OPIRG MCMASTER IS AN INCUBATOR FOR STUDENT-LED SOCIAL IMPACT.

Our promise to McMaster students has remained since 1995

Our promises:

  1. OPIRG will be student run and student directed

  2. Students will be able to use the services provided by OPIRG

  3. OPIRG will coordinate grants and internships for students

OPIRG uses student fees to create services that students can leverage to take on social or environmental justice initiatives. A student with an idea for a new initiative meets with OPIRG student volunteers to discuss how they want to channel their enthusiasm into addressing an issue in the community. The student is then connected to OPIRG services that will help turn their idea and enthusiasm into social impact.

OPIRG services that help create social impact:

  • A media team that advises your digital strategy, creates social media content, and engaging films.

  • Connections to students that want to volunteer.

  • A physical space on campus to meet and collaborate.

  • Specialized funding for early stage ideas and access to larger sums for established groups.

  • Event and administrative support, including grant-making. 

  • Internship opportunities at community organizations.

We are a part of a long-standing provincial network. The Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) is a network of eleven campus-based PIRGs in Ontario including OPIRG McMaster. The network facilitates collaboration between initiatives at each of the chapters, provides institutional memory, and administrative support.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND OPERATION

OPIRG’s core funding comes from full-time undergraduate students in a $5.50 refundable levy for the academic year. All full-time undergraduate students are automatically members. If you do not wish to support OPIRG McMaster, you can claim a full refund by opting out using our online opt-out during the three weeks after the Fall drop and add date. 

Members can access the resource library, apply for Experiential Learning positions, borrow equipment, attend workshops and events, vote at our Annual General Meeting, and are eligible to run for the OPIRG McMaster Board of Directors.

Anyone not full-time in an undergraduate program at McMaster can join OPIRG as a Community Member for a $10-20 sliding scale fee.

The annual budgets show how the money from these fees has been and will be put to use! Every year, OPIRG McMaster undergoes a financial audit by an independent auditor, ensuring that our finances are being used and recorded effectively by generally accepted Canadian accounting principles.

Our Values

  • OPIRG McMaster operates within an anti-oppressive framework. This means we centre on work in an understanding that achieving equity and a better future must dislodge the root causes of violence and inequality.

  • We hope to foster creative and new ideas to address important issues. We love the ideas we hear from community members and are open to chat.

  • We value cooperation and collaboration. Our groups use a consensus decision-making process.

  • We recognize the diversity on our campus and in our city. We work to promote accessibility and inclusion for all.

  • OPIRG McMaster provides resources and support to foster active community members.

  • We believe in the necessity of fighting for the land and water, hand-in-hand with fighting ongoing colonization.