SAWRO GOVERNANCE
A Community Based and Community Led Organization
South Asian Women’s and Immigrants’ Services, SAWIS (formerly known as the South Asian Women’s Rights Organization, SAWRO) is a community-based, women-led public benefit organization with a membership from among women living in the Toronto neighbourhoods of Oakridge and Taylor-Massey and in the adjacent neighbourhoods.
South Asian Women’s Rights Organization Inc. (SAWRO) was incorporated on January 30, 2008, as an Ontario corporation without share capital (not-for-profit organization). By the approval of the Board and Membership, the Corporate Letters Patent of SAWRO was amended on November 26, 2020 through a Supplementary Letters Patent issued by the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services on November 26, 2020. The Supplementary Letters Patent changed the name of the organization to South Asian Women’s and Immigrants’ Services (SAWIS), changed its corporate objectives and registered SAWIS as an Ontario Charity under the Act.
To align with the organization’s goal of community governance, the organizational changes, and the standards of governance as set out in the Ontario Not-for-profit Corporations Act 2016, a By-law committee was created in 2020 to review and propose amendments. On August 26, 2021, the Membership approved the amendments proposed by the Bylaw committee and approved their immediate effect.
The following are key features and responsibilities of the Board of Directors:
1. The Membership of SAWIS shall elect 7 directors who shall individually and collectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of Directors and the Board as set out by the Act and by other laws of Ontario and Canada.
2. Of the 7 directors, 4 shall be women from the Community and 3 may be other women actively supporting the objectives of the organization.
3. Directors shall:
a. Be a Member of SAWIS held in high esteem by the Membership and by other community women
b. Be an immigrant woman fluent in the community majority mother tongue (Bangla) or a woman of South Asian heritage
c. Have demonstrated that she has close connection to the women of the community and is committed to assisting them resolve community problems
d. Have an understanding of the organizational structure of SAWIS and of the responsibilities and obligations of Directors
e. Have been actively engaged in the work of SAWIS on a day-to-day basis as a program participant, volunteer, or peer worker during the 6-month period prior to the election
f. Have capacities that will contribute to advancing the purposes of SAWIS
g. Have an understanding of the organizational structure of SAWIS and of the responsibilities and obligations of Directors
h. Be available for and willing to commit to the work of the Board of Directors for a period of 12 months
OUR DIRECTORS FOR 2024-25
The Executive Director, Secretary, and Treasurer constitute the Executive Committee. All executive committee members are South Asian women, and all are members of the community (except for the Treasurer).
They are appointed by the Board from among nominees approved by the Membership during the Annual General Meeting for a one-year term. The executive committee members are expected to follow their roles and responsibilities as outlined in the bylaws and in accordance with Ontario and federal expectations.
Each position is required to fulfill their specific roles and expectations. Key features, roles, and duties of each position are outlined in the by-laws.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2024-25
The Board can establish committees that are necessary and supports directors to carry out their responsibilities.
Of the committees, The Advisory Committee and Search and Elections Committee are special committees that support the Board’s decision-making and activities.
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Board is primarily made up of residents from the community and some external community advisors. Members of this committee are nominated by the Board from among nominees approved by the Membership at an Annual General Meeting.
Advisory Committee Members for 2024-25 are:
- Husna Amena Sweet
- Mrs. Hurunnahar
- Umme Farah Rebeka Amin
- Tahsina Alam
- Saira Begum
- Belal Hossain
- Mohammad Alam
Search and Elections Committee
Search and Election committee members are nominated by the Board from among nominees approved by the Membership.
Committee members are members of the organization living in the organization’s catchment community and are immigrant women and other women of South Asian heritage. They have close connections to the women of the community and are committed to assisting them to resolve community problems. They also have an understanding of the organizational structure of SAWIS and the qualifications and duties of Directors, Officers, Members, and special committees
Search and Elections Committee members for 2024-25 are:
- Arshadun Nessa Niva
- Rehanara Begum
- Sultana Haq Bably
- Selina Bhuiyan
- Nusrat Jahan