The ORB Member Council is the link between ORB Members of the board of Directors

In 2022, the Organisation for Responsible Businesses was gifted to the membership as a member-owned, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The Articles of Association for the new company clearly states ORB’s purpose, highlights fundamental processes that must be maintained and, in PART 3, provides details of the new ORB Member Council as per the following outlline clauses:

31.1 All members have a right to apply for membership of the Member Council

31.2 The Member Council will act as a representative body to ensure members views are shared with the Board of Directors.

31.3 The Member Council will consist of a minimum of eight members and a maximum of forty members.

To enable 2-way communication between ORB Members and the Board, the MC may nominate up to three MC representatives to hold office as a Director of the Organisation.

Any members wishing to join the Member Council must commit to the following Member Council Charter. If you wish to apply, click here to download a PDF which should be completed and emailed to the CEO

ORB Member Council Charter

The purpose of the Member Council (MC), as defined by our Articles of Association, is as follows:

“The Member Council will act as a representative body to ensure members views are shared with the Board of Directors.”

 The ORB Member Council has been established to enable members to contribute their views to the organisation.  It is not part of the governance or management of ORB but should aim to provide an open channel for a diverse group of members to express their thoughts and contribute to the strategic direction of ORB.

Individuals should only join the MC if they are passionate about supporting ORB and the membership community. When representing the Council and ORB to others, they will always provide a positive and supportive view.

In order to represent ORB members, as opposed to voicing only personal views, connecting and communicating with other ORB members is essential. And it is good for business, too!

To enable effective two-way communication between the MC and the Board of Directors, the MC can vote up to three individuals to represent the MC on the Board of Directors.

The Commitment

Being a representative of the Member Council requires a certain level of commitment:

  1. Attend all four quarterly online meetings, unless unable to do so. Any member who fails to attend two meetings in any 12-month period will step down from the Council unless exceptional circumstances warrant a dispensation approved by the MC.
  2. Representatives work together with integrity, collegiality, and care. They listen to each other’s views and treat them with respect, including when they disagree.
  3. Where necessary, carry out any reading provided in advance of meetings to contribute to the discussion in a well-informed way. It is unlikely this will ever be anything substantial.
  4. Add the role of Member Council for the Organisation for Responsible Businesses to your Linkedin profile. *
  5. Attend a minimum of three ORB monthly networking events in every calendar year. **
  6. Follow Jill Poet and the ORB company page on Linkedin and like, comment and share posts periodically. ***
  7. Add your welcome to at least 50% of new member welcomes. (These are posted on the ORB Linkedin company page, and Reps and Directors are given the links via both email and WhatsApp.) **** 

Reasons for these commitments 

* Provides additional profile for ORB and gives you increased credibility.

** One of the best ways to meet and build relationships with other ORB members, and without doing that you cannot understand their views and approach to ORB.

*** As above, this is an excellent way of connecting with other ORB members. This type of interaction on Linkedin is also beneficial for your own profile.

****  Our new member welcomes are extremely important in building early engagement and helping them feel part of the ORB community. The momentum is substantially increased according to the level of interaction to the posts. Commenting and connecting at this early stage is beneficial for your profile and helps build your connections.

You are welcome to chat with one of the Directors or Member Council Representatives if you would like further information.

If you are ready to confirm your commitment and join the Member Council, please download the PDF version of the Charter, complete, and email to the CEO.