SOHO/Micro/Home Business and Individual Membership - $230 per annum inc GST
It's a hard slog being a very small business, particularly if you work from a home office. How do you meet other business people in the area? How do you find someone to fix your computers, or explain the minefield of IR regulations? For businesses with up to five employees, joining Ryde Business Forum is the answer.
You'll find the contacts you make through our organisation could help you achieve targets in a range of areas.We have a broad range of service providers in our member base including HR specialists, employment law specialists, electricians, graphic and website designers and more. We've lost count of the number of members who have used each other's services through being members of RBF. If you've just moved into the area, or are starting your business in Ryde, we do recommend you join us and give your business a kick-start. As your business grows we have members in commercial real estate and serviced offices who can help you with professional premises.
We have a strong relationship with the City of Ryde Council and meet regularly with its senior management to discuss issues which affect our members. We also have ongoing support from and communication channels with our local federal and state members of parliament.
Over the course of each year we run events for members such as business workshops with a specific focus, eg IR, using Google advertising, Website Legals, which are strongly attended by businesses of all sizes but particularly assist small to medium enterprises who don't have in-house expertise on these subjects.
These are tough economic days especially for micro businesses, and there has never been a better time to join Ryde Business Forum and make the contacts you need to grow and develop your business.
Level 3 Membership gives individuals or SOHO companies, ie those with less than 5 employees, the following benefits:
- 1 attendee at luncheons at member rates. Additional guests attend at non-member rates.
- 1 employee attendee at breakfasts and workshops at member rates. Additional employees and guests can attend at non-member rates as applicable to each function.
- Two employee attendees at Business After Hours for free - you may bring guests at non-member rates of $40 per person inc GST
- Access to Forum Mailing List
- Full directory listing in member Services Directory
- Discounted registration fee for NSW Business Chamber events, discounted fee for products, and free access to NSW Business Chamber Workplace Advice Line. Click here for more information.
- Membership of Ryde Business Blog
- We have a close relationship with local representatives of all three levels of government and lobby on your behalf for key issues such as traffic, transport and infrastructure
- Promotion of your media releases on our website and in our e-news and Member News
- One free copy of each issue of GWP Magazine Business Resource and Lifestyle courtesy of our support partner GWP Magazines
- Information and support offers from the Department of State and Regional Development
If you have less than 5 employees, you are welcome to join as a Level 2 rather than a Level 3. Considering the number of functions we hold, you'll achieve a considerable cost saving if you come to all of them!
Other advantages available include:
- Hosting a Business After Hours function (member must have premises large enough to accommodate 50+ guests, or be willing to co-host with another member who has suitable premises)
- Using RBF's electronic "E-News" to promote special offers and news from your company. "E-News" is distributed up to three times a month by email to all RBF members and our wider mailing list. Member promotion in this service is free of charge
- Using RBF's Intercomm Member News to promote special offers and news from your company. Intercomm is a PDF newsletter distributed up twice a month by email to all RBF members.. Member promotion in this service is free of charge. We can take display advertisements and feature articles from you for Intercomm
- Sponsoring a website page, or an event. At peak times we get up to 12,000 visits a month to our site - what a great opportunity to promote your business with a logo link! Our Business Breakfasts and Lunches are also available for corporate banner sponsorship, which is promoted in the invitation, advertising material and other mailouts - in short, all material associated with the event
When are Membership Fees due?
Our membership year runs from 1 July to 30 June but you can join any time. We offer quarterly pro rata rates:
| Join in... | Fee | GST | Total Due |
| July-September | $209.09 | $20.91 | $230.00 |
| October-December | $156.82 | $15.68 | $172.50 |
| January-March | $104.55 | $10.45 | $115.00 |
| April-June - we suggest 15 months' membership at this point to save paperwork for both your company and ourselves. | $261.36 | $26.14 | $287.50 |
