1. Types of Membership
   1. Individual members
      1. Benefits of Individual Membership
   2. Organisational Members
      1. Benefits of Organisational Membership
2. Procedure for Membership
   1. Individual Membership
   2. Organisational Members

Types of Membership

There are two types of members:

• Individual Members – Apply Below
• Organisational Members – please email us at TobagoCivilNET @ gmail.com

Individual members

Individual members must meet the following basic criteria:

1. Be at least 18 Years of age
2. Be a person of Integrity, that is trustworthy, and reliable
3. Indicate their commitment to Civil Society
4. Not be an active member of the leadership of any political party
5. Not be a currently elected, or a person actively seeking to become, a member of any public office
6. Have no history of activity that damages civil society anywhere

The Ideal Characteristics of CivilNET Members are those that have demonstrated Love for Tobago in their words or deeds. This is inherently subjective in nature, but all potential members are given the benefit of the doubt that they meet this criterion unless proven otherwise. The aim of the application process is to ensure no significant red flags exist why a person or organisation should not be a member.

Benefits of Individual Membership

Individual members are eligible to vote and to attend all events of the organisation. They are also eligible to become members of the Council of Directors.

Organisational Members

Organisations that agree with CivilNET’s mission and that want to be part contributors to its initiatives may become Organisational Members. These organisations may be incorporated or not. But must demonstrate that they are functional and that they have no involvement in or support for any activities that are strongly considered harmful to any society anywhere in the world. Organisational membership requires that Organisations declare or nominate an Official Representative (and optionally a Substitute Representative). These can be changed at any time by official letter from the Organisational Member to Tobago CivilNET. Organisational membership is not transferable to another organisation.

Benefits of Organisational Membership

Organisational members have a special relationship with Tobago CivilNET and are celebrated in CivilNET’s public activities. They also are eligible to send official and Substitute representatives to contribute to or merely listen in to CivilNET’s meetings.  

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Procedure for Membership

Individual Membership

The following procedure is used for individuals interested in joining:

1. Potential members complete the application form above. Also HERE.
2. The Tobago CivilNET Secretary reviews the details and brings their name forward to the Council of Directors for membership (and raises any issues with Council of Directors, this might be declared political affiliation etc.)
3. If they are accepted, the potential member is put on a 3-month probation
   • After 3 months, Council of Directors determines whether to approve if the probationary member agrees to become a full member
4. If passed – they are full members and are eligible to join the Council of Directors.
5. If at any point a potential or probationary member is rejected, they are notified.

Organisational Members

The following procedure is used for organisations interested in joining:

1. An organisation that is interested in associating with Tobago CivilNET as an Organisational member is invited to send a letter stating this on official letterhead, signed by an official of the organisation. This letter should
   • describe the purpose and activities of the organisation,
   • Demonstrate that the organisation is functional,
   • Demonstrate  no involvement in or support for activities strongly considered harmful to any society anywhere, and 
   • may include the persons who the Organisation is planning to declare as their Official representative (and Substitute).
2. The Council of Directors of CivilNET will consider the letter and either
   • Approve it immediately and issue a letter welcoming the organisation and indicating the actions required of the new member:
     • New Organisation Members should define one Official Representative who is well versed in the activities of the new Organisational Member. This representative can also be a full individual member of Tobago CivilNET
     • New Organisational members can also define a Substitute Representative.
   • Request further information by official letter, or
   • Reject the request by official letter stating the reason for the rejection.