Membership
Polonia Inclusive recently became a registered non-profit organization in Canada.
We are excited to welcome new Members to our community.
SIGN UP
The first step is to complete the application form. Our executive team will review your application and send you an email once your application is accepted. Note that the fee payment is required at the time of application.
Pay Your Membership Dues
The second step is to pay your annual membership fees. Individual member fees are $25 annually, and organization member fees at $150. See the FAQ for more information on fees and payment methods.
Get Engaged
There are many ways to participate in Polonia Inclusive. Head to our home page to see some initiatives we have been working on. We are also building our executive team! Reach out if you're amazing at strategic planning, project coordination, website design, graphics, social media, grants, finances (and more) and interested in becoming a volunteer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Wkrótce udostępnimy tłumaczenie FAQ na język polski. Przepraszamy za wszelkie niedogodności.
A: Since we founded Polonia Inclusive, we have:
- Became the only active Polish-Canadian not-for-profit to explicitly promote and celebrate diversity, inclusivity and LGBTQIA2S+ folks in our community.
- Led a campaign to raise awareness about human rights violations taking place in Poland.
- Launched a petition to the Government of Canada, signed by over 700 people in Canada, calling to advance and to protect the human rights of women, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and minoritised ethnic persons living in Poland.
- Mobilized at embassies and key locations across Canada to protest and raise awareness about human rights violations of women, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and marginalized communities in Poland.
- Hosted educational workshops on MMIWG2S+, and events including Polish Pride.
- Built an online community of over 200 participants.
- Created social media posts that raised awareness about critical issues impacting our community.
- Built active and engaged relationships with like-minded organizations, including the Dignity Network and Polonijna Rada Kobiet+ (International Council of Polish Women+), furthering our goals of community and advocacy for human rights, social justice, inclusion and diversity in Poland, Canada and around the world.
A: By signing up for a membership, you’re helping to support the expansion of an open, diverse and inclusive Polish and Polish-Canadian community in Canada. You will help Polonia Inclusive make important decisions in the democratic process, and build our capacity to provide events, programs and advocacy that directly impact our communities. As a democratically structured organization, we need to ensure we have your continued support in our work to advance our goals. Purchasing or renewing your membership is about renewing your commitment to building a diverse, open Polish and Polish-Canadian community in Canada, and furthering these values in Poland.
A: Membership shall be available to individuals interested in furthering Polonia Inclusive’s purposes. Members can be individuals or organizations, however all members are limited to one vote.
A: Each member shall be responsible for becoming aware of all articles, bylaws, or written policies of the Corporation, and shall agree to abide by the term therein.
A: As a member, you will be entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at all meetings of the members of the corporation. This means you will take an active role in shaping the future of Polonia Inclusive. You can choose how much time and effort you wish to contribute – whether it is taking on a leadership role, coming to events, engaging online.
A: There are two steps to applying for membership. First, complete the application form: Click Link. Second, pay your membership fee using one of the methods outlined in the FAQ below. An application will not be considered complete until the payment has been received by Polonia Inclusive.
A: Polonia Inclusive executive team will review each application for completeness, and process it in accordance with the organization bylaws and written policies. When you are accepted, the executive will send you an email confirming your membership. The directors of the non-profit hold the right to accept or deny memberships for any reason and without giving reasons, subject to Polonia Inclusive’s bylaws and policies. Should your application not be accepted, the executive team will send you a notification email and refund your membership fees.
A: Annual membership dues start at $25 per individual, and $150 for an organization.
A: Member fees are due with your application to Polonia Inclusive. Members shall be notified electronically of the membership dues at any time payable by them. Membership renewal fees shall be paid annually at the annual general meeting or as soon as possible thereafter. Voting rights for the year (or remainder thereof) are granted upon receipt of the membership fee.
A: Our preferred method of payment is e-transfer to poloniainclusive@gmail.com. Please ensure you include “Membership” and your First and Last Name in the memo.
You can also use our Pay Pal donation link: Click Link.
You can send a cheque (Payable to “Polonia Inclusive”) to:
18 West 16th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1Y6
You can also pay in-person at any event that is hosted by Polonia Inclusive, where a Director is present.
A: Polonia Inclusive is dedicated to ensuring our community is accessible to all individuals regardless of financial means. If you want to join Polonia Inclusive but are unable to pay the membership fees, please contact poloniainclusive@gmail.com and we’ll help get you signed up.
A: The membership fees will contribute to the operational costs of Polonia Inclusive, for example website, insurance fees, software costs, and printing costs, etc. Once all of the basics are covered, membership fees will be allocated to providing high quality programming in Canada.
A: To renew your membership, you don’t need to fill out a new application. You can use the methods of payments as indicated above. Just be sure to make your payment by the Annual General Meeting each year.
A: As per the Polonia Inclusive bylaws, your membership will cease to be “in good standing” if your fees are not renewed after the Annual General Meeting each year. This means that you won’t be allowed to vote, pass resolutions, or be eligible to take leadership roles within Polonia Inclusive. If you signed up for our email mailing list, you will not be removed. You can renew your membership at any point, and continue to participate in Polonia Inclusive activities and events.
A: Membership dues are not refundable, except for the sole discretion of the executive team. The exception is as follows; any fees paid by an applicant will be refunded within 24 hours of notification should their application for membership not be accepted by Polonia Inclusive.
A: At this time, our funding comes entirely from our member dues/donations and our fundraising methods. We are planning on applying for government funds once we have built up the organizational capacity to offer high-quality, innovative programming to the Community. Please consider supporting us through donations – these can be monetary donations, in-kind donations, or donations of your time through volunteer work. Corporate organizations that are interested in donating and sponsoring Polonia Inclusive can reach out to poloniainclusive@gmail.com.
If you have any questions that weren’t answered here, or would like to terminate your membership, please contact us via email at poloniainclusive@gmail.com