Terms & Conditions
The Oxford Business Community Network (OBCN) is a trading name of Business Community Network Limited, a UK registered limited company and subject to UK company laws.
OBCN promotes business and networking opportunities for and between our members both online and offline. Our purpose and objective is to create a member focused, professional network of local businesses, where ‘people buy people’ and provides our members with the opportunity to build relationships and quality contacts to help generate genuine introductions for all members.
Our Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice.
Activities
The core activities of OBCN are as listed below. However OBCN is designed to be ever evolving and therefore this is not ever designed to be the complete and defining list. OBCN is established for the members and the activities may change, so we therefore reserve the right to change the content of these activities at any time.
- Monthly Speed Networking Event
- Monthly Tour Visit Event to a place of interest / business
- Monthly Online Networking Event
- Proactive Member to Member Introductions
- Website listing
- Guest blog on the OBCN website
- Social Media Engagement
- Weekly member news inclusion of your offers, promotions, events
- Training – networking
- Training – business skills
- The opportunity to enter OBCN’s SME awards
- Social Events
- Community Project participation
Additional services and support are optional activities for each member’s consideration.
Membership of OBCN
Membership of OBCN is open to all companies who want to build relationships, whilst promoting their goods and services to other companies and in turn, are open to promotion of other members’ goods and services.
Any company can apply to OBCN for membership. OBCN reserves the right to deny or cancel membership, access to its events or online facilities should the company be deemed not suitable for membership. No explanation needs to be given.
Membership is non-exclusive; however, it may be necessary to limit a maximum number of members per profession or industry.
Any company or its representatives acting in a manner not conducive to the aims of OBCN can have its membership suspended or rescinded at the discretion of OBCN. Such activities such as non-payment of fees, spamming members via email, posting of lewd or inappropriate content online or aggressive promotion, promotion of other networks to the detriment of OBCN, especially where such promotion is by a person with a rewarded position within another network, can lead to suspension or membership cancellation. In such circumstances, no refund of fees will be made.
Each membership is a company membership therefore a one-off joining fee and monthly membership fee is payable in return for benefits that are accorded to all staff members of the member companies. These include priority invitations for events, reduced or free entry to certain events and at the discretion of OBCN, access to other services designed to increase business marketing opportunities for each of its members.
Each member company can send one representative to any event under the terms of its membership agreement. Additional guests are welcome to attend but are subject to event restrictions and charges as announced.
The OBCN Membership is offered on a subscription basis. A joining fee of £50 is a one-off payment and is liable on the day of the start of membership, in addition to a monthly membership fee of £25 to be paid by direct debit. It is the member’s responsibility to ensure the payments are made and OBCN reserve the right to apply a £25 admin fee for each missed payment.
Our membership is on a rolling basis with a minimum term of 12 months membership, with a 3 month ‘cancellation period’ from month 9 onwards. Our membership fee is subject to change with 3 months notice provided.
Additional monthly or one off fees may be payable and are optional, subject to the services and support agreed between OBCN and the member.
Online content
A listing on our website (www.oxfordbusinesscommunitynetwork.co.uk) is offered to all members, conditional to your acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
OBCN members and subscribers are responsible for any content they post or that is transmitted through their online presence. As the originators of such content, all members should act responsibly and all messages, postings, threads, alerts and emails should be related to the aims of OBCN.
When referencing the network, members are responsible for using ‘The Oxford Business Community Network’ or ‘OBCN’ and should not use OBN as an abbreviation due to a conflict with another organisation.
OBCN does not guarantee the accuracy or quality of any content posted or disseminated through its site. By using these services you may receive content that is offensive, indecent or objectionable. OBCN accepts no responsibility or liability for any damage or loss incurred by the use of such content transmitted via its sites.
Posting of any unsuitable material could lead to suspension of subscriber privileges and cancellation of subscriber services without refund. Alerts or shared news is for information, news, flagging of business opportunities, referrals, recommendations, requests and general items that will benefit members.
Privacy
All personal and corporate information held is only used by OBCN for its own business purposes. We act in accordance with UK Data Law and will not pass on your details to third parties.
From time to time, OBCN will work with agencies which provide additional business services, such as support, training or access to finance. In such cases, these other agencies will be providing services that we believe you will find useful and are themselves usually members of OBCN. They will not have access to your data except your name.
If OBCN or its representatives are making a referral between or for members, then the members contact details will be shared for this purpose of introduction only.
OBCN will store your contact email, name and address only with the chosen accounting software, that allows the organisation to raise invoices etc.
We do not store your credit card details nor do we share member financial details with any third party.
Our website has a copy of our data protection and privacy policy.
Event bookings
All companies and their representatives must book ahead of the event they wish to attend. Prior booking is a prerequisite of admittance. Where no booking is made, entry cannot be guaranteed. In circumstances where no booking has been received, OBCN can only permit entry subject to the host venue’s agreement with OBCN and, where applicable, is permitted subject to full payment being received within 24 hours.
OBCN reserves the right to pursue non-paying companies for payments due. Members can be suspended for non-payment of due event fees until such time as the amount due is settled.
All bookings must be made through our online booking system (normally Eventbrite) or by email if agreed. A place is reserved for three days pending payment when the booking is accepted as confirmed. Payment is confirmation of attendance. Where bookings are made and accepted and a payment arrangement is allowed on the day, the booking company accepts full liability in the event they do not attend. OBCN will invoice for the agreed payment and seek settlement by return.
Cancellations and refunds are only accepted when made before the agreed event booking deadline and where cancellations are allowed at the venue. In such circumstances, we will attempt to offer a full refund or transfer the booking to another event of the booking company’s choice. All refunds and transfers are at the discretion of OBCN.
All data collected when booking is subject to our Privacy terms. We do not keep or store any card details when these are used for bookings.
External links
OBCN has no control over external sites and their site advertisers and accept no responsibilities over external sites, content, products or services.
Cancelling membership
The membership of OBCN is on a rolling basis with a minimum term of 12 months and a 3 month ‘cancellation period’ from month 9. Cancellation must be made via email to info@oxfordbusinesscommunitynetwork.co.uk and will be acknowledged within 5 working days; in the unlikely event this isn’t acknowledged please assume the email has been lost and follow up.
During the 3 month cancellation, the member business are still liable for the monthly membership fees. During this cancelation period, all benefits of membership shall remain, provided payments are in order. The office will notify the member business of any arrears due. Benefits of membership will be removed on the last date of the 3 month cancellation period including event attendance and any other benefits of membership available at the time of cancellation.
In order for these benefits to be reinstated, membership must be reactivated and due fees made including the joining fee of £50. OBCN will inform each company of their status and fees due.
The leaving company forfeits all rights of attendance of OBCN events. If anyone at your company wishes to attend a future event, the company will have to re-join OBCN.
It is the responsibility of the leaving company to cancel any direct debit to OBCN.
Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless OBCN, its officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any claims, actions or demands, including without limitation reasonable legal and accounting fees, alleging or resulting from your use of any online content, services, or your breach of the terms of these Terms and Conditions.