The Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness is a coalition of community organizations and all levels of government. We believe that by working together, we can end homelessness in the Metro Vancouver area.  Our work is guided by the Committee’s Regional Homelessness Plan : Three Ways to Home. Click here to download theRegional Homelessness Plan.

 

 The RSCH Governance Review & Invitation to Enroll for Membership

 

In the fall of 2012, the Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness turned its attention to its own internal structure and membership needs.  After months of member interviews, workshops, discussions and wider stakeholder consultation, the Committee arrived at an updated governance and membership structure to that provides new ways for homeless-serving agencies and individuals to participate.  

Governance Needs

Since its beginning in 2000, the work of the RSCH and the landscape of the homeless-serving sector has evolved significantly, driving the need to update its structure and composition.  The RSCH had functioned on a flat membership structure whereby all members were required to participate equally in meetings and working groups, despite their different interests, capacities and reasons for attending.  Through the process of the Governance Review, members concluded that membership should be more inclusive, diverse, and effective. 

Challenges

The Governance Review process raised important questions about coordinating the homeless-serving sector in this region.  RSCH members wanted to address the question: given the increasing complexity of homelessness and resources available to address it, how can the RSCH engage the expertise, intelligence and financial resources required to eliminate homelessness?

Governance Solutions

The membership considered different options and made some key decisions.  To ensure inclusive, participatory and informed decisions, the RSCH has consolidated consultation to community-wide consultation meetings and technical input into Advisory Group discussions.  Participation at both meetings is open and flexible. 

To ensure effective, strategic and timely decisions on behalf of the region,  recommendations arising from community-wide consultations and Advisory Group meetings will be decided at a Constituency Table. 

Diagram: The relationship between the RSCH membership structures

General members are informed of decisions and results, upcoming issues and consulted in community-wide consultations.
Advisory Groups receive and review staff reports and member consultation summaries, and makes recommendations to Constituency Table.  Constituency Table receives and reviews finalized documents / products and makes decisions.
Staff implement decisions & inform members of decisions and results.

 

Interested in learning more about the RSCH, or becoming a member?

• Call for Membership! Deadline: April 19th 

• RSCH Community Information Session. Click here for details.

•  Slide presentation on the RSCH governance transition: 2013_RSCH Org Review Handout slides

Implementation Timeline

Call for new members and applications to the Constituency Table	March 15th
Community Information Session(5 pm @ Metro Vancouver Offices)	March 27th
Reminder for membership enrollment & applications	March 28th
Final reminder for membership enrollment & applications	April 11th
Deadline for membership enrollment & applications	April 19th
Constituency Table Candidates list prepared	April 30th
All-members meeting and selection of Constituency Table	May 15th
Constituency Table 1st Quarter meeting	June 13th