Guidelines, Terms and Conditions
The (Lancaster) Ethical Small Traders Association is a membership only organisation which is hosted by the Community Interest Company: The Ethical Small Traders Association CIC.
For the purposes of this document The Ethical Small Traders Association may be referred to as ESTA; the Community Interest Company may be referred to as CIC; the Four Bottom Line Structure may be referred to as 4BL.
Members agree to abide by the following terms:
For the purposes of this document The Ethical Small Traders Association may be referred to as ESTA; the Community Interest Company may be referred to as CIC; the Four Bottom Line Structure may be referred to as 4BL.
Members agree to abide by the following terms:
Sharing information:
Members of the ESTA Business Club agree to share the basic information about their business, as given on the BLUE portion of the application form, with all other ESTA members for the purpose of networking, and any other information they may choose to share from time to time as part of the networking process.
Members of the ESTA Business Club agree to share the basic information about their business, as given on the BLUE portion of the application form, with all other ESTA members for the purpose of networking, and any other information they may choose to share from time to time as part of the networking process.
Commercially sensitive information:
All Members agree to keep all member information of a sensitive commercial nature in the strictest confidence at all times. This is a core condition of membership.Failure to abide by this condition may result in membership being withdrawn.
All Members agree to keep all member information of a sensitive commercial nature in the strictest confidence at all times. This is a core condition of membership.Failure to abide by this condition may result in membership being withdrawn.
The Four Bottom Line Structure (4BL):
As a condition of joining ESTA, members agree to make ongoing improvements in the way their business activities affect and contribute to environmental sustainability, community well-being and the ongoing personal well-being and self-development of everyone who comes into contact with the business. This is in addition to your businesses financial success, which we also want to support. As a condition of basic membership it is sufficient that you aspire to work in the spirit of this framework and strive to make practical steps to improve the way in which your business meets the criteria of the 4BL [see document: “The Four Bottom Lines: Basic Overview. What are they? – an explanation].
As a condition of joining ESTA, members agree to make ongoing improvements in the way their business activities affect and contribute to environmental sustainability, community well-being and the ongoing personal well-being and self-development of everyone who comes into contact with the business. This is in addition to your businesses financial success, which we also want to support. As a condition of basic membership it is sufficient that you aspire to work in the spirit of this framework and strive to make practical steps to improve the way in which your business meets the criteria of the 4BL [see document: “The Four Bottom Lines: Basic Overview. What are they? – an explanation].
Use of the ESTA Logo:
Members of the ESTA Business club are not permitted to use the ESTA logo for the purposes of promoting their own businesses, until such time as a basic audit had been conducted of the members business and business practices, which would fulfil the basic public perception that their business strives to be ethical. This audit process includes the fact that Membership has to be held for a minimum of six months, and members must have attended at least three ESTA members meetings. If use of the logo is granted this will be reviewed annually when membership subscriptions are due for renewal. Full details of how to apply to use the logo are contained in our “using the ESTA Logo” document. Available on request.
Members of the ESTA Business club are not permitted to use the ESTA logo for the purposes of promoting their own businesses, until such time as a basic audit had been conducted of the members business and business practices, which would fulfil the basic public perception that their business strives to be ethical. This audit process includes the fact that Membership has to be held for a minimum of six months, and members must have attended at least three ESTA members meetings. If use of the logo is granted this will be reviewed annually when membership subscriptions are due for renewal. Full details of how to apply to use the logo are contained in our “using the ESTA Logo” document. Available on request.
Leaving ESTA:
Generally speaking, membership fees paid are not refundable. If a member wishes to leave and feels they have a grievance serious enough to warrant a membership refund this will be discussed on a case by case basis with a director of ESTA CIC. Other than that no notice period has to be given for ceasing to be a member of the ESTA Business Club, although it is always good to know why a member wants or has to leave.
Generally speaking, membership fees paid are not refundable. If a member wishes to leave and feels they have a grievance serious enough to warrant a membership refund this will be discussed on a case by case basis with a director of ESTA CIC. Other than that no notice period has to be given for ceasing to be a member of the ESTA Business Club, although it is always good to know why a member wants or has to leave.
Membership may also be withdrawn if a member is found to have wilfully acted against the spirit of the Four-fold Bottom line guidelines and principles.
In any case of disputes, misunderstandings, clashes of personality, etc, members will accept the principle that most of these things can be worked through with a little extra insight understanding and patience. Many such clashes are due to misunderstandings. As an organisation ESTA will, in the first instance, offer to help and support members to resolve disputes amicably but, upon joining ESTA members take full responsibility for their relationships and conduct towards their fellow members. As a matter of principle ESTA actively encourages Members to try to work together in a constructive way should any problems with the organisation or with fellow members arise. As a further aid ESTA recommends members acquaint themselves with the following framework: http://www.bacp.co.uk/ethical_framework/
In signing the ESTA Members Application Form, Members agree to abide by these Guidelines, Terms and Conditions. Members agree that ESTA CIC, the Community Interest Company which hosts the ESTA Membership club, reserve the right to change, develop, amend and modify these guidelines, terms and conditions from time to time. Because of the collaborative nature of our organisation, members’ insights, experience, comments and suggestions will always be taken into account whenever changes are made.
ESTA CIC reserves the right to change, modify and amend
these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice.
these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice.
There Guidelines, terms and conditions were last updated on : 15 January 2016