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Membership Requirements

 

There is no fee associated with individual membership to the Next 100 Colorado. 

Individual and organizational members do allocate time and effort (in-kind support) to Next 100 Colorado through attending meetings, working groups, events, etc. 

 

However, annual fees are being considered for individuals or organizations who cannot meet membership requirements but would like to join as an ally/accomplice. More discussion to come. 

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The Next 100 Colorado Members are those who meet the following criteria for either individuals or organizations: 

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Individual member

1. Readily identify as Black, Indigenous, or other affiliated Person of Color (BIPOC) 

2. Focus on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in public lands through work that promotes Next 100 Colorado’s mission to establish a more just and inclusive public lands system by championing workforce diversity, access for and engagement with BIPOC communities, and representation of the complex history of the U.S.

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Organizational Member

1. Represent and prioritize people of color communities in their work, are visible in people of color communities, and reflect racial diversity among staff, board, and volunteers (as applicable). 

2. Organization has a majority of people of color in leadership, decision-making, and board positions.

3. Focus on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in public lands through organizational work that promotes Next 100 Colorado’s mission to establish a more just and inclusive public lands system by championing workforce diversity, access for and engagement with BIPOC communities, and representation of the complex history of the U.S.

4. 1-2 references from a representative of the communities that you serve. 

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Membership Expectations

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Individual members: Active participation in the coalition is a requirement and privilege. Attend quarterly round tables, monthly coalition meetings, and participate in at least one working group. Approximately 2-4 hour/ month commitment. We understand that there are situations where these requirements aren’t able to be met. Communication with the coalition about absence and time commitment may suffice to keep your membership current.
 

Organizational members: Active participation in the coalition is a requirement and privilege. Have at least one staff member of your organization attend quarterly round tables, participate in monthly meetings, and actively engage in one working group. Approximately 2-4 hour/ month commitment per employee.

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Member Application Process​

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1. Fill out the membership application form: Click here to access 

2. A Next 100 Colorado representative will reach out to schedule an introductory call/meeting with a membership committee representative. 

3. The Next 100 Colorado Membership Committee will make a final decision and take a vote on the applicant’s membership.

4. If approved, the new Next 100 Colorado member will meet with the Membership chair or member of the membership working group to go over membership requirements. Then they will be added to their preferred working groups within 2 weeks of accepted membership.

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Allyship​

 

Next 100 Colorado works toward, and is committed to, a just and inclusive parks and public lands system. The structures that created and continue to maintain barriers to this goal include white supremacy, colonialism, hetero-patriarchy, ableism, and other systems of oppression. Therefore, our work requires addressing these systems of oppression as they manifest in the outdoors and associated state, local, and federal policies as they affect Colorado. To successfully achieve these goals we seek members and allies alike that support this transformational work. 

 

Next 100 Colorado recognizes the power of broad coalitions and allyships to make progress toward this goal. As such, Next 100 Colorado welcomes allies to utilize their privilege, power, and access to amplify the work of the Coalition and its members in impactful, tangible, and supportive ways. Additionally, Next 100 Colorado aims to foster allyships that move beyond transactional partnerships to ones that contribute to liberation. Therefore, Next 100 Colorado is utilizing an allyship framework that asks allies to demonstrate their continued and committed work and action without unjustly capitalizing on their allyship with Next 100 Colorado. 

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Ally expectations 

• Serve on a Next 100 CO Working Group: Membership/Allyship, Policy, Storytelling, Mentorship/Leadership Development

• Submit an annual "amplification" report of your ally activities that support Next 100 Colorado

• Attend in-person meeting(s) or event(s) for Next 100 Colorado

• Attend trainings related to race, power, privilege, etc. hosted by Next100 Colorado, partner organizations, or other organizations as approved by Next100 Colorado (see newsletter for up-to-date offerings)

• Advocate for change where needed in professional and personal spaces on a consistent basis

• Foster community spaces to collaborate with other allies and organizations

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Allyship Framework

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Within our society, we often see liberation movements co-opted for capitalist or other social gain while those entities claim allyship (e.g., Pride Month merchandise sold by companies who financially support anti-LGBTQ+ legislators). Additionally, allyship collaborations, partnerships, and/or sponsorships have often been used by those allyship organizations to prop up their own standing within their networks (e.g., listing the names and/or logos of the organizations they support), ultimately utilizing their acts of allyship to their own benefit. This tendency is what Nancy Leong, Ph.D., coins as identity capitalists, people and institutions who eke out social and economic value from oppressed peoples and their liberation movements (Leong, 2021). 

 

While Next 100 Colorado recognizes the value of coalition building and allyships, we value building relationships based on reciprocity and solidarity and where one’s allyship with Next 100 Colorado is not exploited or used as a “stamp of approval”. Therefore, as an ally of Next 100 Colorado, the expectation is that you work with us and support our coalition and members while not capitalizing on your allyship status. Next 100 Colorado will not provide access to our logo or allyship status for promotional materials. However, this will not restrict a reciprocal relationship with Next 100 Colorado based on ongoing trust-building and commitment. Next 100 Colorado will work closely with allies to advance collective and shared liberation, including uplifting and supporting work led by allies who have demonstrated their commitment to this work. 

 

Collective liberation benefits all. Therefore, Next 100 Colorado hopes to attract allies who see the value in moving towards transformational action as the primary benefit of coalition building and solidarity instead of the short-term benefits of allyship promotion. 

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If you are interested in becoming an ally of Next100 Colorado, please fill out the form here.