7th Step Society of Canada - mission statement

Mission Statement

The Seventh Step Society of Canada is a foundation of provincial and territorial organizations, promoting and developing the seventh step philosophy in Canadian institutions and communities. Its mandate includes to support, guide and to ensure adherence to the seventh step self help principles.

The society was incorporated as a non-profit organization under letters patent of Canada in 1981. It is recognized as a charitable association and holds registration number 07599955-59-24 with revenue Canada. The registered objects are:

To assist, develop and foster a spirit of self reliance by way of co-operation among its members and other ex convicts, so as to achieve the rehabilitation of ex convicts;
To provide a weekly forum for the full and free discussion of all matters of mutual interest among ex convicts;
To consider and discuss all questions affecting the interests of the said Corporation and other ex convicts, to initiate and watch over and, if necessary, to promote deputation in relation to general matters affecting the said Corporation; to originate and promote improvement in the general welfare of the members and other ex convicts;
To promote, acquire and operate a resident headquarters to assist members of the Corporation in need of such a facility;
To promote the theory and practice of the principles of good citizenship and co-operation;
To solicit or raise money from its members or other interested people for the aforesaid objects;
To provide public education in the area of crime and criminal rehabilitation;
To monitor developments in the "Criminal Justice System" and take a position on those issues the Board of Directors deems pertinent to the membership.

Fundamental Principles

Recognizing that:

Realistic thinking, positive peer pressure and the self help philosophy can help incorrigible and recidivist offenders to change their behaviour and attitudes and help them become productive members of the community; Seventh Step Agencies and Chapters have developed throughout the nation with the primary purpose of reducing recidivism. The Seventh Step Society of Canada has been formed to unite these Agencies and Chapters and encourage them to share and practice a common ideal in the therapy of the offender.

It is further recognized that Seventh Step Agencies and Chapters/Groups share a common purpose but a different function. For this reason, the Seventh Step Society of Canada proposes that all Agencies and Chapters/Groups be organized and distinguished in accordance with the following seven FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES:

1.	Although Seventh Step Agencies bear the Seventh Step name, they should be recognized as distinct and separate entities from Seventh Step Chapters/Groups; the business of the Agencies shall always be kept separate from that of the voluntary self help Chapters/Groups.
2.	Each Seventh Step Chapter/Group shall be wholly self supporting and autonomous; however, the common welfare of all Seventh Step Chapter/Groups is paramount, therefore no Chapter/Group shall exercise its autonomy to the detriment of other Chapters/Groups or Seventh Step as a whole.
3.	Agencies and Chapters/Groups shall never endorse, finance, or lend the Seventh Step name to any related facility or outside enterprise, for fear that money, property or prestige may avert it from its original ideals and purpose.
4.	Self help Chapters/Groups are programs and not businesses and shall remain non professional, and shall not hire professional counsellors nor charge for their own counselling services. An Agency may hire professionals to carry out the functions of the Agency and may charge a fee for their services, through the direction of their Board of Directors.
5.	Self help Chapters/Groups shall be solely supported by voluntary contributions from their members and local fund raising projects which have received prior Board approval. Agencies may also publicly solicit funds to carry out their functions, through the direction of their Board of Directors.
6.	Self help Chapters/Groups shall not be formally constituted or organized; Agencies shall be legally sanctioned and shall also be governed by a fixed Board of Directors.
7.	The Seventh Step opposes no one; no member shall ever, in a manner which would involve the Seventh Step name, express an opinion on an outside issue or controversy; particularly those involving politics, penal reform, or sectarian religion. Agencies may lobby, provided such activity is not prohibited by the tax laws of their jurisdiction.