The Nature Watch Group's Rules & Guidelines

updated: 17th February 2023.

MEMBERSHIP:

• Membership 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 either by hand to a Trustee of
NWG, or by e-mail to [email protected]. All applications will be considered by Trustees
during a meeting of Trustees, and the applicant notified of that decision within 7 days of that
Trustees' meeting.
• A membership fee of £10 per person per annum is required upon request, and should be paid in full
within 14 days of that request, unless the Trustees grant exemption via e-mail. Once paid, the
membership fee is non-refundable in any circumstance. Members will be
encouraged to make donations to help fund NWG running expenses, if they are able, but no favouritism will be
shown 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 NWG the following procedure should be followed: An e-mail will be sent from Trustees to the member,
detailing the issue and offering a 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, the Trustees will e-mail the member terminating their membership. All such
decisions must be made at a meeting of the Trustees.
• NWG is a ‘foundation model’ Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and as such, 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’

 

MEMBER VOTING:

• Members and non-members are equally invited to attend meetings and events but only
members will be asked to vote at meetings. Members' votes will 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 here)
• Trustees are the only decision making voters within 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 online web content and social media platforms - roles to be
discussed at Trustees’ meetings.

 

MEETINGS:

• NWG aims to have a regular public meeting between February and October inclusive.
Details of those meetings should be made available in advance through the NWG
website, and also, where possible, directly to members via e-mail. The minutes of those meetings
should be made available on the NWG website within 14 days of said meeting.
• NWG aims to have a Trustees’ meeting at least every other month, throughout the year.
Following these meetings, approved minutes must be made available through the NWG website
within 14 days.
• 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.