• Introduction
• Mission of the Coalition
• Purpose of the Coalition
• Structure of the Coalition
• Composition of the Coalition
• Expectations of Coalition Members

Introduction

These Terms of Reference summarize the mission, purpose, structure, guiding values and expectations of members of a newly formed coalition of Sikh societies, community service agencies and individuals interested in forming a cohesive and collaborative entity devoted to addressing issues of youth violence in the South Asian community.

The information presented in this document was developed from planning meetings held on May 17 and June 14, 2007 as well as the report prepared by Dr. Gira Bhatt on behalf of the Sikh Societies of the Lower Mainland (SSOLM) and the emerging Coalition. The consensus of participants at the planning meetings supports the idea of establishing this group as a unified coalition in which all members are considered equal partners.

Under this structure, the originating group, namely the Sikh Societies of the Lower Mainland (SSOLM) has integrated with the other coalition members to form the South Asian Community Coalition Against Youth Violence (the Coalition).

We recognize the efforts of the SSOLM in initiating this important effort and bringing together this Coalition.

Mission of the Coalition

To ensure that the services and programs needed to prevent further youth violence and support positive youth development in the South Asian community are identified, developed, funded, coordinated, implemented and evaluated.

Purpose of the Coalition

1. To share information, knowledge and resources among coalition members and other stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of available services and programs.
2. To support and advocate for the acquisition of funding for the development, implementation and sustainability of effective services and programs from within the community and in collaboration with external (e.g., government) funders.
3. To ensure that services and programs being offered by coalition members and other institutions and individuals are coordinated, effective and efficiently delivered (e.g., avoiding duplication).
4. To be the voice of the South Asian community on issues related to preventing youth violence and the positive development of South Asian youth.
5. To support community capacity building through outreach to the community and through facilitating the identification, development and implementation of needed services and programs.

Structure of the Coalition

The Coalition is structured as a facilitation and support resource for its member agencies, groups, individuals and the community. The Coalition is not an agency itself and is not structured to provide direct services or programs to the community or to provide direct funding for services or programs.

Participation in the Coalition is voluntary. All members of the Coalition are considered equal. A paid Coordinator will facilitate the internal functioning of the Coalition. A Steering Committee will be established through a self-selection process to coordinate and oversee the overall activities of the coalition and the Coordinator. A Chair will be appointed by the Steering Committee and approved by the membership to facilitate the organization and the activities of the Coalition.

Area-focused sub-committees will be established to coordinate and oversee specific efforts in those designated areas.

Composition of the Coalition

The Coalition is a diverse group of societies, agencies, groups and individuals who have an interest in and a role to play in reducing youth violence in the South Asian community. The Coalition strives for demographic balance (e.g., gender, age, etc.) in its membership in order to ensure the inclusion of diverse experience and perspectives.

Criteria for membership include the following characteristics:

1. Committed to the mission.
2. Has experience or expertise related to the mission.
3. Has capability of contributing to the mission.

Expectations of Coalition Members

All members of the Coalition agree to abide by the following principles and practices.

Guiding Values

• Collaborative – Members agree to freely share information and fully cooperative with each other.
• Open-minded – Members agree to show interest in and regard for different viewpoints and interests.
• Respectful – Members agree to communicate with each other in a manner that demonstrates respect for the viewpoints, ideas and contribution of each member.
• Transparent – Members agree to reveal their needs and goals as a member of the Coalition and be honest and forthright in their participation.
• Cause-focused – Members agree that the interests of youth and the goal of eliminating youth violence take priority over the self-interests of individual coalition members.

Participation Values

• Consistent – Members agree to regularly attend meetings and participate in activities as they develop.
• Timely – Members agree to respect the time commitments made by others by showing up for meetings on time and working to meet timelines set for projects.
• Results-oriented – Members agree to participate in a manner that promotes the achievement of the mission as the highest priority of the Coalition.