Membership Information

Membership Eligibility

Members may be:

Individuals;
Non-profit organizations;
Community-based organizations;
Faith-based organizations;
Government entities;
Educational or research institutions;
Businesses or private corporations; and Foundations

Conditions of Membership

Agree with the Vision, Mission, and Values of COAD.
Meet the membership eligibility requirements of COAD.
Appoint at least one representative to attend COAD general and special meetings.

Application & Renewal

Membership Application

Entities and individuals will submit a Membership Application and Renewal to the COAD Secretary. Candidate entities and individuals are encouraged to attend COAD meetings while their application is pending review.

Applications will be reviewed by the Executive Committee at the following COAD Executive Committee meeting.

Membership will take effect immediately upon an affirmative vote of the Executive Committee, and will be announced at the following general COAD meeting.

The Secretary will send the entity or individual a certificate of membership that will be valid until the end of the calendar year.

Application

Membership Renewal

Notices of renewal will be sent at the beginning of December to all current members.

Membership can be renewed by submitting a Membership Application and Renewal to the Secretary.

Membership Application and Renewal will be reviewed by the Secretary.

If the Membership Application and Renewal is in order, the Secretary will issue a new certificate of membership with a new expiration date of the first meeting of the following year.

There will be no grace period for renewal unless there are extenuating circumstances as determined by the Executive Committee. At the time of determination, the Executive Committee will set the time limit of the grace period, which may be extended. The Member will enjoy full privileges during the grace period.

Responsibilities & Categories

Membership Responsibilities

The leadership of each member entity must be committed to sending knowledgeable and authoritative representatives to COAD meetings and is strongly encouraged to appoint an alternative person to cover duties when the primary appointee is unable to participate in COAD functions.
All organizational and individual members must have access to the resources of their organization or other resources to serve the needs of Coastal Bend residents affected by disasters.
An organization or individual member that misses 50% of the meetings in a twelve-month period shall receive a reminder letter from the COAD Chair encouraging their attendance.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

An entity’s or individual’s membership may be terminated by the following:

Voluntary – Submission of an email or letter of separation to the Executive Committee.
Non-Voluntary – The membership of an organization or individual may be canceled by the Executive Committee for reasons that include but are not limited to the following:
Failure to continue to meet the criteria for COAD membership
Habitual failure to take part in meetings and /or COAD projects

Consistent failure of the entity or their representative individual to meet the conditions and responsibilities of voting membership. Membership may be terminated at any time for any reason by a majority vote of the COAD Executive Committee.

Membership Categories

Voting Members will be the core COAD decision-makers, administrators, and responders.
1. May vote on all issues.
2. May hold office.
3. May nominate individuals for office.
4. Must belong to at least one committee.
5. May be a committee or subcommittee chair or a working group leader.
6. Must attend general and committee meetings.
7. Must provide COAD with up-to-date information for at least two contacts.
8. Must establish a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with COAD.
9. Must complete designated training for responders.
10. Will receive all COAD communications.

Network Members will be auxiliary participants who may provide goods and/or services when called upon but are not required to make the same commitment as Voting Members to decision-making and administration.
1. May not vote on any issues.
2. May not hold office.
3. May not nominate individuals for office.
4. May participate in committees, subcommittees, and working groups.
5. May not be a committee or subcommittee chair or working group leader.
6. Are encouraged to attend general, committee, subcommittee, and working group meetings.
7. Must provide COAD with up-to-date information for at least two contacts.
8. Are encouraged to establish a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with COAD.
9. Must complete designated training if they intend to be responders.
10. Will receive all COAD communications.