Distinguishing between Affiliate Organizations and Corporate Members
Created January 2024 – Updated September 28, 2025.
Definitions
Affiliated Organizations of the OMEA are organizations or groups who:
- do not chiefly engage in commerce/service/products within the music education community or any community.
- primarily engage in music activities and who support music educators, with or on behalf of their membership under the leadership of a primarily volunteer board.
- are established groups that the OMEA works with in collegiality within the profession of music education and in the spirit of music education. ? use a non-partisan approach that upholds the values of the OMEA and, in whole or in part, shares the same or similar values of advocating and promoting quality music education for every learner.
- promote equity, diversity and inclusion and meet the current values of the OMEA.
As both the OMEA and affiliate organizations evolve, the OMEA reserves the right to review affiliate organizations to determine if they continue to qualify for affiliate status.
The OMEA reserves the right to reject an application for corporate or affiliate membership for any reason.
Corporate members of the OMEA are organizations or groups who:
- are primarily engaged in commerce/service/products in the music industry, which may influence but is not necessarily related to the music education community.
- may be not-for-profit organizations that engage in commerce, which may include paid staff or resource developers.
As both the OMEA and corporate organizations evolve, the OMEA reserves the right to review corporate organizations to determine if they continue to qualify for corporate status
The OMEA reserves the right to reject an application for corporate or affiliate membership for any reason.
Responsibilities
Affiliated Groups:
- are encouraged to complete a report for each board meeting (5 regular meetings in addition to the AGM)
- A minimum of one report at either the Sept, Nov, Jan, March or June is required to keep the affiliate status from year to year. If no report is submitted by the June meeting of any given year, the affiliate will be notified that their affiliate status will be revoked and the organization will need to complete a new application to reinstate their affiliation. This will affect their ability to participate in the annual conference as an affiliate for that year.
Corporate Members:
- will share when possible OMEA upcoming events with their clients/customers (social media, email lists, posters, newsletters) and; ? keep their membership with the OMEA up to date.
Benefits
Affiliated Groups:
- are able to add events (listing) to ‘Take Note’ area of Recorder (in each issue) and;
- can share updates on the organization through the “Connections” area of the Recorder (one issue per year) and;
- are able to have an active link on website as affiliate and; 2
- there is a potential for joint potential for joint creative projects e.g., writing, presentations, events and;
- booth rates at conferences are discounted.
Corporate Members:
- may have a profile in Recorder (one time) and;
- there will be a listing in Recorder (each issue) and;
- the OMEA will provide notice of any workshops/conferences and invitation to participate and/or provide materials to participants and;
- each corporate member has the opportunity to place a banner on website and;
- there will be a listing on website with active link to their website if desired and;
- each corporate member has one vote at the AGM.
AFFILIATE GROUP: PAUSE OF AFFILIATION CLAUSE
There have been occasions where affiliate groups have wished to pause, but not terminate their affiliation with the OMEA.
These circumstances may include:
– Directorship change at the affiliate
– Temporary hiatus of the affiliate group
– Inability to meet the requirements of an OMEA affiliate for a brief period – Other extenuating circumstances as identified by the affiliate
Conference Considerations:
– In the event of an affiliate pause, the affiliate will not be eligible for a conference booth at the affiliate rate
– If an affiliate registers for a conference booth at the affiliate rate and then requests a membership pause, they will be invoiced for the additional amount required for a conference booth at the non-affiliate rate should their request to pause be approved by the board
– If an affiliate registers for a conference booth at the affiliate rate and then requests a membership pause that is DECLINED, they can choose to remain an OMEA affiliate or terminate their affiliation. If the affiliation is terminated, they will be invoiced for the additional amount required for a conference booth at the non-affiliate rate.
– The conference implications for affiliates requesting a pause should be communicated to the affiliate by the OMEA president.
Should an affiliate wish to pause their OMEA affiliation, they must: – Submit their request to pause in writing via an affiliate report to president@omea.on.ca that clearly articulates the circumstances necessitating a pause, and how long the pause will be (maximum 2 years)
Upon Receipt of the Request, the OMEA Board will
– Discuss the written request for a pause to affiliation at the next board meeting or in an electronic motion if appropriate
– Vote as a board to pause the affiliation for no more than 2 years
Should the pause vote pass:
– The affiliate will be notified of the pause by the OMEA president – The affiliate member will be temporarily removed from our List of Affiliates (internally and on the website)
– The OMEA will reach out to the paused affiliate approximately 2 months before the term of the pause ends to confirm the resume date of affiliation
– Should the affiliate not reply to this contact or not wish to resume affiliation, the agreement will be terminated
– Notification of this will be sent from the OMEA president – In the case of termination, the affiliate must reapply to become an OMEA affiliate should they wish to do so
Should the vote to pause NOT pass:
– The affiliate member will be notified that they were not approved for a paused affiliation
– The affiliate member will then notify the president if they wish to continue as an affiliate, OR terminate the affiliation
– Should the terminated Affiliate wish to become an OMEA Affiliate after termination, they must reapply through the Affiliate Application process
*There is no option to pause a corporate membership.