Membership

Article 4.1: ELIGIBILITY

(a) Qualification for Full Membership
A person who is a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant and who has been a paid member/employee of a recognized therapeutic clown program for a minimum of one year and passed its probationary evaluation, is qualified to apply for Full Membership in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws.
(b) Established Professional Reputation
Notwithstanding the provisions of By-Law 4.1 (a) above, a person who has an established reputation as a Therapeutic Clown may be admitted to Full Membership upon presenting proof of such status to the Association's Membership Committee. The Association's Membership Committee will determine the sufficiency of the applicant's proof of established professional reputation by applying the criteria set out in the CATC/ACCT By-Laws. An appeal of the decision of the Association's Membership Committee may be made to the Association's Steering Committee.

Article 4.2: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

To become a member of the Association, a person must:
(a) complete the written application for membership and agree to comply with the CATC/ACCT Statement of Principles, Code of Ethics and the By-Laws of the Association and such rules, regulations, codes, schedules and agreements which may exist at the time of application and as they may be amended;
(b) qualify for membership in the Association pursuant to Article 4.1(a) or (b); and
(c) pay any fee(s), appropriate dues, fines and assessments, including any interest thereon.

Article 4.3: FULL MEMBER

(a) Full Member
A Full Member is a person who has qualified for membership under Article 4.1(a) or (b) and has paid the required dues, as outlined in Appendix "A", within 60 days of the dues period and is not on inactive membership status or suspended.
(b) Inactive Full Member
A person who has been a Full Member for not less than 1 year and who submits a written application indicating her/his intention to cease active Membership in CATC/ACCT for a period of time shall be granted inactive status upon payment of 25% of the Basic Annual Dues. An Inactive Full Member shall:
(i) not be entitled to any of the rights of membership, except in some circumstances, in effect at the time of becoming an Inactive Full Member;
(ii) become a Full Member upon the payment of Basic Annual Dues for the year in which the member applies to be reinstated.

Article 4.4: APPRENTICE MEMBER

(a) An Apprentice Member is a person who is in the process of meeting the Full Membership criteria with the express purpose of becoming a Full Member. In order to qualify as an Apprentice Member, a performer must have a mentor who is a CATC/ACCT Full Member in good standing and be in the process of fulfilling the one year probationary requirement for Full Membership,
(b) An Apprentice Member must pay the appropriate fees, as outlined in Appendix "A", and must observe and abide by all the obligations of a member under these By-Laws.
(c) An Apprentice Member is not entitled to voting rights, but may attend membership meetings with voice but no vote.
(d) An Apprentice Member may apply to become a Full Member at any time she/he meets the criteria for Full Membership.
(e) Failure to abide by the CATC/ACCT Statement of Principles, Code of Ethics, or the By-Laws of the Association, may result in the loss of status as an Apprentice Member.

Article 4.5: INITIATION FEE

(a) Each applicant applying as an Apprentice Member shall pay the appropriate fees as established by the CATC/ACCT By-Laws Appendix "A", or by the Association's Membership Committee or Steering Committee.
(b) Each applicant applying as a Full Member shall pay the appropriate fees as established by the CATC/ACCT By-Laws Appendix "A", or by the Association's Membership Committee or Steering Committee.
(c) The Steering Committee may adjust Initiation Fees to further organizing efforts, at their sole discretion.

Article 4.6: MEMBERSHIP DUES

(a) Membership Dues are those Basic Annual Dues as established from time to time by the CATC/ACCT By-Laws.
(b) The Basic Annual Dues must be paid by January 1st each year, or within 60 days of commencement of the dues period, whichever is later.