memberships

The New England Regional Art Museum is fortunate to have a strong membership base.

While the entrance fee to the New England Regional Art Museum is now waived, as a result of generous sponsorship by the New England Credit Union, members continue to benefit from their association with the Museum through:

• a 10% discount at the Museum shop (excluding sales and special merchandise)
• 10% discount at the NERAM Cafe
• discounts on Art Museum events
• invitations to exhibition openings, previews, talks and functions
• free entry to the Museum of Printing
• use of Research Centre and Research Library (by appointment)

If you would like to become a member please use our Membership Form 2010 (in PDF format for printing) or contact (02) 6772 5255 during office hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Regarding NERAM Membership and the Friends of NERAM Renewal 2010

There have been some queries regarding the Friends of NERAM membership renewal form, mostly in relation to applying for membership of NERAM Ltd as an additional option. It is a bit complicated so here are some notes that I hope will clear up any questions you might have.

NERAM Limited is the governing body of NERAM. It has full responsibility for the governance of the Museum. This accountability encompasses all legal and financial compliance matters; operation, budgeting and staffing of the Museum; management of the building and grounds; administration of the Hinton and Coventry Trusts; management of the NERAM Foundation and administration of a twenty year funding agreement with Armidale Dumaresq Council.

The Friends of NERAM Inc. is a separate organisation which provides highly valued and much needed support to NERAM through the raising of funds for special projects, providing assistance with functions at NERAM and keeping its members informed of events and activities at the Museum. Membership of the Friends of NERAM provides the benefits that are outlined on the Friends membership form.

Some questions relating to the invitation on the Friends Membership form to apply for membership of NERAM Limited are answered below.

Question: Why am I being offered the opportunity to join NERAM Limited?

Answer: The Constitution of NERAM Limited was developed by Armidale Dumaresq Council prior to an inaugural Board of Directors being appointed. The members of this inaugural Board are currently the only members of the company. The Constitution requires that a Board of Directors of 9 members (now increased to 10) be elected from the membership of NERAM Limited, and that at the second annual general meeting, half of the Board stand down and an election take place.

This opportunity for apply for membership of NERAM Limited is the commencement of the opening up of the membership base of the Company. Members will be eligible to attend, speak and vote at all general meetings of the company and will elect its Board of Directors, one half of the Board, at each Annual General meeting.

Question: How will members of NERAM Limited be selected after they have applied for membership?

Answer. The Constitution of NERAM limited requires that applicants for membership shall be proposed by one member of the company and seconded by another, prior to approval by the Board. At its meeting on 13 January 2010 the Directors of NERAM Limited formed a Membership Committee to process applications as they are received. It is a requirement that applications for membership be considered by the Board at the next meeting following receipt of applications and that prospective members be informed in writing as soon as possible after acceptance.

Question: Who are the Directors of NERAM Ltd?

Answer : Meg Larkin (Chair), Andrew Murray (Deputy Chair), Christopher Serow (Secretary), Herman Beyersdorf, Bill Dangar, June Dangar, Murray Guest, Angus Nivison, Gwenda Shannon and Mark Smith.

Question: When is the next election for the Board of Directors for NERAM Limited?

Answer: The next Annual General meeting will be held in November 2010, the exact date is yet to be confirmed. Five of the current directors will be chosen by lot to stand down, but will be eligible for re-election.

Question: Are there any particular conditions for appointment to the Board of Directors of NERAM Limited?

Answer: The Constitution (s10.5) requires that the Board of Directors be comprised of members with skills in the following disciplines
Arts, arts practice, arts administration
Governance and Trustee obligations
Financial management
Business and strategic planning, policy development, and/or risk management
Community volunteer and/or ‘friends’ organisations and/or
Marketing, publicity and fundraising

Question: Why isn’t it automatic that Friends become members of NERAM Ltd?

Answer: Friends of NERAM Inc and NERAM Ltd are separate organisations with separate constitutions. NERAM Ltd is required under its constitution to have the board approve new members (this is the case with most companies limited by guarantee) and this obligation cannot be delegated to the Friends.

Question: By ticking the box to become a member of NERAM Ltd am I somehow supporting an amalgamation of Friends and NERAM Ltd?

Answer: No. If there is any amalgamation of the two organisations in the future it would not be done without full consultation and only then if there were compelling reasons to do so.

Question: If my husband/wife and I join the Friends as a Gold, Silver or Bronze member, and join NERAM Limited, how many votes will we have?

Answer: The Friends Membership form was designed with corporate organisations in mind for the Gold Silver and Bronze categories. In the case of corporate members, votes at NERAM Limited meetings would be restricted to one vote per organisation.

In this the first year of the new structure at NERAM, consideration of the number of votes couples or families taking out Gold, Silver or Bronze membership was overlooked. If a couple or family take out Gold, Silver or Bronze membership of Friends and also become members of NERAM Limited, then the couple or family will be considered as two members of NERAM Limited and entitled to two votes.

As you can see, there has been much to consider in this initial year of developing NERAM’s new structure to accommodate the wishes of the Friends and of NERAM Limited. It has been important to preserve the autonomy of the Friends and to encourage membership of the two organisations without causing loss to either.

I hope that these notes will clarify matters for you.

Yours sincerely

Meg Larkin
Chairman