2026 Board of Directors Candidate Profiles

Here are the Candidate Profiles for the eight nominees for the OPIRG Guelph Board of Directors.

The election will happen at our Annual General Meeting, on February 25th at 6:30pm (online).

In order to be able to vote in the Board election, you must:

Be a member in good standing of OPIRG Guelph. If you are a graduate student or a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, and have not received a levy refund this academic year, you are a Student member. If you’re not a U of G student, or if you’re a part-time undergrad, your Community membership must be current as of February 11th at 6pm. If you’re not sure if you’re a member in good standing, please reach out to mandy at organizational@opirgguelph.org.
Register for the AGM before Friday February 20th at noon. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/AGM-2026-Registration

We have only six seats available for the eight candidates, so please read the profiles carefully.

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Ash Ames

Are you running as a student or community member?

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Guelph and will be running as a Student member.

What kind of skills and experience (volunteer, work, life) would you bring to the OPIRG Board?

As a current board member now finishing my first term on the board, I am well informed about OPIRG’s activities and how to navigate being on its board. This solid grounding in our work and our values has left me well situated to complete another term on the board and to continue my work. In addition to this I have also spent over a year on the Central Student Association (CSA) Board of Directors and so I am knowledgeable about navigating CSA policies and bylaws, CSA activities (including some predating my time as a CSA director) the resources the CSA has for their membership. As many of our members are undergraduates and the CSA is the University of Guelph’s undergraduate student union and its most prominent platform for student advocacy, knowledge of what the CSA is doing is very useful in continuing OPIRG Guelph’s work.

Why are you interested in becoming a Board member?

I am interested in the board because I am passionate about social and environmental justice and because since I started working an OPIRG has helped me participate in the work I wish to see. In these past two years I’ve been on the OPIRG board I have greatly enjoyed getting to learn more about how to organize events, engage in campaigns and speak to members of the public about the values OPIRG holds. I would be happy to further my skills and do more for OPIRG Guelph and OPIRG Guelph’s membership in the years to come.

List three goals that you would like to see accomplished by the OPIRG Board.

Outreach. I would like to see OPIRG Guelph increase knowledge of OPIRG Guelph, and the services, and opportunities it offers to University of Guelph students through a targeted promotional campaign. This could include activities such as collaborative events, social media posts, and class talks. This campaign would encourage students to get involved with OPIRG Guelph, create action groups, and to come to events.
Action Groups. I would like to see the board helping to revitilize some our older currently active action groups like the Food Insecurity Group Support helping to advertise their existence, their past activities, and the work they are currently doing.
Inter-PIRG events. I would like to see OPIRG Guelph hosting more events in collaboration with other PIRG’s to get participants connected with these other PIRGs and that PIRG’s membership. This could be useful for students who will be graduating and moving somewhere where another PIRG is based.

OPIRG is continuing to work on issues of anti-oppression, which include, but are not limited to, racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, and ageism.

What are some of the ways that you think oppression can affect our work on social and environmental justice?

Oppression affects our work by dividing and sabotaging the work we are doing. With oppression, causes like environmentalism is separated from racial justice, and student advocacy is separated from migrant rights weakening our collective power. Without care and consideration to anti-oppressive practices we can find our work unintentional replicating the injustices we are trying to work against, replicating injustice hierarchies and disregarding knowledge from outside our own experiences. It will strip away and neutralize our efforts until we are left ineffectual to the issues our membership is facing.

Our work in environmental justice will be diluted and separated from the issues of race and class it ties so strongly into. Our work in social justice will be diluted to separate us from our advocacy, we will accept things as given and not truly challenge things as they are. We will simply be going through the motions and performing our advocacy rather than listening to what is going on and challenging the way that things are. We would be prioritizing the way things are over the way things could be.

Do you have any experience(s) or ideas that you can contribute to our work on anti-oppression?

As an undergraduate student involved in student activism, I’ve seen that sometimes students feel powerless and like their voices won’t be heard. In that sense I have always tried to be there for the membership of the groups I sit on the board of, whether that is the OPIRG Guelph Board or the CSA board. Even if I am only one person, I hold the power to help bring their concerns forward, to not let them get swept away into a tide of complacency. I did so on my time on the CSA board, helping bring students to speak, letting them know to the best of my ability what was going on and what I could do for them.

OPIRG works on a consensus decision-making model.

What are your experiences or understanding of the consensus process?

My experience with consensus decision making is that it works off the idea of coming to a solution all participants can actively support, or at least not block from occurring. In comparison to majority voting, consensus decision making works to integrate everyone’s perspective into the final proposal. In doing so it is a more involved process to majority voting and gives a greater importance to viewpoints outside the majority. For a decision to be made by consensus the people voting must agree or stand aside, meaning if someone has strong objections to a motion and blocks it, the motion will not go forward. To block means that the person blocking believes that to go forward with this decision would be against our group’s values, helping to stop the board from using their power to make unjustifiable decisions.

How would you approach conflict or difference in understanding/opinion in a consensus process?

I will approach it with the understanding that conflict in consensus decision making is not a failure but an experience of trust and consideration for different viewpoints. I will open myself up to hearing everyone out, to understanding why this conflict is occurring, and to thinking and considering if any changes can be made that will resolve the conflict. Once I have heard everyone out I can see if with this information I wish to change my own understanding of the situation, and may find that their viewpoint is one I agree with.

When it comes to the final decision, I will know I did what I could to resolve that situation and whether if the vote does or does not go through the vote was made reasonably and with a proper consideration of all the viewpoints presented.

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Val Hodgkinson

Are you running as a student or community member?

I am running as a student member.

What kind of skills and experience (volunteer, work, life) would you bring to the OPIRG Board?

I am a passionate environmentalist and climate activist pursuing my education in the Environmental Sciences. In my personal life, I strive to create change and inspire others to do the same through an understanding, meet-where-you’re-at approach to making small changes in your daily life that can better serve yourself and the environment in the long-run. I enjoy participating in a variety of public action movements against anti-environmental and anti-social justice policies in the provincial and federal parliament, and in the future, hope to be able to learn how to organize some of these movements myself. I believe my strong background in environmental justice alongside my growing knowledge of how to effectively pursue social justice is just what the OPIRG Guelph Boards needs – especially with my connection to the invaluable greenspace on campus, The Arboretum.

In my work and volunteer life, I am glad to have spent the last 3 years of my degree as a WorkStudy student with The University of Guelph Arboretum where I have learned how to lead large-scale successful referendums and organize a variety of events such as the annual Arboretum Research Studio and Arboretum Expo. I believe the plethora of experience in public speaking, community involvement, and determination in a social cause until it is passed is something invaluable. I have always been told I am headstrong, and while I believed this to be a bad thing way back then, I am proud of my work ethic in protecting and striving for what is important.

Since the ratification of the Arboretum student fee in 2024, I have proudly served as a member of the Arboretum’s Student Engagement Fee Committee where me and other student committee members represent the interests of the undergraduate student body, alongside others representing the graduate student body and Arboretum staff. Not only has this taught me many things about the behind the scenes of financial management of important student-based funding – which OPIRG Guelph operates primarily on, it has let me connect more with the undergraduate student body in what activities and services are most desired. This experience has been extremely helpful and an easy transfer to the expectations and responsibilities of being an OPIRG Board Member.

Why are you interested in becoming a Board member?

I am interested in being re-elected as a Board Member as I believe the few months since October 2025 when I was appointed by the current board has been much too short. I have so much more I want to learn, and do as a Board Member from learning more about how my position as a Board Member can positively impact the student body and community, to the unique opportunity for community connections. It has been very fulfilling to know how our decisions as a Board have helped both student groups and community groups alike from providing statements to support the movements and actions of social and environmental justice groups, allocating funding to organizations such as the Guelph Mission to assist our neighbours who require help the most, and partnering or sponsoring a variety of events.

I moved to Guelph to pursue my education and I came in as a stranger to the city and community. As a Board Member, I feel so much more connected and at the heart of what makes Guelph an amazing place and I hope to continue to strive to make Guelph and the University a welcoming, safe place for everyone.

List three goals that you would like to see accomplished by the OPIRG Board.

Re-initiate the Finance Committee to train interested Board Members in the handling of OPIRG Guelph’s finances and bookkeeping as to off-set some of the responsibility of the acting OPIRG Guelph Organizational & Policy Development Coordinator and allow the Board to be more educated about the financial aspects of the organization.
Increase awareness of the ability for OPIRG Guelph funding grants so that more funds can be distributed to both the community and interested student groups and limit unused funds.
Continue to support student staffing capacity through the application to Summer Jobs Canada and ExperienceGuelph to ensure students are provided meaningful placements and paid a living wage by supplementing above the minimum wage and anti-oppression hiring practices are in place to ensure every interested student has equal opportunity, ability and knowledge of availability.

OPIRG is continuing to work on issues of anti-oppression, which include, but are not limited to, racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, and ageism.

What are some of the ways that you think oppression can affect our work on social and environmental justice?

Oppression can affect social and environmental justice in many seen and unseen ways, especially when social and environmental justice are entwined together such as recognizing and fighting for the protected land rights of indigenous people. It is easy to prioritize one facet such as environmental justice and think of that as only the ‘environment’. Due to subconscious biases or thought processes, the intersection of social and environmental justice may not be properly recognized and understood.

Do you have any experience(s) or ideas that you can contribute to our work on anti-oppression?

In the fall semester of 2025, I took a topics in environmental science course called the RAILL [Regenerative Agriculture and Indigenous Land-Based Learning] that discussed the intersection of indigenous social and environmental justice, and how indigenous and non-indigenous people alike can learn from the land and better pursue tangible community and governmental change. I think it’s incredibly important to support the various marginalized communities and student groups to the same degree as non-marginalized groups as well as maintain a welcoming environment and easy way for people to give us feedback on how our organization operates.

OPIRG works on a consensus decision-making model.

What are your experiences or understanding of the consensus process?

I am very familiar with a consensus decision making model due to my previous appointment on the OPIRG Board, as well as experience on the University of Guelph Arboretum Student Engagement Fee Committee. I understand this model as working under a quorum, and requiring no blocks to be placed for a motion to be approved.

How would you approach conflict or difference in understanding/opinion in a consensus process?

If it was a difference in understanding – possibly a miscommunication, I’d ensure whatever information was stated again with more detail and ask if any parties had any questions or areas that may require more explanation before moving forward. If discussion moved into a conflict, it is important to remain calm and respectful of other parties’ decisions regardless if you personally agree with them or not. I would ask for elaboration on their stance before moving forward with the consensus process. If a block was placed and there doesn’t seem to be much more use in discussing passing or blocking the matter, conversation should be directed to discussing what action items as a result of the decision need to be performed and by who. It would be beneficial to take a break at any point during this process if tensions or emotions are running high.

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Lilli Porter

Are you running as a student or community member?

I will be running as a community member.

What kind of skills and experience (volunteer, work, life) would you bring to the OPIRG Board?

This year I am up for re-election and have been on the Board of Directors since Spring 2024, I have consistently taken on a leadership role on the board and have served on various committees, including, the Programming and Funding Committee, the Rebel Knowledge Symposium Planning Committee, the 50th Birthday Planning Committee and various hiring committees as needed.

I am an alumni of the University of Guelph and have experience working in various fields including event planning, office administration for a non-profit, research, and customer service. With a strong background in organization and administration, I can effectively manage tasks, deadlines, and resources to ensure smooth operations within the board. I am also experienced in event planning, communications, fundraising and managing social media which is directly applicable to the work being conducted by OPIRG Guelph.

I have been an active participant in social and environmental justice movements throughout my life and feel that I have a good perspective and approach to these issues that aligns with OPIRG Guelph’s mandate. I also had the privilege of focusing a lot of my degree on studying subjects like colonialism, capitalism, and environmental issues. In my work, I have developed a deep understanding of our social system, especially in how it relates to youth homelessness, mental health, food security, and healthcare. However, I know that I still have a lot to learn, especially in terms of community organizing, movement building, and learning from the real experiences of marginalized people.

Furthermore, I am prepared to continue taking on a leadership role if I were to be elected to the board, whether it involves spearheading a campaign, coordinating events, or helping with administrative tasks. I am committed to stepping up and providing effective leadership within the Board.

Why are you interested in becoming a Board member?

I am interested in becoming a board member of OPIRG Guelph because I feel extremely aligned to the mandate of OPIRG Guelph and their commitment to environmental and social justice. OPIRG Guelph’s historical role in the local and global movements has been so influential in this community and I would love to continue to be a part of this legacy. This position would allow me to have a more active role in community-based work and be able to work for a cause that I care deeply about. I also had the privilege of working closely with the staff and board members of OPIRG Guelph for the last two years as a member of the board, and I would love to continue to do so.

List three goals that you would like to see accomplished by the OPIRG Board.

Student Awareness Campaign: There is a lot of potential to increase awareness of OPIRG Guelph through an informational campaign targeted at University of Guelph students. By developing targeted messaging and utilizing various communication channels such as social media, campus posters, funding opportunities and events, we can effectively convey the diverse range of initiatives and projects that OPIRG Guelph undertakes to promote social and environmental justice. Ideally, this campaign would encourage students to get involved with OPIRG Guelph and contribute to meaningful causes, like creating action groups that align with the organization’s mission.
Funding Opportunity Awareness Campaign: OPIRG Guelph is fortunate enough to be able to financially support projects and events that align with OPIRG Guelph’s mission and that support our students and community members. I think that we should make a strong effort to get the word out there, especially to students, that they can receive funding for the amazing work they are doing.
Workshops: I would love to see more workshops and teach-ins that are targeted at helping students and community members learn more about community organizing, protesting, and other advocacy work. This would bolster the organizing capabilities in Guelph and help to build more sustainable movements around important social and environmental justice issues.

OPIRG is continuing to work on issues of anti-oppression, which include, but are not limited to, racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, and ageism.

What are some of the ways that you think oppression can affect our work on social and environmental justice?

Right now, we are seeing the breakdown of democracy, the gross infringements of human rights, and systems of oppression, like imperialism and capitalism, digging their claws in. ICE agents are ripping families apart, Israel is still committing a genocide against Palestinians, and surveillance and censorship technologies are running rampant.

Oppressive systems of power are deeply entrenched within our societal structures and therefore influence social and environmental justice work. Oppressive systems like colonialism, capitalism, and the patriarchy are interconnected and often reinforce each other in ways that harm people, especially those who are the most marginalized in our society. It is extremely important to approach social and environmental justice work through the lens of anti-oppression so that we as a collective are better equipped to address the injustices and inequalities that arise as a result of these oppressive systems.

Fundamentally, I believe that it is through community that we can harness the power of the collective people to fight back against the unjust and oppressive powers at play and fight for social and environmental justice. By engaging in our communities, we can build connections, develop class consciousness, find common ground, and learn from one another in a way that promotes collective action to better our community as a whole.

Do you have any experience(s) or ideas that you can contribute to our work on anti-oppression?

I want to acknowledge that I am a cisgendered white woman. Although I have been subjected to certain types of oppression as a queer woman, I know that my whiteness supersedes both of these facts and it has allotted me privileges that others have not received. I recognize that I will never be able to fully understand the ways in which oppression impacts people of the marginalized communities that I am not a part of. I also recognize that my whiteness has given me an unearned power that I need to use to uplift the voices of marginalized communities. I wish to be an ally to marginalized communities by educating myself, listening and valuing the words of marginalized people, and showing up for these communities by actively working to dismantle the systems of power that lead to oppression. I am committed to learning more about anti-oppressive practices and how I can help to incorporate them into my life and the work that I will do as part of the OPIRG Guelph’s Board of Directors.

OPIRG works on a consensus decision-making model.

What are your experiences or understanding of the consensus process?

I have been lucky enough to receive training and learn about how to participate in consensus decision making through my experience as a board member at OPIRG Guelph for the last two years. Consensus is a collaborative process that encourages all members of a decision making team to deeply understand a proposal, have an opportunity to raise concerns/ask questions, and come to a shared decision. This process prioritizes patience, understanding and respect.

How would you approach conflict or difference in understanding/opinion in a consensus process?

When conflict arises in a consensus, it is important to approach the conflict with a curious mindset. Look to understand where the disagreement lies, be patient, and ask questions until you get to the bottom of the conflict. It is also important to understand that sometimes there may be a difference of opinion that cannot be overcome and that you can not hold that against the person. Instead, consider creating a new proposal that is agreeable to all.

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Britt Lee

Are you running as a student or community member?

Community member

What kind of skills and experience (volunteer, work, life) would you bring to the OPIRG Board?

I am a perceptive and analytical person. I have volunteered on the OPIRG Guelph Board for the last 4 years and have really enjoyed and valued these oppourtunities. In my time on the board I have joined the bargaining committee, am OPIRG Guelph’s Board rep on the Provincial Board, and sit on the finance committee. I have experience facilitating meetings, and minute taking. I have worked and volunteered in decision making and direction taking positions, and love collaborating and connecting with others. I have a lot of personal interest in, and have been engaging in finance, consensus, open communication, facilitating, and conflict resolution trainings.I am task oriented and believe in equitable divisions of labour.

Why are you interested in becoming a Board member?

I still love the work and energy that OPIRG Guelph puts into the community. Getting the opportunity to experience and join this energy first hand has been so rewarding and motivating. I appreciate working in the nexus of social and environmental justice. I’ve been a board member for the past 4 years and participated for many years before that as a student, and I would love to keep contributing to OPIRGs offerings in a new and continued way. I want to keep exchanging knowledge, experiences, and care with many folks whose lives look different than mine.

List three goals that you would like to see accomplished by the OPIRG Board.

It would be great to see OPIRG Guelph co-host an event with another PIRG.
I would love to help spruce up the office and have it be even more of a space for students and community members to gather.
I love the partnerships that OPIRG is building on campus and within the larger community, and would love to continue to foster and sustain these relations through sharing space, creating / offering workshops or learnings together both between OPIRG and other groups and between the other groups themselves.

OPIRG is continuing to work on issues of anti-oppression, which include, but are not limited to, racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, and ageism.

What are some of the ways that you think oppression can affect our work on social and environmental justice?

There are so many ways that oppression impacts, affects, and shows up in our work. In who has access / time / energy to participate, who feels welcomed or accepted, who even knows about OPIRG and the work that’s being done. Then there are barriers that exist once folks are in the door – who is praised, who’s ideas or critiques are given space or value. Every single oppression can come into play at any and all times, and what we continually see is that folks who are multiply oppressed have the hardest and least safe experiences in this world.

There is so much space for community partnership and support that OPIRG offers, but knowing that these supports exist and how to access them is a huge barrier. An example that is commonly critiqued or flagged is that issues and problems most often get addressed when they are being championed by middle class, higher education, white folks. And not when the folks in that community or who are most impacted by that issue are advocating for themselves. I think it is so important to continually ask ourselves and those around us, who do we believe? Who are we paying attention to? Who or where are we giving our money to? Who do we feel compelled to mobilize for? If our answers are consistently reflecting that it’s only people who look like us or whose images uphold cultures of white supremacy, then that is a sign that we have a lot more unpacking and unlearning to do.

Do you have any experience(s) or ideas that you can contribute to our work on anti-oppression?

I get to occupy both places of privilege and marginalization, visibly and invisibly. And some things that continually stick out to me are how we need better models and examples of engaging in conflict and being with discomfort. We need discernment, to move from intention and not urgency, more internal and external emotional awareness, and to simultaneously broaden our ability to hold generous assumptions about people, and to interrupt when harm is happening or about to happen. An outcome of living in cultures that uphold white supremacy is that we are taught to prioritize being “nice” over being honest and kind. We shy away from loving corrections to preserve one person’s feelings, and in doing so allow multiple other people to be hurt instead by their words or actions. And, while these learnings run deep, we can teach ourselves and those around us that another way is possible.

Some ways that I see this unlearning happening are by practising active listening, where we reflect what we heard when someone was sharing and what it meant to us or what we made it mean, and then asking what feels true to them. Andrienne Marie Brown was speaking to situations where transphobia or other phobias show up in your space. She mentioned that if that’s happening we have to re-evaluate the containers we’re existing in and trying to hold for one another, and also examine the invitation to the space that was extended. She said, “It can’t be, oh you can come belong but then I’ll have to not belong. We can all belong, and grow together. But it means that we’re going to have to let go of some old ideas that were created to keep us apart”.

The ideas in this quote really resonate with me. Working from and living anti-oppressive values means that we are all going to have to let go of some old ideas. That creating safer spaces for folks who’ve been marginalized requires all of us to be with the discomfort that can arise when we re-centering power.

OPIRG works on a consensus decision-making model.

What are your experiences or understanding of the consensus process?

Most of my consensus based process experience comes from my time volunteering with OPIRG. To me it means that all parties involved work together to come up with a solution / direction / action that everyone can agree on. It doesn’t mean that everyone is the biggest cheerleader of what is happening, but it also means that no one is moving outside of or against their values. It’s meant to be an iterative process, where folks can flag and discuss and edit the direction or language that doesn’t work for them and that we refine together until it does.

How would you approach conflict or difference in understanding/opinion in a consensus process?

First, take a breath. Sometimes (often) conflict can be activating, and we’re all activated in different ways / directions. I’d start by asking for more information, or clarifying the information I already have. Part as a way to confirm that we’re understanding the same things and also to try to illuminate any differences in understanding. I’d ask whoever is in opposition to lay out the areas or actions that they fully accept, the parts that are neutral, and the parts that they oppose, and then see where that overlaps with other folks accept / neutral / oppose. Often then some sort or path forward starts to emerge, and sometimes it takes a few rounds for that to happen.

I’d try my best to be aware of tensions or tones, and make space for timeliness and disagreements. It’s tricky to operate from consensus if people don’t feel able or comfortable disagreeing with other people, and moving quickly can increase that difficulty. I’d remind everyone that we have overlapping desires and intentions to get something done or support a certain cause, and ground in the reality that there is a direction that will work for everyone, we might just need a bunch of creativity to get there. Sometimes that includes staggered decisions or timelines, like first we’ll do this action, and then we’ll give people more time and then we’ll do this part of the action. As opposed to doing everything all at once.

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Maha Butt

Are you running as a student or community member?

I am running as a student.

What kind of skills and experience (volunteer, work, life) would you bring to the OPIRG Board?

I bring experience from academic, volunteer, and collaborative settings where the work had to be done together and thoughtfully. Through group projects and volunteer work, I’ve learned how to listen carefully, communicate clearly, and share responsibility instead of relying on one person’s leadership. I’m comfortable organizing tasks, following through on commitments, and supporting others to do their work effectively. I’m dependable and not afraid to step up when something needs doing, but I also know when
to step back and make room for others. I work well in teams with diverse perspectives and priorities, and I value respectful disagreement as part of decision making. These are all skills I believe are essential for Board work in a consensus-based, student run organization like OPIRG.

Why are you interested in becoming a Board member?

I am seeking a position as a Board member to build on my academic background in Criminal Justice and Public Policy while supporting the grassroots work that OPIRG does. My long-term goals include working in policy research and advocacy. I see this opportunity as a way to gain hands-on experience with community based action and decision-making. OPIRG’s focus on social and environmental justice really resonates with me. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute while learning from others engaged in similar efforts. This seems like an opportunity to start small, improve my leadership skills, and grow in a space that values collaboration and justice.

List three goals that you would like to see accomplished by the OPIRG Board.

Peer-led skill shares: First, I plan to help organize peer-led skill shares. While OPIRG already hosts workshops and training sessions, most follow a traditional instructor to audience model. Peer-led learning, on the other hand, allows students and community members to teach each other practical skills in activism, organizing, research, and advocacy. This approach fosters shared ownership of knowledge, strengthens OPIRG’s ability to manage and grow its programs, and encourages collaboration across different groups. It creates a more sustainable and inclusive learning environment for everyone involved.
Creating Community Feedback Systems: Second, we can systematically gather ongoing input from students and community members who would benefit the most. I envision establishing regular feedback channels, like open discussions, surveys, or suggestion systems. This will help programming and projects respond directly to community priorities. This ensures OPIRG’s work stays grounded in actual needs, not assumptions, and strengthens engagement with underrepresented groups.
Making Research Actionable: Third, OPIRG conducts research on social and environmental justice issues, but this research often stays in written reports or internal documents. I could help turn this research into easy to understand, practical outputs like policy briefs, infographics, workshop materials, or guides. These materials can be shared with student councils, community partners, and the wider public. This makes the research actionable and increases its impact, bridging the gap between knowledge and real-world change.

OPIRG is continuing to work on issues of anti-oppression, which include, but are not limited to, racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, and ageism.

What are some of the ways that you think oppression can affect our work on social and environmental justice?

Oppression can influence social and environmental justice work in subtle yet powerful ways. It affects which issues and communities receive attention, whose voices are genuinely heard, and who takes on the emotional and care work behind the scenes. Economic, racial, ableist, and gender inequalities can restrict participation, reinforce current hierarchies, and unintentionally shape campaigns toward the viewpoints of the most privileged participants. Without careful consideration, even well meaning projects can unknowingly reinforce the same power imbalances they aim to change.

Do you have any experience(s) or ideas that you can contribute to our work on anti-oppression?

I would support OPIRG’s anti-oppression work by building partnerships with community organizations, student groups, and local businesses to boost visibility and engagement. I could also create a resource guide for underrepresented groups that focuses on social and environmental justice resources. Additionally, I would look into making outreach content more accessible, such as videos or social media posts that explain anti-oppression principles and encourage new, diverse participation.

OPIRG works on a consensus decision-making model.

What are your experiences or understanding of the consensus process?

I see consensus as more than just a way to make decisions. It’s about sharing responsibility and making sure the group stays true to its values. In some spaces, people who are more confident can take over the conversation, while others end up doing behind the scenes work, like organizing or keeping things running smoothly. True consensus means making a real effort to share the decision-making process: rotating facilitation, creating space for everyone to speak, offering different ways to contribute, and revisiting decisions if someone’s voice wasn’t heard. When it’s done right, consensus isn’t just about the choices we make. It’s about how we make them and making sure everyone’s needs are taken into account.

How would you approach conflict or difference in understanding/opinion in a consensus process?

If there’s a difference in opinion, I wouldn’t rush to resolve it right away. I would like to take the time to understand what’s behind the disagreement and give everyone space to share their perspective. If one person is dominating the conversation, I’d step in to ensure quieter voices are heard. It’s not about finding a quick compromise, but about really digging into the issue to ensure we’re not overlooking something important. I’d try to keep the focus on the issue itself, not on personalities, and guide the group toward a decision that reflects everyone’s needs, not just the loudest opinions. Consensus isn’t just about agreeing; it’s about ensuring we all get on the same page in a way that values each person’s input and experience.

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Max Mancuso

Are you running as a student or community member?

I’m running as a student.

What kind of skills and experience (volunteer, work, life) would you bring to the OPIRG Board?

I have experience working and volunteering in both the U of G campus environment and as a member of the community in the city of Guelph, as well as relevant extracurriculars and work experience. I have volunteer experience with the CSA’s SafeWalk initiative at U of G and as a facilitator of the Student Recovery Community for Student Wellness on-campus, as well as with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph. Regarding work, for the past two years I have worked with members of marginalized communities through my employment with Wyndham House and the Guelph Community Health Centre. Lastly, while at U of G, I have been a Peer Helper with the Wellness Education and Promotion Centre and OUTline and served on the College of Arts Student Union as an executive member. All roles have informed my relationships on and off campus and my understanding of the barriers facing marginalized folks in our campus and city communities.

Why are you interested in becoming a Board member?

I believe in the OPIRG mandate and think that my volunteer, work, and extra-curricular experience would be beneficial to the organization.

List three goals that you would like to see accomplished by the OPIRG Board.

Promotion of activities and Action Group events.
Expansion of Action Groups.
Oversee an increase in on-campus and community events/presence.

OPIRG is continuing to work on issues of anti-oppression, which include, but are not limited to, racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, and ageism.

What are some of the ways that you think oppression can affect our work on social and environmental justice?

Forms of systemic oppression inform every facet of our lives, including our education and lived experiences, and consequently, the roles we choose to take on in our communities. It is important to not only recognize the existence of said barriers, but to also use existing knowledge and education to address them.

Do you have any experience(s) or ideas that you can contribute to our work on anti-oppression?

I have worked and volunteered in environments that extoll anti-oppression values, and I believe I could carry what I have learned into a role on the board.

OPIRG works on a consensus decision-making model.

What are your experiences or understanding of the consensus process?

My understanding is that it refers to finding the most agreeable solution for all involved parties, rather than ruling by majority.

How would you approach conflict or difference in understanding/opinion in a consensus process?

With an open mind and an eye towards the most equitable solution.

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Rachelle Marek Sparrow

Are you running as a student or community member?

I am applying as a community member.

What kind of skills and experience (volunteer, work, life) would you bring to the OPIRG Board?

I am a white settler of mixed European descent, a cis queer woman, an anti-Zionist Jew, a person with invisible disabilities, and someone who has experienced familial and gender-based violence and periods of precarious housing. These identities shape how I move through the world, how I understand power, and why I am deeply committed to collective care, solidarity, and liberation.

I’m interested in joining the OPIRG Board because I care deeply about OPIRG’s mission and believe my skills, experience, and lived knowledge can support its work. I have previously served on the Board of the Guelph Community Health Centre and, while living in Toronto, on the Board of the Choice in Health Clinic. I currently work with Hive Health Services—part of the Guelph Community Health Centre—as a Clinic Supervisor supporting HIV care and gender-affirming care across the region.

My background in community development, my training as a Registered Nurse, and my master’s degree in clinical sciences (with a focus on leadership) all shape my approach to governance, collaboration, harm reduction, and accountability. I bring:

Strong organizational skills and a solid understanding of risk, strategy, and community-centered decision making
A long-standing commitment to anti-oppressive practice and social justice
Experience in participatory HIV research, trauma-informed facilitation, and interprofessional collaboration
A practice of raising awareness around HIV, gender-affirming care, and the intersecting inequities faced by marginalized communities

Why are you interested in becoming a Board member?

My first exposure to OPIRG was in the early 2010s at the London Anarchist Bookfair. At the time, I was involved in London Food Not Bombs, supporting a community-based arts co-op, and studying community development and family studies. Those early experiences grounded me in mutual aid, direct action, and grassroots organizing—values that I continue to carry into my work today.

While my career path has taken me into nursing and community health, the principles that drew me toward OPIRG—anti-oppression, community care, and collective action—have remained central. Joining the OPIRG Board feels like a meaningful way to support students and community members in taking action for human rights, environmental justice, and transformative change.

I’m excited about the possibility of working alongside others who share these commitments and supporting the growth of projects that genuinely shift power and build community.

List three goals that you would like to see accomplished by the OPIRG Board.

Support the sustainable development of existing interest groups while encouraging new student- and community-led groups that align with OPIRG’s values and emerging community needs
Ensure that interest group leaders have access to the tools, training, and resources needed to thrive—and to grow both individually and collectively
Actively engage with students and community members to coordinate and support larger events that strengthen community, build capacity, and advance environmental and social justice

OPIRG is continuing to work on issues of anti-oppression, which include, but are not limited to, racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, and ageism.

What are some of the ways that you think oppression can affect our work on social and environmental justice?

Oppression shapes who is heard, who is centered, and who is expected to carry the labour of change. It affects whose knowledge is valued, whose safety is prioritized, and whose needs are treated as “extra” rather than essential.

Even well-intentioned movements can replicate the same harms they seek to dismantle. It’s also important to recognize that board structures themselves come from colonial, capitalist, and imperialist governance traditions. A Board like OPIRG’s must meet legal requirements while also actively challenging the structures it exists within.

In social and environmental justice work, oppression can:

Create barriers to access, safety, participation, and belonging
Reproduce harmful power dynamics within organizing spaces
Silence or marginalize those most impacted by injustice
Lead to burnout, conflict, or disengagement when inequities aren’t addressed
Shape which issues get prioritized—and which get ignored

Do you have any experience(s) or ideas that you can contribute to our work on anti-oppression?

I believe anti-oppressive work is collective, ongoing, and rooted in relationships. It is never completed—it requires continuous learning, accountability, and reflection. My work in HIV care and gender-affirming care requires deep engagement with anti-oppressive, anti-racist, trauma-informed practice. I continually reflect on my own privileges, the systems that shape our lives, and the ways oppression shows up interpersonally, institutionally, and systemically.

I would bring:

Experience in trauma-informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practice
Facilitation skills for training, workshops, and reflective dialogue
Experience supporting marginalized communities and advocating for structural change
A grounding in participatory and community-led approaches that center those most affected
A commitment to accountability, self-reflection, and constructive response to feedback
An understanding of consensus and conflict-resolution that prioritizes relationship-building and collective care

OPIRG works on a consensus decision-making model.

What are your experiences or understanding of the consensus process?

I’m familiar with consensus decision-making and appreciate both its strengths and its challenges. Having unanimous agreement or disagreement as a group can come easily or can be difficult. Consensus requires humility, self-awareness, patience, and genuine curiosity. It works best when people assume good intent, remain open to being challenged, and stay grounded in shared values rather than individual agendas. I’ve used consensus models on other boards and strive to carry consensus principles into my professional and personal life.

How would you approach conflict or difference in understanding/opinion in a consensus process?

Understanding the reasoning, values, and goals behind each person’s perspective is essential. I approach conflict through:

Deep listening
Curiosity and open-ended questions
Assuming positive intent
Naming and unpacking assumptions
Centering relationships and collective goals

When tensions arise, stepping back to reflect on our own reactions can help re-center the group and lead to better outcomes for the broader community. Conflict doesn’t have to fracture relationships. With care, it can strengthen them.

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Ash Schielie

Are you running as a student or community member?

I am running for a student Board role.

What kind of skills and experience (volunteer, work, life) would you bring to the OPIRG Board?

Volunteer: White oak conservation, FL (USA) State Park Volunteer work, Boy Scouts
Life: Protests for BLM, No Kings Day, Queer + LGBTQT+, and Peace for Palestine; traveled to 47 states for National Parks

Why are you interested in becoming a Board member?

I am infatuated with social issues and geopolitics and have been raised learning and participating in the environment; I’ve been looking at OPIRG for a couple months, and think it’s a great use of my skills and can help benefit the community (I love social action).

List three goals that you would like to see accomplished by the OPIRG Board.

More posters about OPIRG (rather than just for events)
More environmental action like planting more trees & bushes and even having awareness for the environment in talks.
Maybe have OPIRG bring up some issues in the community with the concern of swastica’s and harassment on campus in some way.

OPIRG is continuing to work on issues of anti-oppression, which include, but are not limited to, racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, and ageism.

What are some of the ways that you think oppression can affect our work on social and environmental justice?

I think some examples are, ostracism, systemic issues, vandalism, etc. (plus MARX’s subjectivity)

Do you have any experience(s) or ideas that you can contribute to our work on anti-oppression?

Protesting, and learned skills through history, literature, and lectures. I think

OPIRG works on a consensus decision-making model.

What are your experiences or understanding of the consensus process?

Group discussions and decisions coming to a collective agreement. (should announce collective issues)

How would you approach conflict or difference in understanding/opinion in a consensus process?

I would try to de-escalate but also analyse what was triggered, what points were made, and finally attempt to combine the benifits of both propositions to create a well mixed solution; or, if unable, I would try to have an un-biased vote for a good conclusion.