Programmes within the Network are organized using an affiliate structure. To be certified as an Network affiliate, they must meet standards of stability, restorativeness, and skill. Both the programmes and the Network work to increase the number of certified affiliates. Uncertified programmes make efforts to meet the guidelines, but the Network also recruits programmes and leaders in an effort to give parties as many options as possible.

The Network’s aim is to have programmes evenly distributed throughout the city according to population. However, some programmes specialize in specific kinds of needs or processes and may take cases from a broad geographic area, while others have more general knowledge and skills but focus on a particular community or neighbourhood.

Most programmes serve people in their geographic region. There are many programmes in each geographic region, however, so parties have alternatives when considering which programme to use. If small regions have only one programme, the parties can chose a programme in a neighbouring region. The Hub’s referral staff members advise parties on programmes that they feel will best fit their needs when asked, but the ultimate decision depends on agreement of the parties, except in serious matters when the referral staff are required to approve the chosen programme as well to ensure that the necessary parties have been included and that the process will adequately serve their interests.

Each programme lists the kinds of matters it is equipped to address. Programmes are expected to take any case of those kinds that are submitted to them, although exceptions are made when there is a suggestion of bias or other circumstances that could undermine fairness. Programmes are allowed to work voluntarily with cases that are outside of their listed parameters if the parties agree, keeping in mind that the Hub must approve programme selection for more serious cases.

The Hub provides services to all of its affiliate programmes. These services include education, resources as needed, consultation, staff support, referrals, evaluation, and general coordination. Programmes also, however, are expected to provide self-education, practice self-evaluation, and cooperate freely with other programmes and the Hub. Programmes are given freedom in adapting their work to their particular cultural or geographic context. This freedom is tempered somewhat by the regular Hub evaluations that check for impartiality, human rights abuses, and knowledge of and adherence to restorative justice principles among staff and policies.

Programmes affiliated with the Hub may work with one another without having to go through the Hub. Any constructive relationship formed between programmes is welcomed by the Hub as allowing greater communication and cooperation within society. Conflictual relationships between programmes are addressed restoratively with or without the help of the Hub. If the Hub becomes aware that programmes are unwilling to resolve their conflicts, it will do what it can to encourage programmes to practice restorative relationships before determining whether to de-certify some or all of the programmes.

There is economic disparity between neighbourhoods in RJ City, and that disparity is sometimes reflected in the resources available to programmes in those neighbourhoods. This disparity sometimes results in well-equipped, well-financed programmes operating in low-crime areas, while the programmes in less-developed, high-crime areas struggle with fewer financial and material resources. This is addressed in several ways: 1) some programmes share resources and cases; 2) the Hub obtains funding and other resources for some programmes; and 3) some programmes extend their boundaries to include parties from other neighbourhoods who want to take advantage of the programmes’ resources.