Memberships
Categories of Membership
Just as there is a principle of affirmation of diversity that under girds the formation and purposes of RFP - USA, so also is there diversity in its models of membership and in its collaborative relationships.
RFP - USA welcomes two types of members, institutional and individual, and engages in collaborative partnerships with a number of "sister" organizations.
Models
of Membership
A) A religious body, institution, or organization that is in agreement with the purposes of RFP - USA may apply for institutional membership by sending a written request to the Executive Director. The Council of Presidents or the Executive Council officially invites new institutional members.
Institutional members may be national, regional, or local religious communities in scope and representation. National religious communities apply to join the national body and, if accepted, have representation through presence on the Council of Presidents and/or the Executive Council.
B) Local or regional chapters of RFP - USA become institutional members. In some instances, religious communities without national judicatory structures may become direct members of the national chapter through representation on the Council of Presidents, Executive Council, or the Advisory Council.
Institutional membership in RFP - USA is not transferable or assignable, and it is either offered or, if circumstances dictate, terminated in accordance with the terms stipulated in the by-laws of RFP - USA.
2) "Friends of Peace" Or Individual "Membership"
A person who is in agreement with the purposes of RFP - USA becomes an individual "member" by contributing to the life of the organization through gifts of financial support and/or physical assistance with programs or projects, such as local chapter development.
Individual "membership" in RFP - USA, while not conveying voting authority in the life of the organization, does demonstrate relationship, voice, and investment on the part of both parties.
Benefits of Membership
All members shall receive:
- Periodic and special informational bulletins on the work of RFP - USA and RFP - International
- Special alerts and important briefings on critical issues
- Early notification of events and of opportunities to become involved
- Online resources, papers, and linkages
- Clear connections to best practices across the U.S. in interfaith peace and justice work
- Satisfaction
of being a part of a large national network of diverse peoples working
for peaceful and just society
Collaborative Relationships
RFP - USA enters into program collaboration or cooperation with other organizations who are committed to peace and justice efforts and whose over-all purposes are in accordance with RFP - USA and its member religious communities. These collaborations may take the form of jointly sponsored events, sharing foundation-based program grants, cooperative advocacy efforts, and/or other mutually supportive efforts.
Authorization of such collaborations shall rest with the Council of Presidents or the Executive Council.