Membership Policy

Membership Goal

GCBR’s ability to influence, mobilise, enable and inform others goes hand in hand with growth in the scale and scope of its membership. Therefore, GCBR aims to engage with a diverse collective of active responsible citizens as members, individual or institutional, to help advance its vision of People and Nature Living in Harmony, within UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere philosophy.

Commitment

Membership is voluntary, inclusive and responsible, based more on solidarity with GCBR’s ethos than on benefits.

• Inclusive: eligibility for membership is for all those living and located within and beyond the boundaries of the Biosphere Reserve who commit to actively supporting GCBR’s vision.
• Responsible: members show dedication to the organisation’s vision through their personal and institutional choices and behaviour. All members will sign up in writing to the GCBR’s Statement of Commitment.

Statement of Commitment

As a member of the GCBR, I/my organisation subscribe(s) to the ideals of the GCBR and UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme.

On applying for membership, I/ we will either sign a hard copy application or provide an online signature, stating that I/ we commit to:

doing what I/we can to help make the GCBR an effective and respected champion of People and Nature Living in Harmony within the domain;
taking responsibility for the ecological footprint I/we make;
using sustainability as a guide to thinking about what I/we do and why.
Being Part of the GCBR
Membership of the GCBR serves two major roles. One is to provide for the organisation’s governance as a non-profit company (NPC) with voting members. The other is to enable – and recognise the importance of – people’s participation, making connections between those contributing to the GCBR’s ideals and its work on the ground, and any other ways which help to advance its vision.

Voting rights belong to members whose signed commitment is valid in the year when this entitlement is involved. Each member has one vote.

Membership

The GCBR recognises three types of membership: individual, business and affinity groups. All are asked to sign the GBCR Statement of Commitment. Membership can be withheld or terminated if there is compelling evidence of behaviour that is in breach of the commitment.

A. Individual members

An Individual member signs the commitment and promotes the GCBR in her/his personal and professional life. Membership is based more on solidarity with GCBR’s ethos than on benefits. By joining the GCBR, members show solidarity with the organisation’s vision through their personal choices and behaviour.

Benefits:

Voting rights.
Letter of Acknowledgement.
On the distribution list for e-Newsletters and other electronic communications.
Invitation by email to GCBR events, such as Forum meetings.
Option to purchase a hardcopy of the GCBR Yearbook at a discounted price.
Annual membership is free but if you would like to support the GCBR by making a voluntary donation in lieu of a membership fee, please visit our donate page or to become a sponsor please visit our sponsorship page

B. Business members

A Business member promotes the GCBR and its goals in its own business practice.

Conditions:

Signs the Statement of Commitment.
Provides the GCBR with a simple proposal as to what sustainability actions/ measures the business will undertake which advance the ethos of the Biosphere Reserve.
Is willing to raise awareness about GCBR, for example in their own business e-news, through distribution of GCBR Newsletter to their staff, etc.

Benefits:

Voting rights.
Business Member Certificate.
Hardcopy of the GCBR Yearbook.
On the distribution list for e-Newsletters and other electronic communications.
Invitation by email to GCBR events, such as Forum meetings.
Listed on the GCBR website.
The Business member may exhibit the Business Member Certificate and an official “Business Member of GCBR” sign at its offices; in its own communication materials and as otherwise agreed in writing (in all cases consistent with GCBR corporate identity). A GCBR Business Member sign can be manufactured on request and will be based on GCBR’s specifications.
Annual membership fee: R1500

C. Affinity Group members

Affinity Groups are civic groups or organisations who support and identify with the aims of the GCBR. Such groups can become GCBR Affinity Group members, thereby strengthening the network of like-minded groups and organisations in the Biosphere Reserve. GCBR Affinity Groups help to promote citizen efforts that advance GCBR’s vision of People and Nature Living in Harmony.

Benefits:

Voting rights.
Letter of Acknowledgement.
On the distribution list for e-Newsletters.
Listed on the GCBR website.
Use of GCBR Affinity Member logo.
Networking opportunities and exposure through GCBR social media channels.
Opportunities for collaboration with GCBR in activities.
Invitations to and possibilities to speak at GCBR events.
Annual membership fee: R500

Associate members

An associate member is any member (in any of the above categories) whose previous commitment has not been renewed within the year. Full membership can be reinstated at any time.

Benefits: On the distribution list for e-Newsletters.

Application, Renewal and Termination
Member applications can be made at any time, preferably online through the GCBR web portal, or by completing the relevant downloadable GCBR Membership Application Form (available online or from our offices), signing the Statement of Commitment, and in the case of Business membership, submitting a sustainability actions’ proposal.

To remain an active member, with a right to vote, requires renewal and in the case of Business and Affinity Group members payment on an annual basis. The renewal process will be automated through the GCBR website and you will receive an electronic “commitment reminder”, to be completed and returned within the month.

Membership will be terminated on receipt of notice of resignation in writing, or on notification of death. Membership can also be terminated if there is compelling evidence of behaviour that is in breach of the commitment.

Administration

Membership administration will be handled by the GCBR Administrator in the Riversdale office. The method of payment of membership fees will be online through the GCBR web portal using PayPal. No cheques or cash deposits will be accepted.

Approved by GCBR Board of Directors – 10 April 2019