Criteria for voting membership

Membership Overview

Membership in APRIL is open to all interested groups and individuals who:

• Complete an application in the appropriate membership category
• Meet eligibility criteria
• Receive approval from the Public Relations Development Committee

Members are also required to pay annual dues, set by the Board and subject to adjustment. Membership runs from January 1 – December 31 and is not prorated.

Membership Categories

1. Organizational Membership

There are three types:

A. Center for Independent Living (CIL) Organizational Membership

Eligibility:

• Serve an area not more than a 50-mile radius from a population center of 50,000 people, or
• Provide services to a distinctly rural population, or
• Have significant interest in rural issues with plans to expand to rural populations

Voting:

• Active CIL members may vote on bylaws amendments, board nominations, and resolutions
• Votes are weighted as 10 units

Satellite Office Membership:

• Must meet Section 725 standards of the Rehabilitation Act
• Must be rural and free-standing (may still operate under founding organization’s incorporation)

B. Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) Organizational Membership

Eligibility:

• Must include rural outreach objectives in the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
• At least 51% of voting members must be individuals with disabilities

Voting:

• Votes weighted as 10 units

C. Organizational Associate Membership

• For organizations interested in rural independent living but not meeting full Active criteria
• No voting rights

2. Associate Membership

Three types:

A. Individual (Consumer) Membership

• Individuals with disabilities living in and supporting rural independent living issues
• Voting: 1 unit

B. Youth Membership

• Ages 18–30, interested in rural independent living issues
• Voting: 1 unit

C. Individual Associate (Ally) Membership

• Individuals supportive of APRIL’s mission but not meeting full Individual criteria
• No voting rights

3. Honorary Membership

Granted by the Board to individuals or organizations for distinguished service.

• No voting rights unless otherwise specified

Active Member Rights

• Attend and be heard at general membership meetings
• Serve on committees with presidential approval
• Receive correspondence (newsletters, annual reports, position papers)