Important insurance information for unincorporated groups.
Please Note: Unincorporated Associations
Unincorporated associations are organisations with no separate legal identity from that of its members.
Liability of the members is generally personal and not limited. Therefore, committee members may personally bear the financial responsibilities of their unincorporated group. If actions are brought against the group, legal responsibility must be placed somewhere, and such responsibility will generally be allocated to the committee, the secretary or the person signing a document in question.
Insurance Coverage
Some of QWaLC’s community NRM groups are not incorporated. Groups can use the following methods to have their activities covered by insurance.
Coverage by an Incorporated Community NRM Group
The QWaLC policy enables an insured and registered QWaLC member group to auspice unincorporated groups and participants in activities authorised by that QWaLC member group.
Unincorporated groups are advised to seek out a neighouring QWALC member group and discuss options for auspicing activities.
Contact QWaLC if you would like the name of your neighbouring insured group.
Fictitious example
The Friends of Putna Creek group did not want to become incorporated. They asked their neighbouring incorporated QWaLC member group, Wallamy Landcare Group, if they could be covered under their insurance. Wallamy Landcare Group agreed.
Before The Friends of Putna Creek host a tree planting they inform Wallamy Landcare Group. Wallamy Landcare Group can then agree to authorise the event verbally and make a note of it in their records.
Friends of Putna Creek provide a sign-up sheet on the day of their tree planting, and give a copy of this sheet to Wallamy Landcare Group. Now Wallamy Landcare Group have a record of the individuals that were carrying out its authorised activities and that were covered by its insurance policies.
Coverage by Local Councils
Some groups have their activities covered by the local council. Contact your local council to find out if this is a possibility.
Apply for Membership
QWaLC offers membership to community NRM volunteer groups. This includes groups such as, Landcare inc Coastcare, Bushcare, Catchment Associations, Species-specific protection groups and Friends of groups.
Apply Here