Membership Eligibility & Approval
1. Membership is open to companies, businesses, organisations, or individuals engaged in commercial, professional, or community activity in Bray or its hinterland, or with substantial connections to the local area.
2. Membership is subject to approval by the Chamber’s Board (or membership committee). The Chamber reserves the right to refuse membership without having to disclose reasons.
3. Chamber membership is a corporate/business entitlement — where a business is a member, its employees and authorised agents may access membership benefits in furtherance of that business.
Membership Fees & Duration
4. Membership is annual (12 months) from the date of acceptance by the Chamber or such date as the Chamber may specify.
5. The membership subscription (fee) is determined by the Chamber, according to scales (e.g. based on size, turnover, staff count) as set from time to time by the Board.
6. The Chamber may review and, if necessary, revise subscription rates, but any increase in an individual rate shall not exceed 10% in any one year (unless exceptional).
7. Membership shall renew automatically for successive 12-month periods unless the Member gives written notice (including by email) of nonrenewal at least one month before the next subscription due date.
8. The subscription fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
9. Payments can be made by bank transfer (EFT), cheque, credit/debit card, or standing order.
10. Payment is due within 30 days of the membership commencement or renewal date. If payment is not received within three months, the Chamber (after giving one month’s notice) may terminate membership and suspend access to benefits.
11. If the Member paid by standing order, the Member must ensure that it is properly set up so that the Chamber receives the first payment within 30 days of the commencement or renewal date.
12. While a Member may cancel a standing order arrangement with their bank, their obligation to pay the full subscription for the applicable term remains. If payment remains outstanding 14 days after formal request, the Chamber may suspend or terminate membership, or otherwise pursue
recovery of the fee.
Termination & Suspension
13. A Member may elect not to renew by giving written (or email) notice at least one month before the next annual subscription is due.
14. The Chamber may terminate or suspend membership (after notice) in one or more of the following cases:
a. Payment of fees remains outstanding more than three months after the due date;
b. The Member behaves in a manner detrimental to other Members or to the Chamber;
c. The Member’s actions bring the Chamber or its reputation into disrepute;
d. The Member breaches any of these Terms & Conditions.
15. On termination or suspension, the Member must immediately cease using any Chamber logos or insignia, and may lose entitlement to benefits (but remains liable for unpaid subscriptions).
Member Benefits & Use
16. Members are entitled to take advantage of the various benefits, services, and opportunities offered from time to time by the Chamber.
17. Benefits may change from time to time; the Chamber does not guarantee permanence of any particular benefit.
18. The Chamber may provide a Member Directory, networking opportunities, promotion or marketing platforms, events, training, advocacy, etc.
19. The Member Directory and contact lists provided by the Chamber are for engagement with fellow members, and should not be used for indiscriminate or bulk advertising or unsolicited marketing of non-Chamber services.
20. The Chamber shall have no liability for losses sustained by a Member arising from dealings with another Member, or from use of services or opportunities introduced by the Chamber.
21. The Chamber is not responsible for advice or services provided by third parties (even if introduced by the Chamber) and gives no warranties in respect of same.
Use of Chamber Logo & Branding
22. A Member may use the Chamber’s “Member” logo on their stationery, digital materials, and tender documentation for as long as the Member’s subscription remains current.
23. Use of the logo must not bring the Chamber into disrepute, must follow brand guidelines, and must be immediately discontinued upon termination or expiry of membership.
24. The Chamber may require a Member to cease logo use if, in the Chamber’s judgement, such use is prejudicial to the Chamber’s reputation.
Data, Privacy & Communications
25. Members consent to the Chamber holding and processing relevant Member data for the purposes of membership administration, communications, events, promotions, and chamber activities, in compliance with applicable data protection laws (e.g. GDPR).
26. The Chamber may send email newsletters, notices, and other communications. Members may opt out of non-essential communications, but essential notices (e.g. renewal, governance) will still be sent.
27. The Chamber may from time to time publish or make public a membership list or directory (with contact details) unless a Member requests exclusion (subject to law).
Liability & Indemnity
28. The Chamber shall not be liable to a Member for any indirect, consequential, incidental, or special losses arising out of or in connection with membership, except for death or personal injury caused by the Chamber’s negligence.
29. A Member shall indemnify the Chamber against all losses, claims, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses incurred by the Chamber arising from the Member’s breach of these Terms, or from the Member’s misuse of membership benefits or logo.
Amendment of Terms
30. The Chamber reserves the right to amend or vary these Terms & Conditions from time to time. Any changes will be notified to Members at least 30 days in advance.
31. Continued membership after the effective date of change constitutes acceptance of the new Terms & Conditions.
Dispute Resolution & Governing Law
32. Any dispute between a Member and the Chamber arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall first be referred to mediation (or other agreed alternative dispute resolution).
33. These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ireland. The courts of Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction.
Miscellaneous
34. If any provision (or part) of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, it shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
35. Failure or delay by the Chamber in enforcing any right under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right.
36. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between the Member and the Chamber in respect of membership and supersede all prior understandings.