# supported members

#### What the Rules say

"Any regular user supported by the services of the Co-operative may be admitted into membership. The Board may, by providing prior written consent, accept an application from a Supported Member to change their membership category to become a Worker Member. Such a Member shall cease to be a Supported member from the date the consent to change membership category is issued by the Board."

#### What the Bylaws say

To become a Supported Member:

(a) Any person supported by Equal Care Co-op, whether through volunteer or paid support, may apply to become a member after two months of regular support.

If someone stops being supported by Equal Care Co-op, this automatically ends Supported Membership.

{% hint style="info" %}
Regular support consists of at least two hours per week, excluding any trial period.
{% endhint %}

(b) There is a short application form to complete:

1. Why do you want to be a member of Equal Care Co-op?
2. What is it about the Equal Care vision that matters to you most?
3. Please can you tell us about a particular concern or issue about care and support work that you would like to see change and see Equal Care Co-op doing?

(c) And you need to agree to the [Members' Commitment](/the-bylaws/members/members-commitment.md)


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