Joining Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare is easy. If you have any questions before joining, don't hesitate to email us or give us a call. Our contact info is on the contact us webpage.

You may join the co-op as a:

• Regular Member - one driver or two+ drivers (Household memberships for two+ drivers are availalbe to drivers living in the same household, and the second and additional drivers can be added to a membership at any time).
• Associate Non-driving Member - for those wanting to support carsharing by investing in the Co-op (i.e. earn interest on your investments!) and/or volunteering on our Board of Directors and committees.
• Corporate Membership is also available to businesses, organizations, and governments.

"The first time I went to pick up one of the Co-op cars with my daughter (aged 4), I explained to her that as members of Grand River CarShare we owned lots of cars, all different colours, and we shared them. When we walked back to our house, she patted one of the cars in our parking lot and said 'Mummy, can we take this one next?' My daughter knows that cars cause pollution and she likes to take care of the air and trees. I think kids like to feel helpful in this way. She speaks with pride of being in a car co-op."

Susan, a member of Grand River CarShare

Regular Driving Member - three simple steps to join:

STEP 1. COMPLETE YOUR MEMBER APPLICATION

You may complete:

• the online application for one driver, or
• the online application for two drivers (Household membership), or
• the online application to join an existing membership.

Please note that the Co-op protects your personal information through SSL encryption.

Alternatively, you may download, print, and mail (or drop off) your completed hard copy application, plus your $25 (Classic Plan) or $99 (Simple Plan) non-refundable application fee (double for two drivers), payable by cash, cheque, credit card, or money order to:

Once we have received your completed application (either online or hard copy) we will process your application. This includes verifying your driver's license(s) and driver's abstract(s) and then adding you to the Co-op's group insurance policy.

Please note: Currently, you must be at least 21 years of age* and have a full 'G' license to become a driving member of the Co-op. Those with a non-Ontario (out-of-province or U.S.) license must transfer it to an Ontario license within 60 days of becoming a member. All other applicants must have a full 'G' Ontario license before applying to become a member (please contact us if you need information about how to go through this process). Unfortunately, these are restrictions placed on us by our insurance company (carsharing is still relatively new in North America, whereas it is much more established in European countries). Once added to the Co-op's group insurance policy you begin to develop, maintain, and/or redevelop an insurance history.

*The Co-op's insurance provider, The Co-operators, limits drivers aged under 23 to reserving and driving only one (1) vehicle in the fleet. This vehicle is located in Waterloo at the Waterloo Co-operative Residence Inc. Click on the map for location details.

STEP 2. READ THE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION BOOKLET

Once you have been added to the Co-op's group insurance policy (usually within one business day), we will notify you of this and set up a time with you for your member orientation. The member orientation usually takes one hour to complete. Prior to your orientation, we ask that you take a few minutes to read through the Membership Information Booklet (PDF file), which includes the Member Manual, By-laws, Privacy Policy, and Frequently Asked Quesitons. This may shorten the length of your orientation by providing answers to any questions you may have.

Please note: If you are unable to download any of the above PDF documents (you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them), drop by our office to pick up hard copies or ask to have them emailed or mailed to you. Should you have any questions while reading through them, please do not hesitate to contact staff. We would be pleased to answer any of your questions.

STEP 3. RECEIVE YOUR ACCESS KEY TO DRIVE

At your orientation staff will walk you through the Member Manual, explain vehicle reservation procedures, answer any questions you may have, and provide you with your own vehicle access key. (There is a fully refundable $10 deposit for your vehicle access key.)

At this time please provide us with your membership loan ($400 Classic Plan, $10 Simple Plan), payable by cash, money order, cheque, or credit card. Please note that your membership loan is fully refundable upon cancellation of your membership.

Once your orientation is completed, you are a member of Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare and may reserve vehicles whenever you wish for as long as you need! Also, because you can pay your monthly invoices by pre-authorized debit, credit card, cheque, cash, phone or online banking there is no need for you to come to our office when you make reservations. It's that simple!

As a member, consider volunteering your time and skills to the co-op:

Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors and dedicated staff. Consider volunteering some of your time and/or skills (and/or learn new skills) on the Co-op's Board of Directors or one of the Co-op's six committees (Finance, Human Resources, Communications, Cambridge Action Committee, Hamilton Action Committee, and Kitchener-Waterloo Action Committee.) The Board adn committees each meet monthly for two hours (occasionally there may be additional time commitments). All members are welcome to attend Board and committee meetings. Contact staff for more details.

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Associate Non-driving Member - two simple steps to join:

The Associate Non-driving Membership is designed for those interested in supporting car sharing by investing in the Co-op (earn interest on an ethical investment opportunity) and/or by becoming involved as a Director of our Board. (Note: currently, you must be at least 16 years of age to become an Associate Non-driving Member.)

STEP 1. READ OUR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION BOOKLET AND ASSOCIATE MEMBER APPLICATION

In order to join as an Associate Non-driving Member please take a few minutes to first read through the Membership Information Booklet (PDF file), which includes the Member Manaul, By-laws, Privacy Policy, and Frequently Asked Quesitons, and the Membership Application.

Please note: If you are unable to download any of the above PDF documents (you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them), drop by our office to pick up hard copies or ask to have them emailed or mailed to you. Should you have any questions while reading through them, please do not hesitate to contact staff. We would be pleased to answer any of your questions.

STEP 2. SUBMIT MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Please mail your completed membership application and membership loan - $10 for one or $20 for two - payable by cash, money order, cheque, or credit card. (Please note that your membership loan acts like a security deposit and is fully refundable on cancellation of your membership). The Co-op's offices are located at:

Once we obtain your completed Membership Application and membership loan, and your completed Membership Application has been approved by the Board of Directors, you are a member of Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare!

As a member, consider volunteering your time and skills to the co-op:

Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors and dedicated staff. Consider volunteering some of your time and/or skills (and/or learn new skills) on the Co-op's Board of Directors or one of the Co-op's six committees (Finance, Human Resources, Communications, Cambridge Action Committee, Hamilton Action Committee, and Kitchener-Waterloo Action Committee.) The Board adn committees each meet monthly for two hours (occasionally there may be additional time commitments). All members are welcome to attend Board and committee meetings. Contact staff for more details.

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