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1997 Proposed Membership Development Plan

To be updated for 2016...

Benefits and Features:

Each Community Network will make a decision to join Telecommunities Canada based on their perception of the benefits they will receive. The following are some of the benefits and features of membership provided by Telecommunities Canada:

• participation in the Community Network movement in Canada;
• advocacy on behalf of all Community Networks in Canada;
• tracking and commenting on public policy issues;
• participation in can.telecommunities newsgroup;
• networking opportunities with emerging and existing Community Networks;
• subscription to TC-Members LISTSERV (board aliases only);
• access to continuous improvements in Chebucto Suite software;
• discounts and subsidies for attendance at annual conference and AGM; *
• vote at the annual and special meeting of TC;*
• regular (4-6 times annually) TC newsletter; *
• guidance and advice in the development of policy and operational procedures; *
• informal advice offered by specialized lawyers and technical experts; *
• local use of TC logos and other materials.*

* available to Full Members only.

Membership Categories:

• Organizing Member - a Community Network which has an organizational structure but not yet become fully operational (i.e. launched an on-line service);
• Operational Member - an operational Community Network which has not yet applied for full membership or not currently fulfilled all the membership requirements;
• Full Member - an operational Community Network which has applied for and fulfilled all of the membership requirements and is in good standing with TC.
• Regional Member - a regional or other grouping of community networks which speaks on behalf of the individual member networks.

Note: Community Networks will be added to the first two categories automatically and must request removal from the listings. They must apply for inclusion in the full or regional membership categories.

Membership Application Procedure:

1. Information - a Community Network requests or is sent a letter of introduction and other promotional materials about Telecommunities Canada.
2. Application - the prospective member completes the application form which includes information such as: Name of Community Network; address and phone numbers; network addresses (URLs); board and committee structure; legal incorporation type; number of members/users; names of key contacts, staff and board members; description of hardware/software setup; copy of annual report to members including annual financial review.
3. Submission - application form is sent to TC Postmaster who forwards information to membership committee and database maintainer.
4. Agreement - Membership Committee drafts a membership agreement and invoice for membership fees and returns it to the prospective member for signature. The Community Network now becomes a Provisional Member and has 60 days to sign the agreement and submit the membership fees although an extension may be granted.
5. Payment - Upon return of the signed membership agreement (to the Victoria address) and payment in full of membership fees the Community Network will be granted full membership rights and privileges.
6. A Regional Community Networking Association may apply for membership in Telecommunities Canada. Membership in TC (operational member) may be extended to all community networks within the regional association upon payment of negotiated fees and compliance with all requirements.

Membership Agreement:

The membership agreement lays out the rights, responsibilities and obligations of both TC and the member Community Networks. The member agrees to accept and abide by the membership criteria established by TC and to provide:

• copy of the annual financial review;
• .5% of revenue as a membership fee; and
• annual update of status information.

TC agrees to provide the services listed under benefits above.

Membership Criteria:

Membership criteria have already been detailed in the articles of incorporation and bylaws. To qualify for membership in Telecommunities Canada a Community Network must:

• operate on a not-for-profit basis;
• open their membership to every citizen of their community;
• provide equitable access to all citizens in their community;
• encourage exchange, publication and access to the broadest possible range of information of interest to the community; and
• endeavour to create connections with other computer-based networks, and to allow the free and interactive flow of information between different communities.

Annual Membership Renewal Schedule:

• August - renewal notices, invoices and request for status update is sent out to members;
• October 31 - renewal deadline;
• November 1 - Update membership list and send second renewal notice to delinquent members;
• December 15 - Update membership list, review membership status and report to board.

Implementation Schedule:

1. Board reviews and amends proposal document as required.
2. Membership Proposal is posted to tc-members listserve and conference web page.
3. Appoint membership committee by August 31, 1997 (at Halifax Conference)
4. Decide on membership application policy, process and requirements by January 31/98.
5. Distribute membership information materials to Community Networks by February 28/98.
6. Process membership applications as received.
7. Update membership roster and report on membership status by April 30/98.
8. Review membership status report and take further action as required by May 31/98.