1. What are the benefits of CORE membership?
2. How much does membership cost?
3. What kind of travel/time commitment must we make to CORE?
4. Can I attend the CORE Spring/Fall meetings or working group conference calls before my organization officially becomes a CORE member?
5. When is the next membership meeting?
6. Can my organization be involved in more than one Working Group?
7. What size are CORE member organizations?
8. When will I find out if my application for membership has been accepted?
9. What do I need to submit in my application for CORE membership?

What are the benefits of CORE membership?

Benefits include:

• Reduced fees for CORE events
• Eligibility for competitive CORE Requests for Applications
• Participation in the development of SOTA tools, practices, and strategies
• Opportunities for professional development
• Enhanced organizational partnerships/capacity
• Ability to easily exchange information and learning
• Links with private resources and expertise
• Representation in policy dialogues
• Listing and links to your organization on the CORE web site
• Subscription to the CORE members listserve
• Voting privileges (e.g., for acceptance of new members, Dory Storms Award)
• Opportunity to be a working group chair or Board of Directors member
• Invitations to participate in member-only activities or events
• Access to Elluminate online meetings technology.

How much does membership cost?

There is a $750 annual fee.

Additionally, members are responsible for the cost of travel and lodging for attending membership meetings or workshops. Most CORE events also include a nominal fee, which we use to help recover some of our costs.

What kind of travel/time commitment must we make to CORE?

CORE encourages members to attend the semi-annual membership meetings (5-day Spring Meeting & 2-day Fall Meeting), which are always held in the United States. CORE also encourages involvement in at least one Working Group; Working Groups meet approximately once a month online or via phone.

Can we attend the CORE Spring/Fall meetings or working group conference calls before our organization officially becomes a CORE member?

Yes. We encourage prospective members to participate in CORE meetings and conference calls to determine if you are a "good fit" for the CORE network and to become familiar with how our working groups operate.

When is the next membership meeting?

The next membership meeting will be October 2-3, 2008 in Washington, DC.

Can our organization be involved in more than one Working Group?

Yes! We encourage staff from member organizations to join as many working groups as time/interest permits.

What size are CORE member organizations?

CORE member organizations are all different sizes, from small groups working in one country, to large organizations working in many regions. Some members focus solely on child health, while others have programs in multiple sectors. Visit our homepage for a full list of our current members.

When will we find out if our application for membership has been accepted?

The CORE Group membership process includes a one-year waiting period where the organization comes to know and understand how CORE Group works and whether or not there would be a good strategic fit between an organization's interests and CORE's directions. This is important to ensure that your organization and staff will benefit from the time spent on volunteer activities within CORE Group. During this one-year period, we encourage you to subscribe to our CS Community listserv, to attend CORE Group meetings and meet with CORE Secretariat staff, Working Group chairs, and other members. At the end of the one-year courting period, CORE Secretariat staff and a Board of Directors member will set up a time to interview the organization to find out more about its experience with CORE Group. The CORE Board will then decide whether to recommend your application to the full CORE membership for a final vote. Full membership votes are usually scheduled twice per year; a two-thirds majority vote is needed for acceptance.

What do we need to submit in our application for CORE membership?

• CORE new member application form (can be downloaded on our website)
• Copy of your latest Annual Report
• Copy of your non-profit certification
• A letter with the following information:
  • Explanation of your interest in joining CORE
  • Demonstration of the required membership criteria
  • Explanation of your approach to community-focused health and development.
  • Articulation of how CORE membership will enhance your organizational capacity and/or outreach
• $50 non-refundable application processing fee