Being a Member of Dundee Carers Centre

What does membership mean?

Most charitable organisations such as ours have a structure that is made up of members and Trustees. Membership is a key part of the Centre’s governance and ensures that the organisation is going in the right direction and is sound financially.

Being a member means you can support the Board of Trustees and have important opportunities to directly influence how the organisation is run. You will have voting rights on major matters raised at the Annual General Meeting (or any Extraordinary General Meeting). Annual General Meetings (AGMs) are a requirement where the Convener of the Board reports on the activities of the organisation over the year, where there is consideration of the annual accounts and the election/re-election of Trustees.

The main areas where members can use their voting rights at these meetings are around any changes to our governing document and the election/re-election of Trustees. An example of this recently was the voting by members to amend our governing document to allow the AGM to be held online because of the pandemic. There are other matters that members may wish to consider which would mean having more say in how the organisation works and develops.

Can anyone become a member?

Membership of the organisation is open to all people over 16. It does not automatically follow on from using services but is a separate process of applying and being signed up as a member.

Our governing document (Articles of Association ) is available to see on our website which outlines the legal requirements around membership. As part of your contact with the Centre, you will get information on what membership is all about and we hope that you might then feel interested in becoming a member.

Trustees are required to be members and volunteers can also be members. Staff are not members.

Click here to read the Articles of Association

Is there an age limit?

The lower age limit is 16 but we are looking at whether younger people might like to have their own membership.

Do I have to pay to be a member?

There is no subscription fee for membership but there is a £1 liability payment should the organisation ever be wound up.

Donations to the organisation are welcome at any time.

How long does membership last?

Membership is on the basis that it is lifelong or will end if people choose to end their membership in any one year.

It is not possible to transfer membership to anyone else.

How do I become a member?

You can become a member by completing the application form and lodging it with the Centre. Your application will be considered by the Trustees at the first Board meeting after your application is received and you will be advised within a reasonable time of their decision on your application.

The Trustees may, at their discretion, refuse an application or expel someone from membership and the applicant would be advised of the reasons.

Refusal/expulsion of membership would be unusual and would generally be on the basis that the person is not acting in the best interests of or doing something which would be harmful to the organisation.

Download application form

What benefits would I get from being a member?

The benefits are as described above through voting rights and being a part of the overall governance of the organisation.

The opportunity to meet up socially several times a year is something that is a popular idea.

Other areas suggested in a recent survey with people who use the Centre included training opportunities, attending conferences, open forums, and informing policies at the Centre.

Are there any plans to expand the role of members?

We will consult with members on how they see the role expanding, for instance for younger people. We might also want to consider whether we should offer membership to other organisations who are closely linked to the Centre and its work.