Hi all, I would echo John¹s comments - in these litigious times, WAMUG probably needs to be incorporated and covered by public liability insurance if only to protect the rights and positions of the members, particularly those elected/volunteered to administer the group.
Like John, I have no professional experience in this area but a few years ago we set-up the Gilbert¹s Potoroo Action Group and incorporated the group, which probably has around 100 members though most of those would be passive recipients of our mailing list/newsletter with probably only a dozen of us being actively involved in the volunteering/fund-raising/public awareness activities. When volunteering (field research, animal tracking/trapping etc) we are registered as DEC volunteers and covered by their insurance however we still felt we needed to have public liability insurance to cover any other activities (annual BBQ, stand at the Albany show, Bunnings sausage sizzle & other fund-raising activities). Our treasurer arranged insurance which, from memory, is in the $400- $500 range, though the insurance agent kindly sponsored the group (for $150, from memory) which reduced the amount. I think James¹ suggestion is interesting what do other MUGs do re insurance maybe Nicholas Pyers, of AppleUsers.org, has some thoughts about this their website <http://www.appleusers.org/> says: > AppleUsers.org LogoAppleUsers.org is a volunteer organization that acts as a > central location for the Committees, Editors, Web Masters and other Leaders of > Australian Apple User Groups to find useful resources. So negotiating an umbrella insurance for Australian MUGs might be something they would like to look at? In the meantime, the WA government provides an online guide for Incorporated Associations: <http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/associationsguide/> Which has an Insurance and risk management section: <http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/associationsguide/Content/15_Insurance_and_Ri sk_Managemement/15.0_Insurance_and_risk_manage.htm> Another link which may be worth perusing is the Risk Management page of the ICWA site (Community Insurance Fund section): <http://www.icwa.wa.gov.au/cif/cif_riskmanagement.shtml> Personally, I find it a sad reflection of our times and society that huge amounts of money are consumed by the ³sue for anything² mentality that seems more and more prevalent however, these are the times we live in and we should protect ourselves accordingly. Cheers Neil -- Neil R. Houghton Albany, Western Australia Tel: +61 8 9841 6063 Email: n...@possumology.com on 30/7/10 9:12 AM, James / Hans Kunz at sad...@iinet.net.au wrote: > hello group > it seems the wamug has to look into something like: > as a example that exists: > the organisation working voices (a group of choirs) is holding a public > liability insurence for some 100 members but the members themself are in > independend groups all over perth (the swiss choir is a member) so if a group > has liability problems the group just shows the working voices liability > agreement & all is settled > benefit: the groups do not have to spend the mentioned $600 onwards & still > have a legally accepted insurance > may be wamug can make a similar agreement with another group in the > electronics & share the costs > James > > On 30/07/2010, at 8:37, John Thompson wrote: > >> Hello Pete and List. >> Today's world is far removed from the days of WAMUG's beginning. The claim >> by Curtin is valid and all tenants/lessees/users now must have their own >> Public Liability cover and not rely on the cover that Curtin holds. This is >> an issue that applies across all areas these days. I imagine the requirement >> would be the same in any other venue. >> Another point for WAMUG to consider is Incorporation. If WAMUG is not >> incorporated then it should be if only the protect the rights and positions >> of the members elected/volunteered to administer the group. >> I don't have any professional experience in this area but have spent around >> forty years in sporting association administration. I would be happy to give >> the committee what ever advice and assistance that I may have. >> >> Regards >> >> John E. Thompson >> 14 McGlew Street >> Eden Hill W.A. 6054 >> Ph. 08-92793524 >> Mob. 0412 775 197 >> Email. jet...@iprimus.com.au >> >> On 29/07/2010, at 10:37 PM, Pete Smith wrote: >> >>> G'day all WAMUGGERs. >>> >>> Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the August WAMUG >>> meeting has had to be postponed (well, cancelled actually). >>> >>> The reasons are as follows: >>> >>> Curtin University, our treasured 'home' for many years, has recently been >>> implementing changes to their policy and procedures in relation to the >>> booking and hiring of rooms. As you are aware, we had to introduce a $5 levy >>> to cover the cost of payment for hiring the room. Alas, the uni now also >>> requires us to have public liability insurance. I quote from their >>> 'Application Form Hire And Use Of University Facilities' - >>> >>> "7. Public Liability Insurance: All external persons, organisations or >>> groups hiring University facilities must produce a certificate of currency >>> for a current public liability insurance policy. The policy should provide >>> cover for an insured amount of not less than $10 million. This evidence must >>> be produced before the venue hire is confirmed" (my emphasis). >>> >>> We have made initial inquiries in regard to obtaining this insurance but >>> first estimates were in the vicinity of $600 - $1,000.oo. - Inquiries >>> are ongoing! >>> >>> As you can see, it's not something that can be rushed into. >>> >>> The FutureSphere at Christ Church Grammar School was considered as an >>> alternative place. However, due to relatively short notice and the nearness >>> of the meeting, it was decided that the best option would be to not hold an >>> August meeting. >>> >>> This will also allow us to endeavour to ascertain what liability, if any, >>> WAMUG may have in regards to having meetings at other places, including >>> Christ Church, and even the annual barbecue. >>> >>> (Having said that, I'm wondering if there is any subscriber to the list who >>> has some professional knowledge of the subject that could advise the >>> Committee or point us in the right direction on what course of action we >>> should take or perhaps where we may obtain the best deal?) >>> >>> On behalf of the WAMUG Committee, I would like to apologise for this >>> postponement. However, all things being equal, favourable and sitting under >>> the right star, we'll see you at the September meeting. >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> Pete Smith >>> For and on behalf of the WAMUG Committee >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >>> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >>> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >>> Unsubscribe - <mailto:wamug-unsubscr...@wamug.org.au> >>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- >> Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> >> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> >> Unsubscribe - <mailto:wamug-unsubscr...@wamug.org.au> >> > > > > SAD Technic > > Video Productions, Electronic repairs > > U3 / 6 Chalkley Pl > > Bayswater WA 6053 > > +618 9370 5307,+618 6262 5707, 0414 421 132 > > http://www.iinet.net.au/~saddas > > skype: barleeway > > over 40 years in electronics > > > > > > -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Unsubscribe - <mailto:wamug-unsubscr...@wamug.org.au>
