Return to Membership
A former member who wishes to Return to Membership in The Augustan Society, Inc., must follow a different procedure than a new member joining for the first time.
A new petition is required, and while a regular petition will be accepted, it is preferred that a Petition for Return to Membership be used. This may be completed by Headquarters Staff when they feel it appropriate.
Some former members will attempt to return without mentioning their former membership status. For this reason, processing of Regular Membership includes checking for former membership status, and diverting the petition to this procedure if such is discovered.
The primary differences in the petitions are that the Return Petition does not require payment of fees for a certificate or insignia, as the member may have retained these from their former membership. They may be ordered if desired.
The Return Petition also asks the reason for the previous departure and the return. One-word explanations of "health" or "finances" will be sufficient.
Once the petition and payment are received by Headquarters Staff, the procedure is:
- The Assistant Secretary will check the Membership Book to confirm the petitioner's status as a former member.
- The Assistant Secretary will place his reelection on the next available Agenda for Board review and approval. The Board will want to know the petitioner's reasons for dropping his membership and returning.
- If the Board rejects the Petition, Headquarters Staff will notify the petitioner and refund all but the Petition Fee (presently $15).
- If the Board tables the petition for additional information, inform the petitioner and place the petition on the next Board agenda.
- If the Board re-elects the petitioner to membership, proceed as follows:
- The Assistant Secretary will find the petitioner's former Membership Number from the Membership Book, or assign one if necessary.
- The Assistant Secretary will add the date returned (the date of the Board meeting where elected) to the Master Roster./li>
- Headquarters Staff will create a new Membership Card./li>
- Headquarters Staff will create a returning letter of welcome from the Secretary (presently signed electronically)./li>
- Headquarters Staff will create a returning memo of welcome./li>
- Headquarters Staff will mail the above three items, plus the current Augustæum and the current Augustan Omnibus to the returned member (unless these were already sent).
