| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
What is Come Out Australia?
Come Out Australia is a community based social group with branches and networks across
Australia. At the moment we are mainly situated in suburban Sydney, however plans are afoot
to create more branches across Sydney, NSW and Australia all the time.
Who runs COA?
COA is run by a dedicated committee on a strictly volunteer basis. We work closely with many
different organisations, however we are totally independent. The committee is made up of
members of COA who have been elected to their positions by the overall membership of the
organisation.
Does anyone get paid to run the organisation?
No. We are all volunteers. We will on occasion hire a professional, such as a DJ for our dances
or an instructor for self defence classes or the film and drama project, however this is only on
a "as needed" basis. Committee members and branch coordinators are not paid.
We try to reimburse any out of pocket expenses, but these expenses must be approved
beforehand and remain within the budget of the organisation.
How is COA funded?
We are a self supporting organisation. We raise money through our dances, BBQ's and other
activities, as well as membership fees and donations from our members and the general
public. We do apply for grants from various bodies for certain projects. In 2007 we were
funded by the Aurora Group to train our coordinators in the running coming out groups.
How do I start a branch in my area?
There may already be one close by, so check our website first. If not, then send us an email.
We are happy to assist you in starting a branch in any area of Australia. The most important
thing is to have committed people to organise and run events over a period of time.
How do I join a local branch?
Our contacts page has a list of all the branch coordinators contact details or you can contact
our head office on 02-9773-0414 or 04739-730-414 or send us an email and we'll put you in
touch with the local branch.
How do I become a member?
We consider anyone who turns up and includes themselves as a part of COA to be a member.
We do have financial membership which entitles you to vote at our Annual and Extraordinary
General Meetings, as well as run for an office bearing position.
To become a financial member, simply go to the membership page, fill out the online form and
pay your membership via Paypal.
If you do not have a credit card, you can download the form and post it to us with a cheque or
hand it with cash payment to your branch coordinator or a committee member at any of our
functions or meetings.
Where do my membership fees go?
Membership fees (and donations) are split. 90% of the membership fee will go to the branch
you join and 10% to the overall organisation. COA has to cover the basic costs of
incorporation and insurance, as well as maintaining the website, and general office expenses.
Our committee members may also need to travel a fair way across the various regions to
establish new branches or assist existing ones; on occasions the travel costs may need to be
covered. Branches need to cover the costs of organising and promoting local events and
projects.
Can I join more than one branch?
Any individual can only hold one membership of COA. You can affiliate yourself with as many
branches as you wish, however you do have to nominate a home branch.
Do you offer counselling?
Whilst we are not a counselling service, many of our coordinators are trained to assist people
in the coming out process. Our branches and activities are designed to offer support through
social interaction.
Can COA help me find a partner?
This is not what we do. There have been a few people meet each other at COA events and
ride off into the sunset to live happily ever after, and we are very pleased for them: but this is
not what we are about. The aim of our organisation is to establish a social network for GLBTQ
people to meet each other and address any issues in their local regions or across the nation.
Can COA help me to promote my business?
We like to support GLBTQ owned businesses wherever possible. Any form of promotion that
COA undertakes must be beneficial to the COA organisation and ALL our members. To
promote your business through COA, we would need to discuss what arrangements can be
made to benefit our members. This may be as simple as us selling you advertising space on
our website or newsletters, or you providing COA with either goods or services. Contact us and
we'll see what we can do for you.
Can I obtain the COA membership data base to promote my business, event or other
community organisation?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Our members details are confidential and protected by our privacy policy.
If you wish to promote your business or private event, please see the answer above.
If you are a community organisation or have a community event happening, send us the details
and if we will consider it. As long as the promotion is within our charter, we will try to promote it
to our membership through our extensive data base.
Come Out Australia is a community based social group with branches and networks across
Australia. At the moment we are mainly situated in suburban Sydney, however plans are afoot
to create more branches across Sydney, NSW and Australia all the time.
Who runs COA?
COA is run by a dedicated committee on a strictly volunteer basis. We work closely with many
different organisations, however we are totally independent. The committee is made up of
members of COA who have been elected to their positions by the overall membership of the
organisation.
Does anyone get paid to run the organisation?
No. We are all volunteers. We will on occasion hire a professional, such as a DJ for our dances
or an instructor for self defence classes or the film and drama project, however this is only on
a "as needed" basis. Committee members and branch coordinators are not paid.
We try to reimburse any out of pocket expenses, but these expenses must be approved
beforehand and remain within the budget of the organisation.
How is COA funded?
We are a self supporting organisation. We raise money through our dances, BBQ's and other
activities, as well as membership fees and donations from our members and the general
public. We do apply for grants from various bodies for certain projects. In 2007 we were
funded by the Aurora Group to train our coordinators in the running coming out groups.
How do I start a branch in my area?
There may already be one close by, so check our website first. If not, then send us an email.
We are happy to assist you in starting a branch in any area of Australia. The most important
thing is to have committed people to organise and run events over a period of time.
How do I join a local branch?
Our contacts page has a list of all the branch coordinators contact details or you can contact
our head office on 02-9773-0414 or 04739-730-414 or send us an email and we'll put you in
touch with the local branch.
How do I become a member?
We consider anyone who turns up and includes themselves as a part of COA to be a member.
We do have financial membership which entitles you to vote at our Annual and Extraordinary
General Meetings, as well as run for an office bearing position.
To become a financial member, simply go to the membership page, fill out the online form and
pay your membership via Paypal.
If you do not have a credit card, you can download the form and post it to us with a cheque or
hand it with cash payment to your branch coordinator or a committee member at any of our
functions or meetings.
Where do my membership fees go?
Membership fees (and donations) are split. 90% of the membership fee will go to the branch
you join and 10% to the overall organisation. COA has to cover the basic costs of
incorporation and insurance, as well as maintaining the website, and general office expenses.
Our committee members may also need to travel a fair way across the various regions to
establish new branches or assist existing ones; on occasions the travel costs may need to be
covered. Branches need to cover the costs of organising and promoting local events and
projects.
Can I join more than one branch?
Any individual can only hold one membership of COA. You can affiliate yourself with as many
branches as you wish, however you do have to nominate a home branch.
Do you offer counselling?
Whilst we are not a counselling service, many of our coordinators are trained to assist people
in the coming out process. Our branches and activities are designed to offer support through
social interaction.
Can COA help me find a partner?
This is not what we do. There have been a few people meet each other at COA events and
ride off into the sunset to live happily ever after, and we are very pleased for them: but this is
not what we are about. The aim of our organisation is to establish a social network for GLBTQ
people to meet each other and address any issues in their local regions or across the nation.
Can COA help me to promote my business?
We like to support GLBTQ owned businesses wherever possible. Any form of promotion that
COA undertakes must be beneficial to the COA organisation and ALL our members. To
promote your business through COA, we would need to discuss what arrangements can be
made to benefit our members. This may be as simple as us selling you advertising space on
our website or newsletters, or you providing COA with either goods or services. Contact us and
we'll see what we can do for you.
Can I obtain the COA membership data base to promote my business, event or other
community organisation?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Our members details are confidential and protected by our privacy policy.
If you wish to promote your business or private event, please see the answer above.
If you are a community organisation or have a community event happening, send us the details
and if we will consider it. As long as the promotion is within our charter, we will try to promote it
to our membership through our extensive data base.
| DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION WE HAVEN'T COVERED ON THIS LIST? DO YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COA? If so, please fill in the form below or send us an email and we'll get back to you with an answer ASAP. |
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