Membership

Membership conditions

Any person who supports the purposes of the Association is eligible for membership. Application for membership (1) To apply to become a member of the Association, a person must submit a written application to a committee member stating that the person— (a) wishes to become a member of the Association; and (b) supports the purposes of the Association; and (c) agrees to comply with these Rules. (2) The application— (a) must be signed by the applicant; and (b) may be accompanied by the joining fee. Note The joining fee is the fee (if any) determined by the Association under rule 12(3). Consideration of application (1) As soon as practicable after an application for membership is received, the Committee must decide by resolution whether to accept or reject the application. (2) The Committee must notify the applicant in writing of its decision as soon as practicable after the decision is made. (3) If the Committee rejects the application, it must return any money accompanying the application to the applicant. (4) No reason need be given for the rejection of an application. New membership (1) If an application for membership is approved by the Committee— (a) the resolution to accept the membership must be recorded in the minutes of the committee meeting; and (b) the Secretary must, as soon as practicable, enter the name and address of the new member, and the date of becoming a member, in the register of members. 0 (2) A person becomes a member of the Association and, subject to rule 13(2), is entitled to exercise his or her rights of membership from the date, whichever is later, on which— (a) the Committee approves the person’s membership; or (b) the person pays the joining fee. Annual subscription and fee on joining (1) At each annual general meeting, the Association must determine— (a) the amount of the annual subscription (if any) for the following financial year; and (b) the date for payment of the annual subscription. (2) The Association may determine that a lower annual subscription is payable by associate members. (3) The Association may determine that any new member who joins after the start of a financial year must, for that financial year, pay a fee equal to— (a) the full annual subscription; or (b) a pro rata annual subscription based on the remaining part of the financial year; or (c) a fixed amount determined from time to time by the Association. (4) The rights of a member (including the right to vote) who has not paid the annual subscription by the due date are suspended until the subscription is paid