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What is the ABC?
The ABC is a non-profit making trade association. It was set up in October 1997 to represent the interests of organisations which operate climbing walls.
Like any trade association the fundamental aim of the ABC is to further the interests of its members. The greater our membership is, the louder the voice of the Association and our ability to effect positive changes in the industry we all operate in. The ABC is not protectionist. The more climbing wall operators who participate the better it is for all.
Who are the Members?
The ABC, first started meeting in 1994 when Undercover Rock, Bristol; The Foundry, Sheffield; Rope Race, Marple and The Rock Face, Birmingham formally met for the first time to discuss the benefits of forming such an organisation.
The current membership of the Association is around 46 members'. Their ownership is varied and includes; private businesses; local authorities; non-profit making companies and registered charities.
Membership Types
There are three different types of membership available; Aspirant Members are organisations who have applied to gain membership to the ABC and are working towards meeting the criteria set out in the 'Guidelines'; Full Members are organisations who have made a commitment to operate their climbing walls in accordance with the 'Guidelines'; Trade Members are organisations who are involved in the artificial climbing industry and want to share information with the ABC but do not operate a climbing wall themselves.
Only full members of the association can vote at general meetings, become officers of the association and sit on sub-committees elected to deal with specific issues.
How to become a Member
Membership applications can be made by using the appropriate form which can be download from this website. Alternatively you can contact the secretary of the association. Initially you can apply for aspirant membership at a cost of £200. This is the first step to becoming a full or trade member.
Aspirant Membership
On application you will receive:
- A copy of the regulations which describe how the association’s procedures operate.
- An uncontrolled copy of "Guidelines for the Management and Use of Artificial Climbing Wall Structures" (i.e. you will not be sent revisions automatically).
- Notice and minutes of all general meetings of the association.
- The right to attend all general meetings. (You will not have the right to vote or to be nominated as an officer of the association, although you may be asked to attend sub-committee meetings in an advisory capacity).
- Access to officers of the association for interpretation of the 'Guidelines'.
- Access to full members of the association to consult on the application of the ‘Guidelines’ to your organisation.
- An application form and the right to apply for full membership or trade membership of the association.
- Aspirant membership lasts the lesser of one year or the period until full or trade membership is attained. After one year aspirant membership will lapse.
Full Membership
Aspirant Members who already operate a climbing wall can apply for full membership at any time during their period of aspirant membership by completing an application form and by paying the annual subscription of £200. The application commits their organisation to operate their climbing wall in accordance with the ABC 'Guidelines'.
Full Members will receive:
- A controlled copy of "Guidelines for the Management and Use of Artificial Climbing Wall Structures" (i.e. they will automatically receive any revisions).
- Notice and minutes of all general meetings of the association.
- The right to vote at all general meetings.
- The right to be nominated as an officer of the association and sit on sub-committees.
- The right to display an ABC membership certificate at their climbing walls and use the ABC logo on their company's documentation.
- Benefit from any trade discounts arranged for members.
- Full membership lasts as long as the annual subscriptions are renewed.
Trade Membership
Aspirant members who do not operate a climbing wall can apply for trade membership at any time during their period of aspirant membership by completing an application form and by paying the annual subscription of £200. The application commits their organisation to promoting the ABC 'Guidelines' in the industry.
Trade Members will receive:
- A controlled copy of "Guidelines for the Management and Use of Artificial Climbing Wall Structures" (i.e. they will automatically receive any revisions).
- Notice and minutes of all general meetings of the association.
- The right to attend all general meetings. (They will not have the right to vote or to be nominated as officers of the association, although they may be asked to attend sub-committee meetings in an advisory capacity).
- The right to use the ABC logo (clearly identifying trade not full membership) on their company’s documentation.
- Benefit from any trade discounts arranged for members.
- Trade Membership lasts as long as the annual subscriptions are renewed.
The Next Step
If you wish to find out more about the ABC and gain the benefits of membership then fill in the application for aspirant membership form provided and return it with the fee of £100 to:
The Secretary, The Association of British Climbing Walls
For other enquires not related to membership issues please contact:
The Chairman, The Association of British Climbing Walls
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