Membership Policy Meeting 09 Mar – Invitation

goolawahcoop Governance, Meetings, Membership

The membership committee met recently to discuss possible changes to the membership policy, primarily addressing points put forth by various members. 

It was determined that any changes may be far-reaching, therefore, in order to gather all opinions, interested members are invited to attend a membership policy meeting at 6 pm Monday March 9 at the Camp Kitchen.

To be included in the discussion:

  • Length of time required before eligibility (some think minimal or no vetting at all; others a more extensive program)
  • Dropping the formal ‘hosting’ requirement, possibly replacing it with participation in working bees and/or community dinners
  • A less rigorous regime of eligibility for incoming spouses/partners, whether they are proposing to become joint or guest members (no need to camp – can stay with partner; perhaps the partner can organize a ‘get to know you’ evening at Camp Kitchen)
  • Emphasizing to incoming members importance and benefits of attending general meetings and community events.
  • Clarifying differences in interpretation of rules and expectations for ‘old’ members versus incoming members (i.e. primary place of residence, DA fulfillment) in language on website and forms, and in the understanding of existing members.

We hope to see you there!

Thank you

Cindee, for the membership committee (Trinh, Nityama, Alicia, Cindee)

Overdue Payments & Active Membership

goolawahcoop Governance

The Board recently reviewed the current situation of overdue payments, and decided to remind members of their financial obligations to the community.

Co-operative National Law and our Co-op rules (a sub-set of the Law) provide the governance framework which the Co-op must follow.

A fundamental legal requirement is that members must pay all monies (levies, etc.) to the Co-op by the due date to maintain their active membership.

If the member has been continuously inactive for the past 2 years, then the Board legally has to declare a membership cancelled. The Department of Fair Trading can fine directors if this is not followed.

In addition, inactive members are ineligible to vote at general meetings.

This is how the Co-op’s overdue payments system works:

1.  You pay by the due date (which is the end of the billing period), after which overdue charges are applied.

2.  If you go over 12 months overdue then debt collectors are called in.

3.  If you have not been active (i.e. once) in two years then your share shall be cancelled.

The onus is on members to take responsibility for their own financial affairs.

So, any member likely to become inactive for a two year period has to take appropriate action to catch up with their arrears to ensure they are active at least once in that period. 

Individual invoices will eventually show the last date when a member was active, to guide them, thanks to a refinement in the accounting system.

It’s actually a very simple mechanism, and basic Co-operative law.

Maria River Road – Sealing #1

goolawahcoop Events & Social, Tips

In response to a query about plans for possible sealing of Maria River Road, Kempsey Council has advised the following:

“While funding for sealing of Maria River Road was promised by the State Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey (formerly Minister for Roads, etc.) prior to the last State election, no formal offer of funding has been received to date. In fact, Council has recently been requested to apply for funding under the Fixing Local Roads Program which is currently pending. In the absence of a formal offer that is acceptable to Council, no firm indication of when the road might be sealed is possible. However, given that the section of road is approximately 24km long, completion of environmental studies, design and construction is likely to take at least two years from the date funding is offered.”