Become a Member
Common Ground Suffolk is owned and governed by its members. Membership is how community ownership works in practice: one member, one vote.
Common Ground Suffolk belongs to its members. Not in name, not as a courtesy, but in fact: every member holds a vote, every member helps shape what this society becomes, and an asset lock registered with the Financial Conduct Authority ensures that everything we build stays permanently dedicated to the community it serves.
What membership means
Becoming a member makes you a co-owner of Common Ground Suffolk. That is not a ceremonial title. It carries real rights. Members vote on major decisions at general meetings, elect the people who lead the society, and have a formal say in where its resources go.
Every member holds one vote, regardless of how long they have been a member or how much time they contribute. The society is run on democratic principles: equal standing for all.
What members can do
Vote at general meetings
Members meet four times a year at quarterly general meetings, plus the Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary meetings called as needed. They vote on key decisions including the use of any surplus funds and changes to the society’s rules. Members who cannot attend in person can participate and vote remotely by video, counting fully toward quorum.
Stand for election
Any member can stand for election to the board of directors and play a direct role in shaping the strategic direction of the society.
Propose and raise issues
Members can submit motions for consideration at general meetings, raise questions, and hold the board to account, making sure the society stays focused on what the community actually needs.
Inspect the accounts
Members have the right to see the society’s financial records and annual accounts. Everything we do with the community’s money is open to scrutiny.
One member, one vote. Not as a formality, but as the foundation of everything this society does.
Membership and volunteering
Membership and volunteering are separate things. You can be a member without ever picking up a trowel, and you can volunteer without becoming a member. Many people do both. Membership is about having a stake and a vote in how the society is run; volunteering is about giving your time and skills to help it operate day to day.
Your obligations as a member
Membership carries no minimum commitment beyond purchasing your share. You are welcome to attend general meetings and take an active part in the Society’s governance, but there is no obligation to do so. Members who do not attend or participate are not penalised in any way. Your involvement is entirely up to you.
The asset lock
Common Ground Suffolk has a full asset lock, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. This means the Society’s assets are permanently dedicated to community benefit and cannot be distributed to members or directors for private gain, either during the Society’s lifetime or if it were ever wound up. In the event of dissolution, any assets remaining after members’ shares are returned would transfer to a body with similar community benefit purposes. Membership is a contribution to the community, not a financial investment.
How to join
Membership is open to any individual aged 16 or over who supports our aims and lives in, works in, or has a connection to Suffolk or surrounding areas. Organisations that share our aims can also apply, exercising their membership rights through a nominated representative.
To become a member you purchase at least one share in the Society. Shares are currently priced at £10 each. There is no annual fee beyond this initial purchase. Your share remains yours and can be withdrawn if you ever choose to leave, though it cannot be transferred to anyone else. The share price is set at £10 while the society establishes its financial footing. Once we are sufficiently secure, we intend to reduce it to the statutory minimum of £1.
To apply, download and read the Membership Share Offer first, then complete the application form and return it by email to general@commongroundsuffolk.org. The form includes full payment instructions.
Covers the share offer in full, including your rights as a member, governance, and risks. Read this before applying.
Complete and return by email to general@commongroundsuffolk.org with your £10 payment.
For anyone looking to invest more in what we are building, our Community Share Offer is also available. Community shares allow you to put money directly into the Society and help fund the work we are doing across Suffolk.
Covers the community share offer in full, including investment terms and risks. Read this before applying.
Complete and return by email to general@commongroundsuffolk.org.
Want to know more about what we are building?
Read our mission and find out why Common Ground Suffolk exists and where it is going.