4. Membership of the Foundation
Members of the Foundation are either:
- Full members
- Associate members
The constitution defines membership and also contains guidelines for how the Foundation communicates with potential members.
4.1 What does it mean to be a member of the Foundation of the Blind?
Being a member of the Foundation gives you the right to be involved in governing the Foundation by voting in elections of members to the Board and on issues that are of importance to you as a member.
4.2 What if I do not want to be a member of the Foundation?
You may resign at any time.
4.3 Does resigning from being a member affect my right to continue to receive services from the Foundation?
No. Your right to receive services is not affected in any way.
Full Membership
4.4 What is a full member of the Foundation?
Full membership of the Foundation is available to:
- Everyone who receives services from the Foundation at the time the constitution is adopted.
- Anyone who meets the medical criteria for membership. This is known as being a qualifying person.
- The custodial guardian of a child who meets the medical criteria. The child is known as a qualifying child.
4.5 What are the medical criteria for full membership?
A person is eligible for full membership if, in the opinion of a registered optometrist or ophthalmologist, he or she has visual acuity not exceeding 6/24 in the better eye with correcting lenses, or serious limitations in the field of vision generally not greater than 20 degrees in the widest diameter.
4.6 If I am not a member under the constitution, am I still eligible to receive services?
Yes, as long as you meet the medical criteria.
4.7 What is a custodial guardian?
A custodial guardian is an adult who is the guardian of one or more qualifying children, as defined in the Guardianship Act 1968.
4.8 Can a full member who is a qualifying person also be a custodial guardian?
Yes. If a full member is the guardian of a qualifying child, he or she can be registered as the custodial guardian.
4.9 How do I apply for full membership as a qualifying person?
1. Obtain the application form from the Foundation.
2. Complete the application form.
3. Provide a written opinion from a registered optometrist or ophthalmologist stating that you meet the medical criteria.
4.10 How do I apply for membership as a custodial guardian?
1. Obtain the application form from the Foundation.
2. Complete the application form for each qualifying child.
4.11 Do I need to provide any additional information with my membership application?
You may be asked to provide evidence that:
- The child meets the medical criteria for membership.
- You are the child's guardian.
4.12 If a child has two or more guardians, can all of them become members of the Foundation?
No. Only one guardian can apply for membership as a custodial guardian.
4.13 Does the Board have to accept applications for membership?
Yes, if it is satisfied that:
- The application form is complete.
- All the required supporting material has been provided.
- The applicant is eligible for membership.
4.14 How do I cease to be a full member?
Membership is for life unless one of the following occurs:
- You resign in writing to the Foundation.
- You cease to meet the medical criteria.
- You cease to be permanently resident in New Zealand .
- The Board decides that you became a member by improper means.
- You cease to be the guardian of a qualifying child. However, this does not apply if you are eligible for membership in your own right.
- If you do not comply with any requirement of a notice issued to you by the Board seeking clarification as to your continued eligibility for membership.
- If two or more notices of general meetings of members addressed to you are returned unclaimed, the Board can pass a resolution to terminate your membership.
4.15 Can the Board require me to prove my eligibility for membership?
Yes. The Board may require you to produce evidence of continued eligibility if it has reason to believe you:
- No longer qualify for membership.
- Are no longer the guardian of a qualifying child.
- The child you are guardian of may no longer qualify for membership.
Associate Membership
4.16 What is an associate member?
An associate member supports the objectives of the Foundation but does not meet the medical criteria for full membership. Associate members must be resident in New Zealand and aged 16 years or over.
4.17 How do I apply for associate membership?
1. Obtain the application form from the Foundation.
2. Complete the application form.
4.18 How do I cease to be an associate member?
- Say no to the renewal process which occurs every three years when voting for the Associate seat on the Board takes place.
- Resign in writing to the Foundation.
- Cease to be permanently resident in New Zealand.
- The Board decides you became a member by improper means.
4.19 How do I renew my associate membership?
Every third year the Board sends you an associate membership renewal form. You must complete this and return it to the Foundation to remain an associate member.
4.20 If I resign as an associate member, can I rejoin later?
Yes. You may re-apply to become a member of the Foundation at any time.
Potential Members
4.21 What is a potential member?
Anyone who receives services from the Foundation but is not already a member.
4.22 What obligations does the Foundation have to communicate with potential members?
The Foundation must notify all the users of its services of any proposed major change as outlined in the constitution.
4.23 Can potential members become members in order to vote on a decision that concerns them?
Yes.
Record of Membership
4.24 What information does the Foundation hold about members?
Personal and relevant medical details.
4.25 What information is contained in the record of guardians and qualifying children?
- Name and address of the member.
- Name and date of birth of the qualifying child.
4.26 Who has access to membership information held by the Foundation?
It is only available to employees of the Foundation as per the constitution.
4.27 Do I have to notify the Foundation if I change my address?
Yes.
4.28 Do I have to notify the Foundation if I am no longer the custodial guardian of a qualifying child?
Yes.