Voting Rights
All financial members have full voting rights under the Institute’s Rules and are eligible to serve on the Australasian Council.
Manner of determining whether resolution carried
If a question arising at a general meeting of the Institute is determined on a show of hands-
(a) a declaration by the Chairperson that a resolution has been-
(i) carried; or
(ii) carried unanimously; or
(iii) carried by a particular majority; or
(iv) lost; and
(b) an entry to that effect in the minute book of the Institute– is evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution.
Proxies
Each member is entitled to appoint another member as a proxy by notice given to the Secretary no later than 24 hours before the time of the meeting in respect of which the proxy is appointed.
Grades of Membership
Application for all grades of membership shall be made on the appropriate form available from the Institute. Persons who wish to apply for entry to a qualified grade and who do not already belong to the Institute are required to join initially as Ordinary (or may, if eligible, join as Student) members before making such an application.
The grades of membership are as follows:
Ordinary
Associate (AAPRI)
Fellow (FAPRI)
Corporate
Concession (Student, Retiree, Life)
Ordinary Membership
Is available to anyone working with or interested in plastics or rubber. Those within the grade of Ordinary member are known as ‘Ordinary members’ and have the right to refer to themselves as ‘Ordinary members of the Australasian Plastics and Rubber Institute Inc.’. This description does not, however, imply any qualification and this grade does not carry the right to use designatory letters. An applicant for Ordinary membership is required only to state an interest in plastics or rubber and to agree in writing to abide by the current Regulations and Rules of Institute.
Associate Membership (AAPRI)
By the award of the grade of Associate, the Institute recognises the applicant as a professional polymer scientist, technologist or engineer. It certifies that the holder has completed a period of appropriate experience after gaining an approved degree (or equivalent) in a science or engineering discipline and is employing his or her knowledge of plastics or rubber in a professional manner. Those within the grade of Associate shall be known as ‘Associates’, shall have the right to refer to themselves as ‘Associates of the Australasian Plastics and Rubber Institute Inc.’ and to use the designatory letters ‘AAPRI’. The Council, (or if applicable through designated personnel), shall be satisfied that such graduates applying for the grade of Member shall, at the time of application:
(a) be a financial member of the Institute;
(b) have belonged to the Institute for at least four years;
(c) hold a degree (or equivalent) from a University or an Advanced College of Education in a science or engineering discipline. (Other qualifications, including Corporate Membership of professional bodies, claimed to be equivalent will be considered on their merits);
(d) have been working continuously in the science or technology of plastics or rubber for at least five years after completing their degree and have an adequate level of knowledge of the science and/or technology of plastics or rubber.
All applications for the grade of Associate shall;
(a) be supported by two referees, each of whom shall be either an Associate or a Fellow.
(b) attach all suitable evidence that the applicant meets the above criteria.
Ordinary members of long standing in the industry but who may not have the required educational qualifications can apply for the Associateship. The Council shall be satisfied that an applicant for Associate of the Institute has submitted satisfactory evidence of original work on an approved technical topic of approximately two years duration. This may take the form of a thesis or a citation of papers or patents which have been published. Candidates wishing to follow this route to qualify for admission to the grade of Associate are advised to contact the Council for guidance before commencement of the work.
Fellow (FAPRI)
Fellow is the Institute’s most senior grade, signifying that the holder has achieved considerable eminence or that, as a member of some years standing, he or she holds a senior appointment associated with plastics or rubber. Those within the grade of Fellow shall be known as ‘Fellows’, shall have the right to refer to themselves as ‘Fellows of the Australasian Plastics and Rubber Institute Inc.’ and to use the designatory letters ‘FAPRI’.
The Council, shall be satisfied that an applicant for appointment to the grade of Fellow shall, at the time of application:
(a) be a financial member of the Institute;
(b) have belonged to the Institute for at least eight years;
(c) hold an appointment deemed by the Institute to be of senior standing in the field of plastics or rubber;
And either of
i) has achieved a position of considerable scientific, managerial or technological distinction concerned with plastics or rubber; or
ii) has made an outstanding contribution to the progress of the industry; or
iii) has made an outstanding contribution to the Institute over many years.
All applications for the grade of Fellow shall be supported by two referees, each of whom shall be a Fellow. Applicants may, but shall not normally, be required to be interviewed by a panel of at least two Fellows.
Concessional Members
Certain grades of membership qualify for reduced membership fees. These are
(a) Student. A person studying full or part time.
(b) Retiree. A senior person no longer gainfully employed.
(c) Life Members. Life membership is conferred by Council to those members who have made a significant contribution to the Institute.
Rights and Privileges of Membership
The rights and privileges of membership shall be personal to the member or corporate member and shall not be transferable.
Every member shall notify the Branch Secretary of any change in his or her address to expedite delivery of correspondence and the issuing of notices.
Membership (including council members) may be suspended or terminated for:
(a) non-payment of annual subscription within six (6) months of the due date;
(b) willful or persistent failure on the part of the member to observe these Regulations for Membership, the Rules of Institute of the Institute, or any other by-laws, rules and regulations (if any);
and/or
(c) conduct of the member prejudicial to the objectives of the Institute.
Termination of membership for items (b) and (c) above shall be by Council decision and to be notified to the member in writing.