Q. Why is there a membership fee?
A. NZERN has to pay for power, rent, insurance, phone, bandwidth, the annual conference and branch activities. Our main source of income is membership fees and donations. We get some grants to pay for equipment.
Q. Why are membership fees so low?
A. NZERN has a large community base including many retired people and others on low incomes. We also have high school student members. Most non-profit groups have very little spare money. The membership fees have been kept low so anyone can afford them. However, you are very welcome to add a generous donation when you join.
Q. How do I pay?
A. You can create an invoice which you can take to the bank to deposit funds into NZERN's bank account. You can also pay on-line by credit card if you want to.
Q. What happens if I send NZERN a cheque?
A. Please don't. Since 2005, cheques received in the post have not been banked and have been shredded, because we have no administrative staff. Our new payment system is largely automatic and easily run by Help Desk volunteers.
Q. Do I get a receipt?
A. Yes, a receipt will be sent by email to you. A copy is also kept in your password protected area that you can use.
Q. I tried to join, but the email address is already in use. Why does that happen?
A. That email address is already being used by a member of NZERN as a login user name (probably you or your partner). In the past, members of the same family or group could share the same email address when communicating with NZERN. From 2006, email addreses are being used as login user names, so every member now requires a unique email address. Contact NZERN with your details if you require assistance.
Q. I paid on-line but didn't get a password straight away. Why?
A. NZERN has several thousand people on its system, some have the same name and some names have changed. Your identity needs to be confirmed, because you may already be on our system and we want to connect you with other information you have supplied in the past, so that you can edit it. If you paid using Paypal, this process can take a couple of days. This process can take up to two weeks if you are going to pay by invoice at the bank.
Q. Can I pay for 3 years' membership?
A. No. NZERN membership fees are decided by delegates from each branch at the AGM. We only know what the current membership fees are. We don't know what membership fees the members will vote for in future years.
Q. Can I pay in bulk for a number of new members?
A. Yes. Each person needs to join on-line and print an invoice. You then send NZERN a note with the names of the people and their invoice numbers. NZERN will send you a new invoice number that you can make one payment on. You will also be sent a reciept by email.
Q. Can the Regional Council pay the membership fees of the groups we support?
A. Yes. Sponsorship can be easily arranged.
Q. What are the benefits of individual membership?
A. NZERN is an incorporated society democratically run by its members. Individual members can:
Q. If my group, family or whanau is a member, do I also need an individual membership?
A. Yes.
Q. Are there still group passwords?
A. No. They have not been used since 2003.
Q. Can non-profit groups join?
A. Yes, non-profit membership will be available late 2007. NZERN will provide free to each non profit group that is a member:
Accounts for paid web advertising will also be available. A 50% discount on rates will apply.
Q. What about schools?
A. School membership will be available late 2007. NZERN will provide free to each school that is a member:
Q. What about families or whanau?
A. Membership for families or whanau will be available late 2007. NZERN will provide free to each family or whanau that is a member:
Q. What about small businesses?
A. Small business membership will be available late 2007. NZERN will provide free to each small business that is a member:
Accounts for paid web advertising will also be available.
Q. What about corporates like government agencies, crown research institutes, large firms, universities, DOC conservancies, regional or local government?
A. Corporate membership will be available late 2007. NZERN will provide free to each corporate that is a member:
Accounts for paid web advertising will also be available.