MEMBERSHIP POLICY SCA (Qld) Board adopted - 18 November 2014

Transcription

1 MEMBERSHIP POLICY SCA (Qld) Board adopted - 18 November 2014 Contents Table of Contents 1. Policy Scope Policy Statement 1.2 The Membership Committee 2. Membership Application New Membership 2.2 Returning Member 3. Membership entitlements and limitations Benefits of membership 3.2 Continuous Professional Development guidelines 3.3 Post Nominal Initials 4. Membership Structure Strata Scheme Snapshot of procedure Option 1: Individual Scheme Member Option 2: Strata Scheme plus individuals 4.2 Strata Services Snapshot of procedure Option 1: Company plus nominee Option 2: Strata Services Individual Fellows 4.3 Strata Management Snapshot of procedure Step 1 - Corporate membership Step 2 - Entry Level membership Step 3 - Accreditation pathway Accredited Strata Community Manager Certified Strata Community Manager Practising Strata Community Manager Fellow/Life Members SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November

2 1. Policy Scope 1.1 Policy Statement The purpose of this policy is to ensure that people who wish to join SCA (Qld) and renew as a member fulfill the necessary requirements to achieve the level of membership that they are requesting. The aim of SCA (Qld) is to be recognised within the industry as a body who only accepts members of good repute and character. As a body we recognise the need for ongoing education and training and have set a minimum entry standard for both knowledge and experience. Notwithstanding the minimum entry standard requirements, SCA (Qld) will not tolerate behavior unbecoming of a member. (Please refer to the BCCM Act, Code of Conduct along with SCA (Qld) Rules of Ethical Conduct) 1.2 The Membership Committee The Membership Committee is appointed by the Board. Committee members are selected based on their experience and credibility and roles within the strata industry. The Committee Members consists of long serving principals of companies, strata managers and service providers which gives the Membership Committee a broad and balanced outlook when assessing applications for Membership. The role of the Membership Committee is to: Assist the General Manager in conjunction with the Board in ensuring Members meet Membership criteria by reviewing and updating the Membership Policy as and when required. Any changes to the Membership Policy as recommended by the Membership Committee must be approved by the Board Promote and if necessary, in conjunction with other SCA (Qld) Committees, the delivery of SCA (Qld) services and benefits of being a Member Monitor and assist Members in attaining their required CPD requirements Advise members of their failure in obtaining their required CPD requirements Advise the Board if there are any issues that prevent an applicant from obtaining Membership Monitor and advise on potential strata services providers which may be suitable for Membership (i.e. not practising members) take all reasonable steps to maintain benefits for Strata Services Members which may include including the interaction with members and their clients. 2. Membership Application 2.1 New Membership Any entity wanting to join SCA (Qld) and join a new member will have to complete an application form and satisfy all requirements for that level of membership. Members joining from 1 January to 30 June may pay a pro-rata monthly membership fee, whereas late renewals from the year before are required to pay the full amount regardless of when you join throughout that financial year. Joining from 1 May entitles to a 14 month membership, expiring on 30 June the year following the join date. SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November

3 The person who will be responsible for processing the application will be the General Manager, through the Membership Officer. Every application for membership will be reviewed by the membership committee and upon recommendation be adopted by the board. 2.2 Returning Member A Returning Member s application will be subject to Membership Committee review and determination followed by Board approval and acceptance. The review process will take into account: I. Whether the Member has applied for a leave of absence (i.e. extended leave, maternity leave, sickness, change of occupation/employment etc). II. If Membership has ceased for more than 2 years, whether the application is to be deemed a New Member application (Member to achieve full CPD Points). III. The type of Membership at the time the Returning Member ceased being a Member. IV. The type of Membership the Returning Member now wishes to apply for. V. The CPD points relevant for the type of Membership applied for. VI. Whether the Returning Member has undertaken any professional development outside of SCA (Qld) s scope of seminars (i.e. external studies/related Industry programs). VII. Reviewing and considering all submitted documentation, references, letters of recommendation, certificates, awards etc in support of the renewing Membership. The Membership Committee will review each application on a case by case basis and on its merits. The Membership Committee will then put forward their recommendations as to the particular type of Membership suitable for the Returning Member to the Board for final approval and acceptance. 3. Membership entitlements and limitations Members that obtain a level of accreditation are entitled to the use of post-nominal initials but must also fulfil some criteria to maintain their level of membership. 3.1 Benefits of membership - Automatic membership of the national body Strata Community Australia - Access to member-only information best practice resources, member magazine Inside Strata, e-news, Member Alerts and more - SCA Member Support - Professional development, including discounts on educational seminars - Networking with Australia's top strata professionals - Representation and recognition towards the public as a professional - Representation towards Government - Timely information services media monitoring and legislative updates - Discounts and benefits, including Qantas Club member scheme SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November

4 - Voting rights and the ability to nominate for the Board Of Directors - SCA (Qld) Committee participation - Membership Certificate - Shape and build our sector as a part of its leading voice! 3.2 Continuous Professional Development guidelines Membership with SCA (Qld) requires the accredited individuals to collect CPD points. SCA (Qld) Members that are not choosing to get accredited (i.e. entry level membership) and Strata Scheme members do not have any ongoing CPD requirements. Further information can be found in section Post Nominal Initials The SCA (Qld) Board has determined that certain categories of individual members will have access to the use of post-nominal initials. Members who have met the eligibility criteria shall be entitled to use the following letters: SCA (Qld) Entry Level Member no post-nom Strata Management Individual Member Accredited Strata Community Manager ASCM (Qld) Certified Strata Community Manager CSCM (Qld) Fellow Strata Community Manager FSCM (Qld) Practising Strata Community Manager PSCM (Qld) Life Member LMSCA (Qld) Strata Services Individual Member no post-nom Strata Services Nominee Member no post-nom Strata Services Fellow FMSCA (Qld) Strata Owner Member no post-nom Members are not automatically entitled to the use of post-nominal initials but permission may be granted to use them upon application to the Board (i.e. the accreditation pathway). 4. Membership Structure Membership is structured in two categories: CORPORATE and INDIVIDUAL. The types of membership are Strata Management, Strata Services and Strata Owners. 4.1 Strata Scheme This category is for strata schemes and those who live in them. You can join as a... - individual strata property owner - member of a body corporate committee - Strata Scheme two nominees are required Snapshot of procedure - Option 1: Strata Scheme individual becomes member - Option 2: Strata Scheme s body corporate becomes member and nominates two representatives Option 1: Individual Scheme Member SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November

5 This allows individuals in a strata scheme to join as members at a cost of $80 per annum (incl GST). You have to be a unit owner under a CTS number and not carrying out body corporate management services. Eligibility criteria: The individuals can join even if the Strata Scheme is not a member, as long as they can identify the CTS number that their unit belongs to. The conflict of interest rule applies here if you are body corporate business owner or body corporate manager and you are also a unit owner, you cannot join SCA (Qld) at this level. Form to submit: Form B5 The membership is non-transferable Option 2: Strata Scheme plus individuals This membership allows the community title scheme to be the member with two nominees included at a cost of $150 per annum (incl GST), including 2 nominees FOC. Eligibility criteria: This category is open to interested Body Corporate committee members or unit owners. The conflict of interest rule applies here: if you are a body corporate business owner or body corporate manager and you are also a body corporate committee member you cannot join SCA (Qld) at this level. Forms to submit: Form A3 (Corporate), at least one via Form B4 (individuals) The nominee membership is transferable. 4.2 Strata Services This category is for those who provide allied services to the strata sector e.g. accountants, lawyers and software specialists; trade services suppliers such as electricians, painters and building maintenance, etc. You can join as a... - Corporate - a company providing associated services, not body corporate management services - Strata Services Nominee an individual who is part of a corporate membership - Strata Services Individual a membership that's not connected to a firm e.g. resident accommodation / unit / on-site managers, trades people, departments of non-strata related companies Snapshot of procedure - Option 1: The company joins as a member and must join at least one person (=nominee) - Option 2: An individual joins as member without the company Option 1: Company plus nominee SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November

6 Companies who are employed in the industry but are not entities carrying out body corporate management services join as a member at the cost of $655 per annum (incl GST). The corporate member must nominate at least one individual member (Nominee) at a cost of $215 per individual. Eligibility criteria IT CANNOT BE A BODY CORPORATE BUSINESS The company is to be of good repute Entity has to nominate at least one nominee at $215 (incl GST) the nominee does not carry out body corporate management services the nominee membership is transferable within the corporate membership the nominee is to state other industry body membership they hold to prove their qualifications to SCA (Qld) applicants must abide by the SCA Code of Conduct the applicant cannot be declared bankrupt or have been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty a proposer and seconder for the application is needed. The proposer and seconder must be known and/or acceptable to the Board, eg a member of SCA (Qld) for at least 3 years, lawyer, auditor, accountant etc who works with the strata industry the application will not meet the criteria guidelines where the applicant/nominee is not of good repute within the industry, has outstanding commissioner orders concerning practice standards, or where there is a history of commissioner orders of concern about practice standards and/or ethical issues. Forms to submit: Form A2 (Corporate), at least one via Form B2 (individuals) Pro-rata rates apply for new members after 1 January (50%) through to 30 June Option 2: Strata Services Individual Any single person can join as a member in this category without a corporate membership at a cost of $300 per annum (incl GST) per person. If two individuals from the same strata services entity join, the entity is required to become a member and appoint nominees. Eligibility criteria: A Strata Services Individual member is a natural person who is associated with the strata industry but is not carrying out body corporate management services. The membership is non-transferable to another individual If more than one individual from the same firm applies for Strata Services Individual membership, Individual membership cannot be accepted. Membership should be sought for their firm under the Strata Services Corporate category and they can each apply as Strata Services Nominees. Ongoing CPD requirements for individuals (refer to CPD policy) Fellows SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November

7 Fellows in the strata services category can be accepted as part of a corporate membership or where appropriate as an individual. The SCA (Qld) Board of Directors at present grants fellow and life membership on a case by case basis. Cost: $215 if employed in a Strata Service company, $300 if no company is nominated and fellow member is a Strata Services Individual Eligibility criteria (for existing fellow members, new appointments via Board resolution only) Related professionals with a long standing commitment to both the broader profession and industry Where the Fellow is no longer working with a corporate, he or she can become a member in individual name, providing that all the criteria have been met. Applicants must abide by the SCA Code of Conduct and all other membership criteria 4.3 Strata Management This category is for strata management firms and those who work in them. You can join as a... - Corporate Member body corporate management firms - Individual Member anyone working within that firm - Choose to apply for accreditation (eligibility criteria apply): o ACCREDITED STRATA MANAGER o CERTIFIED STRATA MANAGER o SCA FELLOW or LIFE MEMBER Snapshot of procedure Step 1: The company/sole trader (anyone who operates under an ABN) joins as a member Step 2: Any employee of this firm can join as SCA (Qld) entry level member Step 3: Qualified employees can choose to apply for accreditation Step 1 - Corporate membership This level is for body corporate management practices that join as a member at a cost of $510 (incl GST) plus 55 cents (incl GST) for every lot managed and the calculation of lots will be as of 30 June of every year. Eligibility criteria The corporate entity must nominate at least one industry qualified practitioner (i.e. at least level 2 accreditation - a certified strata community manager) to enable a practising certificate to be issued. The entity can otherwise nominate unlimited individuals who are not required to satisfy any criteria (=entry level members) The company must carry professional indemnity insurance, currently prescribed by the board as a minimum of $500,000. A Certificate of Currency must accompany the application. Forms to submit: Form A1 (Corporate), Form B1 (individuals), at least one B1b; Certificate of Currency SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November

8 Pro-rata rates apply for new members, calculated from the month they join (if they join from 1 January to 30 June of the membership year) Step 2 - Entry Level membership Any employee of a corporate member can join as a member at no cost provided they fulfill the eligibility criteria below. Eligibility criteria It is a requirement that each person joining this class attends an industry general admission course within the first 12 months of their membership. The membership will not be renewed if there is no proof of completion of this short course. The current course is a one day introductory level course. Must be employed by a corporate member Must abide by the SCA Code of Conduct Where the applicant is not known to the SCA (Qld) General Manager (GM) or the Board of Directors, the GM may request further information, e.g. usually by way of a Proposer and Seconder for the application. The Proposer and Seconder must be known and/or acceptable to the Board. E.g. Member of SCA (Qld) for at least 3 years, Lawyer, Auditor, Accountant etc. who works with the body corporate management industry. The application will not meet the criteria guidelines where the applicant is not of good repute within the industry, has outstanding commissioner orders concerning practice standards, or where there is a history of commissioner orders of concern about practice standards and/or ethical issues. The membership is transferable if the applicant moves employers The applicant cannot be declared bankrupt or have been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty There are no ongoing CPD requirements This membership does not carry post-nominal credentials. Note: If a member ceases their employment with a corporate member, they can only retain their membership if their new employer is also a corporate member. Note: If the sole member of a corporate member leaves the entity and none of the other members of the entity can achieve at least a Certified status, a nine month grace period will be allowed to enable a member of staff to enroll in the Certificate IV and achieve Certified status. Form to submit: Form B Step 3 - Accreditation pathway Employees of a corporate member in the strata management category can choose to apply for accreditation with SCA (Qld). There are four levels: o ACCREDITED STRATA COMMUNITY MANAGER SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November

9 o o o CERTIFIED STRATA COMMUNITY MANAGER PRACTISING STRATA COMMUNITY MANAGER SCA FELLOW or LIFE MEMBER All eligibility criteria noted for SCA (Qld) members apply (see 4.3.2) Accredited Strata Community Manager Members that work as body corporate managers can obtain accredited membership level at no extra cost. Eligibility criteria (in addition to those mentioned in 4.3.2) Mandatory introductory course (minimum two days with completion of competency questionnaire); or Two years membership with evidence of on-job or employer training (proven via CPD points balances) and where applicable satisfactory completion of competency questionnaire. Ongoing CPD requirements for renewal eligibility. Applications for renewal must include a record of CPD activity e.g. attendance at seminars, conference etc. The CPD policy outlines current requirements. This membership carries the post-nominal initials ASCM (Qld). Form to submit: Form B1a and certification as per eligibility criteria Certified Strata Community Manager Members that work as body corporate managers and have significant proven experience or qualifications can obtain certified membership level at no extra cost. This level is the minimum accreditation requirement for at least one person per corporate membership (A1). Eligibility criteria (in addition to those mentioned in 4.3.2) Certificate IV in Property Services (Operations) plus minimum of 2 years experience; or Certification regarding competence against Cert IV requirements (through the SCA-RTO RPL process) plus minimum 5 years membership; or Other equivalent Cert IV level qualification subject on case by case assessment by SCA (Qld) Education Committee and approval of SCA (Qld) Board plus minimum 2 years experience. Ongoing CPD requirements for renewal eligibility. Applications for renewal must include a record of CPD activity e.g. attendance at seminars, conference etc. The CPD policy outlines current requirements. This membership carries the post-nominal initials CSCM (Qld). Form to submit: Form B1b and certification as per eligibility criteria SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November

10 Practising Strata Community Manager Application to this level is not available at the present time Fellow/Life Members Fellows can be accepted as part of a corporate membership or where appropriate as an individual. These are practising body corporate managers with a long standing commitment to both the broader profession and industry. Where the Fellow is no longer working with a corporate, he/she can become a member in individual name, providing that all the criteria have been met. The SCA (Qld) Board of Directors at present grants fellow and life membership on a case by case basis (refer to fellow & life membership policy).. SCA (Qld) Membership Policy November