Since 1995, OPIRG McMaster has been a place for students to explore social and environmental concerns with a goal of making a positive impact.
Funding and Membership
OPIRG’s core funding comes from full-time undergraduate students in the form of a $5.50 refundable levy for the academic year. All full-time undergraduate students are automatically members. If you do not wish to support OPIRG McMaster, you can claim a full refund by opting out using our online opt-out during the three-week period after the fall drop and add.
Members can access the resource library, borrow equipment, attend free workshops and events, vote at our Annual General Meeting, and are eligible to run for the OPIRG McMaster Board of Directors.
Anyone who is not full-time at McMaster is welcome to join OPIRG as a Community Member for a sliding scale $10-20 fee.
The annual budgets displayed below, show how the money from these fees has been—and will be—put to use! Every year, OPIRG McMaster also undergoes a financial audit by an independent auditor, ensuring that our finances are being used and recorded effectively, in accordance with generally accepted Canadian accounting principles. Financial audits are also attached below.
Financial Accountability
Annual Budgets
OPIRG McMaster budgets are prepared by the OPIRG Board of Directors (full-time McMaster undergraduates elected for one-year terms) and staff and presented for approval by the OPIRG Membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of OPIRG McMaster each year.
Annual Budgets
Annual Financial Audits
According to OPIRG McMaster’s Constitution, Article 16.2 “The Board shall ensure that the records and books of account of the Corporation are audited at least once each fiscal year or at such other times as it deems necessary and appropriate. The Directors shall ensure that all necessary books and records of the Corporation required by the By-laws of OPIRG McMaster or by any applicable statute of law are regularly and properly kept.”
Annual Audits
Fall Opt-Out
Full-time McMaster undergraduate students may opt-out of OPIRG McMaster’s $5.50 fee during a three-week period following the Drop and Add period.
The 2022-2023 opt-out period runs from September 15th at 12:00 AM to October 6th at 11:59 PM.
Click the link below to find more information and the opt-out form.
If you choose not to opt out, you are an OPIRG McMaster member by default. As a member, you:
- Can apply for funding for your own social justice or environmental project ideas as a public interest project
- Have the opportunity to apply for numerous volunteer positions, or run for the board of directors and gain experience on the board of an NGO
- Can attend all of OPIRG’s workshops, events, and film screenings
- Can access OPIRG resources including activist equipment, our button maker, library books, and much more!
OPIRG McMaster has over 20 years of supporting students engaging with important public interest issues, check out some of our history of activism and community engagement, and start making history yourself!
Please contact us if you have any questions or want to talk further about OPIRG McMaster’s work.