< Memeberships

Autism Jersey Membership Policy

Policy Purpose

Autism Jersey is a registered Charity. Our constitution requires us to have Members. Members can control changes to the constitution and make other fundamental decisions relating to the Charity, such as the composition of the Board of Trustees, winding up of the Charity, and the appointment of auditors. Membership of the Charity enhances Board transparency and accountability. Members can make a useful contribution to the running of the Charity, adding value via diversity of opinion.

The purpose of this policy is to:

· Provide clarity about who our Members are; and

· Clarify Member rights and their role within the Charity.

Objectives

This policy outlines our governance arrangements relating to Members by:

· Explaining what the Membership role entails including the responsibilities of the role;

· Providing an understanding of the role of Trustee Members versus other Members; and

· Documenting eligibility and the process for admission and termination of Membership.

Scope of Policy

Members consist of:

· Current and past (qualifying) Trustees;

· Others admitted to Membership in accordance with the Constitution.

The Constitution sets out the basic terms and conditions of membership including eligibility, appointment, termination and voting rights.

This policy applies to all Members.

Members have rights and obligations by virtue of their Membership. Their rights and obligations derive from the Constitution.

Responsibilities

Members

Responsible for:

· Acting in the best interests of the Charity, supporting the vision, mission and values of the Charity;

· Providing a general advocacy/ambassadorial role to promote the work of the Charity;

· Using their voting rights in the best interests of the Charity;

· Attending general meetings including the Annual General Meeting (AGM)

· Abiding by decisions that are taken fairly and within the rules of the Charity;

· Endorsing the account, annual report and auditor's report for the financial year following approval by the Board;

· Considering and approving the appointment of Trustees to the Board;

· Considering and approving the appointment of auditors;

· Considering and approving constitutional changes including changes to the Constitution;

· Approving minutes of previous Annual General Meetings;

· Transacting any other business specified in the notice convening the Annual General Meeting.

Trustee Members

Trustee members are also responsible for:

· Ensuring that Membership is inclusive and has the diversity to represent the needs of the autistic community;

· Ensuring there are sufficient governance structures in place to manage the Membership relationship in the best interests of the Charity;

· Acting in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Trustee Members

Trustee members are also responsible for:

· Ensuring that Membership is inclusive and has the diversity to represent the needs of the autistic community;

· Ensuring there are sufficient governance structures in place to manage the Membership relationship in the best interests of the Charity;

· Acting in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

Monitoring and Review

Our Board of Trustees will review this policy every three years or whenever there is a relevant change e.g. to our Constitution or regulatory requirements.

Risk Management

Our Board of Trustees has identified that a breach of legislative or regulatory requirement is a risk for which they have minimalist appetite. Risks arising from inadequate governance arrangements or breaching Charity Law present a risk to Autism Jersey.

Our governance arrangements ensure that we comply with our Constitution, the requirements of our regulators and Charity Law. Having appropriate governance structures in place, including clarity of Member responsibilities, reduces this risk.

Statement of Commitment

Our Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance of the organisation and is accountable to a number of stakeholders including but not limited to its members, clients, funders and regulators. By setting out the responsibilities of Membership the Charity commits to ensuring that its Trustees and Members act in the best interests of the Charity and its clients.

Definitions

AGM | An Annual General Meeting, open to all members.

Board of Trustees | The governing body of Autism Jersey. Its Trustees have the ultimate responsibility for the direction and strategic leadership of the Charity.

Constitution | The document which specifies the regulations for the Charity's operations and defines the Charity's objectives.

Charity Law | The Charities (Jersey) Law 2014

Member | An individual with the ability to affect the governance of the Charity by voting at the Charity's Annual General Meeting and who meets the criteria for becoming Member set out in the Constitution.

Trustee Member | An individual who sits on the Board of Trustees of the Charity, and who is also a Member of the Charity.

Eligibility for Membership

The Board has agreed that there is no limit to the number of Members that the Charity has.

Trustees

Trustees must be Members at the time of their appointment and for the duration of their term of office.

Exclusions

The following are excluded from Membership:

· Employees of the Charity;

· Persons under the age of 16 years old;

· Trustees who have been removed as a Trustee in accordance with the Constitution, unless the Board agrees otherwise.

Termination of Membership

A person admitted to Membership of the Charity will cease to be a Member:

· On giving written notice of resignation to the Secretary, either with effect from any date specified in the notice or the date of receipt of the notice if no other date is specified; or

· If the Board resolves to terminate the membership of a Member for a reasonable cause, subject to giving the Member concerned a reasonable opportunity to explain why he/she should not be removed.

· If they become an employee of the Charity.