AFCOOP is a member-run arts-centre that welcomes anyone interested in creating films. Our members come from a wide variety of backgrounds including students, emerging and experienced filmmakers from all walks of life. AFCOOP’s past and present membership include some of the most acclaimed filmmakers in our region.
Many opportunities and resources become available to you when you become a member of AFCOOP. There are various types of membership and each has its own requirements and advantages. The only prerequisite for membership is that you are a resident of Nova Scotia.
Download The Membership Form in pdf format
Associate Membership
This membership can be the first step in becoming a Full Member. Benefits of Associate Membership: - Discounts on AFCOOP workshops and courses - Discounts on AFCOOP sponsored screening events - AFCOOP’s quarterly newsletter, WORKPRINT, delivered to your home or emailed - Emailed AFCOOP bi-weekly e-newsletter the Big Email - Access to information resources and our book and video libraries Limitations of Associate Membership: Voting privileges and discounts on equipment rentals are not included. Membership Expiration All associate memberships expire annually on April 1st To become an Associate Member, you must: - Fill out an application form - Pay the annual fee of $40.00. This fee must be paid annually to maintain Associate Membership status.
Full Membership
Benefits of Full Membership: - All of the benefits of Associate Membership - Substantial equipment and facility rental discounts - Eligibility to apply for production funding grants - Full members can serve officially on standing committees and have full voting privileges. To become a Full member, you must: - Complete 10 hours of Co-op volunteer work - Attend two AFCOOP meetings (one of which must be a General Meeting) - Be voted in as a Full member at an AFCOOP General Meeting. A Full member present at the General Meeting must volunteer to sponsor your membership - Sign the membership contract; pay your annual fee of $70 ($35 for students/ seniors/ unwaged and underwaged members in the community.) (If you are already an associate member at the time you can pay the upgrade fee of $20.00 and the renewal date for this fee is the date of your original application.) - Full members must pay their annual membership fee and contribute 10 hours per year to Co-op volunteer work to maintain this Full Membership status. Membership Expiration All full memberships expire annually on April 1st
Lifetime Membership
Benefits of Lifetime Membership: - All of the benefits of Associate and Full Memberships - Lifetime Members do not have to pay annual fees To Become a Lifetime Member: - Be actively involved in the Coop for at least ten years - Be nominated and voted in as a Lifetime Member at an AFCOOP Annual General Meeting - Lifetime Members must continue to contribute 10 volunteer hours annually
Production Membership
Benefits of Production Membership: - AFCOOP’s quarterly newsletter, WORKPRINT, delivered to your home or email - Emailed AFCOOP bi-weekly e-newsletter the Big Email - A discount on equipment and facility rental fees for non-commercial, independent films. Limitations of Membership Voting privileges, access to AFCOOP funding, and discounts on our workshops and courses are not included in this membership Membership Expiration All production memberships expire annually on April 1st To become an Equipment Member: Fill out an application form and pay a fee of $180. This fee is paid annually to maintain Equipment Membership status. Download the Membership Application as a PDF
Withdrawal of Membership (Full members)
AFCOOP members are expected to abide by the policies established by the Board of Directors and the AFCOOP Membership. A Membership can be withdrawn under the following circumstances: - Not paying your annual $60 fee (there is a 3-month grace period, after which the member is stricken from the Full Member list and must go through the whole process again). - Not attending General Meetings or sending regrets. If a member misses two meetings in a row without sending regrets to the AFCOOP office prior to the General Meeting, then s/he gets downgraded to Associate Member. This may be appealed at the next General Meeting. - Not paying fines as incurred. - Not completing 10 hours of volunteer work per year. - Not reporting equipment damage. - Not giving accurate info regarding equipment or facility rental (type of production, equipment users, etc.). - Theft of any equipment
Sponsorship
Prospective Full Members are to be sponsored by a full member who knows them and their interest in film. Sponsors act as a mentor to the new member by facilitating their understanding of AFCOOP’s operations, facilities and services. The sponsor must make him/herself available to the new member. It is recommended that they meet at least one time after s/he is voted in.
Membership Agreement
This is the form that all new members sign. It communicates the membership policies and ensures that the new member understands how to maintain and upgrade his/her membership. It is where contact information is obtained, so that newsletters and other information can be received. We maintain a database of membership. We ask members to update changes of information by contacting AFCOOP.
