Affiliate Membership

CORD is the only national organization representing all rare disorder patient groups in Canada.

Affiliate membership is open to all patient organizations that provide direct support to persons affected by rare disorders.

Benefits of Affiliate Membership
Each Affiliate Member has one vote at the Annual General Meeting.
Affiliate Members may submit nominees for the Board of Directors, board committees, and working groups. 

In addition, Affiliate Members have access to the following benefits (as available):

  • Listing on and linkage on CORD website (www.raredisorders.ca).
  • Receive regular news updates and newsletters from CORD.
  • Access to support for information, education, and advocacy services.
  • Participation at regular scheduled meetings with CORD's Corporate Leaders Forum Members.
  • Priority registration at CORD conferences, forums, development sessions, and training workshops.
  • Access to group benefits negotiated by CORD on behalf of its members with service providers and other vendors.
  • Opportunity to submit questions for CORD surveys of members, patients, healthcare providers, and public.

Eligibility
Affiliate Members may join as single-disorder patient groups or as associations (networks or alliances) of related disorders. Affiliate Members may be small volunteer-led groups, incorporated not-for-profit organizations, registered charities, or a division of a provincial, national, or international organization. Affiliate Members are committed to principles of collaboration and mutual support to better serve the needs of all rare disorders.

Role of Affiliate Members
Affiliate Members help carry out the mission of CORD and collaborate on projects with mutual benefit. Affiliate Members set policy, strategic direction, and program objectives for CORD. Representatives of groups fill CORD board positions and serve on project committees, advisory boards, and working groups. Affiliate Members gain from our collective power to carry out projects and advocate on issues that no one organization could achieve alone. Affiliate Members have opportunities to share expertise and resources and to learn from one another.

Fees
Annual Affiliate Membership is $50

CORD's objective is to provide a strong voice to advocate for health policy and a healthcare system that works for those with rare disorders.

Registration
»Download Affiliate Membership Form

Affiliate Partners