About
Our Mandate
The Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Kingston is dedicated to research, education, and action in the public interest. We are predominantly student-funded and student-run, but strive to maintain a balance of support and direction from the wider Kingston community. OPIRG Kingston exists to serve as a training ground for concerned citizens to recognize and engage the problems of society.
We’ve been in Kingston since 1992. The PIRG movement started in the 1970s and has spread to over 200 PIRGs across North America. PIRGs are democratic, independent, non-partisan, non-profit, and non-governmental organizations.
What Do PIRGs Do?
Since PIRGs are directed by you, the community, the specifics of what PIRGs do depend on the interests of the people who are involved. Most PIRG projects are coordinated by Working Groups. The PIRG provides resources, training, ideas, and staff support. We help to organize individuals into Working Groups that work to translate concern into educated and effective action.\r\n\r\nWhile board members may identify projects and programs for the PIRG, their primary role, along with staff members, is to support the interests of the working groups.\r\n\r\nPIRGs also work with students and community members to organize educational events on public interest issues and coordinate research in collaboration with university departments, professors, and the community. These events include speakers, films, conferences, workshops, festivals and classes.\r\n\r\nPIRGs provide training, support, and opportunities to help people transform social and environmental concerns into effective action. We offer various kinds of support, from information to money, from administrative to technological. We facilitate opportunities for skill development through volunteer opportunities, educational events, public campaigns and partnerships with community organizations. Through involvement with PIRGs, thousands of people have learned skills to act effectively in the public interest, such as consensus decision-making, group facilitation, events organizing, media relations, and community-based research.
How we’re funded
Student fees – OPIRG Kingston is primarily funded by an optional fee for students at Queen’s University. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students can opt to pay $4 to maintain us as a resource on campus.
OPIRG Provincial Network – We also receive funding each year from the Ontario PIRG network. PIRGs in Ontario work in solidarity with each other and have made a commitment to support each other through an equalization agreement.
Grants - Each year we successfully apply for grants for projects
Donations and fundraising – Each year we raise thousands of dollars that mainly go to specific projects and events. We appreciate any donation, big or small!