As we’ve mentioned many times, AfrikaBurn is more than just an event – it’s a cultural movement fueled by your participation and creativity. Recently you’d have seen our post on the new members of our membership. Check here if you missed it.
As a registered non-profit organisation, AfrikaBurn operates with a two-tiered governance structure of Members and Directors. Together, they work to uphold the organisation’s founding principles, which you can find here.
Participation and creativity you say?
Yup, AfrikaBurn’s purpose, as set in the Memorandum of Incorporation goes far beyond the annual celebration of creativity in the desert. The organisation fosters creativity, builds inclusive communities and drives positive social change by:
- Providing a blank canvas for artistic and cultural expression at AfrikaBurn and other events.
- Running outreach projects to uplift marginalised communities.
- Collaborating with local and international partners for cultural and skills exchange.
- Supporting educational and environmental initiatives that preserve the planet and its non-human inhabitants.
What does it mean to be a member?
First up, membership isn’t just about attending endless meetings – it’s about actively shaping the culture and future of the organisation. Members form a critical layer of governance alongside the Directorship and Executive Committee.
As cultural custodians, members act as the ambassadors of AfrikaBurn ethos and culture, guiding strategic and philosophical decisions while encouraging collaboration and transformation in their own communities (within and outside of the AfrikaBurn community).
AfrikaBurn is undergoing an important transformation. To ensure our community better reflects the rich diversity of South Africa, we are actively seeking female and non-binary representation from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) communities. This is a crucial step in our journey towards a more inclusive and equitable organisation (and, indeed, overall community), where a broad range of experiences, voices and perspectives drive positive change in our world.
Members have the responsibilities of:
- Electing and removing Non-Executive Directors.
- Reviewing and approving the organisation’s financials, budgets, and strategic direction.
- And then attending the meetings we spoke about earlier.
Membership requires dedication, with an average of 10 hours per month expected for discussions, meetings and contribution to membership task teams (and committees).
So are you keen?
Members are passionate participants in the broader burner community, embodying the Guiding Principles year-round (throughout your life). Ideal members are collaborative, strategic thinkers and doers who embrace diversity of views, work with responsibility, and engage with integrity and discretion where necessary. They are respected members of their communities, and bring their expertise and time to the table voluntarily.
To ensure healthy debate and sound decision making, AfrikaBurn actively seeks new members who bring fresh perspectives and cultural richness to the organisation.
Step up and do your part!
AfrikaBurn thrives (as you know) on communal effort and participation. By becoming a member, you step into a role that shapes the organisation’s direction, strengthens its impact and builds a lasting legacy in the cultural landscape of South Africa.
This is your chance to bring those principles you care so deeply about, out of the desert and into the default. Your chance to invent the world anew. Your chance to be AfrikaBurn.
Check out the basic guide for membership here.
