Terms & Conditions

ESTCC Terms and Conditions

Membership

1. All members to be nominated by a Teacher or Committee Member and
seconded by a Committee Member.

2. Each member on joining the Society shall be issued with one share to the
value of £1.00.

3. Shares shall not be transferrable.

Subscriptions

1. Every member of the Society (other than an honorary member) shall pay a yearly subscription, such sum to be determined by the committee of management and ratified at the annual general meeting, the renewal date being the time of the annual general meeting. In the event of a member failing to pay their subscription within three months of the renewal date, membership shall cease.

2. On cessation of membership their share in the Society shall be cancelled and the value of the share shall be absorbed back into the company funds.

3.1 A member may withdraw from the Society by sending a letter to the Secretary within one month of their intended withdrawal.
3.2 If a member dies membership will automatically cease and their share will be absorbed back into the company funds.

4. ESTCC are registered as a co-operative society and with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and are bound by the values set out below:

Values

Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

Principles

The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.

1. Voluntary and open membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2. Democratic member control
Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.

3. Member economic participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co- operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co- operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

4. Autonomy and independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.

5. Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

6. Co-operation among co-operatives
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

7. Concern for community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.