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MEMBERSHIP

1. Regular membership is open to women who are citizens (or wives of citizens) of the United States of America living in the Philippines.
2. Associate membership is open to men who are citizens of the United States of America and are single, or married, but whose wife is not a member of the AWCP.
3. Affiliate Membership is offered to Expatriate women (or wives of expatriates) who work for an entity based in the U.S. and are temporarily assigned in the Philippines; mothers and adult daughters of U.S. citizens residing in the Philippines; women who are permanent resident aliens of the U.S. and are temporarily residing in the Philippines; male citizens of the U.S. residing in the Philippines who are single or married, but whose wife is not a member of the AWCP. Board approval is required for prospective affiliate members.
4. International Affiliate membership is offered to female ex-pats of any nationality who are living in the Philippines on a temporary basis. They or their spouses do not have to work for a US-based company. Board approval is required for prospective international affiliate members.
5. At no time shall the total number of Associate and Affiliate members, together, in a given year exceed thirty (30) percent of the number of regular members from the previous year, as determined by the Membership Chairman.
6. Membership in all categories becomes effective upon the payment of established dues and completion of required paperwork (regular members must present a valid U.S. passport) and after board approval of prospective affiliate members.
7. Regular members have the privilege to vote and are allowed to serve in elected or appointed positions on the Board of Directors. Affiliates or associates are allowed to vote and are allowed to serve in appointed positions on the Board of Directors. They may not serve on voted positions.
8. Dues are set by the Board of Directors with the approval of the Membership.
9. Proposed increases in dues must be presented to the general membership in writing two (2) times prior to the vote and announced at two (2) consecutive General Meetings.
10. Payment of dues covers membership fees for one (1) fiscal year from March 1 through end of February. Those who join after November 1 pay half the yearly fee.
11. Renewals for the succeeding year begin on January 1. Newcomers who wish to join at this time pay only the annual fee for the succeeding year.
12. The AWCP Online Membership Directory is for the private use of members only. Commercial use of the Directory, even by members who own businesses, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Violations should be referred to the Board of Directors for action.
13. The Membership Brochure is given free to new members in the newcomer’s packet. The new members are also added to and have access to the Online Membership directory.
14. It is the responsibility of members to notify the Membership Committee of any changes in their addresses and/or telephone numbers and the expected date of their permanent departure from the Philippines.

1. Coordinating all activities relating to recruiting new members and renewing memberships
2. Planning a budget
3. Working with the office staff to ensure that the online directory is kept up to date
4. Writing the Mabuhay column for Inklings
5. Advising the Board of the activities of the Committee
6. Udating the Policies and Procedures Manual as needed
7. Preparing and submitting a Year-end Report on the activities of the Committee
8. Coordinating with the 2nd Vice President at the May and December General Meetings regarding the acknowledgement of members who are moving from the Philippines. This was formerly referred to as the yearly Despediata

1. Recruiting new members:
   
   Recruiting new members is accomplished in several ways. Most newcomers join at the General Meetings; others hear of the AWCP at community functions; some learn of the AWCP before arriving in the Philippines and come directly to the office to join.
   
   In an effort to reach an American community which otherwise might be overlooked, the Membership Committee sends welcoming letters in early August to newly arriving American teachers at area schools, including the International School Manila (ISM), Faith Academy and Brent School.
   
   Newly posted personnel at the U.S. mission also receive welcoming letters in August, when most families arrive. The Community Liaison Office (CLO) at Seafront keeps AWCP applications on file for newcomers who arrive during the year. Applications and payment may be turned in at the AWCP office or at General Meeting.
   
   At General Meetings, the Membership Committee has a table to welcome newcomers and process new applications. Dues are received from applicants for regular and associate membership. Forms are completed, dated and numbered for those applying for affiliate membership, but dues are not collected until the application is approved.
   
   Newcomers receive a Membership packet which contains a number of helpful items, including the most recent issue of Inklings, the Community Services flyer, a map of Manila, a copy of Welcome to the Philippines published by the AWCP President and several other flyers and letters.
   
   New members are introduced to a member of the Hospitality Committee, who directs them to the tables that are reserved for newcomers. The Hospitality Chairman introduces new members to the membership at the first General Meeting after they join.
   
   New members should be called or sent an email welcoming them to the club. They should be asked if they received the new member packet.
   
2. Membership requirements:
   AWCP memberships are divided into two categories, regular and special memberships.
   
   1. Regular memberships: These members have the right to vote, to attend meetings and other functions of the Club, to be eligible to serve on the Board of Directors and to be part of the decision-making processes of the Club as they affect the membership.
   2. Special memberships: There are three categories of special memberships in the AWCP: affiliate membership, associate membership and international affiliate membership. Applicants for Affiliate membership must present with their completed application a letter from their company/ organization attesting to the entity's incorporation in the United States of America. Applicants for International Affiliate must present a copy of their passport along with proof that they are living in the Philippines on a temporary basis.
   3. Application forms for special memberships will be dated and numbered at the time of submittal, but payment of dues will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified when they have been approved for affiliate membership, at which time dues will be collected and the membership will become effective.
   4. Limits on special memberships: At no time shall the number of special members exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total number of regular members, as determined by a count of the number of regular members listed on the Membership database by December 31 of the preceding year. Special members are not eligible to serve on the Board of Directors nor do they have the right to vote.
3. Membership fees:
   Dues are set by the Board of Directors with the approval of the membership.
   
   The need for an increase may be raised by any member of the Board. The rate is discussed and set by the Board of Directors at the August Board Meeting and presented to the regular membership at the August and September General Meetings. In addition, notification of the proposed increase must be printed in the September and October issues of Inklings.
   
   A vote on the proposal takes place at the October General Meeting. If approved, the increase in dues is effective for the next calendar year.
   
   Payment of dues covers membership in the AWCP for one (1) calendar year, from March 1 to the last day of February. Members joining after November 1 pay one-half (½) the full rate, which covers the period until the last day of February of the next year.
   
   Newcomers joining after December 31, pay one fee which covers the period from January until the last day of February of the following year, thereby getting fourteen months of membership in the AWCP for the price of one year's dues. New applicants must complete the full application procedure and provide proof of US citizenship, usually by a Xerox of their passports.
   
   Proration of club dues for less than one year’s membership or rebates to members who leave the country before the completion of their yearly membership will not be given.
   
   Monies for dues or renewals received at General meetings are given to the Treasurer at the end of the meeting. Membership fees paid in the office are collected regularly by the Treasurer. Receipts are issued for each payment, either by the Membership Chairman, the office staff or other authorized person.
   
   Vouchers documenting all income from dues are prepared by the Treasurer and given to the Membership Chairman for her records. A line item for income from dues appears on the Treasurer's Reports that are reviewed at each Board Meeting.
4. Accepting renewals from returning members
   Renewals for the next calendar year begin on January 1. Returning members should complete a renewal form that notes any address, telephone number or other changes. Associate and affiliate members are to be notified in January that they must renew their memberships by the end of February or lose their priority for renewal.
5. Processing, maintaining and updating Membership records
   • Application forms are copied in the office for distribution to other committee chairmen. The Office Manager is responsible for routing these to the proper boxes in the office.
   • Receipts for payment of dues are given to each member at time of payment and the date and number of the receipt is entered on the FOR OFFICE USE ONLY section of the application form.
   • The Office Manager is responsible for entering the essential membership information in the database. Afterwards, the copy is filed in the binder in the Membership drawer of the office.
   • Nametags: The Membership Co-Chairman is responsible for ensuring that each member has a nametag to wear at official AWCP meetings. Nametags are prepared as soon as the application process is complete. The Membership Co-Chairman is responsible for maintaining them and transporting them to General Meetings.