Background to becoming a member
Becoming a member or renewing your annual membership of the group helps to sustain Zen practice in Adelaide. Funds raised through membership goes towards renting venues, insurance, dana for our teachers, website maintenance and other costs.
As a member you have the opportunity to offer your ideas, creativity and energy to the group as you can opt to be on the AZG Committee (all positions are voted on at our AGM, usually held in August) and you can vote at general meetings. You are also able to borrow up to 3 books per month from the group’s library.
All members agree to to abide by the rules of the Adelaide Zen Group which are available here: LINK
Membership Types
Full Membership: is required to join our committee and have voting rights. You are also able to borrow up to 3 books per month from the group’s library.
Associate Membership: is designed for people who only wish to participate in the activities of the Association on an infrequent basis, or are precluded from participating in-person due to geographical or personal reasons. Only Full Members can nominate for the AZG Committee at the AGM.
Fees
Membership fees become due on 1 July each year. We prefer that you apply or renew your membership before the end of July. If you are not joining or renewing on or around 1 July then your membership fees can be scaled on a pro-rata basis (see table below).
Applicants are invited to pay a figure within the suggested ranges (full or pro-rata), according to their means.
Renewal/Join Month: Suggested Pro-rata Full-membership Fee
July (full membership): $100 – $210
August: $90 – $190
September: $85 – $170
October: $75 – $160
November: $70 – $140
December: $60 – $120
January: $55 – $110
February: $45 – $90
March: $40 – $70
April: $30 – $60
May: $25 – $40
June: $20 – $30
Associate Membership: fees are $60.
Paying by instalments
Once you have chosen an appropriate amount for your membership fee (full or associate), based on the month of the year and according to your means then payment by installment may also be an option.
Half-yearly (half the fee due immediately and the remainder on 1 January) or quarterly (one quarter of the fee due immediately, and again at 1 October, 1 January and 1 April) payment options are available. Please discuss with the Membership Secretary (azg@azg.org.au) to decide what the best option is for you, then proceed to make your online application.
Online Application
To become a full or associate member please complete the online membership application form using this LINK. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the committee at its next monthly meeting (as per our rules of association). From there, you will be contacted by the membership secretary.
Method of payment
Fees can be paid by electronic funds transfer (EFT) using the following information: People’s Choice, BSB: 805-050, Account No: 102 688 007. Please identify EFT payments with your name and the notation ‘M’.
If EFT payment is not an option for you please contact the Treasurer using the following email address: azg@azg.org.au and alternative arrangements can be made.
Membership Secretary
If you have any questions about membership please contact the Membership Secretary: Julian DiBez dibez@bigpond.com
Pledges
Some members also contribute a monthly pledge, over and above membership. These pledges are vital to maintain the zendo and our teachers, and keep the doors open for everyone. If you can afford it, please consider.
Pledges can be made throughout the year, or in a lump sum. But this is different from a donation. Pledges are a scheduled payment, and the Treasurer is notified in advance of your commitment. Regular payments can be made by direct debit into the AZG bank account, by cheque or by arrangement with the AZG Treasurer.