An organization must be a non-political, non-religious organization, registered as a non-profit/non-stock in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia (DMV), or part of any non-profit parent organization registered in a different state but maintains its local chapter in the DMV area. This local chapter must maintain its eligibility by conducting its elections based on its constitutions and bylaws. The organization shall be registered with a state at least one year before the application date for DCEA membership and state registration shall be current during the DCEA application year. No individual, commercial vendor, or commercial entity is eligible to become a member of the DCEA.