Become a Member

Join the Dignity in Schools Campaign Today!

Note*** Thank you for your interest in being a part of the DSC National Coalition. Unfortunately, at this time we have a moratorium on new membership until further notice.

You can still complete a membership application and once our moratorium ends, we begin to reach out to all those who have applied for membership during our moratorium. If you have any questions please send your inquiry to . Thank you.

Take a look at our Principles of Unity to see what we’re all about.

As a member you can get involved in our work:
  • Participate in our annual National Week of Action on School Pushout and Days at the Capitol,
  • Join committees to support local grassroots campaigns and federal policy change,
  • Attend our Annual Membership Meetings and Convenings to learn from other members and build collective strategies,
  • Participate in webinars to build communication skills, learn about human rights and engage in other opportunities for skill-building and sharing.
Joining DSC as an Organizational Member

Download the application packet here or apply online.

Benefits of Organizational Membership in DSC
  • Vote on major campaign decisions and in Coordinating Committee elections
  • Be eligible for nomination to DSC’s Coordinating Committee
  • Participate in Monthly Membership and Working Group meetings
  • Participate in drafting and review of policy recommendations, campaign statements and publications
  • Attend DSC events, including convenings, Annual Membership Meeting and Days at the Capitol
  • Increased visibility in DSC materials, including website and e-newsletter
  • Access and/or contribute to data and research on best practices compiled by DSC and members
  • Access to:
    • Apply for travel scholarships to attend DSC events
    • Apply for member support funds (including DSC Member Support Fund and DSC Week of Action Fund)

*Each year, to the maximum extent possible, a portion of DSC national funding goes to directly support the work of local groups to feed the on-the-ground movement and work, including through reimbursement for local activities related to the work of DSC, funding and opportunities for leadership development, funding for local, regional and national face to face meetings, and other types of support

  • Access to other member support from DSC staff, including communications support; data analysis support; fundraising support; training opportunities and other resources
Responsibilities of Organizational Membership in DSC
  • Basic requirements for membership include:
    • Sign on to DSC National Resolution for Ending School Pushout and DSC Principles of Unity
    • Participate in at least 50% of the 12 calendared Monthly Membership calls OR 50% of at least one Working Group’s monthly calls within a year
    • Attend Annual Membership Meeting (if funding permits).
  • Requirements to be eligible for travel scholarships and member support funds:
    • Participate in 6 DSC national calls a year for travel scholarships and up to $500 in member support funds, or 12 DSC national calls a year for up to $1,000 in member support funds
  • Members are encouraged but not required to:
    • Vote on major campaign decisions
    • Sign on to DSC position statements, letters and endorsements on a case by case basis, which may happen electronically (these sign ons are opt-in; Individual or Organizational Member names will not be listed on DSC statements, letters or endorsements without the express approval of that Member)
    • Mobilize in some manner for annual National Week of Action (local action, blog writing, media work)
    • Join and take-on leadership in Working Groups
    • Join or apply to form local chapters
    • Commit to some type of local activity once a quarter related to the goal of ending pushout
    • Conduct outreach to bring on new members
  • Organizational Members are eligible to serve on the Coordinating Committee.
Suggested Donation
Organization’s Cash Budget Suggested Donation
Less than $75,000 $25
$75,001-$250,000 $50
$250,001-$500,000 $100
$500,001-$750,000 $150
$750,001- 1 million $250
1-1.5 million $350
More than 1.5 million $500

*The size of the contribution by an organization has no effect on the scope of influence that any one organizational member of DSC may have in comparison to another, even where the contribution is zero. All organizational members participate equally in DSC decision-making and voting.

Self-Selecting Your Organizational Type- in your application you will select the organizational type that most closely fits your organization from the definitions below

Youth and parent base-building groups mobilize and educate a constituency of people affected by the issues the organization addresses and supports them to develop as leaders and engage in campaign activities. We encourage membership of groups that support participation of those most affected by school pushout (including youth who have been suspended, expelled, pushed out or criminalized, and their families). Such groups develop and are accountable to leadership that reflects its constituency, and generally have membership meetings and other processes where key decisions on issue identification, campaign direction, strategy and tactics as well as organizational decision-making and structure are made.

Educator groups represent a base of teachers or other staff (i.e. guidance counselors, social workers, counselors, deans, etc.) that are actively working in K-12 schools. This can include membership-based organizations of teachers or other school staff, networks of educators or schools, or unions.

Policy or advocacy groups are non-profit organizations that engaged in advocacy efforts on issues that are central to the mission of DSC, such as school pushout, school-to-prison pipeline, educational justice, juvenile/criminal justice, racial justice/civil rights, disability rights, LGBTQ rights, and/or human rights. A policy or advocacy group differs from a base-building group in that it lacks an organizational membership of the communities most affected by the education system and school pushout. A policy or advocacy group may include legal organizations and policy organizations.

Joining DSC as an Individual Member

Download the application packet here or apply online

Benefits of Individual Membership in DSC
  • Vote on major campaign decisions and in Coordinating Committee Election
  • Participate in Monthly Membership and Working Group meetings
  • Participate in drafting and review of policy recommendations, campaign statements and publications
  • Attend DSC events, including convenings, Annual Membership Meeting and Days at the Capitol
  • Increased visibility in DSC materials, including website and e-newsletter
  • Access and/or contribute to data and research on best practices compiled by DSC and members
  • Access to trainings and resources
Responsibilities of Individual Membership in DSC
  • Basic requirements for membership include:
    • Sign on to DSC National Resolution for Ending School Pushout and DSC Principles of Unity
    • Participate in at least 50% of the 12 calendared Monthly Membership calls OR 50% of at least one Working Group’s monthly calls within a year
    • Attend Annual Membership Meeting (if funding permits)
  • Members are encouraged but not required to:
    • Vote on major campaign decisions
    • Sign on to DSC position statements, letters and endorsements on a case by case basis, which may happen electronically (these sign ons are opt-in; Individual or Organizational Member names will not be listed on DSC statements, letters or endorsements without the express approval of that Member)
    • Mobilize in some manner for annual National Week of Action (local action, blog writing, media work)
    • Join and take-on leadership in Working Groups
    • Join or apply to form local chapters
    • Commit to some type of local activity once a quarter related to the goal of ending pushout
    • Conduct outreach to bring on new members
Joining DSC as an Endorser

DSC Endorsers are organizations or individuals that want to support DSC but cannot commit to participate as members.

Download the application packet here or apply online.