Mission Statement

Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare are incorporated as a single not-for-profit carsharing co-operative. The Co-op’s mission is to deliver a carsharing service and to promote carsharing as an important component of a transportation system that supports an alternative to the privately-owned automobile within the Region of Waterloo and the City of Hamilton. Through this the Co-op seeks to reduce overall transportation costs, traffic congestion and air pollution, thus improving our communities.

The Co-op intends to achieve the above by:

• providing access to vehicles on a self-serve, hourly, pay-per-use basis;
• educating the public about the economic, social, and environmental advantages of carsharing;
• fostering partnerships with governments, businesses, and organizations;
• providing a model of a non-hierarchical, democratic enterprise and employer;
• creating meaningful employment; and,
• upholding the co-operative principles.

Board of Directors

Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare operate under the supervision of a voluntary Board of Directors elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The By-Laws require a minimum of three (3) members of the Co-op to serve as Directors on its Board and a maximum of ten (10). We strive to maintain a gender balance on the Board, and welcome women and men from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

The Board of Directors meets monthly, typically the last Thursday evening of each month.

Members interested in learning more about the role and duties of the Board of Directors may review the Volunteer Manual (PDF file), or contact staff. The Co-op offers occasional training workshops for the Board, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the business in a meaningful way.

Committee Volunteer Positions

In addition to volunteer opportunities on the Board of Directors, members of the Co-op are invited to volunteer on any of the Co-op's six (6) committees.

For a complete listing volunteer opportunites on committees, please download the Volunteer Manual (PDF file).

Members interested in volunteering on any of the Co-op's committees may complete and submit the Volunteer Form. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact staff.

AGM

Each year in the autumn the Co-op holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Co-op membership. The Co-op also holds a Spring General Meeting. These events allow staff and current Board members to report on the financial standing of the Co-op and the projects on which staff and directors have been working, and provides the membership with an opportunity to adopt changes to the Co-op's By-laws.

The AGM is also a time for interested Co-op members to be elected to the Board of Directors. If you have skills in areas such as marketing, strategic planning, finance, fundraising, legal, communications, human resource development, etc., then please consider joining the Board.

Interested Co-op members may nominate themselves or others to the Board by completing a Nominations Form and submitting it to the office. Alternatively Nominations Forms are available for completion at the AGM.

Please plan on attending the AGMs. There are snacks, beverages, and door prizes.

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