The Idea We at the Welfare Association for Youth (WAY) team are passionate about working together to build a socially and economically sustainable, and culturally vibrant Palestinian community in and outside of Palestine. We believe that to achieve our objective effectively, we need to bring together like-minded people who are equally enthusiastic and driven by the same purpose and connect with our values. Membership criteria: To be a member, you: 1. Are between the age of 20-40 2. Have completed our application form 3. Are nominated by at least two existing WAY members 4. Have your application approved by WAY’s Executive Committee (EXCOM) 5. Pay an annual membership fee of $150 Rights and Privileges of Members. Once you are a member, you can: 1. Participate in all WAY activities and events 2. Attend General Assembly and Chapter Meetings 3. Propose and vote on issues within the jurisdiction of the General Assembly 4. Vote or run for the Executive Committee (EXCOM) elections 5. Envision, plan and organize events and programming in line with our mission and objectives 6. Participate in WA events and meeting (by invitation) Members are expected to adhere to the following guidelines: 1 Act responsibly and safeguard the integrity and reputation of Welfare Association (WA) and WAY. 1. Refrain from committing any act that may cause damage to WA and WAY, its members, employees, or chapters. 2. Members shall not use this membership for personal, and/or for any other entities’, gains which may create conflict or contravene with WA and WAY and their objectives. 3. If a member does not observe any of the abovementioned criteria, his/her membership may be subject to termination. Looking forward to having you take part in this meaningful and fulfilling journey General Assembly is the place where all members come together to share ideas and combine efforts towards the Association’s goals and objectives. Our General Assembly is formed by its full membership body, and is where all members meet, decisions are made, and strategies are laid out. The General Assembly takes part in an annual event titled the “The WAY Summit”. The event takes place during the month of May, and is aligned with the Welfare Association’s (WA) Annual meetings to provide an opportunity for WAYers to interact with WA members and activities. As a General Assembly member, you get to determine: 1. The Association’s objectives and ways to achieve them 2. The Association’s action plan and budget for the coming year 3. The funds raised and how to utilize them 4. Revisions, and or amendments to our bylaws 5. Membership affairs, and development of new membership base and chapters 6. Election, nomination, or dismissal of member(s) of the Executive Committee (EXCOM) WAY Chapters are established by more than five members who live in the same region and desire to work together in a more organized and intentional fashion to achieve the objectives of the Association. Chapters will have a local committee with a Representative/Leader who facilitates the work of the Chapter and communicates with other Chapters and the Executive Committee EXCOM. The Chapter has to have a Treasurer who manages funds on behalf of the Chapter. In organizing the Chapter affairs, the Chapter may add other positions such as Communication Officer, Events Officer, and any other position as deemed necessary. Each Chapter may have different local challenges which would necessitate its operating differently, however it will always adhere to the WAY and WA guidelines. Chapters are formed to organize local activities, and the membership to WAY is individual and not Chapter based. Members can join other Chapters if they move to other countries/regions. Executive Committee is elected by our members and serves as the overseer of the operations of the Association. The Executive Committee (EXCOM) is comprised of 5 members (subject to change by the GA): A Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Treasurer, a Communications Officer and a Secretary who together represent all members (including Chapters), review and approve annual plans and activities, approve new members, liaise with Chapters, discuss ways to enhance cooperation, ensuring our actions are in line with our objectives and strategy, resolve and solve any issues facing the Association, and serve as the link between WAY and WA management and its Board of Trustees.