QPIRG Concordia’s structure can be broken down as follows:
Membership
Since 2007 all undergraduate students at Concordia become automatic members of QPIRG Concordia through the 0.42$ per credit paid with regular school tuition. Since Fall 2010, all graduate students at Concordia are also become automatic members through the 0.50$ per student per semester paid with regular school tuition. Membership also consists of active volunteers and members of our working groups, solidarity groups and affiliate groups.
Fee Refunds
Should you wish to opt out of our fee levy (as of 2020, it is 42 cents per credit for Concordia undergraduate students, and 50 cents per semester for Concordia graduate students) our opt out period is the two weeks following the last day for academic withdrawal.
In order to receive your fee refund in person, you need to visit QPIRG Concordia during the opt out period during office hours and bring along your student id and show us your student account record with the up-to-date number of credits you are taking (you can provide this info in different ways: by showing your academic record via your own laptop or mobile phone; by logging onto to your myconcordia portal from a computer at our office; or by providing a printout of your record).
You can also opt out of our fee levy online by visiting concordiacommunity.org/opt-out-info.
For more info on opting-out, consult the Fee Levy Info tab.
Working Groups
The Working Groups are the heart of QPIRG. The Working Groups program aims to support small groups of volunteers who want to organize around a specific issue, idea, project, or campaign. Groups usually organize around o n-going or long-term issues, though some focus on a particular time-sensitive theme or topic depending on the year or semester. The sizes of working groups usually range from five to fifteen members, though some are even larger at times. While working groups may begin and organize independent of board or staff involvement, they are considered to be a part of QPIRG’s programming and are an integral part of the organization. The staff and board of QPIRG support the Working Groups by offering logistical, administrative, and financial support. This may look like facilitating meetings or discussions, strategizing on a publicity campaign, or training in budgeting and volunteer recruitment. Each working group can apply for a yearly budget, and has access to shared QPIRG resources such as meeting spaces, office supplies, a photocopier, fax, and computers. QPIRG staff also support the working groups with financial and office administration.
Is there something you’re passionate about? Do you want to get a small group working together o n an issue? New working groups can be started at any time, or you can join an existing group. Working groups are always looking for more members!
For more information on our current working groups, affiliate groups and solidarity groups, visit the WORKING GROUPS page.
Committees
QPIRG activities are sometimes organized using a committee structure, where members of the Board of Directors, staff people and volunteers work together to develop a project or implement a program. Some of these committees include the Library committee, the Programming committee, the Finance committee and the Policy committee. Please do get in touch if you are interested in participating in any of these committees or to learn about more volunteer opportunities at QPIRG!
Write us at info@qpirgconcordia.org
Board of Directors
At QPIRG, the board plays an integral part within the organization. With regular meetings and active participation in all aspects of QPIRG, board members set the organization’s agenda and direction, and support the staff. Members gain valuable experience and training in anti-oppression, how to be an employer, community organizing, and consensus building. A new board is elected during the fall semester at QPIRG’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), although new members can join at any time with consensus from the current board. People interested in joining QPIRG’s board should talk to the staff to get more information.
The Board of Directors consists of a 12 seats – 6 seats are reserved for Concordia student members, and the other 6 are reserved for Community members who may or may not be Concordia students. This reflects our mandate to create campus-community links.
The Board of Directors can be contacted directly at board@qpirgconcordia.org, though for most matters it is best to email QPIRG at info@qpirgconcordia.org.
Staff
QPIRG Concordia employs a staff of both permanent, work study and contract employees who help maintain the day to day functioning of the organization and play coordinating roles for many of our core projects and programs.
QPIRG Concordia currently employs three full-time staff members: Administration and Communications Coordinator, Organizational Planning and Finance Coordinator and Programming and Outreach Coordinator. They are collectively responsible for the operations of the organization.
Currently, QPIRG also works with an IT technician and a bookkeeper.
Conflict Resolution and Complaints Committee
The CRCC follows a CRCC policy to address complaints involving QPIRG members that cannot be resolved by the board of directors.
The CRCC can be emailed directly at crcc@qpirgconcordia.org, though for most matters it is best to email QPIRG at info@qpirgconcordia.org.