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Criteria for Membership

Effective October 2018:

Membership Eligibility (Bylaw #1):

a. ACDS Member: (voting) Membership may be granted to any organization that demonstrates full compliance with the Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS) code of ethics, is Creating Excellence Together (CET) Accredited (or equivalent), and whose primary function is to provide services and/or supports to people who have mental, physical or developmental disabilities which create barriers to participation in their communities, within the province of Alberta.

b. Associate Member: (non-voting) Membership may be granted to any individual, family or organization that demonstrates full compliance with the ACDS code of ethics and has interests specific to services to individuals with mental, physical or developmental disabilities but is not required to be CET Accredited (or equivalent) or is currently in the process of being accredited.

c. Corporate Member: (non-voting) Membership may be granted to any corporation/organization that supports the work of ACDS but does not provide direct services to people who have mental, physical or developmental disabilities.

Voting Powers (Bylaw #22, 23 & 24):

22. Members present will have one vote at an Annual General Meeting or a Special Meeting. There shall be no voting by proxy.

23. Associate Members and Corporate Members will have no voting privileges at an Annual General Meeting or a Special Meeting.

24. The privilege of attendance and participation at the Annual General Meeting or any Special Meeting without the right to vote may be extended to any person or agency by the Board of Directors.

In addition to the above by-law criteria, membership acceptance will be conditional to the following:

• Adherence to the ACDS’ Ethical Principles (enclosed);

• Compliance with CET Accreditation or equivalent (ACDS Member Category only);

• Future true and correct representation of ACDS and its environs;

• Accurate and timely information on the Application Form (enclosed); and

• Payment of fees as per by-law 2.c.

Fee Schedule for Membership

Membership fees are based on the annual staff payroll for each member organization. Payments to individuals will not be included in this total. (Membership fees are GST exempt.)

Annual staff payroll is determined as per calculations of total payroll for the purpose of remitting payment to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Organizations that operate more than one division shall include the total payroll for all service areas represented by ACDS.

The ACDS Board of Directors has the power to revise the membership fee schedule from time-to-time as it sees fit.

ACDS Member fee schedule:

ACDS Membership fees for service providers serving 3 or fewer individuals: $100.00

Associate Member fee for Individuals/Families: $50.00 and for Organizations: $500

Corporate Member fee: $500.00

GST # R106692676

Membership fees are GST exempt.

The ACDS membership renewal process begins in February of each year. At that time each member will be sent a Re-application Form accompanied by an invoice for the membership fee paid the previous year. The membership year is defined as at March 31, as per ACDS’ fiscal year (bylaw #3.b). Members bear the responsibility to update this fee in accordance to changes in their annual staff payroll.

A member is in arrears of payment of fees as at April 30, unless waived by the Board of Directors (bylaw #2.c). A member in good standing shall be defined as one whose dues for the current fiscal year are paid in full (bylaw #3.a).

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE ALBERTA COUNCIL OF DISABILITY SERVICES

Respect for the Dignity of Persons

• Demonstrates, in all activities, their respect for the dignity of service recipients, professionals, and the other individuals and organizations with which they interact.
• Acts in a fair and non-discriminatory manner in selecting, assessing and providing services.
• Treats their employees justly and in a non-discriminatory manner.
• Conducts business with service providers and professionals in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

Responsible Caring

• Demonstrates their commitment to quality supports and services to people with disabilities in all their activities.
• Cares about the well-being of the people served, and work with service recipients and their legal representatives to secure and provide services that maintain and improve the recipient’s well-being.
• Are committed to the well-being of their employees.
• Makes business decisions that reflect the fact that the primary business of disability service agencies is the provision of quality supports and services to people with disabilities.

Integrity in Relationships

• Honest in all their dealings with service recipients, professionals and other individuals and organizations.
• Represents the type, limitations, and appropriateness of their services to recipients and their legal representatives honestly and accurately.
• Acts with integrity in their dealings with their employees.
• Represents themselves and their services honestly to service recipients and to other organizations in the community.

Social Responsibility

• Advocates for changes that will benefit the people served; in the belief that society’s welfare is affected by its treatment of those who are in the margins of society.
• Are committed to developing and providing the best services available.
• Encourages employees to question policies and practices that may harm people with disabilities.
• Educates individuals and organizations with whom they do business regarding how best to accommodate people with disabilities.

Approved: September 2012