Please read our Terms and Conditions of Membership
Eligibility of membership:
Resident in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough aged 16 or older
Profoundly or severely deaf or:
A close relative of a deaf or hard of hearing person (definition) living in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough
Currently working or volunteering in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough for an organization related to deafness or hearing loss (including social care or education) for over a year.
Membership application co-signed by 2 members of more than 2-years standing
Agrees to the terms and conditions of membership
Has paid the membership fee
Membership approved by majority vote of trustees at a trustee meeting.
Trustees may ask to meet applicants in person if they require further information before making a decision.
The Trustees decision is final. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in 12-months.
Terms and conditions of membership:
Pay the annual membership fee
Agree to comply with the Charities Articles of Association
Support the work of CDA Trustees, staff and volunteers
Act in the best interest of CDA
Not to cause the association public embarrassment or loss of reputation for example on social media.
Protect CDA property
Follow CDA procedures where applicable, such as the complaints procedure and grievance procedure.
Attend meetings when requested or send apologies
Show utmost courtesy to all CDA members, staff, guests and trustees at all times
Membership Dismissal:
Members will automatically lose membership status if they do not pay the membership renewal fee.
Members may have their membership terminated if it is agreed by Trustees that one or more of the terms and conditions of membership have been breached. Other sanctions, such as first and final warnings may be used.
In the event of a complaint about a member:
Trustees will review the complaint and decide if any the complaint should be investigated.
The no further action is taken then the complainant will be written to with the reasons why.
If an investigation is deemed necessary, then the member will be suspended during the investigation and the process followed below.
An appointed officer of the trustees will contact the member who is subject of the complaint and ask for their account of the complaint in a formal meeting giving 2 weeks’ notice.
The member may have a friend, relative or advocate present in the meeting.
The trustee will make a recommendation to the next trustee meeting and the subject of the complaint informed in writing.
The subject of the complaint may appeal the decision to the Chair of Trustees following the process below:
The Chair of trustees will examine the decision and only agree to a review if new evidence or information has come to light or that initial evidence or testimony has shown not to have been taken into account in the initial investigation. This decision will be given in writing.
If a review of the decision is deemed necessary, then a different trustee will be appointed to reinvestigate the complaint. A report will be prepared for the trustees who will make a final decision.
Grievance procedures:
Members may follow the current CDA grievance procedure which is in place for staff and volunteers if they wish to make a complaint about a member of staff, volunteer or trustee or the association in general.
Grievances will be received by the Trustees (or nominated Trustee) in the first instance who may delegate responsibility to the staff team.
Agreed practices and legal considerations:
CDA must hold an AGM each year for legal reasons and current members will be invited.
At this AGM the trustees will request that members:
Approve the report for the previous year’s work
Approve the accounts
Approve the auditors for the coming year.
Vote on the appointment of new trustees
Benefits of Membership:
Quarterly membership update
Invitation to annual members-only social event
Invitation to members-only feedback event
Voting rights at AGM
Discounts on BSL classes for member friends and family
Cost of membership:
The cost of membership is to be determined by Trustees annually. Currently £10
