Become a Member
If you would like to apply to become a member of the Nature Watch Group please follow this link and complete the form:- https://form.jotform.com/231181714820045
Alternatively, there is a fillable PDF available to download below, but this will only work with Adobe Acrobat. If you experience any issues with either of these options please get in touch with us at [email protected] or drop us a direct message on our Facebook (Nature Watch Group) or Instagram (@naturewatchgroup) and we can organise an alternative way to get the form to you.
Thank you for your support!
The charitable object of the Nature Watch Group is:
“To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in the parish of Queen Thorne in particular, but not exclusively, by undertaking research into the environment and its’ biodiversity, and disseminating the results for the benefit of the public.”
To accomplish this aim the group has been structured as a ‘foundation model’ of Charitable Incorporation Organisation (CIO).
As a registered CIO we have a constitution and are obliged to:
• meet the requirements of the law,
• comply with good practice, and
• to be practical and workable.
This means that the working group requires different tiers of organisation, with trustees having voting rights, to represent the members’ views. There is a minimum of 3 trustees, and will be a maximum of 7, made up of members who have been voted upon (more details in the minutes of the Trustees' Meet 12/12/2022). There is no maximum number of members - the more members we have the better, to improve our lobbying impact.
Trustees meet monthly, and minutes of those meetings are posted on this website. Members are encouraged to raise points for inclusion and to make their views known. NWG aims to have regular members' meetings, which members can attend or not, as they wish. Further to this there will be events and organised data collection activities, which members can attend or not, as they wish. Interested parties are welcome to the members' meetings, by invitation of the trustees. The NWG aims to have an annual general meeting to which everyone is welcome.
Between July 2022 and February 2023 several open meetings were held in Sandford Orcas village hall.
In September and October of 2022, the NWG met up for water testing training, data collection and, of course, tea and cake!
During spring of 2023, six of our members attended 'kick testing' training with Angus Menzies of the Riverfly Partnership, in association with Dorset Wildlife Trust, near Dorchester.
In summer 2023, we held a members' meeting at a small holding and nature reserve in Sandford Orcas, with friendly meet and greet, update of actions and results, drinks and nibbles, and a free raffle.
Members have also taken part in community action activities hosted by RSBP and Dorset Climate Action Network's 'Bright Blue Rivers' event, and have hosted presentations about activities of the NWG to other established, local environmental groups, as well as working closely with existing environmental charities. We believe that the networking of small environmental groups is essential.
The role of members can be active or not. Free training will be offered to members in community data collection activities, for example ‘kick testing’ to assess aquatic life. Non-members may receive training but this will not be funded by the NWG. Members will be invited to take part in any number of fundraising/awareness raising/wildlife monitoring activities as part of the group, but are not obliged to take part. Non-members are welcome at meetings but will not be able to cast a vote, as members are. By becoming a member you will be showing your support of the basic principles of the group and will be expected to abide by them.
Key principles are:
• To act in a manner which protects and promotes biodiversity.
• To be kind to everyone (especially to those with whom you disagree).
It is important that membership subscription should not be prohibitive to those on low income and is therefore set at £10 per annum (non-refundable). If the annual membership is prohibitive, prospective members may apply to the trustees for a reduction. We would like to encourage members who can afford to, to make a generous donation to help with running and research costs.
The group's running costs include (but are not limited to) water testing equipment, administration costs, and training costs. The NWG has its own cosignatory bank account with Unity Trust Bank.
If one decides to discontinue their membership then that notification should be made in writing to [email protected]. No refund of the annual membership fee will be given.
To summarise, why become a member?
• To protect biodiversity and care for your local environment
• To support a local community action group
• To meet like-minded people in your locality
• To attend member events
• To access to free training and other educational resources
• To celebrate your connection with nature
