Belonging Starts with Participation – Your Membership. Your Voice. Our Community.
At CVIMS, belonging is at the heart of what we do.
Every day, we work alongside newcomers, community members, partners, volunteers, and supporters to help build a community where people feel welcomed, connected, and able to participate fully. Membership is another way of putting that sense of belonging into action.
Being a CVIMS member means choosing to be part of the community that stands behind our work. It creates a meaningful connection between our organization and the people who believe in its purpose—and gives members an opportunity to participate in the life and governance of CVIMS.
Why Do Non-Profits Have Members?
Non-profit societies operate differently from private businesses. Rather than being accountable to owners or shareholders, they exist to advance a defined community purpose and are governed by a Board of Directors, with members having an important role in the society’s governance.
Membership helps create that accountability. Members are part of the broader community to whom the organization is responsible, helping ensure that its work continues to reflect its purpose, values, and commitments.
Membership Is Participation
Membership is more than a transaction or a name on a list. It is an invitation to participate.
Members have an opportunity to stay connected to CVIMS, learn about our work and impact, participate in general meetings, and contribute to important governance decisions through their voting rights.
With those opportunities come responsibilities. Members are encouraged to understand and support the purpose of the organization, stay informed, participate in meetings such as the Annual General Meeting, and exercise their voting rights thoughtfully.
These may seem like small actions, but collectively they are an important part of a healthy, accountable non-profit organization.
Why the Annual General Meeting Matters
The Annual General Meeting—or AGM—is one of the key moments when membership comes to life.
An AGM provides members with an opportunity to hear about the organization’s work over the past year, receive important organizational and financial information, participate in the business of the society, and exercise their responsibilities as members.
But an AGM can be more than governance and procedure.
It is also an opportunity to gather.
To reconnect with the people behind the work. To celebrate what our community has accomplished together. To meet Board members, staff, partners, and fellow community members. And to look ahead to what we can continue building together.
That is belonging in action.
Join the CVIMS Community
As we approach our 2026 Annual General Meeting, we’ll be sharing more about what it means to be a CVIMS member, how membership connects to the governance of our organization, and how you can get involved.
Our Annual General Meeting & Community Gathering will take place:
Monday, September 28, 2026
5:00–7:00 PM
CVIMS Main Office, #101–319 Selby Street, Rooms 9/10
Online participation will also be available via Zoom.
Register for the AGM here.
The AGM will take place from 5:00–5:45 PM, followed by an opportunity from 5:45–7:00 PM to mingle with CVIMS Board members, staff, community partners, and friends.
Because membership isn’t simply about belonging to an organization. It’s about taking part in it.
Voting: CVIMS members in good standing who have been members for at least 30 days are eligible to vote. Guests and community partners are warmly welcome to attend.
Not yet a CVIMS member? To learn more about membership and ways to stay connected, participate, and contribute throughout the year, contact Aira: aregencia@cvims.org.
