Costs of Incorporating an organisation

[MadamePandora]

Seems the best bet to form an Australia wide group is to incorporate an Association in one state then submit to become a registered body so it can operate Australia wide.

 

Each state has its own fee structure for this. (these fees are just for the incorporation, not including the registration as a national body)

 

QLD $117.00 QLD fees

NSW $109.00 NSW fees

ACT $142.00 ACT fees

VIC $58.50 (if we use the model rules), $116.90 (own rules) Vic Fees

TAS $133 TAS fees

NT $65 NT fees

SA $156 SA fees

WA $126.00 WA fees

 

OR ALTERNATIVELY

 

We could approach one of the groups that already exists and either work with them to increase the awareness of legalisation... and/or ask them to let us form a subgroup of their existing group.

 

There appear to be several groups, some active some not, that are already registered with the intention to promote the legalisation of cannabis. I have not approached ANY of them yet, as I want to know what YOU the potential Activists think ....

 

Some groups I have seen or heard of include

• the HEMP Embassy at Nimbin
   
  
• http://www.nimbinaustralia.com/aclrm/
   
  
• http://www.420australia.com/
   
  
• THE CANNABIS LAW REFORM SOCIETY INCORPORATED is a registered name with ASIC but i have not been able to find contact details for it yet
   
  
• NATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR REFORM OF MARIJUANA LAWS (S.A.) INCORPORATED (presumably a sub-branch of the US based NORML, but can't find contact info for this one*edited to add details*)
  

 

 

So what do you think? join an existing group or make a new group? Pro's and con's welcome. Discuss this, put YOUR opinion forward.

[CannabisMan]

We could approach one of the groups that already exists and either work with them to increase the awareness of legalisation... and/or ask them to let us form a subgroup of their existing group.

 

That's probably the best bet the more i think about it the more that seems to make the most sense.

 

and or i know some older members here have a dim view of NORML due to past attempts at contact. But maybe we could get past the past and give it a try also

http://norml.org/pdf_files/application.pdf

Edited August 22, 2009 by LawnMowerMan

[smokinjoe]

To my mind it would be best to either form a completely new group or associated yourself with NORML or another global powerforce of Cannabis reform.

 

A clean cut professional image would probably get us a lot further than presenting the group as a bunch of hippy stoners.

[MadamePandora]

Suppose I'd better put forward my personal opinion now...

 

I wasn't too impressed with the bloke from NORML who came here (Michael ?) and posted in the topic about making a NORML Australia branch.

 

I felt he didn't have a good understanding of the way Australians think or operate, and that as a group they didn't have much they could offer us in the way of practical help in exchange for our membership fees going to the USA. To be specific, their legal contacts and legal advice won't be much use to us because our legal system is different, so is our political system and we don't necessarily have the same rights in our constitution either.

 

However they do seem to be a group that is relatively well known in Australia, and that could work in our favour. It might be easier than trying to blaze a new path with a name that is not even remotely familiar to people. If people are seriously interested in joining with NORML I'd be willing to open a dialogue with them to see what assistance we are likely to get on a practical level for our dollars. (And no, I am not expecting them to fly in a team of crack negotiators to run a campaign for us, ). But I do expect some real help, or else it would be a waste of time and money.

[MadamePandora]

Oh and NORML seems to have some competition in the USA

 

The Marijuana Policy Project http://www.mpp.org/

 

Not at all sure if they would be able or willing to provide advice to us. But I am again willing to approach them.

 

I also thought it might be an idea to approach The UKCIA (UK Cannabis Internet Activists) http://www.ukcia.org/ as their legal system is likely to be more closely aligned to ours, and we are still part of the Commonwealth.

 

Also their is a large Canadian group, Cannabis Facts, http://frankdiscussion.netfirms.com/index.htm who also might be able to assist us in planning a campaign, again because they are at least within the Commonwealth too.

 

Just suggesting that we may not need to restrict ourselves to relying solely on the USA for advice and guidance.

 

[Token]

Personally I shy away from American based groups - just because I have had experience in the past of becoming apart of an American organization and almost loosing identity and profits overseas. I mean the only benefit I really see from it is that they are already a well established global organization, but if we have our own home-grown organization it not only feels more patriotic but it means less fiddle fuddle with the over all organization of the funds etc. The groups in nimbin are also already well established, but I have to admit they do have that underlying stigma of just being crazy tree monkey hippy stoners - revolutionised by a 70s coming of age type festival (If that makes sense - I'm trying to be light hearted here haha). So, with this in mind and the fact that most of us on here (from what I can tell) understand the importance in this day and age of professionalism and the appearance of professionalism, a Professiona Aussie based org is best.

 

Creating your own organization means you can do whatever you want with it and being Australian - specialize in local laws.

 

I just had a thought.. Is there anyone of our fine States / Territories that would be more likely to pass a state law more so than the others?? It may be an idea to start an organization in whichever state is more lenient.. SA for example?? then expand...maybe, I'd have to do some reading again.

 

Either way as an activist I'd be more likely to associate / join a home grown group :-)

[CannabisMan]

Legalise Cannabis Alliance UK

 

Aims and Principles

LEGALISE CANNABIS ALLIANCE, PO Box 2883, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 9EE

 

SIGN UP TO AGREE WITH US

 

PRINCIPLES

 

• We believe the use of cannabis ought to be a matter of choice and not of law.

• We believe that the prohibition of cannabis is against the public interest.

• We believe that the prohibition of cannabis contravenes Human Rights.

• We believe that the prohibition of cannabis inhibits the use of a beneficial resource.

• We believe that the legalisation of cannabis is a very important step that should be taken to benefit the people and their environment.

 

AIMS

 

• To hasten the full legalisation and utilisation of the cannabis plant for the good of the peoples of this world, on a local, national and international level.

• To secure the release of all prisoners convicted only of cannabis offences and to ensure that all criminal records for cannabis offences are expunged.

• To encourage public and private research into the many beneficial uses of cannabis including industrial, social and medical uses for the good of the people

. • To halt all criminal prosecutions for the use of cannabis as a social or private relaxant including its uses as a sacrament or in religious or other ritual.

• To provide a voice for those in society persecuted and prosecuted for cannabis activities that victimise none.

 

PROPOSALS

 

• That cannabis and cannabis products should be removed from the UK Misuse of Drugs Act, thereby being legalised.

• That the possession, cultivation and use of pure cannabis and cannabis products be free from prosecution

• That cannabis be re-introduced into our society.

• That high priority be given to the cultivation of cannabis for the express purpose of the localised production of virtually cost-free fuels through the process of pyrolysis on cannabis biomass, and as a source of fibre and hurd.

• That provision be made to enable the setting up of public establishments where the use of cannabis is permitted.

• That provision be made to enable the setting up of outlets for the legal supply of cannabis.

• That at least the same level of protection be given to the cannabis consumer as is given to the consumers of other commodities: weights and measures, quality etc.

• That all prisoners presently held only on cannabis convictions or charges be released from custody without delay and that all criminal records for cannabis offences be expunged.

 

They are UK based so their legal system should be basically the same utilising house of representatives and a senate.

[Priceadon2]

I really like there consititution. It's smart to the point and not overly hard to understand. This is a great skeleton to use for your org.

I would change a few things but basically it says what needs to be said in a short format<<<<<< I likes

[jabez]

Personally I think creating a new australian organization would be best. But, either way it would probably be a good idea to contact these other organizations to see if there even interested or can offer any assistance or help setting it up.

[MadamePandora]

PO boxes are about $150 to set up and about $60 a year thereafter to maintain.

 

I can get one near my place if we go ahead to to form our own group