613-819 black hub
hub terms of reference
Our vision
Ottawa-Gatineau Black communities that are strong financially, institutionally, politically and socially and working to grow stronger every day.
Our Mission
The 613-819 Black Hub regularly brings people of African descent in Ottawa-Gatineau together to coordinate volunteer-led efforts to address anti-Black racism through systemic change primarily in education, justice, employment, business and politics.
Our Core Values
Respect, integrity, leadership, responsibility, equity, inclusiveness, truthfulness, selflessness, education, bilingualism, constructive criticism, transparency, community-focused.
Respect for the diversity of viewpoints within our African Diaspora family mosaic
Integrity in the way we conduct our activities
Leadership – be willing to step up and help in any way you can, whether it be big or small
Community-focused – focus on how initiatives can help the community
Financial independence in service of community interdependence.
Transparency – be transparent by default
Constructive criticism – frame critiques as suggestions for improvement
Bilingualism – conduct all Hub activities bilingually
Education – continually educate ourselves about the issues, and each other
Selflessness – contribute to help Black communities, not for recognition or anything else for ourselves
Truthfulness – Always tell the straight up truth, with no embellishment
Inclusiveness and openness to all people of African descent, including LGBTQ2, people of all classes, youth, and Francophone members of Black communities
Equity – recognizing the diversity of the Black community and that some communities sometimes need to be treated differently, we will strive for equity instead of equality
Responsibility – doing what we say we’ll do
Accountability
- Members will complete tasks they have committed to or inform the group of any task or project that will be late in a proactive manner to the best of their ability
- Members will state their views and ask genuine questions to gain a better understanding
- The expectation is that each member of the leadership and event teams commits to a minimum of 4 hours per month (apart from scheduled meetings) to acting in support of the organization’s/events mission/goals
Meeting Protocol
- Meetings will be held at least every two months at a central location, where possible
- Volunteer meeting chairs will rotate with best attempts made to have equitable french/english chairs
- A proposed agenda will be circulated for input at least 3 days before every meeting
- A speaking list will be established and respected by all
- Try to back up opinions with supporting evidence
- Consider members’ various backgrounds, culture, language and community experience before responding
- Do not monopolize discussion. Listen more than talk
- Come prepared
- Respect people’s time. If you’re unable to attend or will be late, inform members in a proactive and early manner
- Decisions will be made by consensus with a ⅔ vote being used to break a deadlock
- An assistant chair and secretary will be chosen at each meeting. The assistant chair will manage the speakers list and the secretary will take notes
- Minutes will be circulated within two days of the meeting
Conflict and Dispute Resolution / Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
- Any conflict between members should first be discussed between the members offline (private) if possible and as timely as possible.
- If a conflict is shared with the core group, the sources of conflict will be discussed respectfully by addressing ideas rather than personalities
- If the issue is not deemed solved first between the parties, the core group will present possible resolution options to the parties.
- If the issue is between core group members and prior options falter, another core group members or elder shall investigate and present possible resolutions to the parties.
The Hub is currently financed by member donations of time and money and financial donations from partner organizations like the Canadian Labour Congress. As the Hub aims for long-term self and community-financed sustainability, it may only accept government funding for short-term, one-time or select project.
The Hub will develop a strategic plan outlining its priorities for the year. All suggested actions must align with the plan or be voted as an exception at a Hub meeting by consensus or by ⅔ vote in the case of an impasse.
Only those appointed by consensus at a Hub meeting shall speak for it. There will always be an English and French spokesperson.
The Hub will work collaboratively with other Black community and ally groups that share its core values. Decisions on whether, and how, to support campaigns of other groups will be made by consensus, or a ⅔ vote in the case of an impasse, at a Hub meeting or a specially arranged online engagement.
Building community
The Hub recognizes that, to be successful in the long term, we must be more than just a group of people coming together because of shared adversity: we must build a community of people who deeply care about each other. To this end, the Hub will :
- Hold regular education activities to learn about each other.
- Provide child care at Hub meetings as much as possible.
- Ensure all Hub activities are bilingual.
Evaluation/review
To ensure continued improvement and responsiveness to the community, the Hub will:
- Establish success criteria for the Hub as a whole and each event.
- Provide evaluation forms after meetings/events.
- Review its activities quarterly to ensure they’re in line with the strategic plan.
- When possible, conduct exit interviews with members who leave the Hub.
- Do a confidential survey on the organization’s leadership as part of the annual general meeting.
Core positions
attends initial meetings with heads of groups seeking collaboration, signs official Hub communications, share information via the Hub mailing list.
fills in when Chair is away; manages meeting speaking list, ensures governance documents stay current.
manages the money
managers Hub communications.
leads on Hub issue and member learning activities.
speaks to the media on behalf of the Hub.
ABOUT US
The 613-819 Black Hub regularly brings people of African descent in Ottawa-Gatineau together to coordinate volunteer-led efforts to address anti-Black racism through systemic change primarily in education, justice, employment, business and politics.