EFFECTIVE BUSINESS NETWORK (EBN)
MEMBERSHIP TERMS & CONDITIONS
Last Updated: 1st June 2026
These Membership Terms & Conditions form the agreement between Effective Business Network ("EBN", "we", "our", "us") and the Member ("you", "your").
By applying for membership, renewing membership, attending meetings, making payment, or continuing your membership, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
1. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of these Terms & Conditions:
EBN means Effective Business Network.
Group Membership means membership assigned to a specific EBN group and includes industry exclusivity within that group.
Network Membership means membership of the EBN network without a dedicated group seat or industry exclusivity.
Company Membership means membership held by a business for up to two named individuals from the same organisation, including attendance rights, member benefits, and participation within the EBN network.
Additional Membership Seat means any additional industry classification or group membership purchased by an existing member.
Legacy Member means a member who joined under a previous EBN membership structure.
Industry Classification means the industry category allocated to a member by EBN.
Member Benefits means the benefits, opportunities, resources and services offered by EBN from time to time.
2. ABOUT EBN
EBN is a business networking organisation providing networking opportunities, introductions, visibility opportunities, promotional opportunities, events, business support, member resources and related benefits.
Membership is intended for business owners, professionals, sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, registered charities, not-for-profit organisations and authorised business representatives.
Membership is designed to support relationship building, visibility, collaboration and business growth.
No specific level of referrals, introductions, attendance, opportunities, business generated or commercial outcome is guaranteed.
3. MEMBERSHIP TYPES
EBN may offer different membership categories from time to time.
Membership categories may differ in relation to:
Exclusivity
Attendance rights
Membership term
Payment options
Member benefits
Cancellation rights
Eligibility requirements
Current membership categories include:
Group Membership
Group Membership provides:
Membership of a specific EBN group
Industry exclusivity within that group
A reserved seat within that group
Attendance rights within the allocated group
Cross-group visit opportunities
Access to member benefits
Network Membership
Network Membership provides:
Membership of the wider EBN network
Access to member benefits
Attendance opportunities across the EBN network
Greater flexibility for members unable to commit to a specific group
Network Membership does not provide:
Industry exclusivity
A reserved seat
A dedicated home group
Attendance rights are subject to availability and EBN's attendance policies.
Company Membership
Company Membership is available to businesses wishing to include up to two named individuals under a single membership.
Both individuals will receive the benefits associated with membership, including attendance at meetings, access to member benefits, visibility opportunities, and participation within the EBN community.
Company Membership belongs to the business rather than the individual members. If one individual leaves the business during the membership term, the business may nominate a replacement subject to approval by EBN.
Both individuals are required to comply with these Terms & Conditions and the business remains responsible for all membership fees, charges, and obligations associated with the membership.
Company Membership includes up to two named members only. Additional individuals will require a separate membership arrangement.
Additional Membership Seats
Members may apply for additional membership seats, industry classifications or additional group memberships, subject to availability and approval.
Charity Memberships
EBN may offer discounted membership arrangements for eligible registered charities at its discretion.
Legacy Memberships
Members who joined under previous membership structures may remain on those arrangements where permitted by EBN.
4. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Membership benefits may include:
Attendance opportunities
Industry exclusivity (where applicable)
Visibility opportunities
Promotional opportunities
Member communications
Cross-group visits
Community access
Networking opportunities
Member resources
Additional benefits introduced by EBN from time to time
Membership benefits may change, evolve, be replaced, added to or withdrawn as EBN develops.
No specific benefit is guaranteed unless expressly stated in writing by EBN.
5. INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION & EXCLUSIVITY
Members join EBN under an Industry Classification determined by EBN.
Industry exclusivity applies only to the Industry Classification agreed by EBN.
Industry classifications are determined by EBN and may not necessarily reflect every product, service or activity offered by a member's business.
Members may offer additional products or services outside their allocated Industry Classification.
However, such activities do not automatically attract exclusivity rights.
Members may not seek to prevent, exclude or object to another member or prospective member whose Industry Classification differs from their own, even where some overlap exists between services offered.
Where a member wishes to secure exclusivity in an additional Industry Classification, a separate membership seat must be purchased, subject to approval and availability.
Members must notify EBN if their business activities materially change during their membership term.
EBN reserves the right to review, amend or reassign Industry Classifications where appropriate.
EBN's decision regarding Industry Classifications, exclusivity and seat allocation shall be final.
Industry exclusivity remains the property of EBN and may be suspended, withdrawn, reassigned or released where:
Membership payments are overdue
Membership becomes inactive
Attendance requirements are not met
Membership is suspended or terminated
EBN reasonably believes a seat should be released for operational purposes
6. MEMBERSHIP TERM
Group Membership
Group Membership is a minimum twelve (12) month commitment.
Membership begins on the date the application is accepted by EBN and continues for the agreed membership term.
Network Membership
Network Membership is subject to a minimum three (3) month commitment.
Following the initial three-month period, membership shall continue on a rolling monthly basis unless cancelled in accordance with these Terms.
Company Membership
Group Membership is a minimum twelve (12) month commitment.
Membership begins on the date the application is accepted by EBN and continues for the agreed membership term.
Additional Membership Seats
Additional Membership Seats are linked to the term of the primary membership unless otherwise agreed.
7. MEMBERSHIP FEES & PAYMENTS
Membership fees, payment options and eligibility criteria are published separately by EBN and may be amended from time to time.
Members are responsible for ensuring that payment details remain valid and up to date.
Membership fees are payable in accordance with the payment option selected by the member.
Failure to maintain valid payment arrangements may result in:
Suspension of membership
Suspension of attendance rights
Suspension of membership benefits
Release of industry exclusivity
Termination of membership
Recovery of outstanding sums owed
Suspension or termination does not remove liability for outstanding amounts due under the membership agreement.
Membership fees are non-refundable except where required by law.
8. CHARITY MEMBERSHIPS
EBN may, at its discretion, offer discounted membership arrangements to registered charities.
Evidence of registered charity status may be requested.
Eligibility, pricing, participation requirements and discounts are determined by EBN and may be amended from time to time.
Charity members remain subject to these Terms & Conditions unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Discounted charity membership arrangements do not create entitlement to future discounts, renewals at the same rate or additional concessions.
9. MEMBERSHIP PRICING
Membership pricing is fixed for the duration of the member's current membership term.
Any future pricing changes will apply from the member's next renewal date.
Price changes do not create entitlement to terminate an active membership, receive a refund or cancel the remainder of a membership term.
10. RENEWALS
Membership may renew automatically at the end of the membership term unless notice is received in accordance with these Terms & Conditions.
Members wishing not to renew must provide a minimum of one (1) month's written notice before their renewal date by sending an email to [email protected]
EBN will provide renewal reminders before automatic renewal takes place.
Failure to receive a reminder due to incorrect contact details or circumstances beyond EBN's reasonable control shall not invalidate an otherwise valid renewal.
Responsibility for providing notice remains with the member.
11. HOW TO CANCEL OR GIVE NOTICE
Members may cancel their membership or provide notice of non-renewal by:
Completing the cancellation form available via the EBN website
Emailing EBN using the contact details published on the EBN website
Cancellation requests should clearly include:
Member name
Business name
Membership type
Membership group
Confirmation that the member wishes to cancel or not renew
EBN may request additional information where reasonably necessary to verify the request.
Cancellation requests will be treated as received on the date they are submitted through the approved cancellation process.
EBN will endeavour to acknowledge cancellation requests within a reasonable period.
Verbal notifications, informal conversations, social media messages, WhatsApp messages, messages passed through third parties, or notifications given solely to Group Directors will not normally constitute formal notice unless confirmed through the approved cancellation process.
Cancellation requests cannot be backdated.
12. COOLING-OFF RIGHTS
Where required by applicable law, members who join online, remotely or otherwise qualify for statutory cancellation rights may be entitled to a fourteen (14) day cooling-off period.
Where a member requests access to membership benefits, meetings, services or resources during the cooling-off period, EBN reserves the right to make reasonable deductions where permitted by law.
Nothing within these Terms removes or limits any statutory rights available under applicable legislation.
13. NON-RENEWAL & SEAT RECRUITMENT
Where a member has provided notice that they do not intend to renew, EBN reserves the right to begin recruiting for the relevant industry seat before the existing membership expires.
This may include:
Advertising the vacancy
Inviting visitors from the relevant industry
Conducting membership discussions with prospective replacements
Allowing prospective members from the same industry to attend meetings
The departing member shall retain their membership rights until the expiry of their membership term unless otherwise agreed.
14. ATTENDANCE & ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
EBN membership is intended for active participation.
Members are expected to engage with their group, respond to reasonable communications and actively participate in the network.
Where a member fails to attend meetings and/or fails to engage with EBN communications for a period of eight (8) consecutive weeks, EBN reserves the right to:
Release the member's industry seat
Suspend membership benefits
Suspend attendance rights
Suspend exclusivity rights
Terminate membership
Examples of acceptable absence may include:
Holiday
Illness
Maternity leave
Paternity leave
Caring responsibilities
Bereavement
Other exceptional circumstances agreed in advance by EBN
No refund shall be payable where membership is suspended or terminated under this clause.
15. NETWORK MEMBERSHIP ATTENDANCE RULES
Network Membership is designed to provide flexibility whilst protecting the integrity of Group Membership and industry exclusivity.
Network Members may attend meetings across the EBN network, subject to:
Availability
Attendance limits
Industry restrictions
Operational requirements determined by EBN
Group Members shall always take priority over Network Members.
Network Membership does not provide:
Industry exclusivity
A reserved seat
A dedicated home group
EBN reserves the right to determine attendance limits for Network Members from time to time.
Where a Network Member attends the same group more than three (3) times within any rolling three-month period, EBN may require the member to convert to Group Membership if they wish to continue attending that group.
EBN reserves the right to refuse attendance requests where necessary to protect seat exclusivity, venue capacity or the interests of existing members.
16. VISITOR POLICY
Prospective members may attend a maximum of two (2) meetings as a visitor unless otherwise agreed by EBN.
Following those visits, EBN reserves the right to refuse further visitor attendance unless membership is taken up.
Visitor attendance is always subject to availability and industry exclusivity.
EBN reserves the right to refuse visitor attendance at its discretion.
17. RESPECTFUL CONDUCT
EBN is committed to maintaining a welcoming, supportive, and professional environment for members, visitors, Group Directors, suppliers, venue staff, and members of the EBN team.
Members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times, whether attending meetings, participating in online communities, communicating with other members, or interacting with members of the EBN team.
Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, abusive behaviour, inappropriate conduct, or persistent unreasonable behaviour will not be tolerated.
Members must also treat EBN team members, contractors, virtual assistants, Group Directors, and support staff with courtesy and respect. Behaviour that is rude, aggressive, threatening, or repeatedly unreasonable may result in membership being suspended or terminated.
EBN reserves the right to suspend or terminate membership without refund where behaviour is deemed detrimental to the wellbeing of members, the reputation of the network, or the effective operation of EBN.
18. GROUP DIRECTORS
Group Directors are appointed by EBN at its sole discretion.
Group Directors must comply with:
The EBN Group Director Guide
EBN policies and procedures
Operational requirements issued by EBN from time to time
Acceptance of a Group Director appointment constitutes acceptance of the current EBN Group Director Guide and any future revisions.
Group Director appointments may be amended, suspended, reassigned or withdrawn by EBN at any time.
Failure to comply with the Group Director Guide, EBN policies, operational requirements or expected standards of conduct may result in removal from the Group Director role.
Removal from a Group Director position does not automatically terminate membership unless otherwise determined by EBN.
19. COMMUNICATIONS
Members are responsible for ensuring that their contact details remain accurate and up to date.
EBN may communicate with members by:
SMS
Telephone
Online portals
Membership platforms
Messaging systems
Other reasonable communication methods
Members are expected to respond to reasonable communications relating to attendance, administration, renewals, payments and operational matters.
Failure to read, receive or respond to communications does not invalidate notices issued by EBN where reasonable attempts have been made to contact the member.
20. LEGACY MEMBERS
Members who joined under previous EBN membership arrangements may remain on those arrangements where permitted by EBN.
Legacy Members may choose to move onto current membership structures at renewal.
No member shall be required to move from a legacy arrangement to a current membership structure unless otherwise agreed.
EBN reserves the right to discontinue legacy arrangements for future renewals by providing reasonable notice.
21. DATA PROTECTION & PRIVACY
EBN will process personal data in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation and the EBN Privacy Policy.
Members consent to EBN storing and using relevant information for:
Membership administration
Networking activities
Event management
Member communications
Promotional opportunities
Operational purposes
22. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
If a member has a complaint regarding EBN, another member, a Group Director, an event, a venue, or any aspect of the network, they should raise the matter in writing with EBN as soon as reasonably possible.
EBN will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and will investigate the matter fairly and appropriately. Whilst timescales may vary depending on the nature and complexity of the issue, EBN will aim to provide a response within a reasonable timeframe.
Members are expected to raise concerns professionally and respectfully. EBN reserves the right to decline to engage with complaints that are abusive, vexatious, malicious, or unreasonable in nature.
The decision of EBN following investigation of a complaint shall be final.
23. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the fullest extent permitted by law, EBN shall not be liable for:
Loss of profits
Loss of business
Loss of revenue
Loss of opportunity
Indirect or consequential loss
Actions of other members
Networking outcomes
Referral outcomes
Business performance
Nothing in these Terms excludes liability where exclusion is prohibited by law.
24. FORCE MAJEURE
EBN shall not be liable for delays, interruptions, cancellations or failures caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
This includes but is not limited to:
Venue issues
Illness
Emergencies
Technology failures
Supplier issues
Weather events
Government restrictions
EBN reserves the right to change venues, schedules, formats, dates, speakers or delivery methods where reasonably necessary.
25. TERMINATION BY EBN
EBN reserves the right to refuse, suspend or terminate membership where EBN reasonably believes that continued membership is not in the best interests of:
EBN
The relevant group
Other members
The effective operation of the network
Termination does not automatically waive any fees already due under the membership agreement.
26. NO WAIVER
If EBN chooses not to enforce any provision of these Terms & Conditions on one occasion, this shall not prevent EBN from enforcing the same provision in the future.
Any waiver must be confirmed in writing by EBN.
27. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS
EBN reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions from time to time.
Updated Terms will be made available via the EBN website and/or member communications.
Continued membership, attendance, payment or renewal following notification of updated Terms may constitute acceptance of those changes.
28. GOVERNING LAW
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
29. MEMBER DECLARATION
By applying for membership, renewing membership, attending meetings, making payment or continuing membership, you confirm that:
You have read and understood these Terms & Conditions
You agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions
You understand the membership commitment applicable to your membership type
You understand membership fees are non-refundable except where required by law
You understand notice requirements for cancellation and non-renewal
You understand industry classifications are determined by EBN
You understand participation and business outcomes cannot be guaranteed
You understand EBN may suspend, release or terminate memberships where these Terms are not complied with