"… our (CIVICUS) membership is an explicit expression of our confidence… in the kind of future that we all aspire to… that we will build a just, peaceful and sustainable society." Ezra Limiri Mbogori, Executive Director, MWENGO, Harare, Zimbabwe.
CIVICUS has succeeded in convening many different sectors of civil society in its various programmes and activities, beginning with the first CIVICUS World Assembly in 1995, later through the Civil Society Index research activities and publications and more recently through CIVICUS' current, considerably broader range of programmes and activities. Throughout, our members have been a key enabling force, allowing CIVICUS to pursue its mission of strengthening civil society around the world. For this invaluable support, CIVICUS would like to thank all CIVICUS members, especially those who have been with us since our very early days of inception.
CIVICUS continues to work to provide the space and the tools to improve and maximise opportunities for members to generate and share ideas and knowledge. As part of this, the Membership Department re-launched the CIVICUS "Membership Lounge" in 2006. Accessible through the CIVICUS website, the Membership Lounge facilitates interaction with CIVICUS and between members and colleagues from different organisations and parts of the world, helping all involved keep abreast of developments within CIVICUS.
During 2006, the Membership Department improved membership communications significantly, increasing the number of global membership events and involving staff in membership development. At the start of 2006, the membership base included a large number of discretionary ‘free’ memberships, belonging to individuals and organisations that had not paid the annual fee. While accepting that not all organisations that can greatly enrich the CIVICUS member network can afford membership fees, a decision was taken to evaluate the membership more stringently. Lapsed or unpaid members were invited to renew their membership as fee-paying members. Where specifically requested, sponsored memberships are still made available. Figures at the end of 2006 were about 350 paying members from 87 countries. The Membership Department registered an estimated 25 memberships per month in 2006.
The Membership Department also made increasing efforts to improve interaction with and among members and partners by organising members’ meetings. With the invaluable assistance of members, who coordinated and hosted the events, CIVICUS held members’ meetings in Beirut (Lebanon), Dublin (Ireland), Madrid (Spain), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Beijing (China), Santiago (Chile), Sao Paolo (Brazil), New Delhi (India) and Melbourne (Australia).
During 2006, the Membership Department continued to make progress in improving administrative systems and procedures, as well as strengthening its language capacity. The Membership Staff can communicate effectively with members in English, French and Spanish.
CIVICUS' largest convening event for members and others is the annual CIVICUS World Assembly which attracts organisations and individuals involved in civil society activism in many sectors around the world and includes an annual Members' Meeting as part of the programme. The 2006 Members' Meeting took place in Glasgow, Scotland in June, 2006.
It is hoped that 2007 will see a more representative membership base through working with more members and partners to do outreach work in their respective countries and regions.
Marianne Buenaventura
CIVICUS Membership Manager 2005 - 2006
