Membership Policy

1.0    Introduction

1.1    Trinity Housing Association is a non profit making organisation which provides quality housing services to tenants and lessees.

1.2   The Association is registered as an Industrial and Provident Society and is also registered with the Department for Social Development, which funds, monitors and regulates Housing Associations in Northern Ireland.

2.0    Purpose

2.1    The Association operates a Membership Policy with its main purpose being to:

• provide an active pool of people who have expressed an interest in, and who share, the vision and values of the Association;

• allow other people to express support for, and a commitment to, the Association without playing an active role;

• enhance the Association’s accountability;

• allow tenants to have a role with the Association;

• provide a pool of members from which Board members may be drawn.

3.0   Criteria for membership

3.1    Anyone who shares a belief in the aims and objectives of Trinity Housing Association as expressed in its rules and policies, expresses a legitimate interest in, and is able to promote the work of the Association, is eligible to apply for membership. 

3.2    Application for membership is to be made in writing to the Company Secretary expressing reasons for application, interest in and support for the Association (its objectives and beliefs) detailing skills/experience and/or availability to be offered if called upon to serve on a committee.  All applications must be accompanied by a payment of £1.00 to purchase a share certificate.

3.3    The Board of the Association will consider all applications and will accept any application which in its opinion meets all aspects of its membership criteria and which falls within its rules and articles.

• Applicants must be at least 16 years of age

• Applicants must not be family members of existing Board members or staff

• Applicants must not be in financial indebtedness to the Association

• Staff are not eligible to become members

• Former staff are not eligible to apply within 2 years of leaving

• Applications from tenants are welcome but must not exceed 1/3 of total membership

3.4            If the application is accepted, the applicant will be included in the register of members.  A share certificate will be issued which will be retained by the Association with a copy issued upon request.  Should an application be refused, a written explanation will be provided to the applicant within 10 days of the decision.

4.0    Rights and responsibilities of members

4.1    Individual members may be eligible to be considered for election to the Board of the Association and may nominate other shareholders to stand for election at the Annual General Meeting.

4.2    Members have a right to attend and vote in the election of members for the Board at the Annual General Meeting.

4.3    Members are expected to subscribe to the aims of the Association, actively promote its work, and comply with its rules.

4.4    Members will receive the Association’s Annual Report, audited accounts and a copy of the Association’s newsletter.

4.5    Share certificates will be issued and retained by the Association with a copy available on request.

4.6    Members will be invited to attend official openings and promotional events.

4.7    Members are not eligible to receive any benefit arising from membership.

5.0     Withdrawal from membership

5.1     Membership shall cease in the following circumstances:

• Death of a member

• Withdrawal by letter giving one month’s notice in writing

• Failure to attend 3 consecutive meetings without notice and failure to respond to the Secretary in writing whether or not they wish to remain a member

• Expulsion by the Board in accordance with the rules

6.0     Exclusions

6.1    Exclusions to membership will be determined using the following criteria:

• The Board will reject any application which, in its opinion, fails to meet all aspects of its membership criteria and or is not in compliance with its rules.

• The Board will reject applications from Applicants, or their close relatives, who have been members of staff within 2 years prior to their application.

• The Board will reject any applicant who is unable to demonstrate that their membership of Trinity Housing will not result in an unacceptable conflict of interest either due to a personal relationship or employment with another organisation doing business with Trinity Housing or regarded as competing with Trinity Housing’s interests.

7.0       Statement of intent

7.1     The Board of the Association welcomes applications for membership from:

7.1.1  People who:

• wish to serve on the Board or one of its Committees

• are prominent in the housing movement or profession and have demonstrated support for the Association

• will bring an expertise required by the Board which in its opinion is necessary for the proper performance of its duties.

7.1.2 Tenants of the Association (which cannot exceed 1/3 of membership) who:

• have signed and returned a tenancy agreement

• are observing the Conditions of their tenancy

7.2   The Board reserves the right to reject applications for membership which in its opinion fails to comply with criteria as set out in the Membership Policy.

8.0   How to apply?

8.1    Those wishing to apply for membership should write to the Company Secretary at the Association’s Registered Office providing the details as requested below at 8.2, as well as including the £1.00 membership fee.

8.2    An application for membership must state the following:

• The Applicant’s eligibility for membership

• The Applicant’s reason for applying

• The Applicant’s acceptance of the Association’s aims and objectives

• The Applicant’s interest in the Association and undertaking to promote its work

• The Applicant’s acceptance of the rights and responsibilities of membership as set out in this policy

• The Applicant must certify that they have no conflict of interest which may compromise the Association

8.3    Each application must be considered by the Board and applicants will be advised when their request will be considered (this will usually be at the next scheduled Board meeting following receipt of the Application).

8.4    Following approval of an application, the Company Secretary will, within 7 working days, write to the new member to confirm their membership.  The new member will be entered onto the Shareholder Register and the £1.00 cashed.  This payment is non refundable.  A share certificate will be issued which will be retained by the Association with a copy available upon request.

8.5    In the event that a membership application is refused, the unsuccessful applicant will receive a statement of the reasons for refusal within 10 days and their £1 payment returned.

Copyright © 2008 Trinity Housing