Become a LINK Member

Thinking of joining Scottish Environment LINK?

Member bodies are voluntary organisations working in Scotland whose main aims, objectives and activities are 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”. Membership is a wise investment which pays dividends in terms of added strength, credibility, relationships, agenda-setting, support, skills development and access to other sectors.

Membership is open to bodies which fulfil all of the additional criteria:

• which are voluntary non-profit-distributing organisations
• which are either Scottish organisations, or have a significant separate or devolved Scottish identity
• 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

Additionally, eligible organisations should fulfil 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;

Membership subscriptions are an vital element of LINK’s funding and are banded based on an organisation’s total income.

The membership year runs from 1st April to 31st March, in line with LINK’s financial year.  For new organisations joining part way through the year they will pay a pro-rata amount calculated to the start of the quarter in which they are joining.  The rates below are from April 2021.  If you need more information, please contact the LINK office to discuss.

Benefits of LINK Membership

LINK’s strategic objectives are for a sustainable Scotland; to be a strong voice for the environment movement; and to be an effective, efficient, accountable network.

LINK’s core functions are facilitating information sharing, discussion, and joint action. LINK members drive the annual work programme supported by core and project staff. Members are encouraged to make use of the full range of services offered by LINK and participate across the wide range of available opportunities.

Information sharing services include:

• Advocacy Monitoring: a weekly digest of what is happening in the Scottish Parliament related to member bodies’ interests, as well as news from the Scottish Government and the wider political scene.
• Members’ Bulletin: a monthly round-up of initiatives, consultations, member’s news, and reports on LINK-wide activity.
• email alerts according to your organization’s interests.
• Members’ website with all details of contacts, key outputs, forthcoming opportunities and key network records.

Participation opportunities include:

• Working with other member bodies through LINK’s Groups on specific topic areas; sharing information, diversity of approaches, generating interest in your concerns and contributing to LINK’s joint positions. Group members represent the network on many government sponsored forums.
• Regular network meetings of members, groups, subgroups and trustees, where intelligence is shared, progress is evaluated and future action agreed.
• Taking part in meetings with ministers, civil servants, agencies, and other sectors, and shaping these agendas.
• Representing the network on stakeholder groups, see LINK Representation, giving evidence to Parliament and communicating to media.
• Joint campaigning.
• Training days
• Shaping and taking part in initiatives in the Scottish Parliament, and the members’ annual Congress.
• Voting on LINK decisions, including appointment of office bearers, and nominations for office, standing for office and contributing to LINK’s direction.
• Supporting wider policy statements, consultation responses, briefings, commissioned reports etc.
• Networking opportunities at party conferences, LINK festive reception, Parliamentary receptions and events.

Wider benefits of membership include:

• Strengthened roles of smaller NGOs, added credibility for larger NGOs
• Avoiding overlap or duplication
• Development of a more informed approach for individual organisations
• Broadening each others’ agendas
• Getting an issue on the agenda which an organisation cannot take forward alone
• Sharing skills and diversity of approaches to issues
• Recognising issues where conflict may occur and building consensus
• Development of trust within the network

Membership fees

Our fees are based on a members annual Scottish Income from their most recently audited accounts, where the organisation is part of the larger UK wide charity their fee will be based on their Scottish expenditure.

Membership Band Annual income Subscription calculation

1.  £3 Million and above £9,450
2.  £1 million to £2,999,999 Fixed £4,950 plus £2.25 per £1,000 of income over £1 million
3. £500,000 – £999,999 Fixed £3,450 plus £3.00 per £1,000 of income over £500,000
4. £250,000 – £499,999 Fixed £2,200 plus £5.00 per £1,000 of income over £250,000
5. £100,000 – £249,999 Fixed £1,150 plus £7.00 per £1,000 of income over £100,000
6. £1,600 to £99,999 Fixed £150 plus £10 per £1,000 of total income
7. Up to £1,600 10% of total income

Membership of LINK is a wise investment which pays dividends in terms of added clout, credibility, relationships, agenda-setting, support, skills development and access to other sectors.

For more information on LINK and its history watch our 30th anniversary video

MEMBER APPLICATION