Preamble
Ballarat Regional Beekeepers Incorporated (BRB) has members who offer goods and services related to beekeeping (vendors). These can be of benefit to BRB members.
BRB also receives enquiries from the general public wanting a recommendation about beekeeping products and services, as well as non-members who may offer goods and services. This policy explains how the club deals with this.
POLICY
BRB receives enquiries from people wanting to purchase beekeeping products and services.
BRB has members who supply goods and services for a fee (vendors).
BRB will maintain a list of such members for referrals, as well as for the benefit of BRB members.
BRB expects its vendor members to comply with the requirements for the provision of goods and services by government or regulatory authorities. It is to be made clear that while BRB may refer people to a vendor, it is not BRB’s responsibility to ensure a vendor’s compliance is in place.
Likewise, the responsibility for the quality of the product or service, and the fairness of any commercial or other transaction rests entirely with the vendor. Ballarat Regional Beekeepers Inc is in no way a party to any transactional complaint or responsible for the quality of any goods or services. Any complaint in relation to such transactions, if unresolved between buyer and seller privately, should be directed to the relevant
government or regulatory body.
BRB will endeavour to assist our members to understand the requirements of compliance. For example, if selling honey, how to comply with all relevant Australian packaging, labelling, insurance and taxation regulations and requirements, in order to minimise risk of litigation. BRB will do this through articles in newsletters or presentations at club meetings.
BRB will maintain a list of vendor members and publish this on the website. It is expected that people will not access membership solely for the opportunity to be nominated as a vendor: they must be active members of BRB and attend meetings regularly. Vendors will not be permitted to advertise their services through BRB if they are in competition with BRB services (such as the Beginners Beekeeping Course and Open Hive opportunities). Vendors will be given the opportunity to trade at BRB events. Vending at BRB events can only occur when the Committee has endorsed trading opportunity for that event. From time-to-time, non-member vendors will be permitted to trade in goods and services at the invitation of the BRB committee. For example, a visiting speaker selling books or software. The BRB committee may also promote goods and services from non-member vendors if it benefits the club members.