TinyTRA's organisational structure
The Tiny Township Residents' Alliance (TinyTRA) is committed to fostering a more inclusive and efficient approach to community governance. Unlike the traditional top-down organizational structures typical of local councils, TinyTRA operates as a dynamic, lateral organization, depicted as three concentric circles, each playing a vital role in our collective mission.
Membership at Large: The Community's Voice- If you've just signed up, you are automatically membership at large—the voting, taxpaying residents of Tiny Township. While many members may not be directly involved in the day-to-day political affairs, their role is crucial. Members can:
Stay informed through the Coordination Circle’s updates and communications.
Voice their positions and concerns to the Coordination Circle, ensuring you are heard and have an impact.
Lend support to the causes and initiatives that are relevant to you when needed.
This inclusive approach empowers all residents, providing a platform for your voices to be heard and ensuring your concerns are addressed in a way that the current council structure often impedes.
Committees: Focused on Specific Issues- If you have a particular matter that you are willing and able to address, then the Coordination Circle is for you. Here you find various specialized committees, each dedicated to addressing specific issues impacting Tiny Township (see below for a list of committees). These committees stay in regular contact with the Coordination Circle to:
Relate progress on your projects.
Address resource needs.
Stay informed about the activities of other committees to avoid duplication of efforts and streamline efficiencies.
This structure ensures that each committee can operate effectively within its focus area while remaining aligned with the broader goals and activities of TinyTRA
Coordination Circle: The Communication Hub- At the heart of TinyTRA is the Coordination Circle. This core group is not a governing body in the conventional sense but rather a communication hub and organizational facilitator. The Coordination Circle ensures seamless communication between all parts of the alliance, coordinating activities, and facilitating the flow of information. Its primary tools include:
Website: A central repository for information, updates, and resources.
Facebook Group: A closed group for members of TinyTRA, conditional upon adherence to a code of conduct, fostering respectful and productive discussions.
Email Mailing List: Bi-weekly updates to keep everyone informed about the latest developments, upcoming events, and opportunities for involvement.
All members are subject to the protections of TinyTRA's PIPEDA privacy policy
Rooted in Indigenous governance traditions — where community is organized in relationship, not hierarchy — the Tiny Township Residents Alliance has built a concentric circle model that puts residents at the centre of local decision-making.
With the Coordination Circle at the hub, our structure ensures clear communication, eliminates duplication, and opens meaningful pathways for every resident to shape how our township is governed. It is a model that honours time-tested wisdom while meeting the practical needs of a modern municipality.
Together, we are building a more responsive, connected, and accountable local government.
COORDINATING CIRCLE
Speaker- Janet Marks
Treasurer- (open)
Secretary- Erik Schomann
Coordinator- Steve Barber
The following committees have either already been established or in the process of forming:
Asset management committee- Tiny's asset management report was recently prepared, and figures indicate that the Township's assets are underfunded. This will require additional funding, likely leading to another tax increase on top of recent hikes, as well as covering the principal and interest on the loan for the proposed administrative building.
Budget analysis committee- established to promote transparency and understanding of financial decisions impacting our community. By reviewing expenditures, identifying priorities, and engaging with residents, the committee ensures that resources are allocated responsibly and reflect the values of the township. Through open dialogue and detailed analysis, it aims to build trust and support informed decision-making.
Culture and events committee- dedicated to celebrating and promoting the unique cultural heritage and vibrant community life of our township. By promoting events, supporting local talent, and fostering collaboration, the committee works to strengthen connections among residents and showcase the area’s engaging traditions and enrich the cultural fabric of our community.
New administrative building committee- addressing concerns about the proposed construction of an administrative building with a number of sub-committees inlcuding: legal subcommittee; proceedural subcommittee; activist subcommittee; ecology subcommittee.
Septage committee- addressing ongoing and newly arising issues surrounding Tiny's septage question.
Speeding committee- generating community led solutions to getting people to slow down in their driving through our streets.
Teedon Pit committee- addressing the threat to the world's purest water.
