MEMBERSHIP POLICIES

MEMBERSHIP DUES POLICY – MEMBERS OVER 90 YEARS OF AGE #10

Preamble. Branch 295 acknowledges the long service of members over 90 years of age by offering “free” membership annually. The practice originated in a member-approved motion at the general meeting of March 19th, 2022 which stated: “.. that Branch 295 cover the Per Capita Tax for those members who are ninety plus years old. Voted and Carried.: The spirit and intent of the motion has evolved into “free” membership for these deserving members.

POLICY PURPOSE

1. The purpose of this policy is to formally document branch administrative practices to implement the policy fairly. This is a Branch 295 initiative whereby the branch pays all required dues on behalf of the member and foregoes the amount normally retained by the branch.

STAKEHOLDERS

1. Stakeholders include the Membership Chair, Office Administrator, bar staff, Public Relations Officer, and the Branch President.

HISTORICAL CHALLENGES

1. Dates of birth on membership application forms are optional, and available information on the Dominion Portal is not reliable. Furthermore, there is no means to obtain a printed list of members that includes birthdates.

2. The practice was never widely publicized and was only known to a few. Since 2022, many  members over 90 years of age have paid full dues, while others have not.

3. Because the branch cannot accurately predict the number of members over 90, the cost to the the branch cannot be determined in advance. e.g. The dues retained by the branch of at least 4 members are required to provide one free Over 90 membership.

POLICY DIRECTIVE

1. Eligibility. Members in good standing, who are 90 years of age or older on January 31st of each year, are eligible for the Over 90 Membership benefit. Members will be taken at their word and do not have to produce proof of age. 

(a)  Members applying after January 31st are not in good standing and are not eligible for the benefit. 

(b)  Lapsed members who pay back dues are not eligible until the following membership year. 

2. Application. Eligible members must apply each year before the closure of the membership dues renewal drive on January 31st of each year. 

(a) Applications should be made in person by the member, a family member, or a caregiver.

(b) Applications by letter, email, or other means shall be referred to the Membership Chair.

3. No Refunds. Previously paid dues by eligible members will not be refunded.

4. Exclusions. 

(a) Members with their 90th birthday after January 31st are not eligible until the following year.

(b) New members over 90 years of age are not eligible until the following year

ADMINISTRATION & RECORDS MANAGEMENT

1. The Membership Chair, staff member, or volunteer processing the renewal should follow normal procedures and issue a receipt for $0.00 marked "OVER 90".

2. The Membership Chair may try to maintain a list of members, but this list may not be used to automatically renew memberships without a current application from the member.

3. The Membership Chair should take measures to ensure that the Finance Officer is given the number of free memberships, as this is an expense item for the branch that includes Dominion, Command, and Zone fees payable.

ADVERTISING

1. All practical means to advertise the Over 90 benefit should be used. For example,

(a) Posters in the foyer and on the Membership bulletin board.

(b) Printed newsletter.

(c) Electronic communications (website, Facebook, Branch News Email).

(d) Mention in the membership report at one or more general meetings in the fall.

CONCLUSION

1. This policy is effective 04 June 2025 and will be publicized all all means available each year between 01 September and 31 January.

ADVERTISING STATEMENT FOR MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR MEMBERS 

 OVER 90 YEARS OF AGE

Members in good standing, who are 90 years of age as of January 31, are eligible for the Over 90 Membership Benefit.  Members will be taken at their word and do not have to produce proof of age.  What this means is that they are no longer required to pay their membership dues each year.

Application can be made in person at the Branch by the member, family member or caregiver.

Eligible members must apply for the benefit each year before January 31st.  Application should be made in person at the Branch by a member, family member or caregiver.  Dues previously paid will not be refunded.