There shall be no limit on the number of members.

1.   Eligibility

• • Any individual, society, association, partnership, or corporate body engaged in commerce and industry or interested in the objectives of the Chamber shall be eligible to apply for membership.

2.   Application Requirements

• • Each application for membership must be submitted in writing using a form approved by the CEO of the Chamber. The application should include:
    • The name of the applicant and the organisation they represent.
    • The applicant’s address.
    • The occupational role of the applicant within the organisation.

3.   Nominated Representative

• • If the applicant is a society, association, partnership, or corporate body, the application form must also specify the name of the person proposed to be authorised as the Nominated Representative.

4.   Signature Requirement

• • Every application for membership must be signed by the applicant.

5.   Approval Authority

• • Subject to the Board’s authority to veto any approval, the CEO is delegated the power to approve new members.

6.   Consideration Criteria

• • In evaluating applications, the CEO and/or the Board may consider any matters deemed appropriate, including the applicant’s standing in the business community, at their sole discretion.

7.   Notification of Approval

• • The CEO shall send a notice of approval to each approved applicant. Upon receipt, the applicant is deemed to have agreed to abide by the Constitution, Rules, and By-laws of the Chamber.

8.   Eligibility of Associates

• • Notwithstanding membership of a society, association, partnership, or corporate body, any constituent officer, manager, or associate of that entity is eligible for membership of the Chamber in their own right.

9.   Geographical Scope

• • Membership is not restricted to individuals or entities with a place of business in the Marlborough Region.

RESIGNATION AND SUSPENSION

1.   Resignation

• Any member wishing to resign must notify the CEO in writing. The resignation becomes effective upon receipt of such notice by the CEO, provided that all outstanding subscriptions owed by the resigning member are paid up to date, unless the Board resolves to remit these dues.

2.   Suspension

• • A member may be suspended by written notice from the CEO under the following circumstances:

• • • Suspension of Privileges: Suspension refers to the suspension of the member’s privileges within the Chamber. During the suspension period, the member’s rights to participate in Chamber activities, access resources, and hold positions are revoked.
    • Liability for Fees: Despite the suspension of privileges, the member remains liable for any subscriptions and fees incurred during the suspension period.
    • Grounds for Suspension:
      • Non-payment of subscriptions for more than two months without arrangements made with the CEO.
      • Failure to observe any Rule or Policy of the Chamber.
      • Conduct at any Chamber or Board meeting deemed unworthy of a member or injurious to the Chamber’s interests or standing.
      • Personal or business conduct deemed unbecoming or prejudicial to the Chamber.

3.   Replacement of Nominated Representative

• • The Board may require a member to replace its Nominated Representative by written notice in the following cases:
    • Failure to observe any Rule or Policy of the Chamber.
    • Conduct at any Chamber or Board meeting deemed unworthy of a Nominated Representative or injurious to the Chamber.
    • Personal conduct deemed unbecoming or prejudicial to the Chamber.

4.   Special General Meeting

• • Upon request by the member, the CEO shall convene a Special General Meeting to consider the suspension of the member or the replacement of the Nominated Representative.

5.   Member’s Right to Explain

• • The member in question is entitled to present their case at the Special General Meeting.

6.   Approval for Suspension or Replacement

• • Suspension of the member or replacement of the Nominated Representative requires approval by at least 66% of the members present at the Special General Meeting.

7.   Termination Due to Bankruptcy or Dissolution

• • Any member who is adjudicated bankrupt, compounds with creditors under any bankruptcy-related act, or whose corporate body is wound up voluntarily or by court order shall automatically cease to be a member of the Chamber.

8.   Readmission of Former Members

• • A member who has ceased to be part of the Chamber may be readmitted at any Board meeting by a unanimous vote of the members present.

9.   Changing the Nominated Representative

• • A member may change its Nominated Representative by providing written notice to the CEO.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

1.   Subscription Term and Renewal

• • Term Length: Membership subscriptions are valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of acceptance.
  • Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions will automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless the member provides written notice of cancellation at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the current subscription term.

2.   Determination of Annual Subscriptions

• • The Board shall determine the annual subscriptions for membership.

3.   Payment Terms

• • Subscriptions are due and payable by the 20th day of the month following the invoice date. The Board may issue invoices on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis at its discretion.

4.   Cancellation and Liability

• • Cancellation Within Subscription Period: Members who wish to cancel their membership within the subscription period must provide written notice to the CEO. However, members remain liable for the full subscription fee for the entire one-year term, regardless of the cancellation.
  • No Refunds: Subscription fees are non-refundable once the subscription term has commenced.

5.   Readmission After Suspension for Non-Payment

• • If a membership has been suspended due to non-payment of subscriptions, the Board may readmit the former member without requiring re-acceptance, provided the former member pays all outstanding subscriptions.

6.   Recovery of Outstanding Subscriptions

• • All due and owing subscriptions may be sued for by the Chamber and recovered as ordinary debts.