Our Rules

updated: 8th September, 2023.

Nature Watch Group

Rules:

Membership:

• Membership application is open to anybody.
• Members can be active or not.
• An application for membership should be made by completing the Nature Watch Group
( hereafter ‘NWG’) ‘Membership Application’ form and submitting it by hand to a Trustee of
NWG, or by e-mail to [email protected] . Applications will be considered by Trustees
during a meeting of Trustees and the applicant notified of that decision within 7 days of that
Trustee’s meeting.
• Membership fee of £10 per person per annum is required upon request and should be fully paid
within 14 days of that request, unless trustee’s grant exemption via e-mail. Once paid the
membership fee is non-refundable in any circumstance. Members, who are able, will be
encouraged to make donations to help fund NWG running expenses but no favouritism will be
given to those who do make donations.
• Potential conflicts of interests should be declared to a trustee for consideration. The trustee
should bring this potential conflict of interest to other trustees at a trustees’ meeting.
• All members agree to act in a manner which are in the interests of NWG and consistent with the
aims of NWG, which includes, but is not limited to; protecting and promoting biodiversity, and
acting with kindness, to nature, to each other and especially to those with whom we disagree.
• Free training may be offered to members but not to non-members. In the case of limited spaces
for free training, members of NWG who reside in the parish, and trustees, will have priority over
other members. Free training should be offered to members who reside in each of the Queen
Thorne parish villages, where ever possible.
• If members should fail to act in accordance with the key principles, or against the best interests
of the NWG, the following procedure should be followed: E-mail from trustees to member
detailing issue and suggestion of best outcome. If no satisfactory conclusion is reached
trustees will e-mail the member requesting a required course of action. If no satisfactory
outcome is achieved trustees will e-mail the member terminating membership. All such
decisions must be made at trustee’s meetings.
• As a ‘foundation model’ CIO, no member is liable for any debts or losses of the group.
• Members agree to have their data held in line with the ‘Data Protection Act’

Members voting:

• Members and non-members are invited to attend public meetings and events but only
members will be asked to vote at meetings. Members' votes may not be decisive, but will be an
indication of opinion which the trustees are required to consider when forming a decision.

Trustees:

• There must be a minimum of three trustees and a maximum of seven.
• Trustees agree to the terms of a trustee as set out in the NWG constitution (available on NWG
website)
• Trustees are the only decision making voters with in NWG
• Only members of NWG can become trustees. Trustees are co-opted by trustee votes at a
trustees’ meeting
• Trustees are subject to the same membership process as other members.
• If a trustee does not attend a meeting for 6 months then that trustee may be replaced.
• Trustees are jointly responsible for on-line web content and social media platforms - roles to be
discussed at trustees’ meetings.

Meetings:

• NWG aims to have a members' meeting several times each year and an AGM.
Details of those meetings should be made available in advance of the meeting through the NWG
website, and also directly to members via e-mail where possible. Details of those meetings
should be made available through the NWG website within 14 days of that meeting.
• NWG aims to have a trustees’ meeting at least every other month, through out the year.
Following these meetings approved minutes must be made available through the NWG website
within 14 days of that meeting.
• Other meetings and events may occur and all members should be notified by e-mail.

Safeguarding:

• The NWG will appoint one trustee as a Safeguarding Officer and ensure relevant training.
• Any safeguarding concerns must be brought to the attention of a trustee, who will report it to
the Safeguarding Officer. The Safeguarding Officer is expected to formally record the report and
act in an appropriate manner.