CIOP is an institutional based community organization. This means that congregations, groups or organizations join rather than individuals. A group must have at least 25 members, pay $300* in annual dues and commit to the CIOP Covenant Agreement.

* Fees are pro-rated during the first year of membership.

• Faith based leadership training for clergy and laity.
• Significant relationships with other congregations and groups in your community and throughout Central Illinois.
• Specific training and workshops on issues such as grantwriting and funding.
• Access to regional and national corporate and political decision makers.
• Tangible victories that reinvest money and resources into your community.

CIOP expects each member group to fully participate in its mission and decision making. This means each member organization elects 2 members to attend CIOP's bi-monthly board meetings, encourage leaders to attend leadership training, and work with other member groups on CIOP issues.

CIOP always needs people willing to give their time and talent. Please either call the Bloomington office (309-827-9627) or the Springfield office (217-525-6942).

Your involvement can take the form of helping families over the phone who are interested in buying their first home, researching bank lending in your community, to helping our growing public affairs campaign - like our newsletter and this web site!

CIOP has provided 8 internships since its inception to undergraduate and graduate students interested in community organizing. Each of these internships were tailored to the needs of CIOP and the student. A majority of the internships were for college credit and students received a paid stipend (ISU Stevenson Center, Peace Corp Fellowship Program.) Students interested in interning should contact the CIOP Executive Director.contact the CIOP Executive Director.