Terms of Service

SISMA (SISMA Incorporated) is a non-profit community association incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW), dedicated to the welfare of Tamil Nadu origin residing in NSW.

1. 1.1

   These Terms of Service govern your use of SISMA's services, website, digital member portal, and membership benefits.

2. 1.2

   These terms operate alongside the SISMA Constitution. In case of conflict, the Constitution prevails.

1. 2.1

   To be eligible for General Membership you must be Muslim, of Tamil Nadu origin, a resident in NSW, at least 18 years of age, and hold Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency (Constitution §3, §4)

2. 2.2

   Spouses and descendants of eligible members may also apply regardless of place of origin (Constitution §3.2).

3. 2.3

   Associate Membership is available to persons meeting §3.3 of the Constitution who do not meet General Membership criteria but hold work-rights visas.

4. 2.4

   Associate Members cannot hold elected committee positions (Constitution §5.3).

1. 3.1

   Individual Membership: $100/year (or $10/month).

2. 3.2

   Family Membership (covers spouse and children under 21): $200/year (or $20/month).

3. 3.3

   Fees are due annually at the start of each financial year (1 July). New members must pay within 28 days of approval notice.

4. 3.4

   Membership fees are non-refundable and non-transferable (Constitution §8.6).

5. 3.5

   Members who fail to pay within 3 months of the due date cease to be members (Constitution §14.1.d).

6. 3.6

   Each member is required to volunteer at least once per year at an association event (Constitution §3.4).

1. 4.1

   Financially current General and Associate members have voting rights at general meetings (Constitution §5.1, §42.1).

2. 4.2

   All financially current members are entitled to benefits and incentives as determined by the committee (Constitution §5.4).

3. 4.3

   Membership rights are personal and cannot be transferred to another person (Constitution §12).

1. 5.1

   Members must not act wilfully in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the association or commit misconduct that violates this Constitution (Constitution §9.1).

2. 5.2

   The committee may investigate disciplinary matters. Members will be given at least 14 days to respond to any allegations (Constitution §9.2).

3. 5.3

   Disciplinary outcomes may include suspension or expulsion, following a unanimous committee decision (Constitution §9.3).

4. 5.4

   Written notice of outcome and right of appeal will be provided within 7 days of the decision (Constitution §9.4).

1. 6.1

   A member may appeal a disciplinary resolution by lodging written notice with the Secretary within 7 days of being served notice (Constitution §10.1).

2. 6.2

   The committee may investigate disciplinary matters. Members will be given at least 14 days to respond to any allegations (Constitution §9.2).

3. 6.3

   A general meeting will be called within 28 days to hear the appeal. The appeal is decided by simple majority of members present (Constitution §10.4–10.6).

1. 7.1

   Disputes between members, or between a member and the association, are to be referred to the committee through official communication channels (Constitution §11.1).

2. 7.2

   The committee will acknowledge receipt within 3 working days and aim to resolve the matter within 14 days. Complex matters may take up to 28 days (Constitution §11.3, §11.4).

3. 7.3

   Unresolved significant disputes (e.g. constitutional breaches, fraud, harassment) may be escalated to the Board of Trustees, whose decision is final (Constitution §11.5–11.7).

1. 8.1

   Membership ceases if you die, resign, are expelled, or fail to pay fees within 3 months of the due date (Constitution §14).

2. 8.2

   To resign, provide the Secretary with at least 1 month's written notice. Membership ceases at the end of the notice period (Constitution §13).

3. 8.3

   An expelled member must return any association property and pay all outstanding amounts (Constitution §9.6).

1. 9.1

   The SISMA website and member portal are provided for the exclusive use of members and authorised visitors.

2. 9.2

   You must not misuse the portal, share login credentials, or attempt to access another member's account.

3. 9.3

   SISMA reserves the right to suspend portal access for members in breach of these terms.

1. 10.1

   These Terms of Service may be revised by the committee in accordance with the Constitution. Material changes will be communicated to members through official channels.

2. 10.2

   Amendments to the Constitution require a special resolution as set out in Clause 44 of the Constitution.