2025 Benefits of Membership
To become a member, please complete our form here or complete the Membership Application Form PDF and return to membership@associations.net.au.
All directors and staff can benefit from membership by the association.
BRONZE MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM ALL OPTIONS 1 - 6:
1. ASSOCIATION ADVICE HELPLINE
Associations Forum is here to support you with practical, reliable advice for your day-to-day queries. Backed by decades of combined hands-on experience, our advisory team understands the unique challenges of running a membership-based organisation.
2. EVENT DISCOUNTS AND FREE MEMBER ACTIVITIES
Staff and Board directors of Associations Forum members receive substantial discounts on our leading-edge conferences, seminars and workshops. We also run a range of complimentary educational and networking events that allow sharing of information, experience and knowledge in a collegiate environment.
3. SURVEYS ON SALARIES, BOARDS, EVENTS & MEMBERSHIP
Every year Associations Forum undertakes surveys on salaries, boards, events and membership. Survey results are free to members who have participated in the surveys. Having association sector information allows management and staff to make better decisions based on valid data.
4. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) give association representatives the opportunity to discuss key issues with peers through online meetings. Topics include membership, communications, events and finance. Participation is exclusive to Associations Forum members.
5. RESOURCES TO HELP RUN YOUR ASSOCIATION
Resources, guides, tools and documents available to Associations Forum members include Board Governance Charter, AGM Guide, Terms of Reference for Finance and Audit Committees, Association Technology Guide and many advisory articles written for immediate practical application within an association.
6. ASSOCIATIONS MAGAZINE & eNEWS
Our acclaimed print publication, ASSOCIATIONS, contains relevant leading-edge sector news and information. It is free to our member organisation staff and directors. The magazine is supplemented by fortnightly e-Newsletters containing news, updates, appointments, forthcoming events, member queries, advice and jobs.
SILVER MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM ALL OPTIONS 1 - 6 INCLUSIVE. SILVER MEMBERS ALSO RECEIVE ALL OPTIONS 7 - 12 INCLUSIVE:
7. IN-DEPTH ASSOCIATION ADVICE
Associations occasionally need our detailed In-Depth Advice for complicated or controversial aspects of governance, membership, operations, events or sponsorship. Our experience may help in a variety of unusual situations and scenarios. Up to ninety minutes of verbal discussion and advice is available to assist on challenging issues.
8. ASSOCIATION AWARDS
Associations Forum members are eligible to nominate for the prestigious Association Awards. Since 2017, an annual Association of the Year has been identified and honoured. Other sought after and highly respected awards are Association External Campaign of the Year and Association Turnaround of the Year.
9. JOBS BOARD
Associations Forum members advertising vacancies receive discounts on our Jobs Board - a leading portal for association jobs. Jobs are promoted to thousands in e-Newsletters and job alerts, maximising visibility and engagement.
10. FINANCIAL BENCHMARKING PROCESS
Associations Forum's Financial Benchmarking Process allows participating associations to receive a customised report with financial indicators and ratios compared to a pool of similar de-identified entities. Although associations cannot distribute dividends, this information assists them to make the profits required to survive and thrive.
11. STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW
Good plans are vital to ensuring that an association has a clear mission, outlined pillars and measurable activities. Associations Forum's Strategic Plan Review uses our experience to advise whether a plan is practical, straightforward and useful in guiding both big picture, long term and day-to-day decisions.
12. BOARD EVALUATION TOOL
Associations Forum's Board Evaluation Tool is an online questionnaire where each Board director completes questions on Board clarity, processes and culture. With the results, associations can see whether there is a convergence of opinions within the Board and benchmark with other entities.
GOLD MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM ALL OPTIONS 1 - 12 INCLUSIVE AND ALSO RECEIVE ONE OF OPTIONS 13 - 18 INCLUSIVE:
13. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ADVICE
Industrial Relations legislation and requirements are complex. Associations Forum is pleased to offer outsourced IR advice on the Fair Work Act, labour practices, conflict resolution, reviewing employment contracts or other relevant documents, and achieving a balanced and productive work environment. Your association will benefit from understanding constructive connections between employers and employees with access to 60 minutes of complimentary IR advice.
14. NEW LEADER SUPPORT
Starting a new senior management role in the associations sector can be daunting. Having an experienced expert for context, knowledge, and encouragement gives new leaders, CEOs, Chairs, and senior managers a timely boost. Associations Forum’s team supports new leaders through three 30-minute meetings offering guidance, knowledge, and encouragement. Available to one person per organisation only.
15. CONSTITUTION REVIEW
Important governance documents benefit from a fresh set of eyes. Associations Forum’s Constitution Review offers a 90-minute review with written feedback on constitutions, identifying matters for reconsideration, such as clarity, membership definitions and Board composition. Our colleague firm Governology can be separately engaged to make changes or rewrite constitutions, policies or procedures.
16. BY-LAW OR POLICIES REVIEW
In isolation, an association will not know if their by-law or policies are suitable and appropriate. Our 90-minute external review provides insight into whether changes are needed or if these key documents are appropriate. Our colleague firm Governology can be separately engaged to redraft better by-laws or policies.
17. AGM ADVICE
Associations are accountable to their members at Annual General Meetings and occasional other General Meetings. Because AGMs are only held annually, CEOs, Boards and company secretaries have a limited experience in getting them right. Associations Forum can advise on many matters such as Notice of Meetings, quorum, role of Special Resolutions, voting rights, minutes and run sheets.
18. GOLD MEMBER PRESENTATIONS
Gold members may choose one presentation from the available options:
- Board Governance Presentation
- Company Secretarial Presentation
- Financial Fundamentals Presentation
- Single Entity, Federations And Mergers Presentation
- Committees Presentation
- Membership Retention And Growth Presentation
- Risk Management Presentation
- Membership enables all staff and directors to access member benefits
- Presentations are offered online. Separate charges apply for travel time and expenses for in-person presentations
- Proposals for other services training
- Associations Forum is not a law firm
- All prices include GST
- Membership is valid for 12 months from the joining date
- Information and prices are valid up to 31 December 2025
Non-Gold members can receive training presentations for a fee. If you have any enquiries please contact us on 02 9904 8200 or membership@associations.net.au.
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