Membership & New Chapter Formation Guidelines
EEIU Membership Levels
THE EEIU WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS AND CHAPTERS!
The information provided below may assist you in joining us.
The EEIU does not levy membership fees.
National Member - Persons who wish to become a member of the EEIU should complete a membership application. These are available at: https://secure.int-res.com/member_form_secure.html. Once the application is accepted, the applicant's name is inscribed in the National Membership List of the applicant's country of residence. EEIU Headquarters (HQ) manages this list.
Local Chapter Member - A Local Chapter consists of a group of EEIU members in a specific geographic region who have organized themselves according to the guidelines below. National Members are expected to join and to work within the nearest Local Chapter if one exists within 50 miles (80 km) of the member's home.
Member-at-Large Status and Units - National Members are recognized as Members-at-Large (MALs) until joining a Local Chapter. If there is no Local Chapter within 50 miles (80 km), members may retain their MAL status indefinitely. MALs may be organized regionally into MAL Units. These Units facilitate communications between and among EEIU HQ, Local Chapters and MALs.
Establishing a New Local EEIU Chapter
National Members for whom no Local Chapter exists within 50 miles (80 km) of their home, and who are interested in becoming more actively involved in Union efforts and activities in a leadership position, may begin the preliminary steps required to form a Local Chapter.
National Members interested in forming a Local Chapter should contact the EEIU Coordinator to discuss Chapter formation. The EEIU Coordinator is available to answer questions and provide advice and details regarding the development guidelines outlined below.
After a MAL Unit has met all necessary requirements for at least 12 months and has provided the necessary supporting documentation it may apply to EEIU HQ to be recognized as a new Local Chapter.
Guidelines for Establishing an EEIU Local Chapter
An applicant for a new Local Chapter should
- File an "Intent to Form a New Local Chapter" application with Union HQ;
- Understand and appreciate the EEIU Constitution;
- Understand and appreciate the concepts and theses of eco-ethics as outlined in the Union brochures;
- Understand and agree to observe Union Policies and Procedures;
- Draft a Mission Statement (example);
- Draft a Local Chapter Constitution (example);
- Recruit members for an initial Board of Directors. These Directors will approve a framework of articles and working by-laws that will govern how the Board and Local Chapter will conduct meetings and carry out program design and evaluation;
- Conduct all Local Chapter activity consistently with the laws governing nonprofit organizations in host countries;
- Draft by-laws for approval by the Board of Directors of the local Chapter (example);
- Set up a separate bank account for the Chapter from which an annual report of financial activity should be prepared. A third-party independent accountancy firm with full responsibilities to handle all Chapter funds is strongly recommended;
- Quarterly progress and activity reports - which should be sent to EEIU HQ - are welcome (example);
- Within two months of filing an 'Intent to Form', prepare a strategic plan covering intended programs, activities and fundraising;
- Prepare and submit an Annual Report at the end of a 12-month period (contact the Union Coordinator for details);
- Documents associated with items 5-13 should be filed with EEIU HQ.
This page was last updated on 30 November 2005.
