Waterloo Co-operative Residence Incorporated - Governance

Governance

As a co-operative, WCRI is a representative democracy. The members elect a board of ten directors to oversee the business and affairs of the corporation. Elections take place every twelve months, with directors holding office for rotating one-year terms. The board selects a general manager who hires staff to assist in the General Manager's business operations, based on a policy governance model. The board sets the board policy, while the General Manager in consultation with staff including resident student division managers implement staff policies.

In addition, there are a number of decentralized decision-making bodies within the co-op structure; such as, Division Councils, Division Social Councils, Interdivision Social Council, Interdivision Council, and a variety of potential committees for activities such as sports, social outreach, and environmental. The Social Councils organize social events of various sizes, while division council must approve social spending for their division, and may also have the ability to make small purchases - this amount is relatively small usually not amounting to more than a couple hundred dollars per term on average. Interdivision council has the ability to fund larger projects which will cost over 1000$; while interdivision social council (IDSC) usually has the capacity to throw a few good sized events. Fresh week - WCRI's frosh is also a somewhat regular mainstay, and is a type of orientation week and general social for members.