ACIPS Membership Structure
Volunteer-first membership that centres cultural practice, ethical research and light-touch administration
Remote working so you can be a member from anywhere on our Mother Planet
Volunteer-first membership that centres cultural practice, ethical research and light-touch administration
Remote working so you can be a member from anywhere on our Mother Planet
We operate a volunteer-first membership system that preserves ACIPS’s governance while welcoming individuals who wish to show solidarity, contribute time or skills, or collaborate on research and events. Entry pathways are clear, roles are simple, accountability is light-touch, and ceremonial inclusion is embedded to keep membership culturally grounded and administratively manageable.
| Tier | Purpose | Eligibility | Time commitment | Rights & Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friend / Supporter | Solidarity & communications list | Any interested person | None to occasional | Newsletter, event invites, public recognition |
| Amavolontiya (Volunteer Network) | Practical volunteer work & local support | Application form; reference or short statement | 2–6 hrs / month | Task assignment; volunteer badge; access to training |
| Associate Research Collaborator | External research partnership | CV, short proposal, ethical agreement | Project-based | Co-authorship opportunities; fieldwork access; stipend eligibility (if available) |
| Affiliate Practitioner / Cultural Custodian | Ceremonial advisors, elders, healers | Endorsement by Trustee or core team | Flexible; event-specific | Honorific title; ceremonial roles; honoraria if funds permit |
| Sustaining Member / Donor Circle | Financial & in-kind supporters | Membership form; donation or in-kind pledge | N/A | Member reports; donor recognition; annual circle meeting |
ACIPS’s Core Team, Researchers, Trustees and Patrons form the decision-making and fiduciary backbone. New tiers are non-governing by default and must be nominated to join governance bodies. All members accept a Code of Conduct and Values Agreement to protect ceremonial integrity and indigenous intellectual property. A Board of Trustees adjudicates sensitive membership issues and endorses Affiliate Practitioners.
Sign up; receive communications; encouraged to attend public events; no operational duties.
Complete onboarding; accept specific short tasks (community outreach, event logistics, transcription); report monthly via a simple form.
Submit research scope; sign ACIPS ethical research agreement; nominate a Core Team mentor; deliver agreed outputs and share data with ACIPS and partners where appropriate.
Provide ceremonial guidance; be listed with consent; be available for events; payments/honoraria agreed case-by-case.
Pledge contribution; receive annual transparency report and invitation to donor circle meeting.
Membership Coordinator (volunteer stipend optional) manages intake, basic vetting, and matching people to tasks. Use a shared spreadsheet and simple project board (Trello/Notion) for assignments and visibility. Maintain a public page outlining opportunities, values, and a living list of Amavolontiya members; link membership form and values statement prominently. Reporting is minimal: a one-line task completion log or short monthly check-in for volunteers.
ACIPS includes a short ritual or acknowledgement at onboarding that affirms members’ commitment to ancestral respect and communal reciprocity. Ethical clauses protect indigenous knowledge: consent protocols for fieldwork and clear attribution for contributions. Trustees or an Ethics Working Group review research collaborations before community engagement.