TCHC NZ Inc Membership Benefits

• Support TCHC NZ Inc, which in turn supports TCHI (Tai Chi for Health Institute)
• Go on the TCHC NZ Inc mailing list to stay informed about TCHC NZ Inc news and events
• A membership card is available to all members on request
• Receive 10% discount on TCH products from Tai Chi Productions NZ agent (Tamara)
• Receive discounts on TCHC NZ Inc products and sponsored events
• Dr Paul Lam, NZ TCHI Master Trainers & Senior Trainers; personally offer discounts to TCHC NZ Inc members for many of the workshops they lead
• Mentoring network available, especially for newer instructors/leaders
• Applications for Tuition Scholarship(s) available each year (Members only)
• Full Members are entitled to use the TCHC NZ Inc logo in their TCH advertising such as; your website, business cards, brochures and posters
• Membership of a nationally recognized body, which promotes health and well-being
• To ensure sustainability of the TCH programme
• To provide stability of the TCH programme
• To provide support for providers and instructors
• To promote wellness and activity in NZ communities
• Continuity of Tai Chi instruction with Dr Lam’s TCH programmes
• Nominations accepted for committee members prior to the AGM (Full Members only)
• Invitation to attend TCHC NZ Inc’s AGM (All Members)
• Voting rights at TCHC NZ Inc’s AGM (Full and Life Members only)
• Share your photos on the TCHC NZ Inc website photo gallery page
• Support the development of TCHC NZ Inc
• Contribute to the growth of TCH programmes within NZ communities

Our Society name: Tai Chi for Health Community NZ Inc

Our Motto: “Keeping Tai Chi Active in New Zealand”

The Purposes of the Society are to:

(a) Ensure sustainability of the (Tai Chi for Health) TCH programme;
(b) Provide stability of the TCH programme;
(c) Provide support for providers and instructors;
(d) Promote wellness and activity in communities;
(e) Facilitate a website to allow networking amongst members;
(f) Seek and promote the membership of TCHC NZ and its members;
(g) Maintain a registry of TCHC NZ members;
(h) Create information sharing and educational events for members;
(i) Promote awareness within the group;
(j) Actively promote the members within the community, via the society’s website and any other advertising that the group chooses to commit to;
(k) Promote quality, expertise, and integrity amongst the members of the Society;
(l) Support the aims and objectives of the TCHC NZ members;
(m) Do anything necessary or helpful to the above purposes.
(n) Develop opportunities, programmes and facilities to enable, encourage and enhance the participation, enjoyment and performance of TCHC NZ members and activities;
(o) Establish, promote and hold national and regional workshops and member training events in New Zealand;
(p) Encourage and promote tai chi as an activity which promotes the health and safety of all participants;
(q) Act in good faith and loyalty with its members to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of Tai Chi for Health in New Zealand including its standards, quality and its reputation for the collective and mutual benefit of TCHC NZ and its members;
(r) Seek, maintain and enhance the reputation of TCHI (Tai Chi for Health Institute) through the implementation of rules, standards and practices which fulfill these objects;
(s) Promote mutual trust and confidence between TCHC NZ and its members and at all times to act on behalf, and in the interests of the members TCH NZ;
(t) Pecuniary gain is not a purpose of the Society.

Membership Privacy Policy:

1. Use, disclosure and retention of information, personal information collected (i.e. name, address, phone number and email address) is utilised for the maintenance of a registry of all TCHC NZ Inc members.
2. Members are invited to provide information (including photograph) for inclusion on the TCHC NZ Inc Website. It is agreed that the information provided then becomes public information.
3. The membership list is used for newsletter mail-outs, and other inner TCHC NZ Inc communications as necessary.
4. Members may use the website directory, through the ‘Find an Instructor‘ link; as a tool for mutual support, networking with other members, and to refer potential tai chi participants to other Members of TCHC NZ Inc.
5. Safeguards are taken to ensure that other personal information is secure.

Conditions of Membership:

1. That the TCHC NZ Inc joining and annual subscriptions are paid directly into the TCHC NZ Inc?s bank account, or by cheque upon acceptance of application.
2. Members agree to accept and abide by the TCHC NZ Inc “Code of Ethics”, both because it is good practice and because it promotes TCHC NZ Inc.
3. A member in good standing is a member who is current with membership dues and who has no complaints upheld against him/her. Membership is maintained in good standing.
4. Members declare that they have no serious criminal convictions against him/her.
5. Membership may be removed or cancelled by the TCHC NZ Inc Committee when any member: Ceases to abide by the conditions of membership; Fails to maintain his/her membership by not paying the annual membership dues within 30 days of due date; Brings or is deemed likely to bring discredit upon the TCHC NZ Inc.
6. Resignation: any member may resign his/her membership by providing to the Secretary written notice to the effect. The resigning member shall not be entitled to any refund of membership fees for any unexpired period of the membership term and cease utilising or promoting the TCHC NZ Inc membership and logo.
7. Changes to contact information or website updates may be made in writing or by email to the Secretary.

Disclaimer:

TCHC NZ Inc takes no responsibility for incorrect information given by members. Information included as a listing on the TCHI website directory does not imply in any way endorsement by TCHC NZ Inc. of any product or service.

Code of Ethics
Tai Chi for Health Community NZ Inc
All members shall:       

1. Adhere to and uphold the Code of Ethics and Rules of Practice as shall be determined by the Society;
2. Only offer services for which they are specifically trained, and only claim knowledge, skills or qualifications actually possessed;
3. Act with integrity, respecting the rights to privacy and confidentiality of others;
4. Use the Society name and logos only in accordance with the prevailing guidelines;
5. Maintain an interest in the well-being of all human beings, regardless of colour, creed or nationality;
6. Members have a duty to protect the natural environment and to minimise any adverse impact their work may have;
7. Members who are instructors and leaders take personal responsibility for ensuring that their conduct adheres to the high standards established in global health communities.  The universal standards of “first do no harm” and “all persons are treated with dignity and respect” are paramount in the practice of teaching and are specifically incorporated into these standards; and in addition instructors and leaders take steps to meet the standards of practice set by the Society;
8. In maintaining standards members who teach Tai Chi for Health (TCH) classes shall:

(a) Prepare and teach their TCH classes within the guidelines of the safe and effective teaching system they have been trained to use;
(b) Continue their personal development as a means to maintain and improve skills, knowledge and professional conduct;
(c) Monitor and encourage all participants to stay within their “comfort zone”;
(d) Respect participants ‘ right to safety by avoiding physical contact;
(e) Treat all participants equally, avoiding favouritism or the appearance of favouritism;
(f) Respect participants’ diversity in all respects;
(g) Respect personal and confidential information disclosed by participants;
(h) Be aware of the limits of their skills, experience and knowledge;
(i) Consult with mentors and knowledgeable professionals when such consultations are needed;
(j) Refer participants to their health professional when asked about health concerns by the participant.

9. Responsibility to Colleagues – TCH instructors and leaders take responsibility for treating colleagues with respect.  As a colleague a TCH instructor will:

(a) Speak positively and kindly of other instructors;
(b) Respect personal boundaries and established relationships between instructors and their students.  Offer guidance to a colleague if asked, especially by one who is less experienced;
(c) Provide accurate descriptions of their certifications and related qualifications;
(d) Provide honesty in all advertising and promotional materials;
(e) Participate proactively in opportunities of collaborating with colleagues to promote the society and TCH programmes.

10. Responsibility to TCHC NZ – As a member of the Society, instructors and leaders support the growth and development of the Society by:

(a) Maintaining their membership;
(b) Updating their certifications as appropriate;
(c) Responding to requests for time and talent;
(d) Recruiting new members to the organization;
(e) Participating in Society sponsored events.

11. Professional Integrity – TCH instructors and leaders represent the Society in a professional manner by:

(a) Describing themselves as certified TCH instructors and leaders in an honest and accurate way in all respects;
(b) Presenting a positive image to their community;
(c) Supporting the goals and positive intentions of the Society.

12. Conflict of Interest: The society and its members shall not seek to influence matters of TCHC NZ to benefit interests they hold in areas outside of the society. Registrants are to consider areas of conflict of interest. Members are to consider development of new conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest are to be disclosed to the committee. The committee recognises these conflicts and will expend every effort to facilitate membership.

12. Review:
    The Society is committed to reviewing this Code in the light of experience and on a regular basis with the aim of improving both the process and the outcomes from it.
    The Code is to be reviewed at least every two years and also in the light of experience, best practice or significant change. All aspects of this Code shall be open to review at any time.
13. Members must be aware that the above Summary of the Code is not exhaustive and that they must act ethically in all circumstances whether specifically mentioned by the Code or not.