TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP:

There are two types of Membership within the AISGA Organization:

• Associate Membership (see section on criteria for associate membership for more details)

Associate membership is open to persons who are:

• Actively interested in the area of spiritual guidance/spirituality.
• Working towards becoming full members of AISGA
• Undergoing training as a spiritual guide
• Willing to abide by the AISGA Code of Ethics

Associate membership is a mandatory pre-requisite for full membership.

• Full Membership (see section on criteria for full membership for more details)

The criteria for full membership define the standards that are required for accreditation. Courses attended, experiential training/practice received are described. Membership duration, on-going supervision, knowledge of the code of ethics and the review of the criteria are specified.

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RULES

Insurance

Practising members are required to have Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance. Information is available through the membership secretary at info@aisga.org.

Subscriptions and Fees

Membership subscriptions, application processing fees and a late application fees will be determined annually by the Board of Directors.

Each subscription shall be payable in advance and shall become due by the first day of April in each year. A late fee will apply after this date.

Breach of Ethics

The ethics committee may recommend the cancellation of entitlement to full membership when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to do so. Notification of such cancellations shall be conveyed in writing to the member concerned by the Secretary of the Association.

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CRITERIA FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Associate membership is open to persons who are:

• Actively interested in the area of spiritual guidance/spirituality.
• Working towards becoming full members of AISGA
• Undergoing training as a spiritual guide
• Willing to abide by the AISGA Code of Ethics

Benefits of Associate membership:

• Network of support for those involved in the area of spiritual guidance/spirituality
• Notification of AISGA conferences, workshops and events
• Reduced fee at conferences, workshops
• Update of issues in the world of spiritual guidance

What is required for associate membership?

A yearly subscription fee for "Associate Membership" of €30.00 is payable in advance with a completed application form.

NOTE: Associate members may not represent themselves as full members of AISGA.

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APPLICATION FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBER

For an application for associate membership, please contact the membership secretary at info@aisga.org and an application will be mailed to you.

FULL MEMBERSHIP FEES

Processing fee: €20

(to be sent with completed application):

Full membership fee: €100

(to be sent in only when notification of full accreditation has been received)

Benefits of Full Membership

Full members of AISGA have the following benefits:

• May represent themselves as Full Members of AISGA
• Are entitled to vote at AGM
• Reduced fee at AISGA conferences, workshops
• May apply to AISGA for Supervision accreditation
• Are included in a register of Full Members
• May avail of AISGA group insurance scheme
• Update of issues in the world of spiritual guidance

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CRITERIA FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP

All full members must first be an Associate Member. There are two paths by which Associate Members may gain Full Membership of AISGA:

Path One:

• Core Courses

Applicants are required to give evidence of having satisfactorily completed courses that include each of the following areas:

• Spiritual Guidance
• Spirituality
• Scripture
• Theology
• Psychology – Psychotherapy – Counselling

Minimum requirement is for a one-year full-time or two year part-time study at:

• Third Level Institute recognized by AISGA
• Spiritual Centre / Programme recognized by AISGA

Course details and photocopies of all relevant certificates etc., must be submitted with the application.

• Experiential training / practice

Applicants are required to give evidence of having completed 80 hours practice of spiritual guidance including hours worked during training and of having received 40 hours supervision in relation to this practice.

The supervised hours can include supervision by peers and supervisor during training.

The “Supervisors Report Form” (page 6 of the Full Membership Application Form) must be fully filled in and signed by the supervisor as evidence of compliance with this clause in relation to hours of supervision and practice. This form must then be attached to the application form for full membership.

• On-going supervision and renewal

All applicants are required to give evidence of on-going supervision and renewal in their ministry by attaching photocopies of certificates of attendances etc., to their application.

• Code of Ethics

All applicants are required formally to accept and abide by the AISGA Code of Ethics. (Full code of ethics is given to all associate members)

• Insurance

Practicing members are required to have Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance. (AISGA Group rate available by contacting membership secretary at info@aisga.org)

• Application Process

Application forms for full membership may be obtained from AISGA at Milltown Park, Sandford Road, Dublin 6 or via the info@aisga.org email address. The completed form, together with all relevant documentation, copies of certificates, supervisors reports and references, where appropriate, should be returned to AISGA at the above postal address along with the €20 processing fee (only – please do not include membership fee at this time).

• Accreditation Process

Applications for membership are considered by the accrediting / credentialing committee who meets at least twice a year. They submit their proposals to the Board of Directors for approval.

The applicant will be notified of the Board’s decision, and if the application has been successful, the full membership fee will become due for payment. The full membership commences when the fee has been received by AISGA.

The certificate of full membership will be then awarded to the applicant.

An applicant who is not successful with their application for Full Membership may continue membership as an Associate Member of AISGA and may re-apply for full membership at a later date.

• Duration of Membership

Full Membership is for five years and is dependent upon payment of an annual subscription. Associate and Full memberships subscriptions will be determined annually by the Board of Directors.

• Renewal of Membership

After five years full members may make a formal application to renew their membership. They shall provide evidence of ongoing supervision and commitment to professional and personal renewal as per the code of ethics.  

• Review of Criteria

The accrediting / credentialing committee will review the above criteria and propose any changes to the Board of Directors for approval.

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Path Two:

Equivalency

Experienced Spiritual Guides who can show evidence of having fulfilled the criteria as stated in Clause A of Path One in equivalent ways, supported by two referees recognized by AISGA, may be admitted to full membership at the discretion of the accrediting / credentialing committee.

Attention shall be given to all the relevant clauses of Path One.

Two references must be submitted with the application form.

APPLICATION FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP

Full membership is open to associate members who meet the criteria for full membership.

Please contact the membership secretary for a full membership application (Path One or Path Two) at info@aisga.org

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