Parent Organisation / LGA

Centres which are operated by LGAs or parent organisations have no locally-led management committee, and therefore do not satisfy Linkwest's (constitutional) requirement for full membership.

The Parent Organisation / LGA membership category, introduced in May 2019, enables Linkwest to serve the needs of these Centres.

• What does this category offer?
• Membership fees
• The membership application process
• What if this category is not for us?

What does the Associate membership – Parent Organisation / LGA membership category offer?

This membership category provides:

• The parent organisation / LGA with Linkwest Associate member status and all attendant benefits. This includes:
  • The right to nominate for a position on the Linkwest Board
  • Voting rights (1 vote) at Annual and Special General Meetings.
• Centres within the jurisdiction of the parent organisation will receive the majority of Linkwest full member entitlements. This includes:
  • Customised workshops in person or online to increase the capacity of your Centre and community
  • Relevant free and heavily discounted resources and templates developed specifically for Neighbourhood and Community Resource Centres
  • Regular information on funding and training opportunities, and current issues.
  • Free access to the members’ area of the Linkwest website, which includes access to a range of member-only resources.

Important Note: The following entitlements are NOT available to CENTRES in this category:

• Voting rights
• The right to nominate for a position on the Linkwest Board
• Customised support and representation (2 hours intensive HR / Governance support)
• Eligibility to join Linkwest's network-wide Employee Assistance Program

Parent Organisation / LGA Membership Fees and Application

Fees for 2023–2024 (1 July - 30 June)

The cost is dependent upon the number of Centres the Parent Organisation / LGA operates.

The following tiers are available:

¹ All fees are inclusive of GST.
² A one-off, non-refundable fee, irrespective of whether the application is successful or not.

The membership application process

1. Contact Linkwest for a confidential discussion about joining Linkwest as a Parent Organisation / LGA member. This discussion - with the Linkwest CEO - will help determine your eligibility and what you hope to gain from Linkwest membership.

   Contact Linkwest to discuss becoming a member

2. If it is determined that Linkwest Parent Organisation / LGA membership is a good fit for your organisation, we shall send you a link to complete the member application form.
3. Pay the required fee, which includes an annual membership fee and a one-off application fee.
   • The application fee is to subsidise the cost of administering your application, and is non-refundable, even if your application is not approved.
4. The Linkwest Board will review your application at their next scheduled meeting. It will be based upon the information you provide, so please ensure it is complete as possible.
   • If the Board does not feel sufficient information has been provided to make a decision, you may be contacted to provide clarification and/ or additional information.
5. We will contact you within a reasonable time e.g. one week, after the Board has made their decision.
   • If the membership is approved - and full payment has been received - you will be sent a welcome email, which will include login details to the member area of the Linkwest website. The Centre contacts nominated in your application will also be sent a welcome email and login details.
   • If your membership does not proceed, you will be asked for bank details so we can process a refund of the membership fee minus the application fee.

What if this membership category is not for us?

Not for profit organisations and LGAs which do not operate Centres can still apply for Linkwest Associate membership. Click here for more information.

Centres which are community-led and managed can apply for Linkwest Full membership. Click here for more information.