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In January of 2002, Saskatchewan Towards Offering Partnership Solutions to Violence Inc. became a non-profit corporation. In preparation for these changes, the Tasks Committee and the Coordinator of STOPS reviewed and developed bylaws and governance policies in accordance with Saskatchewan’s Non-Profit Corporations Act. It was important to maintain the ability for the partners to provide input on a consensus basis wherever possible. The by-laws and the Board (Tasks Committee) governance policies were designed to protect the value of equal participation by the partners. Currently, STOPS to Violence has an informed partner base of 240 community agencies, individuals and government partners. Our community agency and individual partners make up approximately 70% of our reach. This portion of the partnership includes over 80 communities in Saskatchewan. The STOPS to Violence government partner base makes up 30% and represents local, provincial, and federal government partners. STOPS to Violence has strived to do things differently from the classic “top down” process of decision-making. The structure of the organization, the interrelatedness of partners and partner groups are all defined in the following organizational chart. The following chart illustrates the “ripple effect” flow of the organization’s process and principles. 
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART DESCRIPTION Tasks Committee: The Tasks Committee (Board of Directors) is comprised of eight (8) STOPS to Violence members representing eight (8) different regions of Saskatchewan. The Tasks members hold a two year term which is determined from the date of the Annual General Meeting in which they were either elected by the membership, or appointed by acclamation. The regional diversity is to ensure that STOPS to Violence is governed by a body that is aware of interpersonal violence issues from rural, urban, First Nations and Metis communities. Decision-making by this body is done largely by consensus except in matters of approving financial expenditures. Motions are put forward, approved by the committee and entered into the Tasks Committee minutes. The Tasks Committee is financially accountable for the operational and program funding that is provided to the agency. They also ensure that the organization is fulfilling its goals to funding partners and the membership. The Tasks Committee may also take shared leadership roles in the Large Committee.
Large Committee: The large committee is comprised of members of community agencies, individuals, and government partners. The large committee meets for three working days each fiscal year. Attendance is fluid, participants at the provincial meetings may change from meeting to meeting. On average, between 35 to 45 members, agencies or government members attend. Decisions from the large committee are made by consensus wherever possible. The large committee helps to determine the strategic direction of the organization in short and long-term activity and goal setting. Networking and sharing of program information by participants is a component of every meeting. Voting and motions are only utilized during the Annual General Meeting.
Interdepartmental Committee on Interpersonal Violence and Abuse: The ICIVA is comprised of senior policy, research, or evaluation members of various provincial government departments. The Tasks Committee meets with the ICIVA to share information about the activities of STOPS to Violence and to receive information about current changes or work occurring within government. Members of the Interdepartmental Committee may also be associate members within the STOPS to Violence organization. **NOTE: In the organization chart, the ICIVA crosses all the rings of the chart. The ICIVA works on behalf of the government and consults with individuals, agencies and other governments who may or may not be a part of STOPS to Violence.
Informed Partners: This is comprised of members who have requested on-going information from STOPS to Violence. They may also include partners who attend the large committee as time, need, or desire permits. Currently, our informed partner list is over two hundred (200) individuals, agencies, and government partners.
Ad Hoc Committees: Ad Hoc Committees may include informed partners, or interested parties specific to the project or task that the ad hoc committee has been created for. STOPS to Violence policy requires the participation of at least one current Tasks Committee member.
Partnership Groups: In the province, there are various roundtable groups that specifically network on local issues of interpersonal violence and abuse. The STOPS to Violence office currently receives updates/minutes and has had a information/networking relationship with seven of these groups. Each group is unique and the elimination of interpersonal violence may only be a portion of the community action of that group. The STOPS to Violence office may have contact with many of the participants at these local roundtables, but not all the individuals or agencies participating at local partnership groups are partners or informed partners of STOPS to Violence.
Service Providers and Other Government Partners: These two categories include those who receive printed resources and those who may enquire about contacts within the STOPS to Violence partnership group. Province of Saskatchewan: This circle represents all citizens of Saskatchewan. Our principles of a violence free society include everyone, regardless of age, culture, ability or class.
STOPS to Violence Internal Staff: STOPS currently employs a coordinator and a part-time administration staff. The coordinator is responsible for facilitating or implementing the activities of the work plan. MEMBERSHIP
Membership in STOPS to Violence is not mandatory to participate in STOPS activities, however; two classes of membership were developed when incorporation occurred in January, 2002. They are described as follows: a) The membership of the corporation shall consist of regular members and associate members. i) A regular member is entitled all privileges of membership including right to vote at the Annual General Meeting; ii) An associate member is entitled to all privileges of membership except the right to vote at the Annual General Meeting.
b) The qualification for regular membership eligibility is as follows: i) An organization with special interest in relationship violence and abuse issues, or; ii) Any resident of Saskatchewan, who is 18 years of age or older and who has a special interest in relationship violence and abuse issues.
c) The qualification for associate membership eligibility is as follows: i) Any resident of Saskatchewan who is under 18 years of age and who has a special interest in relationship violence and abuse issues. ii) Any government department representative, who may be in conflict of interest due to funding capacity. |
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