Women in Urbanism Canada (WIUC) is a nationally incorporated not-for-profit membership organization. Our members receive the direct benefits of our services and contribute to the organization’s legal governance structure, which is defined by the organization’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. 

WIUC has two Tiers of members, with Tier One (Engaged) members being Full Voting Members of the corporation, and Tier Two (Supportive) members that are Not-Voting Members. Both of which are subject to the following terms and conditions as they relate to each Tier. Read through our list of terms and definitions below.

1. Criteria: WIUC membership shall be available to individuals who meet the following criteria: 

1. Have an interest in city policies and programs that contribute to positive outcomes for women, girls, and others; and

2. Live in, or have a strong connection to Canada

2. Application: Prospective members are required to complete the pre- and post- member application forms and provide the associated membership fees. 

3. Approval: WIUC’s Board of Directors review member applications on a regular basis and may deny an individual to become a member if there are reasonable grounds to do so. 

4. Term Length: The term of membership is annual and will be renewed if:

1. The member pays required membership fees; and

2. The membership has not been terminated in accordance with WIUC’s By-Laws. 

5. Transferability: Membership is not transferable between individuals and may only be transferred to the Organization. At the discretion of the Board, a Membership can be transferred from the Organization back to another person, if there are compelling reasons to do so.

6. Legal Meetings of Members: WIUC members are encouraged to participate in informal meetings and gatherings that advance our shared goals and strengthen our collective impact. In addition to these informal meetings provided as part of membership benefits, there are two types of formal, legal Meetings of Members that all Full Voting Members have the right to receive notice of, attend, and vote at:

1. Annual General Meeting (AGM) takes place within 60 - 120 days of the end of each fiscal year (December 31). At the AGM, members approve the financial statements, elect representatives to the Board, and vote on other key governance decisions, such as By-Law amendments.

2. Special General Meetings (SGM) may be called to discuss or vote on corporate resolutions related to governance. 

7. Voting: Every Full Voting Member is entitled to one vote per Membership. Voting can take place at a Members’ Meeting or by absentee voting (e-mail or proxy). To pass, a motion must receive a majority vote in favour. 

8. Membership Dues: Members pay annual dues in the amount approved by the Board of Directors. Members are notified in writing and must pay within three calendar months. 

10. Termination: Members may voluntarily resign from WIUC at any time. If a corporation is dissolved, fails to maintain the criteria for membership, or fails to pay dues as outlined above, its membership will be terminated. Members may also be expelled or suspended if such a motion is approved by the membership. This may be for violating the terms of membership or for conduct that is detrimental to our shared objectives. 

11. Conflict of Interest: Members are required to disclose when there is a potential conflict of interest between themselves and WIUC. This should be disclosed to the Chair(s) who will bring the issue to the Board of Directors for a resolution. Given the nature of the non-profit funding landscape, competing in open funding calls will not be considered a conflict of interest, though collaboration and coordination is certainly encouraged. 

12. Confidentiality: Confidential information about WIUC or other members, or intellectual property (information or files) shared as a benefit of membership, should not be transmitted beyond the WIUC membership without express permission secured in advance. 

13. Privacy: Personal information provided as part of the membership registration process is used for the sole purposes of membership management and networking. Only the information a member voluntarily chooses to share will be accessible for networking purposes, in adherence with community guidelines. All member information is managed and stored via MemberSpace and Community Box and is not shared with any third parties.

14. Mutual Indemnification: Members shall not be held answerable or responsible for any act, default, obligation, or liability of WIUC or for any engagement, claim, payment, loss, injury, transaction, or matter relating to or connected with WIUC. WIUC will not be responsible for the actions of members that occur outside the context of a WIUC sanctioned activity.