And the survey says…
This summer a survey of Network members, alumni, Rights & Democracy staff, including the Network's was carried out to determine the challenges facing the Network, and possible solutions. The two main challenges were:
- Improving coherence and communication between Rights & Democracy, Network staff, and members while maintaining a grassroots approach
- Improving coherence and communication within the Network
The NCC – What's that?
The Network Consultative Committee is a mechanism that has been proposed to address the above challenges. Composed of Network members (students and alumni), as well as Network and potentially Rights & Democracy staff, its three basic roles will be to:
- Support the work of the Network staff in setting the overall direction of the Network and act as a resource for them
- Foster and facilitate inter-delegation communication across the country
- Help strengthen the links between the Network and Rights & Democracy's programmes and staff.
It will not be a decision-making body (ergo Consultative Committee), but rather a group that will generate clear recommendations to the Network staff to respond to members' needs and facilitate communication following a bottom-up approach.
Who will sit on the NCC?
The NCC's permanent members will be composed of three Network student members from the Eastern Region (ie Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and PEI) and three from the Western Region (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba). There will also be two Network alumni, Network staff, and possibly Rights & Democracy staff who will sit on the NCC.
Members who sit on the NCC will be chosen by Network members in a national online vote, with terms lasting two years. Committee members should be passionate about human rights, grassroots movements, transparency, democratic values, and innovation, and be active in their home delegations.
How will the NCC work?
The committee will use a combination of in-person and long-distance meetings once every month or two. The Network staff will be coordinators of the NCC who will help to guide its work. The NCC is meant to be a creation of its members; as such, its structure should be determined by its members in response to their needs and the needs of the Network. There would therefore be no rigid hierarchy or predefined roles (such as secretary, president, etc.), but rather positions will be created according to the needs of the committee.
The NCC will hopefully work by consensus, with meetings open to all interested members and Rights & Democracy staff, who can add items to meeting agendas and comment on minutes and NCC-produced reports as well. Non-NCC members would not be able to take part in the consensus decision-making process, but they could participate in discussions.
What will the NCC do/discuss?
As mentioned before, the NCC should focus on addressing the needs of the delegations and the Network. The NCC only has jurisdiction to have an impact on decisions made within the Network, with the Network staff providing guidelines.
By working directly with Network staff, the NCC will act as a permanent resource for Network staff to respond to members' needs and concerns, develop resources, act as a sounding board for new projects or strategic directions, facilitate knowledge sharing, and help bring creativity and fresh ideas.
Whatever the NCC does, it must fit into the mandate and priorities of the Network and Rights & Democracy and ensure that the focus is kept on the human rights approach and developing countries. In addition to the roles outlined above, here is a list of potential projects the NCC could take on when and where appropriate:
- Network needs analysis – The NCC could do a needs analysis of the Network, and then delegations could help to respond to the needs identified.
- Mission statement, goals, and strategic planning – When Rights & Democracy is doing its strategic planning, the NCC can get involved in this process, which could help ensure the long-term sustainability and focus of the Network, as well as help define its niche and identity.
- National and international initiatives:
- reinforcing the capacities of youth within Canada as well as in Rights & Democracy's priority countries through peer-to-peer training meetings if and where possible and appropriate, exchanges, contests, and information and communications technologies (ICT)
- coordinate the delegations across Canada to carry out a certain event or activity on the same day or week
- play an active role in developing campaigns like the Panties for Peace in Burma
- facilitate partnerships with other organizations, especially ones that work with youth
- Recommendations - The NCC could be the jury that recommends approval of Network initiatives, and/or the selection of candidates for participation at training sessions, conferences, and exchanges.
- Workshop/resource creation –for use at local, regional, and national events, and perhaps inspired by resources created by delegations across the country, which respond to a particular need (i.e. recruitment).
- Alumni network – involve alumni members on the NCC, this could be a great opportunity to kick-start this programme.
- Outreach – the creation of the NCC increases the capacity and on-the-ground presence of the Network. This could mean increased contact with existing members and/or increased recruiting capacity for new ones.
Why would I want to join the NCC? What are its benefits?
The NCC is a chance for the Network and university delegations in Canada to put in practice the principles of democratic development by involving members in the overall direction of the Network. It is also an opportunity for highly involved delegations to engage on another level beyond their campuses, and leave their mark by taking active part in shaping a new initiative. Furthermore, NCC members will be able to meet other awesome Network members across the country, as well as other Rights & Democracy staff, and contribute to real, concrete solutions for the Network.
The opportunities are nearly endless!!
