SAOSO MEMBERSHIP TERMS & CONDITIONS

Requirements for Membership

  • SAOSO members must abide by the constitution of SAOSO and by the Code of Conduct, as it is developed and modified from time to time.
  • Members can be Individuals (Supporters), NGO’s, NPO’s, Co-operative’s, Commercial enterprises/ Corporations, or Sponsor Members.
  • The completed application form must be submitted.
  • Membership fee payments are set and approved by the Board and are due annually.

Application

Membership applications may be submitted throughout the year. Applications are only complete when:

  • The SAOSO application form is filled out.
  • The membership fees are paid in full.
  • Membership is approved by the Board.

Membership Fees

The Membership year is due from the date of sign up and will be based annually.

Membership in SAOSO is active as soon as the first membership fee is paid and approved. 

Calculation of Membership fees:

The yearly membership fee is determined by the SAOSO Board annually. In the case of applicant Commercial enterprises/Corporations, is calculated according to the organisations turnover:

  • Individual R250.00 p/a
  • NGO/NPO
    Co-Operative R500.00 p/a
  • Commercial enterprises/Corporations
    • Small – Turnover less R5 Million R2 000.00 p/a
    • Medium – Turnover R 6 Mil to R50 Mil R5 000.00 p/a
    • Large – Turnover over R 50 Million R10 000.00 p/a
    • Note: Within each co-operative or enterprise individual members can join in their own right. Membership is approved by the Board.

Admission

The SAOSO Board approves new members and their level of affiliation.

The SAOSO Board may reject applications if it deems the activities of the applicant counter SAOSO missions, strategy or goals. e.g.:

  • Advocating or supporting the use of GMO’s or intentionally using GMO’s in organic production systems,
  • The use of chemicals that threaten the integrity of organic production and processing,
  • Conduct their business in an unethical fashion,
  • Cruelty to animals,
  • Violation of human and labourer’s rights.

In the rare case of an application not being approved by the SAOSO Board, the membership fee will be fully refunded.

Termination of Membership

Membership is automatically renewed every year. Members may terminate their membership at any time. Paid membership fees are non-refundable upon membership termination.

Membership can be terminated by SAOSO in case of:

  • Non-compliance with the membership requirements
  • Engagement in activities, that are counter to SAOSO’s strategy, missions, goals and objectives.
  • Misuse of SAOSO’ s name, logo  and emblem.
  • Non-payment of the membership fee.
  • Other serious reasons as determined by the Board.

Confidentiality

SAOSO guarantees the confidentiality of all the data provided in the application form.

The SAOSO Name, Logo and Membership Emblem

The SAOSO name and logo cannot be used as a product mark and may be used by SAOSO members at conferences, events, publications, web pages and other activities only under a contract to be signed with SAOSO in accordance with the requirements of relevant SAOSO policies. The SAOSO logo may not be used in any communication materials unless specifically authorised by the SAOSO Board.

The SAOSO membership emblem cannot be used as a product mark and may be used by SAOSO members. The emblem identifies SAOSO members who are committed to the SAOSO strategy and goals.

For membership related queries: Kindly email membership@saoso.org.

For all other queries: Kindly email admin@saoso.org