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Membership Structure

 

Our Membership Structure

We invite any ABCD practitioner across the globe to join our global member network. Below you will find the different types of membership. There is no hierarchy in the membership structure. We encourage members to select the membership type that best reflects their time commitment and application of ABCD. Members have a variety of ways of engaging with each other and the Institute (see below). Membership lasts for a year, and you are welcome to renew your membership each year. 

Should I become a member of the ABCD Institute? 
Folks often get out of membership based organizations what they are able to put in. We invite you to join our community if you have the time and interest to engage with others and deepen your ABCD practice. We encourage folks to join if you: 

  • Have taken an introductory ABCD course or are self-taught in ABCD practice (maybe you read the green book!)
  • Practice ABCD in your work or community life 
  • Want to learn from and work collaboratively with others
  • Want to engage with diverse experiences, perspectives, and skills of others around community based work 
  • Want to deepen your understanding of ABCD and co-create with others
  • Believe in ABCDI values and a holistic and community led approach to community development
Types of Membership
»»A Community or Association-Based Practitioner (Individual)
If you share ABCDI values and act in an informal, unpaid, or paid role to help build capacity within a community group/network to share knowledge, assets, and skills in a variety of community settings, this is the type of member you should be. Neighbors, community residents, block club members or members of a park advisory council are some examples of who might be a community or association-based practitioner.  

»» An Institution or Organization-Based Practitioner (Individual)
If you share ABCDI values and are based in an Institution that works with communities with the intention to build capacity, share knowledge, resources and skills in a variety of settings through ABCD practice and principles, this is the type of member you should be. You might be helping your organizations ‘lead by stepping back’ or working directly with community members on projects and plans. Staff from higher education or community-based nonprofits or philanthropic organizations are some examples of who might be considered an institution or organization-based practitioner.

»» An Organizational Partner (Group)
If you are interested in partnering with the ABCD Institute as a formally organized group that shares ABCDI values and wants to engage with and contribute to the ABCD movement through a partnership, this is the type of member you should be.  Organizational partners might have particular areas or issues of focus and use ABCD as an approach, lens, and/or set of tools to do its work within that field of focus. Some ABCDI organizational partners will be relational partners seeking to partner with others who wish to support and advance the ABCD movement. Some will be community-based, and others will be ‘intermediary’ larger organizations who connect to multiple communities. An organization that employs and teaches others about ABCD practice is an example of an entity that might be considered an organizational partner. Organizational partners will be contacted separately to ensure values alignment. 
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Ways to Engage (once you are a member) 

Thought Partnership
Members can engage as a Thought Partner with their fellow colleagues by sharing their current or historical wisdom of practicing, supporting, and promoting ABCD in communities, organizations, and the world at large. They may also work to explore emerging ideas and sector-specific ABCD practice, or be part of an affinity group.

Stewards
Members can engage as Stewards by joining ABCDI work groups. ABCDI works groups have the goal of advancing the ABCDI network or initiative in a local, national, or international context. The stewards of the ABCD working groups generally meet with their teams monthly or bi-monthly and all together as a group quarterly. You can find a list of stewards working groups here. 

Trainer
Members can engage by Training others in ABCD Practice. Trainers are seasoned ABCD practitioners who work with others in the network to prepare and facilitate ABCD training and projects. Our training support provides opportunities to shift paradigms and develop and mobilize the knowledge, assets, and skills of people in a variety of community and organizational settings.

Project Partner
Members can engage by working with the Institute on Projects or Initiatives. Examples might include partnering on a conference, participatory research projects, collaborative grant-making, community initiatives, and other items that move forward the work of the ABCD movement. It is requested that members who want to partner on a project or initiative also include 3 other ABCD network members in the project. Currently, a team is creating a system for how projects can be labeled ‘ABCDI’ projects.

You can join the ABCD Institute here.