The Collective Process

The Centre for Women and Trans People* uses a collective structure that values the voices and input of each member of the group. This
model establishes a non-hierarchical relationship amongst its members by providing each individual with equal amounts
of decision-making power. Everyone has equal value and equal authority so that no one person or group of people is
privileged. Because women’s voices have historically been marginalized, our use of a consensus-building decision-
making process aspires to bring a variety of voices out of the margins.
	By the same token, with great power comes great responsibility.[1] In a structure that empowers each person with 
the ability to have a large influence, each individual member is also necessarily given a greater share of responsibility
to regularly attend meetings and actively use the voice they’ve been given. Because the power is put into "the people", 
rather than a governing body, each person holds a significant share of the power that’s needed to get things done.
	As a new volunteer, this means that when you come to your first meeting, you have a say in what goes on. No 
matter how long you’ve been with the CWT, your major, academic year, gender identity, or political stance, 
every person has something unique to bring to the table. 

[1]  Uncle Ben, Spiderman