Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the cost to join BIG?
The regular BIG membership dues are $35 annually which are paid directly to the Blacks In Government National Chapter.
2. What are the chapter membership dues?
The regular chapter dues are $60.00 annually or $5.00 per month which are paid directly to the Chapter's Treasurer.
3. What does the chapter use the membership dues for?
The purpose of the dues is to support the Coast Guard Chapter's goals and visions as we strive for excellence in our chapter and in our community. Our chapter is involved in community outreach programs and events, professional and career development training sessions, and fundraisers to support scholarships for high school students. We also have a hospitality committee that was established to support our members in the time of need such as bereavements, illness, etc.; therefore in order to fund these worthy causes, our chapter needs continued support for these efforts.
Dues and donations to the chapter can be made via check and money order payable to Coast Guard Chapter of Blacks In Government and forwarded to the following address:
Attn: D.Claiborne
Blacks In Government
P.O. Box 612
Waldorf, MD 20604
4. What is the cost to become a lifetime member?
A lifetime membership with BIG cost $300.00; installment payments can be made by making the first payment of $100 to the National Organization of Blacks In Government.
5. What is BIG?
BIG is the leading proactive community services organization focused on promoting equity, excellence and opportunity at all levels of government service. Whether Federal, state or local government, BIG is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, training opportunities and career advancement for both civilian and military personnel throughout this great nation and abroad.
Read more at: http://www.bignet.org/index.php/about-us/philosophy-a-history
6. How do I join?
Potential members are encouraged to visit the BIG National Website via http://www.bignet.org/index.php/home to become familiar with the organization's goals and objectives. If additional information is needed regarding the National BIG Organization please visit the following website to obtain the listing of appropriate point of contact: http://www.bignet.org/index.php/national-office-contacts/national-office-contacts. Additional information can also be obtained from our local chapter Membership Chair.
All persons interested in joining the BIG are required to complete an application, which can be obtain by downloading the application at: http://www.bignet.org/index.php/membership or completing the application online https://big.networkats.com/members_online/members/newmember.asp. Completion of the application and payment of national membership dues are required before membership is granted. Upon the National's Office receipt of application and dues, the member will receive a BIG identification number. Each member is asked to affiliate themselves with a local BIG chapter within your region. Most federal government agencies have chapters, however there are a few agencies that do not. If you work at an agency that does not have a chapter you may contact the Regional (Region XI) Membership Chair via the following link: http://www.bignet.org/index.php/regions/regions and they will refer you to the appropriate chapter. There is no application to affiliate with a chapter, you simply contact the membership chair at the chapter and pay the chapter dues which supports the chapter and separate from national membership dues.
7. Do you have to be a federal government employee to join BIG?
All are welcomed to learn more about BIG and membership is encouraged to assist in the organization's quest to improve the quality of life for all Americans because of the numerous devoted civil servants who commit their lives each day to the causes of safety, security, housing, health care, science, transportation, agriculture, energy conservation and education, just to name a few. If you are currently a government employee or a retired government employee (civilian or military) you are eligible to become a Regular Member of BIG. If you believe in the principles of what we represent, but are not a part of any branch or level of government, we still welcome you as an Associate member. If you are a college student, and are curious about public service as a prospective career choice, you too are welcome to join as a Student Associate member.
For types of memberships click on the link below http://www.bignet.org/images/stories/2011/Programs/Membershiptypes.pdf
8. Benefits of Joining BIG
Training, Networking, Relationships and more.
In regards to training, training is provided either monthly or quarterly by the Region, usually at no additional cost. The organization also conducts the National Training Institute, a conference held every year in different locations. Members from all over the United States attend this four day conference for professional development. To learn more about the benefits of being a member, please visit: http://www.bignet.org/images/stories/2011/Programs/TopTenReasonsWhyYouShouldJoinBIG%21.pdf
9. What Region is the Washington D.C. area?
The Washington, DC area is covered under Region XI. Please vist http://www.bigrxi.org/ for more details on this particular region.
10. When are the regional meetings?
Regional meetings are held every second Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.
1325 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD, 2nd Floor Conference Room. These meetings are open to all members in addition to each Chapter having three regional representatives who serve as regional council members.
11. When are the Coast Guard Chapter meetings?
Coast Guard Chapter meetings are normally held every third Wednesday of every other month at 12:00 noon at the Coast Guard Headquarters building. Once you become a member you will be provided notification of the meetings in advance as well as an agenda. You will also be provided the specific location of the meeting and also the phone number to our dedicated conference call line, to call in to meetings if you are not able to attend in person.
12. How do I stay informed about what's going on with BIG?
The National BIG office sends out informative information on a regular basis, you may join their emailing list by request at: [email protected] The Region publishes a Weekly newsletter, you may join their emailing list by request at: [email protected] Lastly, the Coast Guard chapter sends out weekly announcements, to its members, which may include the regional and national information as well as chapter specific information. It is recommend you join all mailing lists but most importantly it is strongly advised you join the chapter emailing list to stay informed. If you opt not to be on the chapter emailing list, you will not be informed, we do not have the resources to make personal calls or send mailers.
13. How much time should I allocate to BIG?
When joining a organization you should consider what time you have available and be dedicated to that. This is a volunteer organization, you should not anticipate spending the same time working with BIG as you do on a full time job however, as a member you should share responsibilities and help your fellow members. Our work is dedicated to the wellbeing of our communities. As a member, in all fairness you should not be promoting your affiliation with BIG if you are not participating at meetings and other activities. We realize in today's world we all lead busy lives, so its best you make a decision about how much time you have to dedicate and maximize your efforts within that time. You only get out of it, what you put in.
14. How can I get in touch with a Coast Guard Chapter member?
The regular BIG membership dues are $35 annually which are paid directly to the Blacks In Government National Chapter.
2. What are the chapter membership dues?
The regular chapter dues are $60.00 annually or $5.00 per month which are paid directly to the Chapter's Treasurer.
3. What does the chapter use the membership dues for?
The purpose of the dues is to support the Coast Guard Chapter's goals and visions as we strive for excellence in our chapter and in our community. Our chapter is involved in community outreach programs and events, professional and career development training sessions, and fundraisers to support scholarships for high school students. We also have a hospitality committee that was established to support our members in the time of need such as bereavements, illness, etc.; therefore in order to fund these worthy causes, our chapter needs continued support for these efforts.
Dues and donations to the chapter can be made via check and money order payable to Coast Guard Chapter of Blacks In Government and forwarded to the following address:
Attn: D.Claiborne
Blacks In Government
P.O. Box 612
Waldorf, MD 20604
4. What is the cost to become a lifetime member?
A lifetime membership with BIG cost $300.00; installment payments can be made by making the first payment of $100 to the National Organization of Blacks In Government.
5. What is BIG?
BIG is the leading proactive community services organization focused on promoting equity, excellence and opportunity at all levels of government service. Whether Federal, state or local government, BIG is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, training opportunities and career advancement for both civilian and military personnel throughout this great nation and abroad.
Read more at: http://www.bignet.org/index.php/about-us/philosophy-a-history
6. How do I join?
Potential members are encouraged to visit the BIG National Website via http://www.bignet.org/index.php/home to become familiar with the organization's goals and objectives. If additional information is needed regarding the National BIG Organization please visit the following website to obtain the listing of appropriate point of contact: http://www.bignet.org/index.php/national-office-contacts/national-office-contacts. Additional information can also be obtained from our local chapter Membership Chair.
All persons interested in joining the BIG are required to complete an application, which can be obtain by downloading the application at: http://www.bignet.org/index.php/membership or completing the application online https://big.networkats.com/members_online/members/newmember.asp. Completion of the application and payment of national membership dues are required before membership is granted. Upon the National's Office receipt of application and dues, the member will receive a BIG identification number. Each member is asked to affiliate themselves with a local BIG chapter within your region. Most federal government agencies have chapters, however there are a few agencies that do not. If you work at an agency that does not have a chapter you may contact the Regional (Region XI) Membership Chair via the following link: http://www.bignet.org/index.php/regions/regions and they will refer you to the appropriate chapter. There is no application to affiliate with a chapter, you simply contact the membership chair at the chapter and pay the chapter dues which supports the chapter and separate from national membership dues.
7. Do you have to be a federal government employee to join BIG?
All are welcomed to learn more about BIG and membership is encouraged to assist in the organization's quest to improve the quality of life for all Americans because of the numerous devoted civil servants who commit their lives each day to the causes of safety, security, housing, health care, science, transportation, agriculture, energy conservation and education, just to name a few. If you are currently a government employee or a retired government employee (civilian or military) you are eligible to become a Regular Member of BIG. If you believe in the principles of what we represent, but are not a part of any branch or level of government, we still welcome you as an Associate member. If you are a college student, and are curious about public service as a prospective career choice, you too are welcome to join as a Student Associate member.
For types of memberships click on the link below http://www.bignet.org/images/stories/2011/Programs/Membershiptypes.pdf
8. Benefits of Joining BIG
Training, Networking, Relationships and more.
In regards to training, training is provided either monthly or quarterly by the Region, usually at no additional cost. The organization also conducts the National Training Institute, a conference held every year in different locations. Members from all over the United States attend this four day conference for professional development. To learn more about the benefits of being a member, please visit: http://www.bignet.org/images/stories/2011/Programs/TopTenReasonsWhyYouShouldJoinBIG%21.pdf
9. What Region is the Washington D.C. area?
The Washington, DC area is covered under Region XI. Please vist http://www.bigrxi.org/ for more details on this particular region.
10. When are the regional meetings?
Regional meetings are held every second Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Silver Spring, Maryland.
1325 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD, 2nd Floor Conference Room. These meetings are open to all members in addition to each Chapter having three regional representatives who serve as regional council members.
11. When are the Coast Guard Chapter meetings?
Coast Guard Chapter meetings are normally held every third Wednesday of every other month at 12:00 noon at the Coast Guard Headquarters building. Once you become a member you will be provided notification of the meetings in advance as well as an agenda. You will also be provided the specific location of the meeting and also the phone number to our dedicated conference call line, to call in to meetings if you are not able to attend in person.
12. How do I stay informed about what's going on with BIG?
The National BIG office sends out informative information on a regular basis, you may join their emailing list by request at: [email protected] The Region publishes a Weekly newsletter, you may join their emailing list by request at: [email protected] Lastly, the Coast Guard chapter sends out weekly announcements, to its members, which may include the regional and national information as well as chapter specific information. It is recommend you join all mailing lists but most importantly it is strongly advised you join the chapter emailing list to stay informed. If you opt not to be on the chapter emailing list, you will not be informed, we do not have the resources to make personal calls or send mailers.
13. How much time should I allocate to BIG?
When joining a organization you should consider what time you have available and be dedicated to that. This is a volunteer organization, you should not anticipate spending the same time working with BIG as you do on a full time job however, as a member you should share responsibilities and help your fellow members. Our work is dedicated to the wellbeing of our communities. As a member, in all fairness you should not be promoting your affiliation with BIG if you are not participating at meetings and other activities. We realize in today's world we all lead busy lives, so its best you make a decision about how much time you have to dedicate and maximize your efforts within that time. You only get out of it, what you put in.
14. How can I get in touch with a Coast Guard Chapter member?
- Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigcgchapter
- Visit our website: www.bigcoastguardchapter.weebly.com
- Click on the contact tab and complete the short form