PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP
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Advocacy, on behalf of mushroom growers, with federal and provincial government agencies as well as with other important stakeholders. Mushrooms Canada works hard to advocate for its members on a variety of issues including:
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Labour
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Food Safety
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Trade
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Employment Standards
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Occupational Health & Safety
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Pesticide Use
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Sponsorship of research, on behalf of Canadian mushroom growers.
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Listing in the Mushrooms Canada Membership Directory.
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Business Members have voting privileges and are eligible to be Directors.
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North American Mushroom Conference registration fees at reduced rates.
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Free subscription to Mushroom World magazine. Standard subscription fee is $125.00 per year.
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Periodic Mushrooms Canada Bulletins of timely issues.
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Reduced registration fees for members attending Mushrooms Canada-sponsored technical workshops.
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Employee Training Programs
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Statistical Analysis, Production, Imports, Exports.
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Affiliation with American Mushroom Institute and Mushroom Council [USA].
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Option to participate in a Consumer Education/Generic Marketing check off program which promotes fresh mushrooms.
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Access to Members' Only Website including resources around:
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Human Resources
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Environmental Best Practices
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Ergonomics
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Food Safety
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Events
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Marketing and Promotions
By-laws [surrounding Membership]
According to the By-Laws of the Association:
Article IV – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership Eligibility/Application
(1) Each Member of the Association shall conform to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association.
(2) The Association’s Membership shall consist of:
(a) Active members shall be firms, partnerships or proprietorships occupied in the commercial growing of Mushrooms in Canada;
(b) Associate members shall be:
(i) suppliers to the mushroom industry.
(ii) distributors of mushrooms in any form
(3) Membership in the Association shall be applied for by presentation of a written application supplied in writing by a disinterested member in good standing, agreeing to abide by the provisions of these By-Laws and any amendments legally made thereto. If such application is approved by the Directors, the applicant shall become a member upon payment of the applicable dues.
Section 2. Membership Dues
Proposed changes in annual dues for membership shall be presented to the Annual Meeting of the Association by the Board of Directors. Any proposed change shall be mailed to all members with their notice of meeting. A majority vote by the members present is required to effect such change.
Section 3. Associate Membership
Associate membership is available under the following classifications:
(1) Associate members deriving their livelihood entirely from the industry such as spawn suppliers, or exclusively mushroom distributors, will be admitted into membership subject to the approval of the Board of Directors at an annual fee to be determined by the Board of Directors.
(2) Associate membership such as suppliers and distributors in the industry will be acceptable upon approval of the Board of Directors, at an annual fee to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Associate Membership Privilege
Associate members shall have all the privileges of active members, excepting the power to vote and to hold office or attend closed meetings of the active members.
Section 5.
(1) When a member sells or otherwise disposes of his business, his successor may apply for membership according to Section 3.
(2) Changes in name only, with the personnel of the firm or corporation remaining the same, may be made on the books of the Association, with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Membership Assessment
The Board of Directors may, subject to the approval of the Annual Meeting, for any period, fix an assessment in addition to the membership dues.
Section 7. Resignation of Member
The resignation of a member shall not be accepted except upon four weeks’ notice to the Executive Vice-President in writing, with payment of all dues and other obligations to the Association.
Section 8. Suspension of Member
Members failing to pay their dues may be suspended or dropped from the Roll at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and shall thereupon forfeit the rights and privileges of membership in the Association. No member shall be expelled except by a two-thirds’ vote of the members of the Association.
Section 9. Annual Membership Requirement
Every member shall be required to file annually with the Executive Vice-President a statement setting out in full, the names of the executive officers of his enterprise. Should any change in such personnel occur during the year, he shall promptly notify the Executive Vice-President.
As of January 1, 2022, Membership fees are:
1) Active Members [Agaricus] $0.22 per square ft. cased/week [average of 52 wks]
2) Active Members [Small Non Agaricus] $385.00 [+ HST]
3) Associate Members $545.00 [+ HST]
4) Spawn Supplier $1,160 [+ HST]