Sabbatical Membership: Terms & Conditions
Effective 21 May 2026
Sabbatical Membership
Sabbatical Membership is available to Professional Members who have held Professional Membership for two or more consecutive years and are taking a temporary break from practising as a Professional Organiser.
This membership type allows members to remain connected to the IOPO community and receive key communications, without holding an active listing or engaging in professional practice.
Sabbatical membership is granted for one membership year in the first instance and may be reviewed with the member towards the end of that year. If appropriate, it may be extended for a second and final year.
Sabbatical Membership may only be used once in any five-year period.
Sabbatical Membership Fee and Term
- Annual Fee: $120 (flat rate)
- Membership Term: 1 July to 30 June
Eligibility and Duration
To be eligible for Sabbatical Membership, you must:
- Have held Professional Membership for at least two consecutive years immediately prior to the year of application.
- Be temporarily stepping away from professional practice.
- Commit to not advertise or operate as a Professional Organising during the sabbatical period.
Applications must be submitted via the Member Portal and are subject to IOPO approval.
Sabbatical Members access and limitations
During the sabbatical year, you retain access to:
- The Members' Lounge (Facebook group)
- IOPO newsletters and updates
- Email-based membership support
- Attendance at Connection Events (non-practising role)
Purpose: To maintain community connection and awareness of industry developments.
Sabbatical Members do not have access to
- Find an Organiser™ public directory listing
- Insurance eligibility via IOPO
- Access to member-only discounts (training, conference etc.)
- Professional development modules or certificates
- Mentoring or mentee participation
- Any resources or communications related to active practice.
Sabbatical Membership Cancellations:
You can cancel your membership at any time by writing to [email protected].
Please note, no refunds will be issued for unused portions of the membership term.
Change of Sabbatical Membership Type:
If your circumstances change during your sabbatical year, you may apply to transition back to Professional Membership at any time. Fees will be calculated based on the month you reactivate.
- You can check your eligibility to change Membership Type in your Member Portal under the 'Change Type' tab. Some changes may require approval by The IOPO.