The Quebec Public Interest Research Group at Concordia

QPIRG Mandate:

QPIRG Concordia is a student funded, non-profit organization that strives to raise awareness and motivate grassroots activism around diverse social and environmental issues. We seek to make campus-community links and inspire social change through engaging, inclusive and non-hierarchical approaches. QPIRG is a resource centre for student and community activism that is independent from the Concordia administration and student union. Membership is open to all. Both students and community members are welcome to make use of our space and resources as well as participate in QPIRG projects.

Our operations include maintaining technical support for working groups, hosting various speakers and events, skill-building workshops, a resource centre, and responding to organizational needs of the activist communities. If you have an idea, we can help you make it a reality. QPIRG is committed to being inclusive and accessible to all; we recognize the links between various forms of oppression and are actively opposed to discrimination o­n the basis of gender, race, class, sexual orientation, dis/ability, health, size, citizenship status, language and spiritual beliefs.

QPIRG History

Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) emerged and spread around the continent after the initial PIRG was founded by Ralph Nader in Washington in 1970. Historically, the PIRGs' mandate has been to provide a structure within which students and community members can develop the knowledge and practical skills needed in activism and community work. By providing a forum and training ground for people to be engaged community participants, the PIRG complements the academic structure by linking theory and practice. All PIRGs are directed by a volunteer board of governors composed of students and other community members. The diversity among PIRGs reflects the diversity of its membership and volunteer board.

At Concordia, QPIRG started as a student club funded by the student union in 1981. Its popularity grew until a referendum in 1989 determined that QPIRG would be independent and funded by a student fee levy. Paid staff now accompany the volunteers that help keep QPIRG running. Over the years, QPIRG Concordia has expanded its mandate and projects to include a wide range of community activism and research. We encourage students to benefit from QPIRG and create QPIRG working groups, apply for funding for projects and research, and learnskills by volunteering for events, projects, or the board of governors.

QPIRG Structure
Since 2007 all undergraduate students at Concordia become automatic members of QPIRG Concordia through the 0.31$ per credit paid with regular school tuition.  Should you wish to opt out of our fee levy, our opt out period is the week following the last day for academic withdrawal and will be posted o­n our news page and at the CSU office.

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.

Staff:

QPIRG Concordia currently employs four paid staff members. Two Core Coordinators (Poya and Nathalie), a Finance Coordinator (Tasha), and a Resource Coordinator (Michel). They are collectively responsible for the operations of the organization.

Working Groups: [ More Info ]

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 o­n-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 o­n 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!

Affiliate Groups:[ More Info ]

Affiliate Groups are like grown up working groups. They are groups that began as QPIRG working groups and which have grown to a point that they are relatively self-sustainable. They retain their QPIRG affiliation in order to continue to have access to some of the resources available here, like office space, affiliation to the university, incorporation status or grant writing, but no longer depend o­n QPIRG for a budget.

Solidarity Groups[ More Info ]

Solidarity Groups are groups that use QPIRG as a space out of which to organize and who use the administrative resources, but who don’t receive a budget from QPIRG as working groups do.