Just so you know…

Friend K has explained the distinction between the different groups and membership styles on a Facebook site.   She said: ‘Hi all, a quick post to help explain the difference between Permaculture Tasmania (PT) membership and being a member of our PT local group. You may be any or all of the below:

PT members (ie financial members)
– are folks who support PT by paying the $20/family membership.

PT members have the option to receive all our email communications, get discounts through our partners, can join the committee, participate in AGMs, share their own fee-paying courses/workshops on our social media etc. (Membership fees cover ongoing expenses like web hosting, platform fees, insurance for events activities if not otherwise covered, equipment and venue hire on occasion etc and also go into a kitty to contribute to planning further subsidised events/support of great permie projects etc)

PT subscriber
– are folks who receive the PT newsletters. Being subscribed to the PT newsletter isn’t the same as PT membership (but obviously you are still an important part of the permie community) .

Local group member
– Local groups are also open to all. We encourage those who can afford $20/year to join up as PT members but it is not a requirement.

Some events will request that non-PT-members contribute a non-subsidised fee (where you can afford it) to make it fairer for everyone. Where event numbers need to be limited due to Covid restrictions, in most cases we will preference members that support PT financially – because it is their support that makes many of the events and insurance cover possible in the first place.

We do recognise there are other ways to support PT than just financially though. If your PT membership has lapsed or you wish to sign up for the first time – read more about the benefits and get onboard here.’

This Facebook post prompted me to pay $20 and join Permaculture Tasmania because I have benefited from the organisation directly and indirectly over the past year or so – it seemed rude not to join and support. Perhaps some blog followers might follow similarly wherever they live – there are permaculture groups around the world. But remember, as K said, ‘there are other ways to support than just financially’.