Membership Categories

The seven classes of members are listed below.

Applications can be submitted for Full, Associate, Non-Medical and International memberships.

Being persons who were members of the British Medical Company at the time of and were present at the inaugural meetings of the Unincorporated Association held in the States of New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia and known as the foundation members of the Unincorporated Association.

Being persons who are:

• medical practitioners with appropriate training in rheumatology as defined by the Company from time to time; and
• senior scientists with a major commitment to research in the field of rheumatic diseases, who are invited by the Board to become Ordinary Members.

Being persons whom the Company wishes to honour as persons of eminence in medicine (who are not otherwise eligible for Ordinary Membership) or in related sciences who have rendered services to the Company. Honorary Members shall have no rights in their capacities as Honorary Members to vote or to become members of the Board, but may, in all other respects, participate in the activities of the Company, receive notices and publications and may speak at any general meeting of the Company. An individual shall be elected as an Honorary Member by resolution passed at a duly convened meeting of the Board.

Being persons, whose work as medical practitioners is related to rheumatic diseases, but who are not eligible to become Ordinary Members. Associate Members shall have no rights in their capacity as Associate Members to vote or to become members of the Board, but may, in all other respects, participate in the activities of the Company, receive notices and publications and may speak at any general meeting of the Company.

Being persons who are non-medical practitioners, whose work is associated with the sciences relating to rheumatic diseases. Non-Medical Members shall have no rights in their capacities as Non-Medical Members to vote or become members of the Board, but may, in all other respects, participate in the activities of the Company, receive notices and publications and may speak at any general meeting of the Company.

Being persons who are Foundation Members, Ordinary Members, Honorary Members, Associate Members or Non-Medical Members, who no longer reside in Australia (temporarily or permanently), and who elect, with approval of the Board, to retain Membership of the Company. Overseas Members shall have no rights in their capacity as Overseas Members to become members of the Board, vote or speak at meetings, but may, in all other respects, participate in the activities of the Company and receive notices and publications. Overseas Members shall not be attached to a State Group and shall not pay any Membership fees to a State Group or receive any notices from that State Group. On their return to reside permanently in Australia and with the approval of the Board, the original Membership category shall be restored to that Member and the State Group so notified.

Being persons who have gained Membership and, on retirement, apply to or are nominated by the Board for 'retired' Membership, which will entitle them to receive notice of the Company’s activities at a reduced Membership fee, to be determined by the Treasurer from time to time. Retired Members shall have no rights in their capacity as Retired Members to become members of the Board, but may, in all other respects, participate in the activities of the Company, receive notices and publications and may speak and vote at any general meeting of the Company.