Structure

Membership:

OPIRG Toronto is a hybrid organization whose members include UofT students as well as community members. We are a recognized student levy at the University of Toronto, and receive funding through a levy fee paid by UofT students as part of their incidental fees. All UofT students who have not opted out of their incidental fees are therefore automatically members of OPIRG. Membership is also open to community members who are interested in getting involved, and requires a nominal membership fee. You do not need to be a member to volunteer.

Provincial PIRG

OPIRG Toronto is a part of a wider network of Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) that exist at university campuses all across so-called Canada. All PIRGs share a similar structure and mandate, but operate independently of one another. There are ten PIRGs based in Ontario, all of which are members of a provincial network known as Ontario PIRG. This province-wide network provides a platform for individual PIRGs in Ontario to share ideas and resources and work together. The province-wide network also hosts an annual networking and training event known as the Ontario PIRG Community Activist Training (OCAT).

By-laws and Policies

You can download our bylaws below:
2024 OPIRG Toronto Bylaws

Board

OPIRG Toronto has 8 positions on its Board of Directors, which is made up of a composite of our membership including Graduate, Undergraduate, and Part-time Undergraduate members and paying community members. Board members are elected at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and can sometimes be appointed throughout the year by the acting Board to fill vacancies in line with our By-laws.

Our Board of Directors functions on a modified consensus-based decision-making model and prioritizes those from marginalized communities, including but not limited to racialized, queer and trans, immigrant, Disabled/Mad, and low-income communities. Our Board typically consists of students and community members that have been involved with OPIRG in various other capacities for multiple years. If you are interested in becoming involved, we encourage you to come by to our office and volunteer with us!