No it is not. Grandparents Victoria enjoys support from members of parliament from the Liberal party, Labor party, National party and the Independent members of parliament. In fact, one independent MP is a grandparent and a member. We will do all we can to ensure that support continues to be drawn from widely across the political spectrum.
Our members are currently drawn from all walks of life and all political views. Any differences amongst us become unimportant when talking about our grandchildren. We are bound together by our determination to do more to improve the matters for the community's grandchildren.
Grandparents determine the priorities of the association. Members, who are grandparents are invited to complete a questionnaire. The results of this questionnaire form the basis for the association's priorities that are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are current. The next review is due in September 2002.
It was started by a small group of grandparents who thought that there was a need for an association that promoted the role of grandparents in the 21st century and took action to support grandchildren across the community.
As a large section of society grandparents have a responsibility to be active in support of the needs of grandchildren.
As much, or as little, as they are able to undertake. We have members who are very active in their local communities and others who participate more passively. The most important thing members can do in this early stage is to join up and help shape the priorities of the association. That way they are giving voice to grandparent's views and being part of the statewide effort to have grandparents better recognised as a dynamic force in society.
Anyone. However, only grandparents can become full members. This restriction is designed to ensure that Grandparents Victoria reflects the views of grandparents and not the views of others. Many people and organisations wishing to support our work are becoming associate members. This entitles them to all membership benefits other than being able to stand for election to the Board or influence the priorities of the association.
The joining fee is kept as low as possible in order to make it possible for people from all economic backgrounds to join and make the association representative of grandparents from all walks of life.
We employ a range of strategies according to the needs and interests of our members. All strategies either inform the wider community of our views or further educate us about issues in which we are interested. Much of what we do is based on the assumption that our members can go on learning and become well informed articulate advocates for families. Our suite of strategies includes: