Policy
PAN relies on members, and welcomes the involvement of allies, to conduct work in partnership throughout British Columbia (BC). PAN’s bylaws lay out eligibility, duties and expectations, in particular:
(Bylaw 5) Any British Columbia incorporated non-profit organization subscribing to the mission, purposes and bylaws of the society; having HIV, hepatitis C and/or related programming as part of their operations; and meeting such other criteria as may be adopted by the directors from time to time; may apply for membership in the society. The application will be assessed by the directors who will give a recommendation to the members, and, upon acceptance by ordinary resolution of the members, the applicant shall become a member.
(Bylaw 7) Every member shall uphold the Constitution and comply with these bylaws and the policies of the society.
(Bylaw 10) All members are expected to:
- complete the Members’ and Stakeholders’ survey, annually (if any); and
- complete the Membership Renewal Form, every three years (if any).
(Bylaw 12) All members are in good standing except a member who has failed to complete and return to the secretary or delivering to the address of the society the Members’ and Stakeholders’ survey, annually (if any) and/or the Membership Renewal Form, every three years (if any) and/or pay the annual membership dues (if any).
As a matter of policy and in line with the responsibility set out in Bylaw 5, the PAN Board of Directors (“the board”) has established the following additional Membership Criteria and procedures.
The board will use these criteria when assessing membership applications in deciding whether to endorse and bring them forward for the membership to vote on at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) via ordinary resolution (simple majority).
Membership Criteria
- Any and all organizations seeking to become members of PAN must:
- Have Care, Prevention, Treatment, Support, Education, Advocacy, Reduction of Vulnerability and/or Harm Reduction in relation to HIV and/or hepatitis C and/or related disease infection as one of their goals;
- Demonstrate a commitment to the inclusive, meaningful involvement and engagement of people with lived/living experience(s) (PWLLE) of HIV, hepatitis C, and related communicable diseases and conditions; and to ensuring meaningful opportunities for PWLLE’s involvement as leaders;
- All members, and delegates, will agree to abide by PAN’s Group Guidelines and Responsibilities;
- Be sponsored by an existing PAN member organization.
- When an HIV, hepatitis C or related project within a parent organization is eligible under the bylaws and meets the criteria above, it is the parent who is eligible for membership within PAN. The project must have a reasonable expectation of continuing over an extended period (at least one fiscal year).
Procedures
- Any British Columbia incorporated non-profit organization that is interested in becoming a member organization of PAN must complete an Application for Membership and submit it to the PAN Executive Director (ED) or their designated alternate (Executive Administrator) no less than 30 days prior to an AGM.
- The PAN ED or their designate will work with applicants to ensure that all information provided on the application is complete and accurate before it is brought forward to the board and, if endorsed, to the membership at the AGM.
- The board will review all applications for membership and make a determination as to whether or not to endorse the application, and if endorsed, bring it to the membership at the AGM.
- Member organizations are responsible for selecting two PAN delegates to attend/participate in the AGM. At least one delegate from each member organization must be a person with lived/living experience(s) (PWLLE) of HIV, hepatitis C, and related communicable diseases and conditions. Each member is responsible for determining their voting delegate at the AGM (one agency, one vote).
- Member organizations have access to the membership list and contact details – PAN administration will maintain an up-to-date member registry.
- If multiple pre-existing members amalgamate, then only one membership remains – that of the parent organization.