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Joining the LINK network
Thinking of joining Scottish Environment LINK?
LINK is the network for Scotland's voluntary sector environmental organisations.
LINK provides a way into, and coordinates collective work within, the sector.
There are three ways to be formally involved with Scottish Environment LINK, two for organisations and one for individuals. The requirements and benefits of each are outlined more fully below. In summary:
1. Member - open to eligible, voluntary organisations which are working in the environment and are Scottish in scope
2. Subscriber - for organisations which wish to be kept informed about the environmental movement in Scotland.
3. Supporter - for individuals who wish to to be kept informed about the environmental movement in Scotland.
Benefits of LINK membership for organisations
Membership of LINK is open to bodies:
- which are voluntary non-profit-distributing organisations
- which are either Scottish organisations, or have a significant separate or devolved Scottish identity
- whose aims and objectives are and remain compatible with LINK's charitable purpose, " to advance the conservation and improvement of Scotland’s natural environment and associated cultural heritage as part of the pursuit of environmental sustainability"
- which can demonstrate the ability to make a contribution to the work of LINK at a national level in Scotland
- whose application is approved by a majority of existing full members
Guidance on what is meant by some of these terms is given below.
Members determine LINK's forward strategy and annual work programme. They are encouraged to make use of the full range of services offered by LINK and participate across the range of available opportunities.
Information sharing services include:
- a weekly e-digest of what is coming up in Parliament with respect to member bodies' interests, and review of previous action.
- a monthly e-digest of information and opportunities mainly via the European Environment Bureau of which LINK is a member.
- a monthly e-information bulletin of initiatives, consultations, member's news, reports on LINK-wide activity.
- email alerts according to your interest area.
- Receive and contribute articles to the LINK Quarterly newsletter
Participation opportunities include:
- Working with other member bodies through LINK's task forces on specific topic areas. As well as sharing information, diversity of approaches, generating interest among members in your organisation's concerns and contributing to LINK's joint positions, members represent the views of the network on more than 40 external forums.
- Taking part in meetings with government, agencies, business and other sectors on issues relevant to the wide environmental agenda.
- Organising and taking part in LINK initiatives such as Scottish Environment Week held annually in Parliament, and the members' annual Congress.
- Voting on LINK decisions, including appointment of office bearers, and nominations for office, and contributing to LINK's direction.
- Support wider policy statements, consultation responses, commissioned reports etc.
Membership subscriptions are based on a member body's annual income; for the financial year April 2007-08 the bands are as follows:
Band 1 - £6933 for those with annual
Scottish income of £2 million and above
Band 2 - £2989 for those with annual Scottish income of £750K
to £1.9 million
Band 3 - £1948 for those with annual Scottish income of £250K
to £749.9K
Band 4 - £1231 for those with annual Scottish income of £100K
to £249.9K
Band 5 - £723 for those with annual Scottish income of £10K
to £99.9K
Band 6 - £380 or 20% of income (whichever is less) for bodies with
an annual Scottish income of up to £10K.
From the financial year April 2008 the bands will be revised as follows:
Band 1 - for those with annual
Scottish income of £3 million and above
Band 2 - for those with annual Scottish income of £1m
to £2.9 million
Band 3 - for those with annual Scottish income of £500K
to £999.9K
Band 4 - for those with annual Scottish income of £250K
to £499.9K
Band 5 - for those with annual Scottish income of £100K
to £249.9K
Band 6 - for those with
annual Scottish income of up to £99.9K.
LINK has a one-year, introductory membership package by which new applicants (which have not been members for at least ten years) enjoy the first year of membership at two-thirds of the normal full subscription cost. A minimum of £100 applies. During this time they can participate fully in the network. At the end of that year, these organisations can choose whether or not to remain involved in LINK, after which the full subscription rate is payable.
2. Subscribers
Subscribers are organisations that wish to be kept informed of LINK's
activities but are not eligible for, or do not wish to be, full members.
They include local authorities, universities, companies, and consultancies.
Subscriber status does not confer voting rights. The annual subscription
is currently £50. In addition to the contacts that the network offers,
Subscribers receive up to 5 copies of the LINK quarterly newsletter.
Join
now
If you wish to become a Member you can contact the Scottish Environment LINK office to discuss your organisation's needs, or download and complete the Membership Application Form and return it to LINK. Please see also LINK's Memorandum and Articles and Operating Principles.
If you wish to become a Supporter or a Subscriber, please download and complete the Supporter Subscriber Application Form and return it to LINK.
Scottish Environment LINK is known as LINK.
Eligible organisations must fulfil all of the following criteria:
- be voluntary, non-profit-distributing organisations
- be either Scottish organisations, or have a significant separate or devolved Scottish identity
- have main aims, objectives and activities which are and remain compatible with one of the Charitable Purposes of LINK: to advance the conservation and improvement of Scotland’s natural environment and associated cultural heritage as part of the pursuit of environmental sustainability
- demonstrate the ability to make a contribution to the work of LINK at a national level in Scotland
Additionally, eligible organisations should fulfill most of the following criteria: - be autonomous and independent of government or its agencies, and of primarily commercial interests
- have been established by an initiative of citizens or other voluntary organisations
- demonstrate clear citizen-driven ethos
- be organised so that deployment of the resources of the organisation is overseen by a committee of citizens (trustees, council, management committee etc) working for the organisation’s objects
- have objectives are guided or approved by their wider memberships at least annually
LINK's Charitable purposes are:
(a) to promote the effectiveness and efficiency of voluntary organisations involved with the conservation and improvement of Scotland’s natural environment and associated cultural heritage;
(b) to advance the conservation and improvement of Scotland’s natural environment and associated cultural heritage as part of the pursuit of environmental sustainability; and
(c) to advance the education, understanding and responsible awareness of the natural environment and associated cultural heritage as part of the pursuit of environmental sustainability;
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