About
Membership
The Edmonton Down Syndrome Society comprises of more than 300 registered members. They represent every age group, from pre-birth to end-of-life, and each unique story provides context and hope for the next generation of parents and families.
You can renew or register for membership here, simply download the form to your computer once you have filled it out, simply email the completed form to admin@edss.ca, we will then check over your form and send you an invoice to pay your fee.
While the EDSS supports all those individuals born with Down syndrome and their families, we also welcome those families who have children with obscure chromosomal anomalies (OCA) who present with developmental and medical challenges similar to those with Down syndrome.
Becoming a member
Membership is available for families, individuals or organizations. Membership can be registered throughout the year and are valid from January to December.
Membership Structure changes for 2025
EDSS is committed to continued engagement with our members and families in our Down syndrome community to ensure that we serve your best interests wherever possible. In the summer of 2023, the Board of Directors led an engagement strategy to prepare for the transition to new bylaws to support continued good governance of the organization. The bylaws were approved at the April 2024 AGM and were filed with corporate registries in July. The new EDSS Bylaws with these approved changes, have a new membership structure:
EDSS membership categories will be as follows :
·Family Membership
·Family First-year
·Community Membership
·Voting Membership add-on
The key reason and rationale for the changes to membership is for the organization to record the register of each voting member with their contact information to achieve proper quorum at the Annual General Meetings of the organization. It is our hope that by being intentional with selecting that a family wishes to have voting rights, they will commit to attending the AGMs.
Your family can still participate at EDSS without purchasing a voting membership add-on. Non-voting memberships of EDSS are offered to all families with a person born with Down syndrome who are participating in EDSS programs, attending events, accessing resources, scholarships, and staying connected with news, advocacy initiatives and research in the Ds community. Engaging and recording non-voting membership is also equally important for insurance and communication purposes.
Membership benefits:
- For a family with a newborn baby – their first year of membership is Free!
- EDSS Members have the priority and first opportunity to register for programs and professional services.
- One scheduled family service support call or in-office meeting per year.
- Access to the Resource lending library materials
- Access to a Private Member’s only Facebook page
- Exclusive Members only special events, learning sessions, and “first year” Wonder Years workshop.
New Membership Fee Structure and Conditions:
A. We are maintaining the $40/Family Membership (includes self-advocates) providing the same membership privileges as the current membership (See above for details).
B. $40 Community Membership for those individuals or organizations who do not have a family member with Ds and who are in support of the organization’s purpose and values;
C. Optional $10 add-on to any of the Membership categories – provides an invitation to the AGM to vote.
The voting membership annual deadline for registration and fee payment is March 31st. You must have your membership and voting add-on paid in full to be invited to vote at the AGM taking place in June 2025. Any voting membership add-ons purchased after March 31st will qualify for the AGM taking place the following year.
Your 2025 EDSS membership includes:
- Access to Director of Community and Family Services, to help families navigate the disability system and provide support to parents in accessing programs and services for their children throughout their journey.
- Access to networking opportunities for families, peer-to-peer support, Downright Lucky Team, learning sessions with guest speakers, weekly newsletters, family-orientated social events... and more!
- Access to extensive resources/information specific to Down syndrome available from our resource lending library and our MFS.
- Access to in-service learning (schools, daycares) about what Ds is, possible medical concerns, how Ds could affect them in the classroom and tips and tools to support positive behavior.
*If your EDSS membership is for a person born with Ds they will have access to programs such as: Subsidized speech therapy, Occupational Therapy, Behaviour therapy, Physiotherapy, and Musical Theatre and in our new Joey Moss Literacy Centre for Excellence, we run literacy and numeracy programs, vocational skills, and independent living programs for adults 16+. There are also social programs, drop in baby-toddler group and activity groups for all ages.
Members born with Ds are given first priority to our programs and options are provided, as available, for inclusive participation on some programs.
Thank you for your support!
Membership Cancellation
- A member may withdraw from the society by tendering his/her resignation in writing, either by email or letter, to the office.
- A member may be expelled from the organization if they have given cause.
- Loss of membership and privileges may occur if membership dues are not paid within the grace period (30 days).