4. ASSOCIATES
4.1 Board may admit Associates
(a) The Board may admit Associates to the Company, who are not eligible to:
(i) vote at any General Meeting of the Company (including the Annual General Meeting); or
(ii) elect or appoint a Director to the Board, but who otherwise have the rights and obligations of Full Members, and who are entitled to hold themselves out to the public as being associated with the Company (subject to any restrictions or directions of the Board).
(b) Associates may be elected or appointed as a Director or a Councillor.
(c) For the avoidance of doubt, Associates are not members of the Company as that term is defined in section 9 or section 231 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
4.2 Associate eligibility
Any entity or organisation (incorporated or otherwise) or any individual will be eligible to be an Associate of the Company if they:
(a) are a supporter, whether by financial assistance, provision of professional services, or other non-cash assistance to the organisation; or
(b) are an important part of the supply chain for making certified organic products available for sale to the consumers of those products;
(c) are an appointed person of an organisation which receives income by way of support of proscribed leviable commodities as supervised by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources; or
(d) were formerly a Certified Organic Operator or aspire to become a Certified Organic Operator; or
(e) satisfy any other eligibility criteria specified in the Membership Bylaws from time to time,
and who:
(f) agrees with the objects of the Company set out in clause 2.1;
(g) pays the Subscription;
(h) agrees in writing to provide a guarantee (of the kind referred to in clause 22.2) of an amount not exceeding ten dollars ($10.00) to defray such debts and liabilities of the Company, and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, upon its winding up or dissolution.
