INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Introduction

Carers Victoriais the state-wide voice for family carers; we represent and give support to carers in Victoria.

Carers Victoria is a member based organisation. It is incorporated under the Victorian Associations Incorporation Act 1981 and is run by a Board voted for by the members.

Statement of Purposes and the Constitution

The purposes of Carers Victoria are:

  • to improve the health, wellbeing, resilience and financial security of carers; and
  • to promote the recognition of caring as a shared responsibility of family, community, business and government.

People who want to join Carers Victoria must share these purposes and agree to keepCarers Victoria’s rules and regulations.

The constitution and regulations can be seenon our website at or you can ask for a copy to be sent to you.

Why become a member?

Joining Carers Victoria is a way to show that you support the work we do and gives you the privilege of being a part of an organisation that is passionate about making a difference for caring families.

When you join as a member of Carers Victoria you add strength to our numbers and volume to our voice. You can alsohave a say about things that concern you most and we will keep you up to date on the progress wemake.

All carers canuse the services that Carers Victoria provides, but only members have the right to vote at Board elections, apply for a Board position and go to general meetings.Members also get our magazine, Carers in Victoriafour times a year

Who can join?

There are four types of membership:

  • Carer, includes former carer (individual membership only) - Free
  • Carer Support Group (with a named representative) – Free
  • Organisations (with a named representative) - $100 a year
  • Interested persons (individual membership only) - $20 a year

The membership process

All new members must be approved by the Board.If you are accepted we will send you a letter and your membership card within 12 weeks of you applying to join.

If your application to join has been denied we will write to you within 12 weeks of your application to join and return any joining fee you have paid.

Membershipsare renewed every year on 1 March. We will send you a form that you need to complete.You must tell us if:

  • you have changed your address, name or other details;
  • you do not want to be a member.

Subscriptions

Membership fees must be paid with your application.

  • If you join between 1 March and 30 June a full year’s fee must be paid; ($100 or $20)
  • If you join between 1 July and 31 October 2/3 of a full year’s fee must be paid; ($66 or $13)
  • If you join between 1 November and 31 January 1/3 of a full year’s fee must be paid ($33 or $6), and
  • If you join during February your full year’s fee is payable for the following year only.

Information privacy

Carers Victoriawill not share any of the information you give us with anyone elseunlessthe law says we have to. Your information is only used in a way that Victorian and Federal privacy laws allow it to be.More information is in Carers Victoria’s Privacy Policy.

The name, postal address and membership date of each member are recorded in a members’ register.The Associations Incorporation Act 1981 says that any member can see the register as long as they meet the conditions in Carers Victoria’sconstitution.

Feedback

Carers Victorialikes to hear from members and promises that any feedback you give us will bekept confidential and used properly.

Send feedbackto:

Manager, Membership and Fundraising

Carers Victoria

PO Box 2204

FOOTSCRAY 3011

or by phoning: 03 9396 9561

or by e-mail to:

Created September 2010