Why Membership?
The North West Highlands is special to all of us in many ways. It’s home and it’s ours. These are the landscapes and the backdrop to our lives. We know visitors flock here from all over the world and even though we see it every day, we know it’s a very special place to live and work.
One of the things that makes the North West Highlands special is its geology. Geology forges our landscapes, it creates the rugged coastlines, iconic mountains and beautiful glens that we know and love. Geology gives us fishing ports and rivers, suitable farmland, sheltered glens that supported settlements which are the foundations of the villages we now work in, and less fertile land that retains a rugged character. Geoparks tell the stories of the land and UNESCO recognises our stories as the most outstanding in the world.
The North West Highlands Geopark Ltd is a Social Enterprise and a Charity that manages our UNESCO Global Geopark status. Being a Global Geopark is very similar to being a World Heritage Site. Our Geopark is unique for being managed by a community-led Charity.
Geopark stories are powerful things, they can evoke a sense of wonder amongst visitors, inspiring them to want to take care of the landscape. They can inspire young minds, and the not-so-young, to learn more about how the planet works and how this affects our daily lives and our culture. They can bring people together, with a shared sense of identity. They can even provide the basis for economic development where stories inspire crafts, products and services.
To help us continue telling these stories well, the Charity needs sound governance and the support and interest of the communities it serves. If you believe in the value of the Geopark, then please come and stand with us as a member.
As a member of the North West Highlands Geopark Ltd, you will be showing potential funders that you value the Geopark and the work of the Charity. Of course you will also be able to nominate and elect people to serve as directors, or even serve yourself.
Membership of The Northwest Highlands Geopark
Members of the Northwest Highlands Geopark have the right to attend the annual general meeting (and any extraordinary general meetings) and have important powers under the articles of association and the Act; in particular, the members elect people to serve as directors and take decisions in relation to changes to the articles themselves.
Qualifications for Membership
Membership of the North West Highlands Geopark is be open to anyone aged 16 or over who is on the electoral roll and lives within the boundaries of the park. In addition, the directors may at their sole discretion admit to membership any person aged 16 or over who, while not a full or part time resident within the boundaries of the Geopark, has a strong connection with, or interest in the community.
Applications for Membership
Application for membership is available using an online form attached. Please click on the button below to access.
The directors shall consider each application for membership at the first directors’ meeting held after receipt of the application; the directors shall, within a reasonable time after the meeting notify the applicant of their decision on the application.
Membership Subscription
The decision as to whether to have membership subscriptions, and at what level, shall be decided annually by the membership at the AGM.
Register of Members
The directors shall maintain a register of members, setting out the full name and address of each member, the date they were admitted to, and the date they ceased to become a member. Any member wishing to withdraw from membership shall sign and lodge with the company a written notice to that effect. On receipt of the notice by the company they shall cease to be a member.
Apply for Membership to the Northwest Highlands Geopark
