member_policy_2011final

Parramatta Chamber of Commerce Constitution, Policy & Procedures Handbook

MEMBERSHIP Policy: The Parramatta Chamber of Commerce aims to offer a flexible membership in order to maximise the number of members.  The number of members which the Chamber purposes to be registered is one thousand but the Board may from time to time register an increase of members.

Procedure: Membership shall be comprised of: a) ordinary members b) life members c) honorary members Any member, or it’s duly appointed representative in the case of a firm, association or corporation, of ten years standing or more and who has retired from active business and desires to become a life member, may apply for life membership. The Board may, at its discretion, by reason of his special service to the Chamber or by virtue of distinguished position, elect any natural person to the position of honorary life member, who shall pay no fee or membership subscription but shall be entitled to exercise a vote and enjoy all other privileges of membership.

 The Chamber will offer various levels of membership including but not limited to: o General o Bronze o Silver o Gold o Platinum (includes Naming Rights for Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence)

The membership level inclusions are determined by The Membership Committee and may vary from year to year. (See table below for 2011 inclusions)

 The Chamber shall maintain a members list as a database.  The database is a confidential list of current members.

23/06/2010

Page 2

23/06/2010

Page 3

APPLICATION FOR CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP Process:  Each member shall pay an annual subscription;  Any person or Business may apply for ordinary membership;  Every application for membership of the Chamber shall be in writing accompanied by the appropriate subscription and signed by the applicant. It shall be in such form as the Board from time to time prescribes;  Each application will be evaluated by the membership committee for recommendation to the Board  At the next meeting of the Board or the next but one meeting after the receipt of any application for membership, such application shall be considered and the Board shall thereupon determine upon the admission or rejection of the applicant. In no case shall the Board be required to give any reason for rejection of any applicant;  Upon acceptance for membership, the Chairman of the Membership Committee, or such other person as may from time to time be authorised by the Board, shall cause to be sent to the applicant written notice of their acceptance;  The relevant annual subscription, entitlements to representation and to vote shall be in accordance with these articles, as amended from time to time by the Board.

23/06/2010

Page 4

MEMBERSHIP CESSATION  If the subscription of a member, or other monies due by such member including attendance costs to Chamber events or agreed sponsorship, shall remain unpaid for a period of three calendar months after becoming due, then the member may, by resolution of the Board after notice of the default shall have been sent to him by the Executive Officer/General Manager or the Treasurer or their representative, be debarred from all privileges of membership and his/her name removed from the register of members; provided that the Board may reinstate the member and restore his name to the register on payment of arrears if the Board thinks fit to do so. The Board may at any time authorise action for recovery of any monies due.  In the event that any member shall wilfully refuse or neglect to comply with the provisions of the Chamber Constitution, or shall be judged guilty by the Board of any conduct unbecoming of a member or prejudicial to the interests of the Chamber, the Board shall have power by resolution to censure, suspend or expel the member from the Chamber, and in the latter case to remove his name from the register of members. (the member may appear before the Board at the meeting or present in writing any explanation or defence he may have.  A member shall be deemed to have vacated their membership if they: - die - be convicted of an indictable offence in any State or Territory of the Commonwealth - becomes of unsound mind

23/06/2010

Page 5