Who can join?

Any voluntary environmental organisation working within Wales whose principle purpose is complementary to the charitable objects of WEL is welcome to apply for membership.

Full Membership

Full members are environmental organisations working nationally within Wales, able to demonstrate independence from government or commercial interests in its decision making (i.e. organisations who are not hosted and managed by government or its agencies, or operating solely as a ‘for profit’ organisation). 

Full members can participate in Council decisions, nominate individuals to the Management Committee, participate in any working group or email group, contribute to and endorse collectively agreed statements of WEL and be endorsed by Working Groups or Council to represent the network on committees and fora. They may also attend WEL’s ministerial meetings and meetings with the Chief Executives of ASPBs.

Associate membership

Voluntary or not for profit organisations who do not seek to influence national debate or policy on environmental matters, but wish to benefit from the services and information WEL provides, and are also established for purposes complementary to WEL’s charitable objects may apply for Associate membership.  For example, Associate membership is:

• open to any voluntary environmental organisation or network that does not operate at a national level within Wales whose principle purpose is complementary to the charitable objects of WEL.
• open to organisations that operate for community and environmental benefit, established for the purpose of delivering outcomes complementary to charitable objects of WEL. Organisations must be accountable to and managed by stakeholders that include 1/3rd representation by the voluntary environmental sector but may not be wholly independent of government.

This is a restrictive category of membership that entitles associate members to the following:

• Associate members will receive information from WEL (for example the weekly Assembly Bulletin, emails, details of consultation papers and events).
• Associate members can be copied into the email groups, however information and comments circulated within that group are for information only and are to be treated as confidential by the Associate member.
• Associate members can be invited by individual Working Groups to participate fully in the work of that group.
• Associate members can be invited by Working Groups or WEL Council to contribute to, or endorse statements of Wales Environment Link, but this is at the discretion of the working groups or Council itself.
• Associate members can ask to attend WEL Council as observers, and be invited by the Council to participate in discussions, however Associate members do not carry a vote on the Council.

You can download an application form for your organisation here, or phone WEL Head Office for further information about membership. We prefer applications to be submitted by email if possible.

Membership Application Procedure

After applications have been submitted to WEL Head Office…

1. Management Committee will consider applications at their next available meeting.
2. Management Committee will identify and comment on any substantive issues relating to the application (for example legal constraints).
3. The Director will seek to clarify any issues identified by the Management Committee with the applicant.
4. A paper outlining comments from the Management Committee on the application will be submitted to the next Council meeting, along with a copy of the application form and supporting documentation from the applicant.
5. Council will vote on a motion to approve or reject the application for membership.
6. The Director will advise the applicant of the decision of Council.

How much does WEL membership cost?

Full Membership 

Subscription rates per annum for Full membership of WEL are based on the income of member bodies. N.B. for UK and England and Wales bodies, income relates to Wales derived income or Welsh equivalent figures (approximately 5% of national income), whichever is the highest.

Associate Membership

The Associate membership fee is £125 for the year April 2008 – March 2009.

New members who join part way through the year will pay a proportional amount.