Rights as a Member of Argyll & the Isles Tourism Co-operative Ltd

Argyll & Isles Tourism Co-operative (AITC) is an organisation that was set up in 2012 as a cooperative with its membership being local marketing and sectoral groups. Through direct membership and associate membership, we represent around 1200 tourism business interests across Argyll & the Isles.

As a direct member of AITC, in addition to your marketing benefits, the team can represent members’ interests in matters which affect them. We will amplify your single voice into a louder one as we speak on behalf of tourism in the area as a whole. You can shape our thinking and make sure we’re connected to what’s really happening on the ground and take that perspective to those who need to hear it - the media, local councils and the Scottish Government.

The work of AITC is informed and bound by our Memorandum of Association, which sets out our purpose and the rules governing the roles of the Directors and Members of the Co-operative.

You also have certain rights and obligations which are set out in the Memorandum of Association and are summarized here:

An opportunity to vote on certain changes to the operation of AITC will mostly be put forward at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in November each year. You will be sent an individual invitation to the AGM. If you are unable to attend the AGM, you have the right to vote by proxy.
An obligation to pay the appropriate membership fee in exchange for marketing services as set out in our Membership Pack. Nonpayment of agreed fees will result in termination of membership and removal from all AITC marketing services and materials.
An opportunity to be considered for vacancies for Directors to sit on the Board of AITC

If you have any questions regarding your membership, and / or your rights and obligations as a member, please let us know by emailing members@wildaboutargyll.co.uk or writing to us at:

AITC
C\o Ainsley Smith
21 Argyll Square
Oban PA34 4AT

Individual Membership

The membership start date will be the date that the membership joining fee or invoice is paid.
Cancellation: Members should give 30 days’ notice of cancellation. Direct Debit payments will only be cancelled after 30 days e.g., if cancelled on 15th of the month – the next direct debit will be collected and then cancelled.
In the event a member cancels their direct debit or does not pay their invoice any joining fee paid is non refundable.
If a member cancels and has been invoiced for a full year, only the remaining months (after 30 days’ notice) will be refunded.
After cancellation, the member listing will either be reduced to basic listing and listed as a non-member or removed from the Wild About Argyll website.

Destination & Sectoral Groups

The membership start date will be the date that the membership joining fee or invoice is paid.
Cancellation: The relevant authorised person should give 30 days’ notice of cancellation. Direct Debit payments will only be cancelled after 30 days e.g., if cancelled on 15th of the month – the next direct debit will be collected and then cancelled.
In the event a member cancels their direct debit or does not pay their invoice any joining fee paid is non refundable.
After cancellation, the DMO member listings will either be reduced to basic listing and listed as a non-member or removed from the Wild About Argyll website. Members who have direct membership of Wild About Argyll will remain listed and promoted.
Any new members of the local DMO or sectoral group will not be added to Wild About Argyll without a direct Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative membership.

Supplier Membership

The membership start date will be the date that the membership joining fee or invoice is paid.
Cancellation: Supplier Members should give 30 days’ notice of cancellation. Direct Debit payments will only be cancelled after 30 days e.g., if cancelled on 15th of the month – the next direct debit will be collected and then cancelled.
In the event a supplier member cancels their direct debit or does not pay their invoice any joining fee paid is non refundable
If a member cancels and has been invoiced for a full year, only the remaining months (after 30 days’ notice) will be refunded.
After cancellation, the supplier member listing will be removed from the Wild About Argyll website.
Suppliers will be promoted to the AITC membership. Promotion means: Featured on suppliers’ area on Wild About Argyll's website.
Promoted at least twice per annum in Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative membership emails / communications.
Opportunity to sponsor and promote at member events e.g., AGM, Summit.

Inappropriate Member Behaviour – Right to Terminate

Argyll and Isles Tourism Cooperative has the Right to Terminate membership in event of:

Failure to collect GoCardless payments after 3 attempts and communication to resolve.
Failure to pay membership invoice after 60 days and communication to resolve.
Inappropriate member behaviour, including but not limited to:
- Harassment or inappropriate behaviour towards an Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative board member, staff, freelancer or on digital marketing channels.
- Reputationally damaging press, blogs, or other social content which is incorrect.
- Fraudulent business activities.
If Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative deem fit to remove a member, no fees paid shall be refunded and any listing may be removed – to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Code of Conduct

Members shall act honestly in all dealings with Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative and its members and partners.
Members shall not knowingly make a false or inaccurate statements, mislead or otherwise allow those with whom they deal to operate with a false impression of anything relating to the business.
Members shall champion equality and diversity and shall not discriminate against anyone with whom they come into contact.
Members shall treat all AITC staff and fellow members with dignity and respect and are encouraged to establish working practices that safeguard against unlawful or unethical discrimination in the operation of their own businesses.
Members shall use the WAA branding and toolkit in accordance with the usage guidance.
Members have a right to request the information held about them in the AITC systems.
Members can request, at any point, an update on marketing and promotion plans.
Members are asked to positively represent the WAA brand in their own communications.

Member Complaints