the environment and social change. OPIRG desires to engage students in critiquing, researching and acting on pressing social/environmental issues.
Working Groups receive funding from the OPIRG office, as well as ongoing support and training.
Working Groups use the CONSENSUS DECISION MAKING model to ensure equal access to power within groups, and are expected to take an ANTI-OPPRESSION workshop.
Previous and ongoing working groups include Transportation for Liveable Communities, Waste Reduction, Recycle Cycles, Food Not Bombs, Guatemala, Community Volunteer Action, Fair Trade, and many others.
How do I start a working group? OPIRG accepts APPLICATIONS for Working Groups in the fall and again at the start of the winter term. APPLICATIONS are reviewed by our Board of Directors who meet with applicants to ask questions about the proposal before deciding which groups will be accepted. One page APPLICATION forms are available at the OPIRG office or here.
OPIRG McMaster WORKING GROUP POLICY (Read it here)
WORKING GROUP LOG-IN to OPIRG.CA
The province wide OPIRG PEGGY McKAY ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDSprovide an opportunity for your working group to receive $250 to support volunteer work on environmental initiatives.
Read all about it here!
OPIRG McMaster past winners:
- 1999 Waste Reduction
- 2000 Transportation for Liveable Communities
- 2001 Waste Reduction
- 2003 Transportation for Liveable Communities
- 2006 Transportation for Liveable Communities
- 2007 Transportation for Liveable Communities and SMART (Student Math Action Research Team)
- 2009 PEAS (Promoting Eating Alternatively and Sustainably) and FREESKOOL by Students for Renegade Society.
Working Group Year End Reports
January
