Revised March 2018

Purpose

To establish a Valley FM membership policy and guidelines for all members (including presenters) and Board members.

Principles

Valley FM is committed to encouraging applications for membership from its broadcast area and beyond and from people of all ages who enjoy community radio and wish to support the station.

Policy

Categories of Membership

There are two categories of membership at Valley FM 89.5. Each is payable each financial year or at time of new membership.

Member: Members are classified as members of Valley FM Broadcasters Association Inc. The membership fee is $30.00 per annum.

Corporate Not-for-profit (NFP) Member: An organisation that is not-for-profit in nature is known as a Corporate NFP member of Valley FM Broadcasters Association Inc. The membership fee is $25.00 per annum.

Membership Entitlements

Each member is entitled to one vote at General Meetings and Annual General Meetings. In the case of a corporate member only one vote at General Meetings and Annual General Meetings is accepted.
After six months’ membership any member is eligible to accept nomination to the Valley FM Board. In the case or a corporate NFP member only one nominee can represent an organisation and therefore only one person can nominate for a Board position.

All members receive a newsletter at least annually.

Any member may be trained as a presenter should they choose to do so.

A member may view the Valley FM Membership Register at an agreed time and place and may make copies of entries. Contact the Secretary.

Expectations

All members agree to:

  • Abide by all Rules, Policies and Procedures of Valley FM Broadcasters Association Inc. including acceptance of the provisions of the Valley FM Dispute Policy and Grievance Procedure
  • Pay their subscription when notified of annual membership renewal with payment expected each July
  • Promote Valley FM in the broadcast area
  • Carry out broadcasting duties in a professional manner
  • Notify the Station Manager of all anticipated leaves of absence, giving as much advance notification as possible, and
  • Notify the Secretary of intention to resign from membership in writing. If the member is also a presenter that person is asked to provide advance notice where possible and to return any items that officially belong to Valley FM (remote control devices and swipe cards).

Membership Application: Approval or Rejection

Applications for membership are welcomed.

Applications are submitted to the President who will approve membership when all application details are complete and membership fees are paid. The Secretary shall notify the Board of all membership applications made.

Upon completion of this process a receipt of membership shall be supplied to the member by the Secretary whereupon the member’s details are entered into Valley FM’s Membership Register.

Under Section 5 of the Constitution a membership application may be rejected by the Board An application may only be rejected if:

  • There are reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant would not abide by the Rules and Objectives of the Association, or
  • Required by law, or
  • The applicant has been convicted of an indictable offence, where known, or
  • There are reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant would not abide by the Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice, or
  • There are reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant would pose a security risk to the members or the premises of the Association.

If the applicant believes that the Board has made an error in applying this rule, the applicant may appeal on those grounds. This process is described in the Valley FM Broadcasters Association Inc. Constitution (2019).

Compliance

The Board is responsible for the development, implementation, and review of this policy. Compliance with the policy is also the responsibility of all members.

Legislative Framework
Broadcasting Services Act (Cwth 1992)

References
Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice (2016)
Valley FM Broadcasters Association Incorporated Constitution (2019)
Valley FM Volunteers Policy