8/02                                           MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

 

Alabama Arise and                                                                             enter into this agreement in order to speak with a strong, united voice to the Alabama Legislature in support of policies that would eliminate or alleviate the effects of poverty. We agree to work together for a legislative agenda established by a consensus of the member organizations, as modified from time to time by a vote of the membership.

 

We understand that we also automatically become members of Arise Citizens’ Policy Project, and we commit to work through ACPP to understand poverty in Alabama and to help organize citizens in support of fairer public policies toward the poor.

 

We agree to the following mutual responsibilities and obligations:

 

Responsibilities of Member Organizations

 

  • To participate fully in the selection of legislative priorities and Board members at the Annual Meeting.  In a given year, members select not more than seven legislative priorities;  they select them by majority vote;  and they strive for consensus support of priorities, staying sensitive to the values and deeply held beliefs of individual organizations.  Board members are elected democratically to one-year terms.

 

  • To contribute financially to support the hiring of staff, office and outreach expenses, and expenses of communication with members.  Each member is asked to contribute at least $500 per year if at all possible.  The minimum membership contribution is $100, unless a waiver is granted by the Board of Directors.

 

  • To commit organizational resources, especially human resources, to the lobbying effort.  To distribute action alerts and information on legislative activity to the organization's constituency and to urge them to undertake lobbying efforts as needed.  To name a Contact Person to serve as voting representative to periodic meetings of Alabama Arise, which will occur at least three times per year.

 

  • To utilize the lobbyist and name of Alabama Arise only for those issues identified as priorities by the membership of Alabama Arise.  This does not, however, limit the right of any member organization to lobby independently on other issues or to inform other members of legislative developments on issues not endorsed by Alabama Arise.

 

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors is composed of three to fifteen Contact Persons of member organizations.  At least 50% of the Board's members must be representatives of low-income member organizations.  The Board's responsibilities:

 

·         To devise strategy for outreach, education, organizing, and lobbying.

 

·         To supervise staff members.

 

·         To monitor the financial affairs of the organization.

 

·         To make decisions about legislative strategy when time factors preclude a meeting or polling of the entire membership.

 

Responsibilities of the Legislative Coordinator

 

  • To attend meetings of the Legislature and appropriate legislative committees dealing with priority legislation and report the status of that legislation to the Board.

 

  • To represent Alabama Arise on priority legislation in interaction with members of the Legislature, administrative agencies, and the Governor's office.

 

Responsibilities of the State Coordinator

 

  • To communicate with members about the work of the Legislative Coordinator:  To alert members to the status of priority legislation and challenge them to take specific action steps such as contacting their local legislators.

 

  • To communicate with members about the work of the Board of Directors:  To encourage their participation in organizing and lobbying strategies, and to seek input from coalition members.

 

  • To lead outreach efforts to build the name of Alabama Arise and to recruit new members.

 

  • To coordinate educational campaigns on the priority issues.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                 

 

THIS ORGANIZATION HAS DECIDED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF ALABAMA ARISE and Arise Citizens’ Policy Project.  WE UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THE ROLES AND MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES OUTLINED IN THIS MEMORANDUM.

 

 

Organization __________________________

 

_____________________________________                                                    

 

Address ______________________________

 

City                            Zip ______________

 

Phone                         Date _____________

 

This year we will contribute $          . 

 

               Enclosed.         Pledged.

 

          We have attached additional names and addresses of our members who should receive Alabama Arise mailings.

 

Contact Person _________________________

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