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Society for Social Entrepreneurship (SSE) Membership Guidelines

1. Membership Categories and Criteria
   1. General guidelines for membership
      Membership at the SSE is open to:
      • Social actors (individuals and NGOs)
      • Social Enterprises
      • Funding institutions
      • Academia and Research
      • Media
      • Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
   2. Member
      1. Eligible members:
         • Social actors (individuals and NGOs) active in the field of social entrepreneurship
         • Funding institutions currently supporting social entrepreneurship
         • Social enterprises
         • Academia and research institutions currently supporting social entrepreneurship
         • Technical Assistance and Capacity Building entities currently supporting social entrepreneurship
      2. Criteria: The individuals/organizations eligible to become Members of the SSE:
         • Are based in and operate in Lebanon
         • Have their own established and reliable program or activities in the field of social entrepreneurship
         • Have a mission and objectives that are supporting social entrepreneurship
         • Actively support social entrepreneurship or carry out operational programs in the field of social entrepreneurship
         • Commit, in their practice, to the SSE’s core values
         • Acknowledge the need and the value of acting independently in their efforts to promote and support social entrepreneurship
         • Commit to transparency, accountability and self-regulation
         • Undertake to perform the functions assigned to them by the SSE Board of Director and to participate actively
   3. Associate Member
      1. Eligible members
         • Social actors (individuals and NGOs) willing to be active in the field of social entrepreneurship and/or wish to participate in some activities information exchange and collaboration
         • Funding institutions potentially supporting social entrepreneurship and/or wish to participate in some activities information exchange and collaboration
         • Academia and Research potentially supporting social entrepreneurship and/or wish to participate in some activities information exchange and collaboration
         • Media supporting social entrepreneurship
         • Technical Assistance and Capacity Building entities potentially supporting social entrepreneurship and/or wish to participate in some activities information exchange and collaboration
         • Representatives of Public institutions who wish to participate in some activities information exchange and collaboration
      2. Criteria The individuals/organizations eligible to become Associate Members of the SSE:
         • Have plans or potential activities in the field of social entrepreneurship
         • Commit, in their practice, to SSE core values
         • Acknowledge the need and the value of acting independently in their efforts to promote and support social entrepreneurship
         • Commit to transparency, accountability and self-regulation
         • Associate Members can upgrade their membership to Full Members by meeting all criteria stipulated in section A.1.b
   4. Observers
      The statute of observer is open to any individual or organization who do not fit both membership categories but fulfill either one of the following criteria:
      • Can demonstrate that by taking part in the SSE activities as observers, they can contribute directly or indirectly to the fulfillment of the SSE objectives
      • Can demonstrate that by taking part in the SSE activities as observers, they can better fulfill their own mission and/or serve their constituency
2. Admission of new members
   • All new applications for membership shall be submitted in writing to the membership committee together with a profile of the applicant, providing details on the purpose, activities, programs in the field of social entrepreneurship
   • New applicants must be sponsored by an existing member and approved by the Board of Directors by a simple majority vote of its members upon recommendation of the membership committee.
   • The members are selected on the basis of their experience in the promotion and support of social entrepreneurship, their engagement toward the organization, and their expertise in the field of social entrepreneurship
   The Board of Directors answers within eight weeks and does not have to justify its decision
3. Membership fees
   1. All members pay an annual due to the organization
   2. The annual membership fee for the Member category is:
      1. 100.000 LBP for individuals
      2. 500.000 LBP for entities with an annual turnover less than one million USD
      3. 1.000.000 LBP for entities with an annual turnover above one million USD
   3. The annual membership fee for the Associate Member and Observer categories is:
      1. 50.000 LBP for individuals
      2. 250.000 LBP for entities with an annual turnover less than one million USD
      3. 500.000 LBP for entities with an annual turnover above one million USD
   4. All members shall be encouraged to contribute above the annual membership fee with additional voluntary contribution
   5. The Board of Directors may establish specific class of members who are relieved from their statutory obligation of paying dues in the first year of their membership.
4. Termination of membership
   1. The termination may be proposed to the Board of Directors by the membership committee, after hearing the defense of the concerned member in writing
   2. Member may resign by sending a resignation notice in writing by mail (including by electronic mail) to the Secretariat at least fifteen days before the effective date of the resignation
   3. Membership may be terminated in each of the following circumstances:
      1. Resignation of the member as stipulated in section D.2
      2. Detrimental behavior toward the SSE, its members, its objectives or interest
      3. Purposeful breach of an obligation arising from the Bylaws or other rules of the SSE
      4. Non-payment of dues for two consecutive years Board
   4. In all cases of exclusion, the Board of Directors will communicate their decision within fifteen days of their decision
5. Voting rights
   • The General Assembly consists of all members and associate members of the SSE
   • Members and associate members who have paid membership fees may vote at meetings of the General Assembly
   • Each member of the General Assembly shall have one vote
   • Only Members have the right to nominate and vote during the elections of the Board of Directors