CEPAL is a membership-based organization with a growing membership body. Our vision is to maintain the steady growth of a membership base with the highest level of diversity in age groups, cultural, academic and professional backgrounds. By becoming a member, you are ensuring that CEPAL’s crucial work continues.

What Does it Mean to Choose to be a CEPAL Member?

To be an official CEPAL member means, first and foremost, that you have a firm belief in the right of the Palestinian refugees to improve their quality of life, and that they have a right to improved living conditions, better education and brighter futures.

As a CEPAL member, you are also the conduit for the voice of Palestinian refugees in Canada, and do, within the framework set up by CEPAL’s Board of Directors, whatever possible to raise awareness amongst Canadians on the daily struggles of Palestinian refugees.

You also have the right to participate in the development of the organization, be it by voting in the election of CEPAL’s Board of Directors, brainstorming ideas for activities/events, or assisting in drawing new members to the organization. Members are also encouraged to attend CEPAL’s Annual General Meeting (held every January in Ottawa) and CEPAL events.

Membership Choices

General Members
Members who wish only to be informed by obtaining related news and articles on Palestinian refugee issues, attending our activities, and receiving updates on our programs are General Members. Anyone who donates $5 or more to CEPAL can become a General Member.

• General Member Benefits
• General Members are entitled to be informed of and attend all general meetings of the organization.
• General Members hold voting rights and can vote at CEPAL’s Annual General Meeting.
• General Members will receive regular updates via CEPAL’s email news list and semi-annual newsletters.
• General Members are eligible to run for a position on CEPAL’s Board of Directors.

Sustaining Members

You can become a Sustaining Member if you commit to making an annual payment of $500 or above. These payments can be made in one lump sum or in monthly/quarterly installments. In addition to regular membership benefits, Sustaining Members may choose to have a meeting a year with the Board of Directors. The designation of “Sustaining Member” will apply from the day a member makes this commitment, and will continue for as long as this commitment is fulfilled annually. With their consent, Sustaining Members are also recognized publicly (i.e., on CEPAL’s website, newsletters, etc.) for their continued support of CEPAL’s work.

Sustaining Member Benefits

• Sustaining Members are entitled to call a meeting with the board, and once a year a meeting will be held with the board and all sustaining members.
• Sustaining Members receive an annual gift from the board.
• Sustaining Members are entitled to be informed of and attend all general meetings of the organization.
• Sustaining Members hold voting rights and can vote at CEPAL’s Annual General Meeting.
• Sustaining Members will receive regular updates via CEPAL’s email news list and semi-annual newsletters.
• Sustaining Members are eligible to run for a position on CEPAL’s Board of Directors.

Membership Criteria

• Members must be committed to supporting CEPAL’s mission, and always act in the organization’s best interests.
• Members must each year renew their membership by paying the minimum membership fee assigned to their category (e.g., Sustaining Members must each year pay $500 or more).

Membership Limitations

Members of CEPAL may only represent the organization within the context of the Board of Directors, or within other special arrangements arrived at in conjunction with the CEPAL management. CEPAL holds no liability for statements or actions made by members, outside of the purview of the organization’s mandate. Please note that CEPAL reserves the right to terminate membership, based on the lack of fulfillment of membership criteria as indicated above.
Membership Expiry

A CEPAL membership is an annual commitment, which follows the fiscal year which begins on January 1 and ends December 31. However, in order to give members who join 3 months before the end of the year full benefit, CEPAL considers the ‘expiry’ date of all membership forms signed during or after the month of October to be December of the following year. (For instance, if a member signs on in October 2005, their membership will be valid until December 2006).

Membership Form

To become a member please make a donation at  Canadahelps.org.