JOIN US

Why join

By joining Aotearoa CAN your organisation will link into Aotearoa's network of organisations working to confront the climate crisis. You’ll be able to share information about your campaigns and activities, receive support from other organisations, and support others in turn. By sharing information, working together, and exchanging skills and knowledge, we can strengthen New Zealand's broad, diverse climate movement. 

Importantly, by joining Aotearoa CAN your organisation also becomes part of the world's largest network working on climate change. You gain access to CAN's international resources, working groups, and networks.

If you have any questions about joining us, or need a hand with anything, please get in touch.

Who can join

Any not for profit, non-governmental organisation of any size and legal form can join the Network, so long as it shares our vision of a safe, just climate future and agrees to follow the global CAN Charter. Organisations that do not want to become full members or are for some reason not eligible can join as observer members. Joining is free - there is no membership fee.

Our members are diverse. They include environmental organisations, human rights campaigners, sustainability think tanks, youth movements, and trade unions.

Please note that CAN is a network of organisations, so individuals can't join as members. However, there is information below about how individuals can join our network as non-member observers.

How to join

To apply to join, just fill in the membership form! Note you’ll have to list two referees from existing CAN members (if you want to join but can't think of possible referees, email us for help!)

Once we have received your application, our Coordinator will email it to all the existing Aotearoa CAN members and give them 72 hours to raise any questions or objections. In exceptional circumstances, we have the discretion to decline applications even where no member objects if she or he thinks that is necessary to preserve CAN's integrity.

If no member objects, once those 72 hours are complete, we will then formally welcome your organisation to the Network. 

If you have any questions about joining us, or need a hand with anything, please get in touch.

Observer membership

While we generally encourage organisations to join as full members, some organisations may wish to only join as observers. Observers can gain access to our discussions and resources, but may not participate in decision-making. Globally, they are an important part of our network. Educational or research institutions, strictly apolitical groups, or organisations with governmental or business connections may prefer to join the Network as observers.

If your organisation is considering whether to apply for full or observer membership, we encourage you to contact us first to talk through the options.

Please note that only organisations, not individuals, may join as observer members. However, there is information below about how individuals can join our network as non-member observers.

NON-MEMBER OBSERVERS

Though individuals cannot join the Network as Members, we know there are many people who play important roles in our movement who are not strictly part of any one member organisation. We think it is important, therefore, for individuals to be able to engage with the network.

So, people who agree with our vision and want to participate in the network can join as Non-Member Observers. While you cannot participate in any CAN decision-making, you can gain access to our New Zealand and global email lists, working groups and resources. All you have to do is fill out the non-membership form and agree to CAN's confidentiality waiver.

As with regular membership applications, once we have received your application, our coordinator will email it to all the existing New Zealand CAN members and give them 72 hours to raise any questions or objections. If necessary, we will also contact your referees, although we have a discretion to waive that requirement. Finally, in exceptional circumstances, our coordinator has the discretion to decline applications even where no member objects if she or he thinks that is necessary to preserve CAN's integrity.

If no member objects, once those 72 hours are complete, we will then formally welcome you as a Non-Member Observer. 

If you are work or actively volunteer for a New Zealand CAN Member, you can get access to our email lists and other resources through your organisation. Please speak to your colleagues about being added, or contact us directly if you don't know who in your organisation to speak to.