In theory, at least, to become a member of a co-operative, a credit union or mutual it is necessary to apply for membership.

I have not applied for membership of the RACV yet in a letter of 22 November 2006 the Managing Director and CEO, Colin Jordan, has informed me that I am a member - that I have a membership number and that I have been a member since August 2000.

There is an obvious contradiction already, however, for it is not clear how I have been a member since August 2000 but have not been advised until 22 November 2006 that I am a member.

In a footnote to the letter it is stated: "The purpose of this letter is to inform you that you have been made an RACV Relationship Member. As a member of the RACV, you agree to be bound by the Memorandum and Articles of Association and By-Laws of the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Ltd which are available at racv.com.au or upon request. We advise you to read the details of your membership in these documents. If you do not wish to be an RACV member please advise us by calling 13 17 17."

Rather than reading and agreeing to be bound by the Memorandum and Articles of Association and By-laws and, then, being accepted for membership, agreement is assumed. Rather than opting into membership of the RACV, it is a decision about opting out of membership.

RACV
http://www.racv.com.au