About

The Committee (2008/9)

President	Chris Greene	"Springbank B&B" 240 Williamsons Road, Nilma North, Victoria, Australia, 3821 Phone: (03) 5627 8060 Fax: (03) 5627 8149 email here
Vice President	Eric van Grondelle	"Holmwood Guesthouse " 37 Chapel Street, Cowes, Victoria 3922 Phone (03) 5952 3082 Fax (03) 5952 3083 email here
Secretary	Ann Briese	"Annie's Bed & Breakfast" 93 Park St, St Kilda 3182 Phone 8500 3755 Fax (03) 9534 8705 email here
Minutes Secretary	Neil Boxshall	"Arabella Country House" 7219 Great Ocean Road, Princetown, 3269 Mail: RMB1044, Princetown, Victoria, Australia 3269 Phone: (03) 5598 8169 Fax: (03) 5598 8186 email here
Treasurer	Harley Boyle	"The Castle - Villa by the Sea" 7-9 Steele Street, Cowes 3922 Mail: PO Box 665, Cowes, Victoria, Australia 3922 Phone: (03) 5952 1228 Fax: (03) 5952 3096 email here
Membership	Chris Greene	"Springbank B&B" 240 Williamsons Road, Nilma North, Victoria, Australia, 3821 Phone: (03) 5627 8060 Fax: (03) 5627 8149 email here
Committee Members	Penny Minkkinen	"Fountain Terrace B&B" 28 Mary Street, St Kilda 3182 Phone (03) 9593 8123 Fax (03) 9593 8696 email here
	Jenni Boyle	"The Castle - Villa by the Sea" 7-9 Steele Street, Cowes 3922 Mail: PO Box 665, Cowes, Victoria, Australia 3922 Phone: (03) 5952 1228 Fax: (03) 5952 3096 email here
	Lynne Boxshall	"Arabella Country House" 7219 Great Ocean Road, Princetown, 3269 Mail: RMB1044, Princetown, Victoria, Australia 3269 Phone: (03) 5598 8169 Fax: (03) 5598 8186 email here

Membership

THE PURPOSE OF INN.HOUSE
INN.HOUSE Bed and Breakfast Australia Inc. was incorporated in March, 1989 with a seeding grant from the Victorian Tourism Commission. In 1990, INN.HOUSE won the Victorian Tourism Award for Excellence in Specialist Accommodation. Through the assurance of quality offered by the INN.HOUSE accreditation system, the group sets a high standard which has become a benchmark in the industry . INN.HOUSE provides a Victoria-wide network of professionally-run, independent boutique accommodation recognised for quality in presentation and excellence of service.

Each member establishment is different, with its own distinctive style and character. The membership is committed to offering a quality experience to guests and working together co-operatively in marketing and promoting the INN.HOUSE style. An executive committee is elected annually by the members. All members are expected to contribute to the operation and development of INN.HOUSE. Three sub-committees specialise in Membership, Marketing & Internet.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
The Bed and Breakfast industry is comprised of a large number of very small businesses, of varying levels of quality. There are many reasons why joining with other like-minded operators can be a considerable advantage. Projecting oneself as a member of a group with recognised high standards is important. And to have a strong internet web site presence as part of a group is far better than standing alone – just see how often the INN.HOUSE site comes up on top! And the ability to benefit from referrals is great if you work at it.

* Participation in the Website (www.innhouse.com.au). Loads quickly!
* Website includes a direct electronic link to each member property.
* Promotion and advertising to market the website.
* Membership of an established network whose quality standards are well-recognised in the marketplace.
* The benefit of referrals and recommendations – all members are expected to promote INN.HOUSE properties at every opportunity.
* Accreditation as a quality INN.HOUSE property with the right to display the INN.HOUSE membership certificate plaque at your property.
* 30% accommodation discount from other INN.HOUSE properties (conditions apply).

JOINING INN.HOUSE
All current members are listed in this website. Feel free to contact any of the B & Bs listed – all members participate in the development of the group and will be happy to talk with you. You can also contact the INN.HOUSE Committee so that arrangements can be made to visit your property with a view to being accredited by the INN.HOUSE Accreditation Team (the accreditation referred to here comes as a result of meeting the hospitality standards required for membership of INN.HOUSE – not to be confused with the Better Business Accreditation – another quality assurance which all INN.HOUSE members are expected to be working towards achieving.). Membership of the INN.HOUSE group may only follow a visit from the Accreditation Team. You can download a Membership Application Form here.

Once your membership application has been accepted the Inn.House webmaster will contact you for information about your property. You can provide the details via a three part on-line form. Imags should be sent separately to the webmaster.

Because the main plank of INN.HOUSE promotion is assured quality, the group will want to be quite sure about the suitability of your property. Certain aspects of your business will be considered when you apply for membership of INN.HOUSE:

* You must comply with Basic Criteria;
* You must meet high levels of Hospitality and Personalised Service;
* Your facilities must be of high standard.

FEE STRUCTURE (2008/9)
The Inn.House year commences 1st July. Renewing member accounts are issued in June & the final payment date is 30th September. If payment is not received by the final payment date, then the member's page on this website is removed and the member is no longer considered to be financial. A non-financial member will not be offered the opportunity to participate in future member meetings, vote or stand for a position on the Executive Committee , or be invited to join our marketing activities.
* New members: Joining fee $100.00: Website establishment fee $100.00: Membership fee $150.00 = Total subscription of $350.00
* Renewing members: Website maintenance fee $70.00: Membership $225.00 = Total subscription of $295.00
* Pro-rata fees for new members joining during the financial year (July-June): From 1 July to 30 September $350.00 : 1 October to 31 December $300.00: 1 January to 31 March $250.00 : 1 April to 31 May $200.00 : 1 June to 30 June $350.00 (covers membership to the end of the next financial year).

BASIC MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
To be eligible for membership of INN.HOUSE, Bed and Breakfast properties must meet the following criteria:

* AAA RATING – member properties are required to have an AAA rating of 3.5 stars or above.
* ESTABLISHMENT SIZE - The prime objective is to promote small establishments which can provide the required level of personal service to guests.
* BETTER BUSINESS ACCREDITATION - It is anticipated that all members of INN.HOUSE will be moving towards this accreditation in addition to INN.HOUSE accreditation.
* RESIDENT HOSTS - The basis of the group is assured quality hospitality at the personal level. All properties must be hosted.
* BREAKFAST TO BE PROVIDED - A served breakfast, or provisions for breakfast, must be provided by the host and included in the tariff.
* INN.HOUSE KNOWLEDGE - Prospective members are expected to have visited at least two INN.HOUSE properties prior to joining to gain an understanding of the level of INN.HOUSE hospitality.
* STANDARDS - Each property must meet the quality standards which follow.

QUALITY STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP

1. SERVICE
Naturally, INN.HOUSE members will adjust their service to the needs of each guest or party of guests, however, it is expected that hosts will:

* Exceed guests’ expectations.
* Meet guests and make them feel welcome; use guests’ names; establish rapport; show guests to their accommodation.
* Be sensitive to guests’ expectations, including their wishes for privacy and space requirements.Be unobtrusive.
* Show thoughtfulness and anticipate the needs of the guest – for example in the areas of meal times, dietary requirements, or check-in and check-out times.
* Farewell guests.
* Be non-judgmental, non-political and flexible to guest opinions.
* Display pleasant manners and demeanor and good listening skills.
* Display knowledge of local industries, economy, flora/fauna and provide information about local attractions.
* Facilitate bookings for local attractions, restaurants and on-booking accommodation – preferably INN.HOUSE.
* Offer daily room service.
* Ensure tea and coffee are always available.
* Ensure fresh drinking water is available in bedrooms.
* Provide towels, hand towels, bath mat, face washer and spare towels.
* Provide fresh flowers in bedrooms and guest lounges.

2. PROFESSIONAL IMAGE
In meeting our quality assurance undertaking, it is essential that hosts project a professional image. Hosts are expected to:

* Deal with booking enquiries within twenty-four hours.
* Maintain a high standard of correspondence or electronic communication with prospective guests, providing prompt and efficient handling of enquiries and messages.
* Display a pleasant telephone manner.
* Provide credit card facilities and accept travellers cheques in Australian Dollars in payment.
* Keep animals and children away from guests.
* Dress according to guest and situation, especially when cooking and serving food.
* Be honest and accurate in advertising.
* Ensure the host or nominee is available twenty-four hours.
* Have facsimile facilities separate from telephone line.
* Have facilities for sending and receiving e-mail.
* Maintain a high level of personal hygiene.
* Maintain a spotlessly clean property.
* Provide fresh, high quality and well presented food.
* Provide quality tableware and napery.
* Keep a well-maintained garden – and pool-spa where provided.
* Provide clear, legible signage.
* Provide adequate and sufficient lighting both indoors and outdoors.
* Develop and publicise a clear smoking policy.
* Provide appropriate toiletries and fresh soap for each guest.

THE MEMBERSHIP ASSESSMENT PROCESS
It is important to appreciate that both the property and the host proprietors are being assessed. Should the property be sold, the accreditation is not transferable. Re-assessment of all properties will be carried out from time to time as decided by the executive committee. If you need assistance or advice at any time during this procedure, do not hesitate to contact a member for help.

It is suggested that, having read this membership information kit, you go back and compare your establishment with the criteria required. Insights gained from visits to other member properties will also help you to examine your own business. When you are confident that all the criteria have been met, you are ready to complete and submit your Membership Application to the INN.HOUSE committee, who will arrange a mutually satisfactory time for an inspection of your property. Applicants must be prepared to provide free of charge overnight accommodation and an evening meal if required.

The inspection will result in a report to the committee at its next meeting. You will then be advised of the outcome of your application. Should your application be unsuccessful, the committee will not be obliged to provide any reasons. INN.HOUSE Bed and Breakfast Australia Inc. makes no apology for the high quality standards required of prospective members.

We believe that the bed and breakfast guest today is seeking assured quality accommodation. We say to the prospective guest, “This is your assurance – INN.HOUSE Bed and Breakfast properties have been inspected and accredited by The INN.HOUSE Quality Accreditation Team.” Our reputation is on the line with your property – so we are very, very careful when we give out INN.HOUSE Accreditation.

OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP OF INN.HOUSE
Members must be willing to participate fully in the referral program including supplying a quantity of their own brochures for distribution to other properties, plus further supplies when these are required. Members are expected to provide two nights per year (any night of the week) to press, magazines, TV, etc. in support of the INN.HOUSE group. (Of course publicity won’t hurt the members property either!) Members are expected to clearly identify their business as a member of INN.HOUSE in their printed material and whenever the opportunity presents. In line with the policy that the work-load should be spread among members, it is expected that members will participate wherever possible in group promotion, etc. All members must participate in the INN.HOUSE Privilege Card Program.

GLOSSARY OF PROPERTY TYPES
Traditional - In the hosts' home with breakfast prepared and served by the hosts.
S.C. Suites - Self-contained. In, or attached to hosts' home, each with private lounge/dining area and individual entrance. Breakfast prepared by hosts
Cottage - Detached, self-contained building including kitchen/cooking facilities. Breakfast ingredients provided.
Guest House - Central guests' lounge and dining areas separate from hosts' living. Hosts prepare and serve breakfast
Tariffs - All are quoted in Australian dollars. Some tariffs include the Australian Goods & Services Tax (GST).