Membership

Classes of members

The Association shall have three classes of membership known respectively as:
 
Institutional member, Individual member and Associate member.

A.  Institutional member

Any institution, organisation or association, whether entitled Ombudsman, Mediator or any like designation, shall be eligible to become an Institutional member if:

 

(a) its function is to investigate and determine (whether by means of recommendation or ruling) complaints against any public authority, industry or body over which jurisdiction is held;

 

(b) it does not receive any direction from the public authority,  industry or body over which jurisdiction is held as to how it is to determine any complaint which would compromise its independence.

 

(c) it performs its functions independently of the public authority, industry or body over which jurisdiction is held;

 

(d) it has the necessary powers to properly investigate complaints by any person or body of persons who considers that an act done or omitted, or any decision, advice or recommendation made by the public authority, industry or body within its jurisdiction, has resulted in unfairness, maladministration, violation of rights, abuse, corruption, inadequate or unacceptable service or any injustice caused by the public authority, industry or body over which jurisdiction is held;

 

(e) it is held accountable by reporting to an appropriate authority or independent body;

 

(f) its incumbent or incumbents are appointed or elected, according to the relevant legislative enactment, charter, constitution or terms of reference, for a defined period and can only be dismissed for cause by a competent authority or body.

B.  Individual member

Any individual (including a member of the staff of an Institutional member) who in his or her professional capacity performs the functions described in A (a) – (e) above may apply to become an individual member.

C.  Associate Member 

Any individual, public institution, organisation or association that is not eligible to become an Institutional member or that, although eligible to become an Institutional member, elects not to do so, shall be eligible to become an Associate member provided they share common or compatible interests with the Association regarding the objects set out in paragraph 3 or they have previously performed functions that would have made them eligible for individual membership.

Procedures governing applications for membership or for reclassification of membership

(a) Application for membership shall be lodged with the Secretary.

(b) The Secretary shall refer an application to the Management Committee for approval.

(c)  Where the Management Committee refuses to grant the membership and/or the membership class requested by the applicant and the applicant is dissatisfied with the decision, the applicant for membership shall be given the opportunity to comment in writing to the Management Committee.

(d)  In the event of the Management Committee being unable to reach a unanimous decision it shall refer the application for membership to a General Meeting for final decision.

Resignation

Any member may resign by giving one (1) month’s notice to the Secretary.

Suspension or termination of membership

(a) The Management Committee may suspend the membership of any member.

(b) The Management Committee may recommend to the Association in General Meeting that the membership of any member be terminated.

(c) At least fourteen (14) days prior written notice is to be given to all members of the Management Committee of the intention to suspend or recommend the termination of membership of any member.

(d) The decision of the Management Committee to suspend or recommend the termination of the membership of any member shall lapse unless confirmed by resolution of two thirds of the members of the Association in General Meeting.