Frequently Asked Questions about ATO Membership

1. WHAT IS THE ATO?
The Alpha Team Organization (ATO) is a Philippines-based non-profit youth organization. The organization brings various individuals altogether to become a platform for social and creative activism. 

The organization supports young leaders through project involvement, mentorship, and leadership building. They identify possible trends, serve as resources for their own programs and lead new initiatives for their communities or regions.

2. WHAT IS THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE ORGANIZATION?
Mission
To uphold social and creative activism and advance multi-generation participation in humanitarianism, environmentalism, conservation, science and technology, democracy, and of human dignity.

Vision
A non-profit organization that actively participates in the affairs of our local, national, or international conversation and strongly upholds the ideals of professionalism, accountability, global solidarity, liberalism, and equality.

3. HOW CAN I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ATO?
Our membership application is done annually. The announcement of the start and deadline of applications is posted on all of ATO’s social media platforms. A link will be provided for the applicants to fill out with the corresponding necessary requirements.

Qualifications. To be admitted for membership, an applicant must be able to satisfy all of the following:

1. Must be 13-35 years old of age within the year of application;
2. Must not have a pending criminal record;
3. Must show interest in social and creative activism.

Requirements. An applicant must be able to provide the following documents:

1. Filled out online form;
2. Scanned recent (not less than 6 months) passport-size or similar size picture;
3. Resume or CV;
4. Any certified government-issued ID; Student ID; or any government-issued document that will prove the identity of the applicant. 

Note: All personal details of the applicant submitted are subject to data privacy laws of the Republic of the Philippines. All personal data are requested with consent and may be disposed upon termination or expiration of membership.

4. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER?
Being an ATO member provides free access to training and unique experience in leadership. We encourage our members to become leaders themselves in all activities that cover the goals of the organization. Our diverse professional network also provides our members an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals with people who has reputation in their respective fields such as development, environment, social sciences and many more. 

5. ARE THERE ANY FORMS OF TRAININGS AND SEMINARS?
The organization organizes free training and webinars for all officers, members, and project volunteers annually. The organization tailors the training and seminars on different topics and scope based on the interests of participants. 

6. WHAT ARE THE ROLES THAT ATO CAN PLAY?
Responsibility of all members to attend both regular and special meetings or must take means of being informed regarding the topics, discussions, and results of the said meeting. 

Members are expected to cooperate in all the activities and promote the thrusts of the organization. All members have the right and obligation to vote and to be consulted in all major decision-making of the organization.

7. DO YOU COORDINATE YOUR WORK WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS?
The organization values partnerships and collaboration with other organizations as part of expanding its programs and boosting its impacts in communities where its projects are being implemented. The organization abides by its partnership and collaboration policy.

8. IS ATO AFFILIATED WITH ANY OTHER GLOBAL NETWORKS?
Since 2016, the organization is affiliated with other youth and civil society constituency networks working in the climate change and development fields. The organization is an active member of the YOUNGO (the official youth constituency of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change); the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) and many more. 

9. HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE THERE IN THE ORGANIZATION?
There are two types of membership in the organization. Our regular members are more than 30 from 13 countries depending on renewal status which is held annually to increase and monitor participation and engagement. Our honorary members are considered permanent members and are recognized based on the contributions to the organizations. 

10. HAS THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPLISHED COMMUNITY PROJECTS BEFORE?
Since 2015, the organization has initiated and partnered with local community organizations to accomplish youth-led projects. The #GiftBack Project in 2015 was a charity work for local daycare centers in Pandan, Antique Province, Philippines. In 2016-2018, the ATO - ClimatEducate Project has accomplished more than 80 non-online and online initiatives aiming to raise awareness about climate change and organized environmental initiatives in collaboration with other local organizations and community stakeholders in 13 countries. 

In 2017, the organization won a seed grant from the UNEP-funded Eco Peace Leadership Center of Kangwon National University in South Korea. This became the ATO - Mag-aba Mangrove Reforestation Project which was successfully accomplished in 2018 and was the starting point of the local mangrove reforestation and community capacity building initiatives in the village of Mag-aba in Pandan, Antique Province, Philippines. 

11. WHAT IF I WANT TO BE PART OF THE ATO BUT DON'T WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER?
Our project volunteers are individuals who have experienced providing assistance to activities organized by ATO members but do not wish to/have not yet expressed interest to formally joining the organization as a member. We also consider those individuals who have not yet completed the application process but still decided to help out in organization’s activities as project volunteers. 
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