RULES REGARDING ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Background

Associate Membership was introduced in the 1980’s to enable Members children to continue to use the club at members rates when they left school or university, but were not in a position to afford full membership. Over the years the club has had 25 to 30 Associate Members, who have used the club quite extensively. This has been a good source of revenue, and has helped ensure a steady stream of younger guests in both lodges.

When Associate Membership was introduced, the intention was that Associate Members ( AM’s ) would be offered full membership at a certain age when memberships became available. The AM would be required to purchase a membership at that time or give up Associate Membership. However, the age at which this was meant to happen was never fixed and the requirement to purchase full membership has never been enforced.

In September 1999, following considerable discussion as to how best to get young people involved in the Club, the Board decided to allow Grandchildren of members to become an AM. This decision was rescinded in June 05. Those who became AM’s in the intervening time will be allowed to remain in that status until 35 years of age.

The current situation is that we have several AM’s in their 30’s and some in their 40’s.

The Board agrees that the original intention should be maintained. i.e that AM’s should convert to full membership at an appropriate time. The Board also recognized that AM’s may not be in a position to purchase membership in one installment, so introduced an option of spreading payments over 2 years. The clarifications decided by the Board are as follows:

Clarification
1. As from 30 June 05 New Associate Members will be required to convert to full membership at the age of 30. AM’s registered before 30 June 05 will be required to convert to full membership at the age of 35.

2. AM’s who joined prior to 30 June 2005 and who are 35 years or over will be offered membership from previously forfeited shares held by the club. It should be noted that there is a limited number of these shares available.

3. AM’s converting to full membership in 2005/06 may pay either $7,000 in one payment, or $7000 spread over 2 years. i.e. two payments of $3500. This is a decision made by the Board in June 05 and alters other advertised arrangements. This offer is now closed.

4. Offers for full membership will be sent to all AM’s 35 years and over by 30 September 2005 requesting payment in full, or the first installment of $3,500 by 31 January 05, second and final installment of $3500 by 31 December 06. AM’s who take up this offer will be designated Members Pending (MP) until the final payment is made. MP’s are entitled to all membership privileges from the time of receipt of the first installment but will not be issued with shares and hence will not be able to vote until the final installment is received. Thus MP do not have the right to vote on Club matters and may not be nominated to the Board. MP’s will pay the full subscription rate.

5. The membership amount above applies only to the current offer. Future membership price will be determined by the market at the discretion of the Board.

6. When all available shares have been sold, (i.e. those currently held by the club from forfeitures etc.) AM’s will be required to purchase from members who wish to sell their shares.

7. The Board reserves the right to purchase shares from a retiring member. The Board may then sell these shares to existing AM’s over a 2 year period.

8. MP will not be able to sell their membership until all installments have been received.

9. MP’s who elect to pay on an installment basis, and who fail to make the second installment, when due, will lose their membership status, and will forfeit the $1,500 .

To download an Associate Membership form click here