The Central Illinois Organizing Project seeks to build a powerful, broad based, multi-issue community organization that is capable of addressing social and economic concerns and make necessary changes to improve the quality of life for all people.  Initiated from within the religious community and continuing to draw on shared spiritual and moral values, the proposed community organization welcomes racial, religious, ethnic and economic diversity in its membership.   The organization will be a vehicle for people to fully participate in decision-making processes on issues that effect their lives, families and communities.

We the members of ______________________________ enter into a Covenant with the Central Illinois Organizing Project for the purpose of creating a broad-based, multi-issue community organization.  Based on our common spiritual and moral values, we agree to support this venture by working with other member congregations and groups to bring about necessary changes on important community concerns that effect our community and region.  Specifically we will:

1. Form a leadership team in our congregation or group to engage in a listening campaign to learn the community concerns from our members and neighbors, and to identify people who will work on these issues.


2. Involve a broad cross section of our congregation or group in a process of investigation, education, leadership training and active involvement in the issues that most effect them and the community/region.


3. Select up to 12 delegates who can actively represent us in the Representative Assembly.  These people will work with other representatives to identify common concerns and plan ways to effectively address them.


4. Select 2 of our members to serve on the temporary board of the Representative Assembly at its meetings.


5. Pay $300 in annual dues with the understanding that groups with greater financial capacity are encouraged to contribute at a higher level.  A $100 introductory fee is valid for 3 months (applicable toward annual dues) without voting benefits


6. Support the efforts of each of the other member congregations and groups on issues that effect the quality of their lives, and work with them on issues of common concern.

Signed:

_______________________________
Pastor (or Executive Director):

_______________________________
Congregational Leader (of Board President):

_______________________________
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