Membership, Bringing People In & Letting People Go

Becoming a Member: Membership requires approval of @Resourcer and @People & Culture, and signing the Animal Think Tank Membership Agreement (which is controlled by @Direction Steward).

Membership Classes: The organisation recognises two classes of Members: Core Members and Associate Members. Other volunteers are designated as Contributors.

Distinctions between Membership Classes:

• Associate Members:

  • New members are Associate Members unless otherwise agreed.

  • May attend Org-Wide meetings, but not Core Member meetings unless invited by a Core Member.

  • Must undergo regular reviews as specified by @People & Culture

  • Membership may be revoked with two weeks' notice (or more, if approved by @Resourcer); or, if the member is on payroll, the statutory minimum - whichever is higher.

• Core Members:

  • Typically understood to have a long-term commitment to the organisation, and as such, members are eligible for Core Membership after 24 months of Associate Membership, subject to a process defined by @People & Culture. This process may be triggered earlier by a Core Member in exceptional cases.

  • Subject to additional expectations outlined in the Member Agreement.

  • Have the same rights as Associate Members, plus additional rights to:

    • Attend Core Member meetings.

    • Fill a Circle Rep role linking to either the broadest circle or @Coordination.

    • Participate in a no confidence declaration to the Direction Circle. If a written communication is delivered to Direction Circle that is signed by 51% of Core Members, asking for removal of an individual from a role in the Direction circle with a reasoned explanation, then the Circle Lead role of the Direction circle must discuss this in a meeting of the circle within 30 days of receiving the communication.

  • Membership may be revoked with four weeks' notice (or more, if approved by @Resourcer); or, if the member is on payroll, the statutory minimum - whichever is higher.

Membership changes & revocation:

• If any of the below scenarios arises which may culminate in revocation of an individual's membership or reduced pay, the appropriate process provided by @People & Culture must be followed:

  • If a member is thought to be performing below acceptable standards in a role, any responder must apply the Capability & Performance Management Procedure.
  • If a member is thought to be engaging in misconduct or a breach of the Member Agreement, any responder must apply the Disciplinary Procedure.
  • If a member's work is likely to be discontinued or deprioritised (for example due to a change in organisational strategy or lack of funds) such that a member will lose their membership or have their pay reduced, then the Redundancy Procedure must be followed prior to the work being discontinued or deprioritised.
• Subject to the relevant notice period, an individual's membership may be changed or revoked by either:

  • a process defined by @People & Culture; or

  • consent from both @Resourcer and @People & Culture; or

  • not holding any roles designated by @Resourcer as "funded roles"