OXFAM CANADA MEMBER POLICY

Approved by the Board March 8, 2002

PREAMBLE

Oxfam Canada encourages Canadians who support our aims to become members. Oxfam Canada volunteers, donors and other active supporters are encouraged to register as members.

POLICY

Oxfam Canada can contribute more effectively to ending global poverty and creating more equitable global systems with the commitment of time, energy, knowledge, money and democratic voice of Canadians as members. We wish to create a democratic organization that fosters opportunities for Canadians to learn about and demonstrate that they are global and Canadian citizens. We do this in order to increase Oxfam's reach and effectiveness in achieving our goals. We wish to create an organization that is inclusive, and that offers Canadians a variety of equally valued ways to contribute to Oxfam's goals.

Member Rights and Responsibilities

Members are responsible for the organization's governance through:

• Approval of Oxfam Canada bylaws;
• Approval of Oxfam Canada's audited financial statements;
• Appointment of Oxfam Canada's auditors;
• Nominating, contesting, and voting for elected positions in Oxfam Canada;
• Advising the Board of Directors on key policy issues and directions.
  

Members are expected to

• Participate out of a sincere commitment to Oxfam Canada's aims;
• Learn about Oxfam Canada's work and how they may best support it;
• Give a reliable commitment of time when they volunteer;
• Take advantage of orientation and training opportunities offered;
• Abide by procedures for member registration and administration, as outlined in Oxfam Canada's Bylaws and Rules and Procedures.
  

Members can expect that

• Oxfam Canada will give them access to information about Oxfam Canada's work and how they may best support it;
• Oxfam Canada will give them access to information about governance matters;
• Oxfam Canada values the diverse points of view of all members and solicits members' ideas and experience to make good decisions.
• Oxfam Canada respects the privacy of its members, and does not publish, trade or circulate their names.
• Oxfam Canada's primary communication with members is through electronic media (public website, intranet site, email and listserves). When members request paper communication, we will provide it.
• Oxfam Canada welcomes feedback and input from its members and is committed to building relationships with its members that value diversity and equality.
• Oxfam Canada also commits to developing an effective volunteer program to further Oxfam's missions with a plan for recruiting, screening, orienting, listening to, supporting and involving volunteer members in its work and its decision-making.
  

Member Engagement

Oxfam Canada strongly encourages members to undertake voluntary activities in support of Oxfam Canada's aims. Volunteers are encouraged to register as members and to participate in the many different kinds of voluntary action that are important for achieving Oxfam Canada's aims:

• Public education to promote Canadian support for global equity
• Campaigning on selected issues
• Policy and research work on priority issues
• Fundraising
• Administrative work in Oxfam offices
• Donating to Oxfam Canada
• Organizing and supporting the work of Oxfam Canada volunteers
• Promoting Oxfam Canada and its work in their community.
  

Oxfam Canada adheres to the Canadian Code for Voluntary Involvement.