SIREN Membership Policies
SIREN Women’s Cooperative is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization committed to building knowledge, connection, and inspiration among a diverse range of work-minded of women in Rhode Island. Our values are inclusivity, respect, listening, curiosity, and big thinking. Our purpose is to provide enriching professional, social, and community service opportunities through various talks, seminars, and collaborations that are aligned with our mission and values. We welcome all members to share our mission, values, and goals.
Below are our membership policies effective June 1, 2019.
SIREN Membership
-$60 per year to be paid in one increments of $60 through our website Store tab. One-year memberships must fall within the SIREN calendar programming year. The current SIREN calendar year is January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021.
A SIREN Membership Includes:
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3 SIREN Talks (sign up via our SIREN Talks/Events Tab by clicking on eventbrite links). To attend additional talks please purchase as needed.
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ALL socials (SIREN Talk and Walks, Happiness Hours, and other pop-ups).
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Member meetings to collaboratively steer our SIREN programming and activities.
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Access to our private SIREN Women's Cooperative Members Facebook page for daily connection/inspiration (please search for SIREN Women's Cooperative Members on facebook and we will permit access).
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Novel networking and community services opportunities which include volunteer opportunities through our Ready to Work Exchange.
*Membership fees are accepted for one year memberships only - see Policies page.
*To purchase a membership visit our Store tab.
*Membership fees are paid to receive the service outlined above therefore member fees are not tax deductible.
ONBOARDING activities: Members who have paid will be added to the SIREN Member email list and may search for the Private SIREN Members Facebook Page to be added.
OFFBOARDING activities: Non-members or Members who have not renewed their membership will be removed from the SIREN Member email list and the SIREN Members Facebook page.
Due to the high volume of membership inquiries we receive, the best way to learn about our cooperative is to attend a talk (see talks/events tab) and meet with the Director before or after scheduled talks. We do our best to respond to individual requests for meeting and phone conversations, however, 1:1 meetings may not always be possible when exploring membership.
Programming
We work hard to develop high quality programming that is of significant interest to our members and a wider community of women. Programmatic choices are a direct reflection of feedback from SIREN members. Therefore, it is important to communicate your areas of interest and engagement in ensuring SIREN is meeting your needs. It is equally important to attend or call in to member meetings to make your ideas and suggestions known.
If you would like your business to be listed on our website and to receive a facebook SIREN Spotlight you must pay the 6-month membership fee and confirm by writing via email (siren.cooperative@gmail.com) your business name for listing on the website and information for the SIREN Spotlight on social media.
Communication
The preferred mode of communication with the Director is email: siren.cooperative@gmail.com.
We receive a high volume of requests and inquiries to collaborate. All inquiries re: collaboration must be sent via email to: siren.cooperative@gmail.com
Please note due dates, guidelines, and member updates will be clearly communicated via email from the Director to you. Please avoid “Reply all” emails or inundating other members with emails. If you are unresponsive to due dates and guidelines for our various project up to 2 times, the Director will assume you do not wish to be involved in the various projects outlined. For example, if you do not respond to requests to submit your business name, contact information, and website the way you would like it presented for our member listing page on www.sirencooperative.com you will not be listed on the page.
The majority of co-op decisions are made at member meetings so if this is meaningful to you please attend meetings either in person or by phone. Alternatively, you can respond to Google Calendar meeting agenda items listed via email to siren.cooperative@gmail.com with your input and feedback on co-op related topics.
Decision making
We pride ourselves on collaborative decision making and the consensus we come to as a dynamic co-operative through frequent member meetings and an Advisory Committee. However, the Board of Directors reserve the right to implement co-operative changes in membership and operations as needed.
Events
Generally talks are scheduled on a first-respond-first-serve basis. Topics are generated based upon what is resonating among members and women in our community. We also have developed a Speaker Guide for our presenters. Please try to reserve your spot to attend a talk no later than 2 days before an event via the eventbrite links found in the SIREN Talks/Events tab.
Privacy
SIREN Board, Staff, or members will not share member emails or contact information without their written, email permission.
Code of Ethics
We invite members to actively participate in embracing and carrying out our mission and values. The mission of SIREN Women’s Cooperative is to encourage women to work mindfully, connect meaningfully, and inspire endlessly. Our values are inclusivity, respect, listening, curiosity, and big thinking.
In alignment with our values, we require the utmost respect for the ideas and projects of members in our co-operative. Specifically, members are encouraged to talk through and present their professional work to the extent at which they feel comfortable. In doing so, other members may not utilize this information in other contexts for their own personal gain or project ideas. Similar to social contexts outside of SIREN, individuals should be cautioned in sharing highly sensitive intellectual property at SIREN events, meet-ups, and otherwise.
Unlike a BNI or a Chamber of Commerce, our cooperative does not select one member to represent a particular industry. We have several photographers, yoga instructors, etc. The main objective of SIREN centers around delivering SIREN Signature Talks to empower, build knowledge, and inspire women. The relationship-networking aspects of SIREN are indeed fruitful for many members but a secondary goal of the cooperative. Therefore, a cooperative, collaborative, and open spirit is desired among members who share overlap in their industries.
Member discipline/termination
SIREN branding and name may not be associated with any activities, talks, workshops, or social programs or outings that are not approved by the Board of Directors via written email. Gossip, slander, and other disrespectful behaviors demonstrated in SIREN activities or towards the SIREN community will not be permitted. The SIREN Board of Directors reserve the right to immediately terminate a membership at any time.