Governing Documents
The Anthropocene Advocacy Through Art and Sciences Association (ATASA) is a federally incorporated Canadian not-for-profit corporation, 100% volunteer-based and self-funded:
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All operational costs are covered by the founder’s personal funds (often from academic scholarships or personal income).
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No money is accepted nor raised from members, the public, or outside organizations.
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All work is done by volunteers with no salaries or honoraria.
Our incorporation is governed by our Articles of Incorporation, which outline our purpose, membership structure, activity restrictions, and other foundational provisions. Under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (NFP Act), we have up to 12 months from incorporation to adopt and file our bylaws, the internal rules that set out how we operate, including procedures for meetings, elections, decision-making, and member rights.
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As a registered not-for-profit corporation, ATASA must operate in accordance with the NFP Act, which establishes the roles and responsibilities of directors and officers, auditing and record-keeping requirements, and the legal rights of members.
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Note: Bylaws and policies will be added when adopted
Articles of Incorporation
The Articles of Incorporation are ATASA’s founding legal document, filed with the federal government to formally establish our organization. They define our official name, purpose, governance structure, membership classes, and activity limitations. These Articles serve as the foundation for how ATASA operates and are part of our permanent public record under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act.
Schedule 1: Purpose Of Corporation
1.1 The purpose of the corporation is to operate as a not-for-profit educational and environmental advocacy group located in Ontario, Canada.
1.2 The corporation shall carry on activities exclusively for the purpose of public education, environmental awareness, and community engagement, and more specifically:
A. To promote interdisciplinary environmental education and ecological justice through initiatives that combine scientific research, artistic expression, and creative communication.
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B. To engage students, alumni, community members, and early-career researchers in Ontario in activities that increase public understanding of environmental science, conservation, climate change, sustainability, and related topics.
C. To develop and disseminate educational resources, including digital tools, reports, visual storytelling, scientific outreach materials, and community-based learning programs, with a focus on environmental degradation and sustainable land-use planning.
D. To conduct non-commercial, volunteer-led environmental research and fieldwork, including (but not limited to) soil surveys, plant assessments, satellite image analysis, historical and policy research, and youth-led citizen science initiatives.
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E. To promote community involvement in ecological restoration and sustainable development, including partnerships with schools, local governments, and residents in cities such as Richmond Hill, Ontario and Ottawa, Ontario.
F. To advocate for the protection of natural greenspaces, including the David Dunlap Observatory forest in Richmond Hill, Ontario and lands near the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, through non-partisan means including public education, land-use analysis, and participatory initiatives.
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G. To encourage public participation in environmental protection efforts through geocaching, community garden projects, field trips, blog contributions, and a monthly environmental bulletin ("Nature’s News").
H. To remain independent of all funding, donations, and commercial activity, and to operate without the issuance of tax receipts, grant applications, or financial solicitation of any kind.
I. To ensure that all members, officers, and directors serve without compensation, and that all operational costs are covered by the founder through personal or academic means, thereby preserving transparency, neutrality, and public trust.
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J. To carry out the above purposes without the purpose of gain for its members, and any profits or other accretions to the corporation shall be used solely to promote its objectives.
Schedule 2: Restrictions On Activities
The activities of the corporation will be limited to the following restrictions:​
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2.1 Funding Restrictions
A. The corporation shall not solicit, accept, or distribute donations, grants, or financial contributions from any individual, organization, government, or private entity, except for voluntary and personal contributions made by the founder for essential operational costs.
B. The corporation shall not issue tax receipts for charitable donations.
2.2 Operational Restrictions
A. The corporation shall not engage in any commercial or profit-seeking activity.
B. The corporation shall not pay compensation or honoraria to any member, supporter, director, or officer for their services.
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2.3 Purpose and Political Restrictions
A. The corporation shall not engage in any activity that is not exclusively for educational, environmental, or community-oriented purposes.
B. The corporation shall not engage in political activity or partisan advocacy in support of or in opposition to any political party or candidate.
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2.4 Property and Asset Restrictions
A. The corporation shall not own, manage, or legally consult physical property, real estate, or land, or enter into financial contracts or investments of any kind.
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Schedule 3: Classes of Members
3.1 General Members
General Members are individuals who support the mission of the corporation and actively participate in its activities. This includes undergraduate and graduate students, university alumni, early-career researchers, and community members. General Members have voting rights over general initiatives and meetings (e.g. meeting dates), but have no voting rights to elect executive members or directors.
3.2 Executive Members
Executive Members are individuals elected or appointed (by previously elected Executive Members and Directors) to Officer roles within the corporation (e.g. President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, or other officers). Executive Members must also be General Members. Executive Members have full voting rights and may be granted additional responsibilities and decision-making powers as defined in the corporation’s by-laws.
Schedule 4: Distribution of Property on Liquidation
4.1 In the event of dissolution or liquidation of the corporation, and after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, any remaining property, including physical assets, digital materials, and funds, shall not be distributed for personal gain to any member, director, officer, or contributor.
4.2 All remaining assets shall be:
A. Returned, where applicable, to any individual or institution that had provided materials, equipment, or content to the corporation under the condition that such property be returned upon dissolution;
B. Transferred, where appropriate, to one or more Canadian post-secondary educational institutions, publicly funded libraries, or environmental research bodies whose mission aligns with the Corporation’s purposes and values, and which are recognized as non-profit and non-commercial in nature;
C. Any digital or educational content hosted on public platforms shall be archived, with due recognition to original authors and creators, or deleted upon author request, respecting prior agreements of consent.
Schedule 5: Additional Provisions
5.1 Non-Profit Status
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The Corporation shall be carried on without the purpose of gain for its members. There will not be any collected income, profits, or assets (see 5.3).
5.2 Volunteer Operation and Remuneration
No director, officer, member, or contributor shall receive any remuneration, payment, or honorarium for their services to the Corporation. All persons involved in the Corporation do so on a strictly volunteer basis.
5.3 Prohibition on Fundraising and Donations
The Corporation shall not solicit, accept, or distribute donations, grants, or sponsorships from the public, government bodies, private organizations, or individuals, and shall not issue tax receipts or engage in fundraising activities. Any personal contributions from the Founder or Members shall be made voluntarily at their cost and used solely for minimal operational costs (e.g., website hosting, printing, transportation).
5.4 Borrowing Powers Restriction
The Corporation shall not borrow funds or enter into any loans, debts, or financial contracts, including credit arrangements, investments, or financial securities, unless explicitly authorized by a unanimous resolution of the Board and consistent with the Corporation’s restrictions on financial activity.
5.5 Copyright and Academic Work Ownership
All academic, creative, or scientific works published or displayed on the Corporation’s platforms (including its website, blog, or newsletter) remain the intellectual property of their respective authors. The Corporation shall publish or share such works only with the informed written consent of the author and shall not assume ownership or distribute such materials beyond their intended educational and awareness-raising purpose.
5.6 Neutrality and Non-Partisanship
The Corporation shall remain politically neutral and shall not support, endorse, or campaign for any political party, platform, or candidate. Its actions shall remain grounded in non-partisan, evidence-based, and community-oriented approaches.
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For any questions, please contact our Social Affairs & Legalities Officer: Social.Legal@Atasa.ca