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Building Stronger Communities Together


Community Group Membership is designed for intentional communities, ecovillages, co-housing projects, landshare initiatives, cooperative housing organisations, community land trusts and other place-based organisations working towards more sustainable, connected and resilient ways of living.


As Australia’s national peak body for the intentional community sector, AEON exists to strengthen the communities movement through advocacy, collaboration, education and practical support.


Membership connects your community to a growing national network working together to improve policy, share knowledge, increase public awareness and create opportunities for communities across Australia.

Member Benefits

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As a Community Group Member, your organisation receives access to a comprehensive range of benefits designed specifically for community-led organisations.

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National Representation

 

AEON advocates on behalf of member communities with all levels of government, industry, regulators and the broader public.

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We work to improve:

  • Planning policy

  • Housing regulation

  • Alternative tenure recognition

  • Community finance

  • Infrastructure access

  • Sustainability policy

  • Regional development

  • Community-led housing initiatives

 
National Community Directory

 

Your community receives a profile within the AEON National Directory including:

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  • Community description

  • Photos

  • Contact details

  • Website links

  • Location

  • Membership enquiries

  • Areas of interest

  • Visitor opportunities (optional)

 

This increases visibility to prospective residents, volunteers, researchers, government and industry.

 
Interactive Community Map

 

Display your community on Australia’s national map of intentional communities and ecoliving organisations, helping prospective members and partners discover your organisation.

 
Professional Promotion

 

Members may be featured through:

  • AEON website

  • Social media

  • Newsletter

  • Media opportunities

  • Community showcases

  • Case studies

  • Events

  • Research publications

 
Advocacy and Policy

 

Help shape Australia’s future intentional community sector.

 

Members may:

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  • Contribute to policy submissions

  • Participate in consultations

  • Join working groups

  • Vote on strategic priorities

  • Help identify sector challenges

  • Influence government reform

 
Resources and Knowledge

 

Access a growing library of:

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  • Governance resources

  • Legal information

  • Planning guidance

  • Best practice documents

  • Community development tools

  • Templates and policies

  • Research papers

  • Funding opportunities

 
Networking

 

Connect with:

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  • Existing communities

  • Emerging projects

  • Professionals

  • Consultants

  • Researchers

  • Government agencies

  • Industry partners

  • Universities

 

Build partnerships that strengthen your community and the wider movement.

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Education and Events

 

Receive discounted or priority access to:

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  • Conferences

  • Workshops

  • Webinars

  • Professional development

  • Community visits

  • Training programs

  • Networking events

 
Funding Opportunities

 

Receive notifications of:

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  • Grants

  • Partnerships

  • Pilot programs

  • Research collaborations

  • Sponsorship opportunities

  • Auspicing opportunities (where applicable)

 
Community Support

 

Members may seek assistance with:

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  • Community establishment

  • Governance

  • Constitutions

  • Strategic planning

  • Membership structures

  • Planning pathways

  • Community engagement

  • Conflict resolution referrals

  • Professional referrals

 
Voting Rights

 

Community Group Members are Voting Members of AEON.

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Eligible representatives may:

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  • Vote at General Meetings

  • Elect Membership Panels

  • Nominate representatives

  • Participate in constitutional governance

  • Help determine AEON’s strategic direction

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Membership Policy

Eligibility

Community Group Membership is available to organisations that:

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  • Operate an intentional community or community-led housing initiative; or

  • Are actively developing a genuine intentional community project; or

  • Represent an established community organisation aligned with AEON’s purpose.

 

Examples include:

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  • Intentional communities

  • Ecovillages

  • Co-housing developments

  • Community land trusts

  • Landshare organisations

  • Cooperative housing

  • Tiny house communities

  • Regenerative living communities

  • Indigenous-led community initiatives

  • Other community-led sustainable living models

 

Applicants must demonstrate alignment with AEON’s Objects, Constitution and Code of Conduct.

 

Applications are assessed by the relevant Membership Assessment Panel. AEON may request additional information before determining an application.

Membership Renewal

Membership is renewed annually.

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Renewal is subject to:

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  • Continued eligibility.

  • Payment of applicable fees.

  • Ongoing compliance with AEON policies.

Member Responsibilities

Members agree to:

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  • Support the Objects and purposes of AEON.

  • Act honestly, respectfully and professionally.

  • Promote constructive collaboration within the sector.

  • Maintain accurate membership information.

  • Nominate an authorised representative for voting and communications.

  • Pay membership fees when due.

  • Comply with the Constitution, policies and Code of Conduct.

  • Notify AEON of significant organisational changes.

Suspension or Termination

Membership may be suspended or cancelled where a member:

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  • No longer meets eligibility requirements.

  • Seriously breaches AEON’s Constitution or Code of Conduct.

  • Acts in a manner that materially damages AEON’s reputation or objectives.

  • Fails to pay membership fees after reasonable notice.

 

Any suspension or termination will follow principles of procedural fairness, including notice of concerns and an opportunity to respond.

Terms & Conditions

By applying for Community Group Membership, your organisation agrees that:

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  • Membership is subject to approval by AEON.

  • Membership fees are payable annually and are generally non-refundable once membership has commenced, except where required by law.

  • Membership does not guarantee funding, grants, accreditation, endorsements or government recognition.

  • Voting rights are exercised only through the community’s nominated representative in accordance with the Constitution.

  • Members retain ownership of their own intellectual property.

  • Members grant AEON permission to display approved information, logos and images for promotional and directory purposes, unless otherwise requested.

  • AEON may communicate with members regarding advocacy, events, policy updates, research, funding opportunities and member services.

  • Personal information will be managed in accordance with AEON’s Privacy Policy and applicable Australian privacy legislation.

  • Members may resign at any time by providing written notice. Membership fees already paid are generally not refundable.

  • AEON reserves the right to amend membership policies and conditions, with notice provided to members in accordance with the Constitution.

Get in Touch

info@aeon.org.au

Rusty Windmill
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