ARISE is open to congregations, community groups, neighborhood associations and membership organizations.  It is interfaith, 
but is not limited to religious groups—we want to work with any group that has a desire to take action for social justice 
and community revitalization.  ARISE does not proselytize or promote any sectarian beliefs, only 
universal values of dignity, justice, people power and democracy.

We encourage all prospective members to learn as much as possible about ARISE before making a membership decision, since 
it is a major commitment.  Monthly meetings of task forces, the ARISE Board, and ARISE’s public meetings and public actions 
are excellent ways to see how ARISE functions.  The ARISE Board meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm  
in Schenectady or Albany, and occasionally in Troy
Official membership requires a covenant to:
1.	Designate two delegates and an alternate to ARISE’s Board of Directors, which meets on the first Tuesday of every month.  
Every member group of ARISE has two votes on the Board.
2.	Pay dues (dues level is .5% of your organization’s annual budget, or $500 for every $100,000 in your budget).
	
In addition, member organizations commit to sending as many people as possible to ARISE’s major public meetings and public 
actions, sending key leaders to local and national leadership training, involving members in ARISE task forces and/or board 
committees, involving leaders and members in meetings with public officials in the Capital Region and developing a leadership 
group called a “core team.”  If you have any questions about joining ARISE, contact one of the organizers:

Andreas Kriefall, Lead Organizer, 426-1552, ariseorg@earthlink.net 
Deb Baumes, Organizer, 210-8254, debsdynamos@yahoo.com