ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Members of CRIY organize themselves so that they can learn, make decisions and act together in ways that advance the shared purpose. Meetings will adopt principles of Roberts Rules of Order to successfully conduct gatherings.
Steering Committee
Made up of primary actors and representatives of member organizations, the Steering Committee reflects the diversity of the community and is responsible for deciding the strategic direction and priorities of the CRIY, establishing advisory and work groups to address those priorities, championing the CRIY within the community and guiding the work of the backbone.
Work Groups
Made up of primary actors and representatives of member organizations who share responsibility for co-creating and implementing strategies aligned with one of the priorities identified by the Steering Committee, Working Groups are created by the Steering Committee.
Action Teams
Made up of primary actors and representatives of member organizations, Action Teams are created to implement action items or “quick wins” that can be put into place under a 12 month timeframe. Unlike Work Groups that remain as an ongoing construct, Action Teams may be disassembled when items are complete with the approval of the Steering Committee. The scope and duration of the Action Teams will be determined by the Steering Committee.
Advisory Groups
Made up of primary actors and representatives of supporting actors who desire to provide input and guidance to other members, but do not have the capacity and/or interest to become directly involved in the strategies and efforts of the initiative. Advisory groups are formed by the Steering Committee. The scope and duration of advisory groups will be determined by the Steering Committee. Some may be permanent, such as an advisory group made up of primary actors, and some may be temporary, such as an advisory group convened to address an emerging funding opportunity.
Listening Sessions
Listening Sessions are a key component of the Collective Response Initiative York’s commitment to inclusive, community‑driven problem‑solving and they help us center the voices of those with lived experience. These sessions are facilitated by CRIY backbone staff, who serve as a neutral, trusted party. Their role is to create a safe and open environment where primary actors can share insight, lived experience, and honest feedback related to the issue being explored. Each Listening Session is guided by a Topic Guide that is developed by CRIY backbone staff and approved by the CRIY Steering Committee. This ensures that every conversation is intentional, focused, and aligned with the broader goals of the initiative. Following each session, all collected themes, perspectives, and recommendations are synthesized and brought back to both the Steering Committee and the corresponding CRIY Work Group. This process ensures that community voices directly inform next steps, strategy design, and collaborative action across the initiative.