SCM's Structure

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This page gives you some more information about how the Student Christian Movement works. Generally, the Movement strives to operate on a democratic, grassroots and egalitarian basis which we see as important to our mission.

  • MISSION
    SCM Canada is a student-led grassroots social justice movement. Our mission is to build ecumenical* communities which engage the prophetic teachings of the revolutionary Jesus of Nazareth. We include people of many beliefs and backgrounds.
* Ecumenism is a global movement for unity among Christians and includes Anabaptist, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant/Evangelical, and other, churches. SCM Canada is open to people of many beliefs and backgrounds, including non-Christians. You can read our full Mission Statement online.
  • MEMBERSHIP
    There is no membership list or criteria in SCM Canada. Generally, however, there are two primary categories of involvement – Students and Senior Friends.

However, students do not necessarily have to be enrolled in education but are generally youth 18-30 interested in learning something.

Senior Friends, or SCM alumni, are past members who continue to support the movement through funding, committee work, participation in the National Board, or skills and expertise (this group is also open to non-alumni supporters)

  • SCM LOCAL UNITS
    The basic unit of SCM is the Local Unit, which are student-run and autonomous communities on campuses – they participate in national programming but also do their own campaigns and activities. The are connected regionally through regional retreats and the National Board.
  • LOCAL ADVISORY BOARDS
    Some units are funded and maintained by Local Advisory Boards (in the case of well-established units) made up of Senior Friends (SCM alumni) and student representatives. They hire local coordinators (if a paid position is offered) and can act as a steering committee or fundraising locally.
  • REGIONAL REPRESENTATION
    At the national level, there are 2 regions with 2 sub-regions within each. Western Region is BC/Alberta and Manitoba/Saskatchewan. Eastern Region is Ontario/Quebec and Maritimes. Each of the 4 subregions elects a student to the National Board at the annual council.
  • GENERAL BOARD
    This General Board (formerly the ‘National Board’) carries on the work of the Movement between council sessions and meets twice annually. Made up of 2 elected student regional representatives; 4 desk coordinators (anti-oppression, outreach, fundraising/finance, communications), 2 elected co-chairs (who facilitate meetings and represent the movement); a senior friend; a treasurer; and general staff (non-voting).
  • GENERAL OFFICE
    The General Board oversees a General Office and hires staff (General Secretaries) to carry out the mandate of the Board between meetings and in particular to assist with national programs, fundraising, communications and administration.

General Secretaries are non-voting members of the Board. They are supervised/supported by the Board’s Personnel Committee made up of students and alumni.

  • GENERAL COUNCIL
    This is the highest decision-making body of SCM Canada. It is open to all students to participate and coincides with our annual General Conference which is open to all and meets every Spring after exams.

Facilitated by the elected student Co-Chairs, this Council operates on a consensus decision-making model in which all have a say (and veto); it requires skilled facilitation and sets priorities, national programs and annual themes. Out of Council emerge Working Groups (WorGs), made up of any interested students across the country to plan and implement programs, publications, resources, fundraising, anti-oppression work, etc.

The General Board participates in General Council and is replaced every year by student elections.

  • GLOBAL MOVEMENT
    SCM is part of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF), with membership of more than 100 national SCM’s on 6 continents. We send delegates to General Assemblies and pay dues to the global office in Geneva, though national SCM’s are autonomous.

WSCF has consultative status in the United Nations and is also involved with the World Council of Churches.