BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OPIRG has an active Board of Directors of primarily full-time undergraduates, elected annually at OPIRG McMaster’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Board is a great place to gain experience and contribute as a volunteer to an organization that strives to make a difference.

For general queries, contact the Board president at board@opirgmcmaster.org. You can contact specific Board members at their emails below.

2022-2023 Board of Directors

Rathoosha Balaranjan
Rathoosha BalaranjanStaff Liaison
Faculty: DeGroote School of Business
Henry Challen
Henry ChallenDetails coming soon!
Community Member
Inaam Chattha
Inaam ChatthaPresident
Faculty: Science
Alisha Haseeb
Alisha HaseebSecretary
Faculty: Health Sciences
Saud Haseeb
Saud HaseebPolicy and Procedures
Faculty: Health Sciences
Bohmee Kim
Bohmee KimCommunity Garden
Faculty: Arts and Science
Imogen Walks Kowalchuk
Imogen Walks KowalchukResource Centre Coordinator
Faculty: Arts & Science
Ekta Mishra
Ekta MishraPublic Interest Projects Coordinator
Faculty: Arts & Science
Alina Pace
Alina PaceResource Centre and Archives
Faculty: Arts & Science
Fiona Sharpe
Fiona SharpeOutreach Coordinator
Faculty: Social Science
Kazza Topp-Nguyen
Kazza Topp-NguyenTreasurer
Faculty: DeGroote School of Business
Albert Wang
Albert WangPublic Interest Project Coordinator
Faculty: Engineering

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

Agendas and Meeting Minutes

Agendas and Approved Minutes

Follow the Board's decision-making online, or attend a meeting: all are welcome to participate in discussions.
Agendas and Meeting Minutes
By-Laws and Policies page

OPIRG McMaster Governance Documents

The constitution, policies and guidelines of OPIRG McMaster
By-Laws and Policies page

About Our Board of Directors

1-year term. All board members must be elected through the election process as outlined in the OPIRG McMaster Constitution. Board Members may be appointed between elections.

We require a time commitment of up to 5 hours per week for board meetings, committee meetings, orientation sessions, and special events, including preparation time. We cannot do a good job or meet deadlines without full participation from members.

The primary responsibility of the Board member is to attend board meetings. Currently, the board meets on a weekly basis, with each meeting lasting approximately 2 hours. The Board meets less frequently in the summer. Board meetings are open to staff, volunteers and student and community members. The board also holds in camera meetings (in private, for board members only) on an ‘as needed basis.’

Board members are required to take responsibility for a portfolio. Portfolios are a way to allocate the work of the Board between the different board members. It is recommended that deadlines be set at the beginning of the year to accomplish tasks. Board portfolio assignments do not mean that you have to do all the work yourself. But, you are committed to initiating programs, bringing new issues to the attention of the board and finding people willing to assume tasks under your portfolio.

Board Portfolios Include President/Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Provincial Representative, Policies and Procedures, Publicity, Staff Liaison/Human Resources Representative, Public Interest Projects, Resource Centre, Anti-Harassment and Fundraising/Resources.

OPIRG McMaster Board members are also encouraged to become liaisons that will build networks throughout the University and Hamilton community. Liaisons are to provide mutual support to the partner organization by means of publicity, creative input and financial assistance as endorsed by the Board.

Examples of liaison positions are: Anti-Violence Network Representative, McMaster Community Poverty Initiative Representative, McMaster University Student Representative Assembly Meetings Representative, The President’s Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC) Representative, Graduate Student Representative, Queer Students Community Centre Representative, and the Women and Gender Equity Network Representative.

Each new board member will receive an orientation session. This session may include but not be limited to: consensus decision making, the collective agreement, Board roles and responsibilities, anti-oppression, conflict-resolution and anti-harassment/anti-discrimination.

Annual General Meeting: We hold an Annual General Meeting, the last day of classes in the second term, which includes the presentation of the Public Interest Project Reports, audited statements, upcoming year’s budget and volunteer recognition.

Social Events: We normally have one or two social events per year where staff, friends of the organization and board members can interact.

Training: Based on the needs of the board, specific training sessions will be organized. Some examples might be anti-racism/ anti-oppression, consensus decision making, financial accountability, non-profit board management etc.

Board Retreat/Strategic Planning: We normally hold a retreat each year to review and update our strategic plan, goals and direction. The focus of the retreat is to create a stronger board infrastructure, moving the strategic plan forward, creating the year’s priority issues areas and developing new outcome measures and performance indicators. (Most likely during July or August)

Board recruitment is through a call out advertisement on OPIRG McMaster, campus and community media. Either students or community members approach OPIRG Board members and/or Staff or OPIRG Board members and/or Staff identify prospective board members. These are individuals who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to values shared by OPIRG McMaster. Prospects are potentially invited to attend a board meeting, orientation session, or other events. They also receive an information package. If the prospective member wishes to proceed they send in a Nomination Form for election. If the recruitment is to fill a vacancy on the board, the candidate sends in a Nomination Form and may be appointed by the Board to serve what remains of the term.

Briefly stated, we believe that the Board’s role is to ensure that OPIRG establishes and maintains the trust of the community by being clear in its mission, prudent and ethical in its activities, and accountable for its actions. Our meetings focus on planning, supporting initiatives in accordance with our mission and vision, policy-making, and assessing our progress.

OPIRG McMaster’s mission is to empower students and community in exchanging ideas and taking action on diverse social justice and environmental issues by connecting individuals, groups, organizations and resources.

Our vision is to engage, inspire and empower all to achieve positive change through grassroots initiatives.

Our values are consensus, environmental responsibility, anti-oppression, empowerment, creativity and innovation, and equity and inclusivity.

Access the McMaster Undergrad Board Nomination Form here
Access the Community Member Board Nomination Form here (non undergrads)