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Project Nujio'qonik by World Energy GH2 Coalition for a Green New Deal: Who We Are What is Project Nujio'qonik? Project Nujio'qonik is also known as the Port-au-Port & Stephenville Wind Power & Hyd rogen Generation Project. It's a wind-to-hydrogen mega-project being proposed by Worl d Energy GH2 for construction on the Port-au-Port peninsula and in the area around Stephenville. The project, if approved, would see 164 wind turbines built on the Port-au-Port peninsula and a Hydrogen Generation Plant built in Stephenville. Who is World Energy GH2? World Energy GH2, founded in 2022, is a NL based subsidiary of a US company called World Energy LLC, one of the USA's biggest suppliers of biodiesel. The CEO of World Energy GH2 is Sean Leet, whose previous appointments include Director and CEO of two Maritime Transportation companies, KOTUG and Horizon Maritime. The chairman of Project Nujio'qonik is Nova Scotian billionaire John Risley, founder of Clearwater Seafoods. (Notice that no one here has any previous experience in wind energy or hydrogen generation) Members of the Social Justice Co-op NL, Council of Canadians, and Clean NL, rally for a Federal Impact Assessment of Project Nujio'qonik outside 10 Barter's Hill in St. John's on Friday September 22, 2023. Photo by Kassie Drodge Why are people concerned? A group of local residents called the E nvironmental Transparency Committee (ETC) outline many reasons for concern in their August 29th media release. Read the release in full by clicking here , or check out some highlights below: "We were already worried when this project was sprung on us last summer," says Marilyn Rowe, Chair of the Sheaves Cove Local Service District. "It was obvious then that trying to crowd 164 giant turbines onto our little peninsula would threaten our environment, our communities and ou r way of life. The preliminary work on roads and test towers has already caused significant destruction. The EIS [Environmental Impact Statement submitted by World Energy GH2] shows that the impacts will be even worse." The EIS, required by the Province, represents the proponent company's version of the impacts they anticipate and how they will address any problems. It is a massive multi-volume document detailing their technologically complex and economically questionable plan to use the area's wind energy to transform water into hydrogen and then into ammonia for shipment overseas from the port of Stephenville. Like Muskrat Falls before it, this mega-proposal suffers from an extreme form of optimism bias, apparently shared by the provincial government. The Port au Port Peninsula is home to some 4,000 people, a majority of Mi'kmaq descent, and is known for its relatively unspoiled natural environment, its rare and endangered species, and its unique blend of Indigenous, French and English cultures. A year ago when word began to spread there about the proposed mega-project, local people formed the Port Au Port Environmental Transparency Committee to demand a say in the decision-making and an end to the secrecy and conflicts of interest surrounding the project. "We've performed our due diligence, talked to the company, taken part in their staged 'consultations' and challenged their experts," says Nadine Tallack of the ETC. "All during that time, the proponent was continuing their preliminary work, while meeting with the provincially-appointed committee of government employees to make the drastic changes and additions to their original proposal that they have now entrenched in their EIS." With members locally throughout the Peninsula and supporters across Newfoundland and Labrador, the ETC has received formal letters of support from provincial and national organizations, including EnviroWatch NL, the Social Justice Co-operative of Newfoundland and Labrador, CLEAN NL and the Council of Canadians. "This World Energy mega-project is not 'green energy' at all," says Helen Forsey of the Council of Canadians Avalon/NL Chapter. "Its construction alone will require huge amounts of fossil fuels and earth minerals, and its operation will rely on power from the provincial grid to cover fluctuations in the wind source. Moreover, nothing even partially 'green' will stay here in the Province: the ammonia will be shipped overseas to European markets, generating further emissions and wasting more energy to reconvert it to a usable form. Newfoundland/Ktaqmkuk will be left with the devastating environmental and social consequences of the whole profiteering venture." Read Full Media Release What are people asking for? The Environmental Transparency Committee, with the support of EnviroW atch NL, the Social Justice Co-operative of NL, CLEAN NL, and the Council of Canadians, are asking that Minster Stephen Guilbeault designate Project Nujio'qonik for a impa ct assessment through the federal Imp act Assessment Agency. The federal impact assessment process i s more comprehensive than the pro vincial one and provides for public participation . Trust has broken down between concerned residents and the provincial government, leading to a lack of trust in the provincial government's capacity to carry out an honest and sufficient assessment. Concerns about Premier Furey's connection to Project Nujio'qonik's billionaire chairman John Risley emerged after news broke last fall of Furey and Risley enjoying a fishing trip together in July 2021 at Risley's luxury cabin in Labrador. Concerns have also been raised about Furey's friendship with businessman Brendan Paddick , a director at World Energy GH2. These concerns have intensified since the Independent NL broke a story about the provincial government peddling the province on the international energy market as the 'World’s First Net-Zero Potential Energy Super Basin' and uncovered covert plans to const ruct a hydrogen transportation pipeline through unceded Innu lands in Labrador . Minister Guilbeault is to decide whether to designate Project Nujio'qonik for a federal Impact Assessment by October 3r d . A federal impact assessment will ensure the public has a chance to participate in considering the environmental impact of Project Nujio'qonik. Read SJC Letter of Support Update - September 29, 2023 The ETC worked hard to push Minister Guilbeault to designate the project for Federal Impact Assessment. Unfortunately despite the comprehensive case they made, and the many letters of support contributed by groups like the SJC, Council of Canadians, and the FFAW, the minister decided not to designate the project for a federal impact assessment. Instead he left the environmental and impact assessment in the hands of the province. The provincial process is not as comprehensive as the federal one and does not provide any funding for public intervenors, which is how concerned residents get their voices heard in the assessment process. The ETC is now considering setting up a parallel community-run impact assessment process. If you're interested in being involved in this shoot us an email at SocialJusticeCoopNL@gmail.com and we'll put you in touch. A second west coast based group working to ensure concerns about the potential negative impacts of Project Nujio'qonik and others like it get heard is the South Coast Alliance. We had the great pleasure of meeting with Brenda from the South Coast Alliance this week. They are advocating for a "six-month pause, with time extension possibilities, on approving industry projects on the Southwest Coast until proper Cumulative Effects Assessment studies and meaningful consultations are concluded". This includes the wind-to-hydrogen mega-project proposed by World Energy GH2, Project Nujio'qonik. If you're on Facebook, you can join their group "Protect NL " to stay updated on their activities. Brenda came all the way to St. John’s to bring flyers, petitions and protest signs to raise awareness. Send us a message at SocialJusticeCoopNL@gmail.com to get some flyers and petitions! You can also email the South Coast Alliance at ProtectNL@outlook.com Project Nujio'qonik Incompatible with Revolution of Care SJCNL Volunteer Coordinator, Lea Movelle, opens Sept 22nd Rally for Federal Impact Assessment of Project Nujio'qonik by calling out provincial government for greenwashing, drawing parallels to Muskrat Falls, thanking Environmental Transparency Committee for raising their voices, and encouraging a Revolution of Care. Jude Benoit shares concerns about Work Camps, Noise Pollution, Environmental Racism Jude Benoit, longtime Two Spirit Mi'kmaq activist, co-founder of the Indigenous Activist Collective and member of the SJC shares concerns about the impacts of Project Nujio'qonik on their home and family. Helen Forsey says Current Assessment Process is largely Managed by and for the Proponent (World Energy GH2) Helen Forsey, with the Council of Canadians, says the Avalon chapter has been working with the Environmental Transparency Committee since January on effort to secure a Federal Impact Assessment for Project Nujio'qonik. Emphasizes that a Federal Impact Assessment would allow for more true public participation, both through funding for public intervenors, and a longer, more detailed and more independent process in place. Rally for Federal Impact Assessment for Project Nujio'qonik Ends in Group Chant: Protestors chant, "We're here to fight for the future we need, the elites won't save us from their own greed" Thanks to Kassie Drodge for capturing all of the photos and videos from the rally <3 Update - November 12, 2023 On November 1st, Minister Bernard Davis announced that the NL government would not be approving Project Nujio'qonik and asked World Energy GH2 for more information in their environmental assessment, including "potential and cumulative effects of the project." This is a huge win for groups across the province who have been raising questions about this mega project! On October 27, we joined protesters from the Environmental Transparency Committee in Port au Port who raised important questions about the project and are so excited that their efforts have been successful on this front. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/no-decision-yet-n-l-government-says-world-energy-gh2-proposal-needs-more-information-1.7015232

Our Roots Our Roots: Welcome The climate crisis is here. Every day animals go extinct, more land is flooded or becomes too dry to grow crops, storms grow bigger, wildfires become stronger, and the ice caps are melting under our feet. The problem feels insurmountable but humans created this problem—and it’s up to us to fix it. The Social Justice Co-operative NL formed in 2013 to continue the 50+ year tradition of speaking out for social justice, connecting the local with the global, and working with like-minded agencies for common social change goals. Oxfam Canada set up a regional office in St. John’s in 1964 at the instigation of a group of local activists and with staff members dedicated to build support and connections between projects in developing countries and our own communities. Oxfam Canada focused on the needs and concerns of communities in the developing world. Increasingly this was challenged by NL people and communities demanding that Oxfam recognise the links between the struggles of communities in NL and in the so-called “developing world”. Spurred by questions and demands from the local grassroots, the local Oxfam office on Duckworth Street became the hub of activism and progressive thinking. The crucial ingredients of success were dynamic and well informed staff, strong support from the national office and an activist community in support. Faced with funding cuts and a Conservative government, Oxfam Canada closed down most of its regional offices and ceased their focus on the connections between local and global issues. The activist group in St. John’s argued vociferously against this change , while also pointing out that the building on Duckworth St had been bought and maintained by the community and should remain a community resource. The Social Justice Cooperative of NL was formed to take over the building and to continue what we saw as the most important work of Oxfam in NL - its focus on the urgent need for social justice for everyone and on the connections between local and global. The particular form of the SJC came about because of the Harper era strictures and limitations on the political work of “charities”. While it makes us somewhat of an “oddball” in the context of the formal structures of the Federation of Cooperatives, our membership in the Federation helps us to think seriously about what “cooperation” means in terms of equality and justice for everyone. Since 2019, the SJC has been leading a campaign to address the climate crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador by connecting with activists and organizing a wide range of actions with a vision of anti-racism, anti-colonialism, and international worker solidarity. In the past few years, we have done important groundwork to build a movement in our province around social and environmental justice by building strong and respectful partnerships with allied organizations, and creating space for new people to get involved and champion causes. By organizing around a broad issue like climate change, we have integrated many related issues into a cohesive vision for how to transform our province into a more environmentally and socially just place. A key aspect of our strategy is to let members lead our work and use our staff to support them. This has created space for volunteers to pursue their passions and take initiative organizing events or action teams. We are always looking for more people to get involved and if you would like to learn more about our work, please reach out at socialjusticecoopnl@gmail.com . To strengthen our base and independence from government, we are also seeking individuals to donate to support our work. Please consider becoming a financial ally and supporting our Resources for Revolution campaign here . Our Roots: Text The climate crisis is not an easy problem and will need a multi-pronged solution to fix, but as this pandemic has shown, we can do hard things. By working together, we can overcome anything. Our Roots: Text

Sex Worker Solidarity Mar 6, 2021 In March of 2021, we participated in the Safe Harbour Outreach Project's (SHOP) "Stories of Sex Worker Solidarity" in recognition of #InternationalSexWorkerRightsDay . Below is a video submission by our Volunteer Coordinator. Another one of our members sent a mesage of solidarity too! SJC member Heather says that... "Sex workers are often members of other marginalized groups that don’t need any more barriers in front of them to get the services they need. When they are survivors of violence, they should have their complaints taken seriously, regardless of what they do for a living. They should be able to exist without fear of repercussions or victimization just for existing. And, above all else, sex work is valid work and should be treated as such. Self-determination exists in other work, and it should not be kept from sex workers because some people are uncomfortable with their chosen occupation." Thank you to SHOP for all your crucial work in the community, for championing the dignity and rights of sex workers, and for inviting us to be part of this iniative. Previous Next

Statement in Solidarity with Palestine Jan 25, 2024 Written by the Free Palestine Action Team The Social Justice Co-op of Newfoundland and Labrador (SJCNL) Free Palestine Action Team recognizes that Canada and Israel are both settler colonial states built on stolen land. The struggle for social justice is not bounded by national borders; as we fight to dismantle colonialism in so-called Canada, we must also stand against colonialism abroad. In alignment with our principles of revolutionary care, we are committed to uplifting the voices of those most marginalized and we recognize that there is no justice or liberation without collective liberation. We organize in solidarity with the Palestinian people, whose struggle under a settler colonial system of domination has been ignored for too long. The Palestinian Territories—the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip—have been occupied by Israel since 1967. Israel imposes different legal, economic and security regimes on the people under its control based on their ethnicity, religion and place of residence. This system can only be described as Apartheid. Palestinians are denied many basic rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of movement and the right to vote. The ‘Israeli-Palestinian Conflict’ is not a conflict between two equal nation-states. Only one side has an army, an air force, and a nuclear arsenal. Only one side has self-determination, sovereignty, and international recognition. Only one side has the unconditional support of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. To remain neutral in light of this asymmetry would be to uphold an unjust and unequal status quo. The Gaza Strip is a walled off piece of land smaller than the City of St. John’s but with more than 20 times the population. The majority of the 2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza are UN-registered refugees, the descendants of people who fled or were expelled from what is now Israel when that country was founded in 1948. Since 2005, Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade, destroying the territory’s economy. People and goods cannot enter or leave Gaza without specific permission from Israel. The unemployment rate is over 40%, and the majority of residents rely on humanitarian aid. As our members have called out in the past , Gaza is essentially an open-air prison. Israeli attacks on Gaza killed more than 5,000 Palestinians between 2005 and 2022; over the same period, Palestinian militants from Gaza killed some 180 Israelis. On October 7th 2023, Palestinian militants attacked Israeli communities and military bases near the Gaza Strip, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping over 200. In response, Israel’s bombing campaign has since killed over 25,000 Palestinians, including over 10,000 children. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have indiscriminately struck homes, apartment buildings, mosques, churches, hospitals, schools, and bakeries. Israel has also imposed a severe blockade, preventing most food, water, and medicine from entering Gaza. The humanitarian situation inside the Gaza Strip is growing more desperate by the day as people run out of the basic necessities of life. One atrocity cannot be made right by committing another; Israel’s "war" on Gaza will only perpetuate a cycle of violence whose root causes remain unaddressed. True peace can only be achieved when there is justice, equality, dignity, and freedom for all people living in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, regardless of ethnicity or religion. The longer the bombing, siege and occupation of Gaza continue, the farther away this prospect becomes. The current Israeli government is the most extreme in the country’s history. Israeli political leaders and military commanders have made repeated statements advocating for the ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. These statements along with the indiscriminate violence unleashed on Gaza form the basis of the South African case against Israel, under the Genocide Convention, that is currently before the International Court of Justice. We welcome Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s belated call for a “sustainable ceasefire”, but that is not sufficient. In spite of everything that has happened over the past 110 days, Canada remains a staunch ally of Israel, making all of us complicit in Israeli actions. The Government of Canada must end this complicity once and for all. We call on the Members of Parliament for Newfoundland and Labrador to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, a lifting of the blockade on Gaza, a two-way arms embargo on Israel, and an end to the occupation and colonization of Palestinian land: Ken McDonald (Avalon), Churence Rogers (Bonavista-Burin-Trinity), Clifford Small (Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame), Yvonne Jones (Labrador), Gudie Hutchings (Long Range Mountains), Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East), and Seamus O’Regan (St. John’s South-Mount Pearl). The world is watching, and failure to act now will not be forgotten. Free Palestine Action Team Social Justice Co-op of Newfoundland and Labrador In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, we wish to acknowledge that our website is hosted by Wix.com Ltd., a company we have since learned is headquartered in Israel. In solidarity with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, we are currently pursuing alternative webhosting options. Previous Next

Project Nujio'qonik Sep 22, 2023 What is Project Nujio'qonik? Project Nujio'qonik is also known as the Port-au-Port & Stephenville Wind Power & Hydrogen Generation Project. It's a wind-to-hydrogen mega-project being proposed by World Energy GH2 for construction on the Port-au-Port peninsula and in the area around Stephenville. The project, if approved, would see 164 wind turbines built on the Port-au-Port peninsula and a Hydrogen Generation Plant built in Stephenville. Who is World Energy GH2? World Energy GH2, founded in 2022, is a NL based subsidiary of a US company called World Energy LLC, one of the USA's biggest suppliers of biodiesel. The CEO of World Energy GH2 is Sean Leet, whose previous appointments include Director and CEO of two Maritime Transportation companies, KOTUG and Horizon Maritime.The chairman of Project Nujio'qonik is Nova Scotian billionaire John Risley, founder of Clearwater Seafoods. (Notice that no one here has any previous experience in wind energy or hydrogen generation) Why are people concerned? A group of local residents called the Environmental Transparency Committee (ETC) outline many reasons for concern in their August 29th media release. Read the release in full by clicking here, or check out some highlights below: "We were already worried when this project was sprung on us last summer," says Marilyn Rowe, Chair of the Sheaves Cove Local Service District. "It was obvious then that trying to crowd 164 giant turbines onto our little peninsula would threaten our environment, our communities and our way of life. The preliminary work on roads and test towers has already caused significant destruction. The EIS [Environmental Impact Statement submitted by World Energy GH2] shows that the impacts will be even worse." The EIS, required by the Province, represents the proponent company's version of the impacts they anticipate and how they will address any problems. It is a massive multi-volume document detailing their technologically complex and economically questionable plan to use the area's wind energy to transform water into hydrogen and then into ammonia for shipment overseas from the port of Stephenville. Like Muskrat Falls before it, this mega-proposal suffers from an extreme form of optimism bias, apparently shared by the provincial government. The Port au Port Peninsula is home to some 4,000 people, a majority of Mi'kmaq descent, and is known for its relatively unspoiled natural environment, its rare and endangered species, and its unique blend of Indigenous, French and English cultures. A year ago when word began to spread there about the proposed mega-project, local people formed the Port Au Port Environmental Transparency Committee to demand a say in the decision-making and an end to the secrecy and conflicts of interest surrounding the project. "We've performed our due diligence, talked to the company, taken part in their staged 'consultations' and challenged their experts," says Nadine Tallack of the ETC. "All during that time, the proponent was continuing their preliminary work, while meeting with the provincially-appointed committee of government employees to make the drastic changes and additions to their original proposal that they have now entrenched in their EIS." With members locally throughout the Peninsula and supporters across Newfoundland and Labrador, the ETC has received formal letters of support from provincial and national organizations, including EnviroWatch NL, the Social Justice Co-operative of Newfoundland and Labrador, CLEAN NL and the Council of Canadians. "This World Energy mega-project is not 'green energy' at all," says Helen Forsey of the Council of Canadians Avalon/NL Chapter. "Its construction alone will require huge amounts of fossil fuels and earth minerals, and its operation will rely on power from the provincial grid to cover fluctuations in the wind source. Moreover, nothing even partially 'green' will stay here in the Province: the ammonia will be shipped overseas to European markets, generating further emissions and wasting more energy to reconvert it to a usable form. Newfoundland/Ktaqmkuk will be left with the devastating environmental and social consequences of the whole profiteering venture." The ETC worked hard to push Minister Guilbeault to designate the project for Federal Impact Assessment. Unfortunately despite the comprehensive case they made, and the many letters of support contributed by groups like the SJC, Council of Canadians, and the FFAW, the minister decided not to designate the project for a federal impact assessment. Instead he left the environmental and impact assessment in the hands of the province. The provincial process is not as comprehensive as the federal one and does not provide any funding for public intervenors, which is how concerned residents get their voices heard in the assessment process. The ETC is now considering setting up a parallel community-run impact assessment process. If you're interested in being involved in this shoot us an email at SocialJusticeCoopNL@gmail.com and we'll put you in touch. A second west coast based group working to ensure concerns about the potential negative impacts of Project Nujio'qonik and others like it get heard is the South Coast Alliance. We had the great pleasure of meeting with Brenda from the South Coast Alliance this week. They are advocating for a "six-month pause, with time extension possibilities, on approving industry projects on the Southwest Coast until proper Cumulative Effects Assessment studies and meaningful consultations are concluded ". This includes the wind-to-hydrogen mega-project proposed by World Energy GH2, Project Nujio'qonik. If you're on Facebook, you can join their group "Protect NL" to stay updated on their activities. Brenda came all the way to St. John’s to bring flyers, petitions and protest signs to raise awareness. Send us a message at SocialJusticeCoopNL@gmail.com to get some flyers and petitions! You can also email the South Coast Alliance at ProtectNL@outlook.com Join the Conversation The SJC will be discussing Project Nujio'qonik at our Monthly General Meeting on: October 12 from 7-9pm NT | 6:30-8:30pm over zoom. Email us at SocialJusticeCoopNL@gmail.com for the invite. All are welcome! Check out our meeting accessibility details here: bit.ly/sjc-access Below is some footage from the rally that took place on September 22nd in St. John's. Protestors gathered in solidarity with the ETC to demand a federal impact assessment. Project Nujio'qonik Incompatible with Revolution of Care SJCNL Volunteer Coordinator, Lea Movelle, opens Sept 22nd Rally for Federal Impact Assessment of Project Nujio'qonik by calling out provincial government for greenwashing, drawing parallels to Muskrat Falls, thanking Environmental Transparency Committee for raising their voices, and encouraging a Revolution of Care. Jude Benoit shares concerns about Work Camps, Noise Pollution, Environmental Racism Jude Benoit, Two Spirit Mi'kmaq activist, co-founder of the Indigenous Activist Collective and member of the SJC shares concerns about the impacts of Project Nujio'qonik on their home and family. Helen Forsey says Current Assessment Process is largely Managed by and for the Proponent (World Energy GH2) Rally for Federal Impact Assessmentfor Project Nujio'qonikEnds in Group Chant: Protestors chant, "We're here to fight for the future we need, the elites won't save us from their own greed" Additional photos below! Big thanks to Kassie Drogde for capturing all the video and photos. Previous Next

Activist Film Collective to host Online Screening of Three Promises Apr 10, 2024 The Activist Film Collective would like to thank all those who helped us meet our fundraising goal to cover licensing and platform fees for an online provincial movie night screening of Three Promises by Yousef Srouji. Film Synopsis: "While the Israeli army retaliates against the Second Intifada in the West Bank in the early 2000s, a mother films her family's daily life, punctuated by time spent shielding her family from harm in the basement. Now, her son revisits this past, delivering a heart-breaking portrait of the anguish of parents who are forced to choose between their children’s physical safety and the emotional upheaval of leaving home." The organizing team is still in the process of deciding on a date. We welcome more volunteers to join us! Please email activistfilmcollective@gmail.com if you'd like to join the organizing team or for more info on volunteering. To register to receive an invitation to the event once a date as been decided, please submit the following form: To stay in touch with the Activist Film Collective you can follow us on instagram and facebook @activistfilmcollective Previous Next

Event Organizing Kit Want to organize an event but not sure where to start? Missing some supplies? Check out our organizing guide! Get in touch with lea@sjcnl.org with questions or for help. Open Event Kit

Land Back Fest Community gathered with the Indigenous Activist Collective in Bannerman Park on July 1 to celebrate Land Back Movements and Indigenous Peoples. Thank you to everyone who joined! Why celebrate colonial genocide when we can come together to celebrate and demand the return of Indigenous lands to Indigenous hands!? Have a look at these beautiful people and learn what inspired them to show up. <3 Just click on the photos to enlarge them. read captions, and image descriptions.

Acerca de Prison Pen Pal Project We are a group of volunteers building friendships through letter writing with community members experiencing incarceration in provincial penitentiaries in NL. Want to volunteer? Get in touch using the form at the bottom of the webpage or write to the address below. If you know someone experiencing incarceration who might like a pen pal, please let them know they can write to the address below to be matched with a pen pal. the pen pals c/o SJCNL PO box 7283 St. John's, NL A1E 3Y5 FAQ join the pen pals Send us a message, answering the questions above, to be matched with a pen pal. First Name Last Name Email Thanks for submitting! Message Send

Choose your pricing plan Join $ 10 10$ Purchase a one-time $10 membership share in SJC Select Best Value Join + Grow $ 10 10$ Every month Join the SJC and help us Grow by donating monthly! Select One-time $10 purchase of one membership share in the SJC Monthly $10 donation to sustain the work of SJC Grow $ 10 10$ Every month Help us Grow by donating monthly! Select Fund the Revolution $ 50 50$ Every month Resources for Revolution Select Donate: PaidPlans

Expectations of Directors of the Board of the Social Justice Co-operative The Board of Directors of the Social Justice Co-operative is a 9-person board responsible for ensuring the fiscal, legal, political, operational and administrative health of the organization. The focus of the board role is on building the capacity of the co-operative to sustain the operations of action teams, working groups, and other campaigns. While board members are not required to lead or participate in action teams, working groups, or other campaigns; occasional appearances at meetings of these groups are always welcome. The SJCNL board is a working board . This means that our board members work as unpaid staff for the nonprofit co-op since we do not yet have the financial resources to hire professional staff in most day-to-day positions. However, the SJCNL board is also a governing board , one that provides the leadership for the co-operative, consults with members and volunteers to shape strategic direction and co-operative policies, as well as provides financial oversight and ensures adequate resources for expenditures. Key responsibilities that our board fills on a monthly basis: - taking a leadership role in equity initiatives - keeping up to date financial records and maintaining synchronicity with the Co-operatives Act - maintaining the website and social media accounts - managing internal and external communications - reviewing, discussing, and approving new spending decisions or financial commitments - hosting monthly membership meetings - reviewing and approving membership applications - discussing any issues arising from organizing activities that could have legal implications for the co-operative, its board of directors, its staff, its membership, and its volunteers - overseeing the work of the SJC staff and supporting SJC staff in their work - reviewing and discussing proposed partnerships with other organizations - developing policy and other proposals for the consideration of members and volunteers While contributing to these collective responsibilities, there are individual expectations on each board member. Generally, it is expected that each board member: - Participate in a monthly board meeting . This usually requires reading agendas ahead of time, and preparing for any topics to which you will be required to speak - Participate in e-mail conversations on a weekly basis. In between monthly board meetings, the board does conduct some important conversations and decisions over e-mail. Board members can expect to have to reply to such e-mails 2-3 times per week. - Attend a minimum of 4 monthly general membership meetings per annum . These are open to all members, and a key opportunity for members to raise and discuss matters of importance to them. Board participation in these meetings gives board members a full understanding of the issues and realities of our members and volunteers, ensuring board activity is representative and supportive. - Assume at least one ongoing board responsibility . Each board member should take on some responsibility, outside of participation in meetings, in a least one portfolio area. Co-chair positions require extensive board coordination and staff liaising, as well as internal and external portfolios of responsibility, and the organization/facilitation of one co-operative committee (such as the equity team or the activities fund committee). Only the secretary and treasurer roles undertake daily and weekly tasks; as a result, these two roles do not entail organization/facilitation of a co-operative committee. Other portfolios may include: education and training fundraising governance and policy membership recruitment, onboarding, and support communications Altogether, board members can expect the time commitment of all of the above to be at least 16+ hours per month. This is not a hard rule, and rather an estimate to help board members set expectations.

Fund Reimbursement Are you applying for a community aid fund? Is the SJC holding funds for your org in trust? Have you paid out-of-pocket for supplies or services supported by SJC? Click the link below for the Expense Claim form for reimbursement! Expense Reimbursement Claim