Frequently asked questions about the Fellowship and Chapters

Our Chapter pays its own way and so why do we have to pay to belong to a Sydney based organisation ?

The Fellowship of First Fleeters was formed in Sydney in 1968.   It has always been the parent body of each of the Chapters.   As the parent body it keeps the central repository of records, a library, meeting rooms, it publishes a newsletter and maintains a web site and insurance coverage.   It offers discounts to members on Fellowship activities – not all of which are based in Sydney.   The parent body is also a company limited by guarantee and so the corporate liability of the members is limited to the contribution that members would have to make if the fellowship was ever wound up for insolvency.   Members therefore gain the benefits and protections of being part of a corporate structure.

It is the parent body that complies with legal obligations – like making sure that the organisation is registered as a charity so that fund raising (like raffles) can occur.     Without this compliance anyone who seeks to raise money from someone who isn’t also a member of the organisation might be guilty of an offence.

While some Chapters do give a donation to the national body, these donations do not cover the cost of the insurance premiums paid, let alone other expenses of the Fellowship.

What does the insurance cover ?

The insurance covers building insurance on First Fleet House, personal injury cover for members on Fellowship activities and public liability for visitors to Fellowship activities.

Why wouldn’t this insurance have covered Chapter members?

The Fellowship had always classified the activities of the Chapters as activities of a ‘branch’ of the Fellowship.   In doing this the directors sought to treat Chapter members as also members of the parent body. Increasingly the directors became concerned that this would be seen by the insurer as a fictitious arrangement and would refuse to make a payment on a claim brought by a person who was a Chapter, but not a Fellowship, member.

Rather than have these doubts about whether a Chapter member could be classified as a Fellowship member or as a visiting member of the public (or more likely neither) these changes have been introduced.

Why couldn’t there be a class of ‘Chapter members’?

The Directors advanced a proposal for a new membership class that would allow Chapter members, who cannot claim descent from someone who arrived on the First Fleet, to remain as members.   To be fair to those who do not live where a Chapter operates, the new membership class was open to membership by anyone.   Continuing in this theme of fairness, the membership fees had to be comparable to what was paid by other membership classes.

What is the difference between an associate member and a friend ?

An associate member is a person who can claim a connection to a First Fleet descendant.   This will include spouses, parents or adopted children of First Fleet descendants.

A friend is someone accepted as sharing a mutual interest in the First Fleet.

Do people get to choose which membership class they join ?

No, a person must join the membership class they are eligible for

Will the fees to be paid for each membership class be clearly set out?

Yes, this will occur on the subscription form.

Why are some positions preserved for descendants– doesn’t this make others second-class?

What makes the Fellowship unique is that full membership is based on descent.   It is not just a historical or genealogical society.   To give away this unique characteristic would mean that your group may just as well become affiliated to the Royal Australian Historical Society.

This element of descent is what sets us apart from others.   The members of the Fellowship as a whole have always made it clear that this uniqueness was something they wanted to hold on to.

Do all members carry the same corporate liability?

Yes, all members (whatever their membership category) share equally in the assets and liabilities of the company.   The liability is that if the company is would up insolvent then each member is required to contribute up to $100.00 each towards outstanding debts.

The company has no debts (apart from ordinary expenses) and owns a building in Sydney that is unencumbered.   If sold, the proceeds could not however be paid out to members because to satisfy its charitable and tax status the constitution of the company says that the company assets have to be paid out on any winding up to another charitable body.

Are all members charged the same for Fellowship activities irrespective of their membership category?

With the exception of some events, where junior and student members are charged a lesser fee, yes they are.

Will Certificates of Membership be issued to all members ?

This is not the current practice, but if requested by the Chapters will be considered by the directors for introduction.   If this were to occur the certificates would distinguish between the various classes of membership.

Have geographical boundaries been set ?

Not yet, because the directors are still working on other details – like fees. But they will be.

Do members have to be linked with a Chapter, for the Chapter to receive the contribution from the Fellowship ?

Yes, the Chapter will receive the contribution based upon the number of members who have joined that Chapter.

What if members want to belong to a Chapter away from where they live ?

There is nothing to stop a person receiving a Chapter newsletter or being informed (and joining in) Chapter activities.   That person will not however count for the purposes of the Fellowship contribution to the Chapter.   It is a matter for each Chapter how they keep in touch with these other members.

Can Chapters keep their own record of Chapter members?

Chapters shall keep an accurate record of members, the category of membership and date of joining the chapter.   A chapter member shall sign a chapter membership application or a chapter register book upon joining.

Will the Fellowship send out membership forms and other documents ?

Yes, it will.

Could there be an annual meeting of Chapter representatives?

Yes, there can.   This can be arranged by way of teleconference to save some people from travelling.   The Fellowship will pay the cost of the teleconference.   It is recognised that a number of Chapters hold their own Australia Day activities and so this will not be held in January.

 Can these answers be made available more broadly?