Membership

DCLS is a member-based organisation

Membership Application/ Renewal

Membership is open to any person who agrees with the objects of the Association or any body whose objects do not conflict with the objects of the Association.

The membership period is for each Financial Year and must be compliant, submitted and paid by the 1st of September to be eligible to vote at the AGM.

To apply for membership, please complete, sign and return a Membership Form and pay the annual fee (instructions given on the form). If you need any assistance with completing the form or the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Your application will be submitted to the next available Board Meeting for approval.

Download your membership application below.

what you get from your membership

  • The right to vote at the Annual General Meeting (when complied by 1 Sep.)
  •  Eligibility to be elected/nominated to the Board of Directors (excepting staff)
  •  Annual report and electronic newsletters
  • Invitations to DCLS events and workshops

 

 

Our Mission

To strengthen social justice and empower the community through holistic advice, education and advocacy.

Objects and purposes

We welcome new members who support our objects and purposes:

(1) to facilitate the provision of legal advice and assistance to the community;

(2) to provide community legal education;

(3) to establish a resource centre for community legal projects;

(4) to consider the need for, and lobby for, law reform; and

(5) to advocate for social justice, particularly for people who are socially or economically disadvantaged and whose inability to access the legal system further aggravates or perpetuates their disadvantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

See below for some Frequently Asked Questions on Membership. We will endeavour to add to this list as we receive further queries.

Who can become a member?
A member is defined in the the DCLS Constitution as:

a person or body, including an unincorporated body, admitted to membership of the Association;

A member can be any individual or an organisation who supports DCLS’s Objects:

Any person who agrees with the objects of the Association or any body whose objects do not conflict with the objects of the Association may apply for membership.

What is the fee for membership?
Individuals are set at $5 per financial year and organisations at $50.
Can organisations apply for membership?
Yes they can, as long as their Objects do not conflict with the Objects of DCLS.

Organisations will need to nominate a representative person.

What are the Objects of the Association, to which I have to agree?
The DCLS Constitution outlines these as follows:

(1) to facilitate the provision of legal advice and assistance to the community;

(2) to provide community legal education;

(3) to establish a resource centre for community legal projects;

(4) to consider the need for, and lobby for, law reform; and

(5) to advocate for social justice, particularly for people who are socially or economically disadvantaged and whose inability to access the legal system further aggravates or perpetuates their disadvantage.

How can I return/send my completed Membership Application Form to DCLS?
Completed application forms can be returned in a number of ways:

Scanned and emailed to:     
finance@dcls.org.au

Posted to:
Finance Officer
Darwin Community Legal Service
GPO Box 3180
Darwin NT 0801

Delivered in person to:
Level 2, 75 Woods St
Darwin City NT 0800

What happens after I apply for membership?
As per our Constitution, all applications need to be presented to the DCLS Board for approval. This will occur at the next meeting meeting of the Board after you have submitted your application. We will then contact you to confirm that your membership has been approved.
When is the Annual General Meeting held?
The DCLS Annual General Meeting (AGM) is usually held in October or November of each year.

The DCLS Constitution specifies the following timeframe requirements:

annual general meeting means the general meeting held within five months
following the close of the financial year of the Association, in accordance with
clause 44 of this Constitution;

Where can I find out more?
The DCLS Constitution sets out the parameters governing membership.

Alternatively, you can Contact Us with any queries, or if you need assistance.

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