Membership

1-404-657-8904
 1-888-303-0024
www.thearcofgeorgia.org   info@thearcofgeorgia.org

 

STANDARDS FOR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS 

1.All Affiliate Chapters, Associate Organizations, Contributing Organizations and Supporting Professional Organizations will complete the attached membership form and submit it to the office of The Arc of Georgia for action by the Board. Once Board approval is given, an annual Letter of Membership will be presented to the organization upon receipt of applicable state fees due to The Arc of Georgia.

2.All Chapters and Organizations will submit annual fees to The Arc of Georgia within 90 days following the beginning of the fiscal year of The Arc of Georgia, which is July 1. The schedule of dues is shown below:

* “Affiliate Chapters” of The Arc of Georgia and the Arc of the US will have state chapter dues based on 25% of their affiliation fee with The Arc of the US (see fee schedule). Affiliation fees will begin with the first year of affiliation. Only non-profit organizations meeting affiliation criteria may be affiliated with The Arc of Georgia. 

* “Associate Organizations” are organizations that choose to associate with the Arc of Georgia but otherwise may not meet the affiliation criteria. Associate Organizations’ annual state dues will be based on The Arc of the US fee schedule plus an additional 10%. These fees will be phased in over three years: 25% year one, 60% year two, 100% year three and subsequent years. 

* “Contributing Organizations” are organizations that are new to The Arc of Georgia and / or are smaller organizations such as Parent Groups and People First Chapters. Fees to the Arc of Georgia will be $100 the first year, and $250 for the second year.

* “Supporting Professional Organizations” are organizations that are comprised of organizations whose members are knowledgeable about and concerned with individuals with developmental disabilities and are interested in supporting ideas and initiatives that will promote people with disabilities living full and meaningful lives in their own communities. Organizations such as CDAG and SPADD would be examples. Fees to The Arc of Georgia will be $1000 annually.

* “At-Large Members” will affiliate directly with The Arc of Georgia and have dues of $20 per year for family membership, $15 for and individual membership, and $5 for a self-advocate membership. Smaller parent support and self-advocate support groups may prefer to join The Arc of Georgia under this category. 

* Affiliate Chapters will submit a copy of the organization’s IRS 990 form (if applicable) and Audit Reports to The Arc of Georgia annually. Affiliate Chapters utilizing The Arc of Georgia’s IRS Non-Profit 501 (c) 3 number of will be required to submit an audit no later than 90 days following the close of the Chapter’s fiscal year. 

4.Affiliate Chapters using The Arc of Georgia IRS Non-Profit 501 (c) 3 number are not eligible to contractually obligate The Arc of Georgia unless the Board of The Arc of Georgia approves such an action.

5.All organizations affiliated with The Arc of Georgia are strongly encouraged to affiliate with The Arc of the US. Only Chapters affiliated with The Arc of the US are entitled to receive information (i.e., the quarterly newsletter “Insight”, e-mails and “Action Alerts;” list serves such as “Steveslist”, and other benefits specifically reserved for affiliated chapters of The Arc of the US.) Affiliation with The Arc of the US shall be secured by contacting The Arc of Georgia, and completing and submitting the required documents.

6.All Affiliate Chapters of The Arc of Georgia that use “ARC” or “Arc” in their name must be affiliated with The Arc of the US, as a matter of organizational integrity, and because of The Arc’s registered national trade name. 

7.Individual membership dues of Affiliated Chapters are $ 3.00 and must be submitted to The Arc of Georgia upon receipt of the payment from the individual member. All Affiliate Chapters are encouraged to utilize the member renewal services of The Arc of the US. Individuals who are not members of Affiliate Chapters, and who reside outside of the covered service area of a local Affiliate Chapter may become members-at large in The Arc of Georgia and The Arc of the US. An “at large” member completes the Individual Membership application and sends it, along with appropriate dues, to The Arc of Georgia. 

8.Individual members of chapters which are not affiliated with The Arc of the US will be submitted to The Arc of the US through The Arc of Georgia as “At-Large “ members.

Created on 07/21/03 
 

CORE VALUES

PREAMBLE

From its beginning, a major strength of The Arc movement has been that parents, family members and volunteers have governed the organization. In recent years, self-advocates have also assumed important roles. Parents, family members, self-advocates and other volunteers are the driving force in The Arc. From the grassroots of The Arc come the dreams, the philosophy that drives the core values, the ability to shape public policy and the mutual support that parents and self-advocates provide for one another.

Core values of The Arc are those values that are subscribed to and pursued at all three levels of The Arc – national, state chapter and local chapters by volunteer and staff leaders.

THE CORE VALUES ARE:

People First. The Arc believes that all people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities have strengths, abilities and inherent value; are equal before the law; and must be treated with dignity and respect. The Arc represents, supports and acts on behalf of individuals and their families regardless of level of disability or membership in The Arc. The Arc believes in self-determination by empowering people with the supports needed to make informed decisions and choices. 

Democracy. A democratic process involving members, through affiliated chapters, is utilized to take positions on important issues, policies and programs. 

Visionary Leadership. The Arc leads by promoting the mission core values and position statements. We lead with integrity, accountability, and by open, honest and timely communication. We work with individuals, organizations and coalitions in a collaborative fashion. There is a valued partnership with volunteer and staff leadership at all levels of the organization that provides mutual support for their respective roles.

Community Participation. The Arc works toward and believes in the community imperative: that all people have the fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to live, learn, work, play and worship in safe and healthy communities of their choosing. The Arc has responsibility to ensure the safety and well being of individuals.

Diversity. The Arc values and insists upon diversity in its leadership and membership. The Arc actively pursues and welcomes diverse groups (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender and level of disability).

Integrity and Excellence. The Arc conducts its business with integrity. The Arc reflects quality and excellence in all its work.