The Governance Structure Diagram (pdf, 27 kb)

The principles at the heart of the governance model of the Atlantic Canadian Social Economy Node are inclusivity, transparency, accountability, relationship-building, mutual respect, and consultative process. In order to embed and express these operating principles the Node is organized on a 'hub and spokes' model. Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) houses the Node office and one Sub-Node, while Université de Moncton (UdeM), University of New Brunswick (UNB), Saint Mary's University (SMU), University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), and Community Services Council - Newfoundland & Labrador (CSC) house Sub-Nodes. Overall direction, integration and management is provided by the Node Steering Committee. The Management Committee facilitates the work of the Steering Committee and helps ensure collaboration and cohesion across all Sub-Nodes and projects. Two wise persons offer counsel to the Steering Committee and assist in the yearly self-evaluations of the research team. Each Sub-Node is governed by its own Steering Committee of academic and community partners.

This governance structure is designed to facilitate innovations in bridging, bonding, and capacity building across the Atlantic region and beyond. It links partners and research projects, facilitates efficient and transparent use of resources (monetary and other), and enables the building of capacities of the various academic and community partners. In particular, this structure allows for bridging across various research activities, and across partners and researchers from among the 'included" and the 'excluded' of the Atlantic Canadian social economy.