Join SFPIRG’s Board of Directors!

Organize with us! Get active in social and environmental justice! Help support a vibrant student organization and make a difference in your communities! Join SFPIRG’s Board of Directors!

SFPIRG is a student-run and student-funded resource centre for social and environmental justice! We are run by a student-led Board of Directors that govern SFPIRG, guide our vision and direction, and help us engage students and community in social and environmental justice! We especially encourage those from under-represented groups on campus, as well as those with a strong intersectional analysis, to put forth a nomination.

Are you interested in joining? Read on!

Important dates

  • Nomination period: Tuesday February 23th to Tuesday March 9th at noon, 2021
  • Info session run by current Board members about their experiences: Friday Feb. 12 from 10-11am (the event link is here)
  • Info sessions run by our Independent Electoral officer about the nomination process:
    • Tuesday Feb. 23 from 6:30-7:30pm, the event link is here
    • Thursday Feb 25 from 11am-12pm (noon), the event link is here

Learn more!

How to apply

Your nomination is composed of five different parts. Please submit all items by email to eo@sfpirg.ca, by noon on Tuesday March 9, 2021. Make sure you read the information package and nomination package!

Here are the items to submit:

  1. Complete, sign and submit this nominations form (typed “signatures” not permitted)
  2. Attach a candidate statement for use in election materials, if elections happen (200 words max)
  3. Provide answers to the following questions:
    • Why do you want to be a board member of SFPIRG?
    • What plans do you have for your term on the SFPIRG board?
    • What do you understand social and environmental justice to be?
    • What social and environmental justice issues are you passionate about?
    • What life experiences do you have that will contribute to you work as a board member of SFPIRG and the diversity of the organization?
    • Are you aware that SFPIRG supports reproductive justice, gender and sexual diversity, and believes that people have the right to be and choose their own gender? Are you comfortable, as a board member, in upholding these values?
  4. Email a photo (300 dpi, jpg preferred) to include in the poster and on the website in the case of elections
  5. Submit ten (10) completed nomination signature forms (available here) filled out by SFPIRG members

Frequently Asked Questions

How many board members are there?
SFPIRG has 3-9 board members. Our past board had 6 people on it.

How long is the Board of Directors term?
The Board of Directors term is from the beginning of May 2021, to the end of April 2022.

What is the time commitment? How many meetings are there per month?
The time commitment is 3-5 hours per week. There will be at least one 2-hour meeting or training every two weeks.

When do elections happen?
Elections only happen if there are more than 9 people nominated to be on the Board. If there are more than 9 applicants, the campaign period will run March 12-24.

Who can be a part of the Board?
Anyone who is a member of SFPIRG can be part of the Board! All SFU students are SFPIRG members, unless you have requested to revoke your membership and have your fees reimbursed. Most often, Board members are SFU students, but staff, faculty and community members are also encouraged to apply! A maximum of 2 Board members can be non-students.
We especially encourage those from under-represented groups on campus, as well as those with a strong intersectional analysis, to put forth a nomination.

What does the Board do? What would my responsibilities be?
The role of the SFPIRG Board is to support SFPIRG’s projects and committees. As a board member, you will be a key part of the planning, visioning and setting of priorities for the organization, and you’ll work with staff on our projects. You’re also responsible for the organization’s governance, which includes abiding by SFPIRG’s constitution and bylaws, as well as the collective agreement signed by SFPIRG’s unionized staff.

What can I learn on the Board?
You will have the opportunity to learn more about social and environmental justice issues, and to take action and organize for transformative change on- and off-campus. You will grow your skills around consensus-based decision making, meeting facilitation, non-profit governance and financial management skills. And, you will learn about community research, organizing and building community grounded in care and liberation.

Do I have enough experience to be on the Board?
Yes! This is an opportunity for your to learn and grow! No one can have all the solutions, and everyone has a role to play in movements for social and environmental justice!

What is SFPIRG’s decision-making approach?
We use consensus-based decision making as the basis for our work! This decision making model works to include everyone’s input, with the goal of support solutions that everyone actively supports, or at least can live with. The goal is to weave together everyone’s best ideas, listen closely and address concerns, and find solutions that work for everyone.