COSMO - Community Shares of Mid Ohio

Our fifty-one members are community-based, volunteer-led charities and agencies that address a wide range of social and environmental services and issues, and focus on long-term, prevention-oriented solutions that emphasize social change and justice.

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BECOME A COMMUNITY SHARES OF MID OHIO MEMBER TODAY!
We encourage you to become a member of Community Shares of Mid Ohio - it's fast, it's easy, and as many of our member agencies note - it really helps make a difference in our community! We are part of several national affiliations (such as Community Shares USA and the Our Giving Community) and work with local agencies to provide effective and lasting change in the Mid Ohio area. See below for how to become a member of Community Shares of Mid Ohio and contact us 614-262-1176 or at office@communityshares.net today! OUR APPLICATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 1, 2008!

COMMUNITY SHARES OF MID OHIO MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
1. Members shall be drawn from organizations which address issues of importance to the community including unemployment, hunger, arts and culture, health care, fair housing, consumer protection, neighborhood improvement, environmental concerns, social justice, peace, and other comparable concerns; equally such important issues include the rights of people from all cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds; women; seniors; gays and lesbians; changing families; children; veterans; tenants; persons who are differently abled; and other groups. Such concepts as advocacy, education, social change, self help, and community action achieved democratically shall describe aspects of member organizations.

2. Community Shares works for progressive social change with a shared vision. Therefore, in all activities, agency applicants should not discriminate or limit participation on the basis of race, gender, class, creed, age, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identification, or reproductive rights. An agency applicant should not actively work against the programs or missions of our existing agencies.

3. Each member of Community Shares shall be self-determined, that is, not controlled by any other institution or organization; have a demonstrated base of community support; and have programs or services that have a demonstrated impact in a local area of the State of Ohio.

4. Member organizations shall have stated organizational goals and be able to document a pattern of success in reaching those goals.

5. Each member organization shall have been in existence for at least two years.

6. Each member organizations shall have 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status.

7. No organization whose current participation in another major fundraising federation prohibits COSMO membership shall be Community Shares of Mid Ohio member.

ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FROM WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS
1. A membership fee of 23% will be retained by CSMO from ALL funds received from workplace campaigns.

2. Donor designated contributions and pledges will be given to the designated MEMBER organizations (less the 23% membership fee).

3. Undesignated contributions and pledges will be divided among the MEMBER organizations (less the 23% membership fee) based on their dues and work participation requirements as outlined in the Campaign Funds Allocation Process.

COMMUNITY SHARES OF MID OHIO MEMBERSHIP PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Each member organization shall designate one or more persons to serve on one or more Community Shares Committees.

2. Each member organization shall maintain financial records according to generally accepted accounting principles and shall show fiscal soundness. Each member organization shall comply with the laws and ordinances of their local municipality, the State of Ohio, and the United States of America. Each member organization shall submit in the first quarter of the participating year an annual financial report and all other documentation required by campaign guidelines and rules for participation in those campaigns.

3. Each member organization shall participate in CSMO access, campaign, and workplace fundraising activities, including, but not limited to, campaign presentations and "friends" recruitment and assistance in access work.

4. Each member organization shall maintain financial records according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which includes accrual-based accounting, and shall show fiscal soundness. New agencies who use cash-based accounting will be assisted with transitioning to accrual-based accounting. Each member organization shall comply with the laws and ordinances of their local municipality, the State of Ohio, and the United States of America. Each member organization shall submit in the first quarter of the participating year an annual financial report and all other documentation required by campaign guidelines and rules for participation in those campaigns.

5. The application fee for each member organization is $100 and is not refundable nor applied to the annual dues.

6. Membership dues are $200 annually to be paid in the first quarter of the year.