FULL MEMBER (CONTRACTING)

This category makes up BALI’s main membership base. It is open to a business, section or division of a business (or an individual), involved In landscape contracting on a full-time basis.

Contractor applicants will be expected to provide details of landscaping contracts carried out during the past two years and which can be inspected. The granting of Membership will be dependent upon the Applicant passing the Association’s vetting procedure.

Many applicants have asked what the vetting procedure entails. Firstly BALI will send a questionnaire to the ten referees supplied by you. When these have been returned satisfactorily, a Vetting Officer will be in touch with you to arrange to spend a day at your premises, and he will be able to offer a ‘helping hand’ through the Vetting Procedure and give advice where needed. The Vetting Officer is part of a team of Regional Vetting Officers, and he will assess your company, the quality of work, premises, paperwork and accounts, work ethics, health and safety issues etc. After the Vetting Officer’s visit a report will be submitted to BALI HQ with any recommendations that might be necessary and finally you will become a Full Contracting BALI Member.

The above ensures that contractors who carry the BALI Logo are people that we are proud to recommend to authorities, councils, housing associations and the general public etc. from our database.

Benefits of Full Contracting Membership

The strong voice and support you need…

BALI offers its members benefits in a variety of important areas, for example: (click on each benefit for more information)

	Corporate Strength BALI speaks for its members on a range of subjects – from general employment practices and “red-tape” issues to “Best Value” – through representation on key bodies such as LANTRA, the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) and the JCLI and by talking to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the DTI and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, as well as the CBI, Small Business Research Trust and many others.
	Legal Helpline Members are entitled to telephone advice on a full range of legal, personnel and related subjects including employment, court proceedings, criminal law, copyright or intellectual property problems, Health and Safety and contract law. Last year members made nearly four hundred calls to this service.
	Insurance Our specially negotiated package of competitive insurance and support, offered through BALI Insure, offers a full range of commercial and personal insurance services, including life assurance, personal finance and key services such as support for the introduction of new developments such as Stakeholder Pensions. Members have been delighted with the savings made so far.
	Finance BALI Finance. BALI is able to provide advice and specialist asset finance at competitive rates. Members can also use our competitively priced credit checking facility at HQ to obtain up-to-the-minute information, offering new business opportunities and cutting bad debt exposures.
	Vetting All applicants for BALI membership are comprehensively vetted before being allowed Membership status. Successfully completing the vetting procedure confers status on all our members.
	HQ Services HQ acts as a focal point for enquiries from members of the public, local authorities and specifiers seeking information on BALI members within their areas. The support services provided by HQ include correspondence on membership, training, recent legislation and general advice.
	BALI Domestic Form of Contract BALI has developed a domestic form of contract, which includes adjudication and clauses for the protection of the Landscaper. The contract includes the ability of either party of the contract to refer any dispute or difference arising to adjudication for resolution.
	Website Our website offers a further valuable way of marketing your services as does our comprehensive directory “BALI Who’s Who” which is circulated to over 7,000 specifiers. The BALI website is used extensively, receiving over 30,000 hits a month, by both the general public and architects alike. The ‘Members Only’ section of the website provides members with information on latest industry legislation, free advertising opportunities and somewhere to place job vacancies.
	Training Support and Seminars With training in the industry at a cross-roads BALI is working hard to ensure the best possible outcome for its members. In addition seminars at subsidised rates to members and the availability of our new HQ seminar/presentation room at Soneleigh for your own training and seminar initiatives offer further valuable benefits.
	BALI National Awards BALI’s National Landscape Awards are designed as a showcase for high levels of professionalism, skill and achievement attained in the landscaping sector each year. The resulting publicity and prestige of the Awards greatly raises the profile of winning companies, BALI as an organisation and that of the Landscape Industry as a whole.
	National Conference This provides informative and professional advice to all members in an enjoyable and professional atmosphere.
	Newsletter BALI’s quarterly newsletter ‘Landscape News’ provides information on an array of topical events affecting the industry and our members.
	Regional Meetings Providing an opportunity to meet colleagues and participate in a variety of business and social events these can be a real bonus allowing the exchange of new ideas and building a real camaraderie.

Taking advantage of even one or two of the above benefits in your first year of membership could have the effect of saving your business significant sums of money, offering real returns on the investment you make when you pay your subscription. What cannot be shown in this list is the comradeship and information exchange gained by attending regional meetings and organized seminars, and the extra publicity by being included in the Who’s Who and on-line database, which is exclusively used by many Architects and Designers.

GROUP MEMBERSHIP

This category is for large companies who have different branches in various parts of the country, and also companies that are run on a franchise basis. Membership responsibility for standards and activities of branches or franchisees rests with their main company or head office.

BALI Group Members receive the same benefits as Full Members (including the use of the BALI logo), but at a greatly reduced cost. Group Members do not undergo the initial vetting process, only the Head Office is vetted, therefore greatly reducing the Application Fee, but the Head Office remains responsible for the whole of their company’s standards. However, all contracting members of BALI are subject to inspection at any time if satisfactory standards are not maintained.

Benefits of Group Membership

The strong voice and support you need…

BALI offers its members benefits in a variety of important areas, for example: (click on each benefit for more information)

	Corporate Strength BALI speaks for its members on a range of subjects – from general employment practices and “red-tape” issues to “Best Value” – through representation on key bodies such as LANTRA, the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) and the JCLI and by talking to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the DTI and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, as well as the CBI, Small Business Research Trust and many others.
	Legal Helpline Members are entitled to telephone advice on a full range of legal, personnel and related subjects including employment, court proceedings, criminal law, copyright or intellectual property problems, Health and Safety and contract law. Last year members made nearly four hundred calls to this service.
	Insurance Our specially negotiated package of competitive insurance and support, offered through BALI Insure, offers a full range of commercial and personal insurance services, including life assurance, personal finance and key services such as support for the introduction of new developments such as Stakeholder Pensions. Members have been delighted with the savings made so far.
	Finance BALI Finance. BALI is able to provide advice and specialist asset finance at competitive rates. Members can also use our competitively priced credit checking facility at HQ to obtain up-to-the-minute information, offering new business opportunities and cutting bad debt exposures.
	Vetting All applicants for BALI membership are comprehensively vetted before being allowed Membership status. Successfully completing the vetting procedure confers status on all our members.
	HQ Services HQ acts as a focal point for enquiries from members of the public, local authorities and specifiers seeking information on BALI members within their areas. The support services provided by HQ include correspondence on membership, training, recent legislation and general advice.
	BALI Domestic Form of Contract BALI has developed a domestic form of contract, which includes adjudication and clauses for the protection of the Landscaper. The contract includes the ability of either party of the contract to refer any dispute or difference arising to adjudication for resolution.
	Website Our website offers a further valuable way of marketing your services as does our comprehensive directory “BALI Who’s Who” which is circulated to over 7,000 specifiers. The BALI website is used extensively, receiving over 30,000 hits a month, by both the general public and architects alike. The ‘Members Only’ section of the website provides members with information on latest industry legislation, free advertising opportunities and somewhere to place job vacancies.
	Training Support and Seminars With training in the industry at a cross-roads BALI is working hard to ensure the best possible outcome for its members. In addition seminars at subsidised rates to members and the availability of our new HQ seminar/presentation room at Soneleigh for your own training and seminar initiatives offer further valuable benefits.
	BALI National Awards BALI’s National Landscape Awards are designed as a showcase for high levels of professionalism, skill and achievement attained in the landscaping sector each year. The resulting publicity and prestige of the Awards greatly raises the profile of winning companies, BALI as an organisation and that of the Landscape Industry as a whole.
	National Conference This provides informative and professional advice to all members in an enjoyable and professional atmosphere.
	Newsletter BALI’s quarterly newsletter ‘Landscape News’ provides information on an array of topical events affecting the industry and our members.
	Regional Meetings Providing an opportunity to meet colleagues and participate in a variety of business and social events these can be a real bonus allowing the exchange of new ideas and building a real camaraderie.

Taking advantage of even one or two of the above benefits in your first year of membership could have the effect of saving your business significant sums of money, offering real returns on the investment you make when you pay your subscription. What cannot be shown in this list is the comradeship and information exchange gained by attending regional meetings and organized seminars, and the extra publicity by being included in the Who’s Who and on-line database, which is exclusively used by many Architects and Designers.

PROBATIONARY MEMBERSHIP

Probationary Membership is for landscape contractors who have been in business for less than two years.

Although Probationary Members are not eligible to enter the annual BALI Awards, have no voting rights at the AGM and are not entitled to use the BALI Logo until full membership is granted, they can state on paperwork that they are Probationary Members of BALI and have full use of all of the other benefits on offer to members.

Benefits of Probationary Membership

The strong voice and support you need…

BALI offers its members benefits in a variety of important areas, for example: (click on each benefit for more information)

	Corporate Strength BALI speaks for its members on a range of subjects – from general employment practices and “red-tape” issues to “Best Value” – through representation on key bodies such as LANTRA, the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) and the JCLI and by talking to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the DTI and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, as well as the CBI, Small Business Research Trust and many others.
	Legal Helpline Members are entitled to telephone advice on a full range of legal, personnel and related subjects including employment, court proceedings, criminal law, copyright or intellectual property problems, Health and Safety and contract law. Last year members made nearly four hundred calls to this service.
	Insurance Our specially negotiated package of competitive insurance and support, offered through BALI Insure, offers a full range of commercial and personal insurance services, including life assurance, personal finance and key services such as support for the introduction of new developments such as Stakeholder Pensions. Members have been delighted with the savings made so far.
	Finance BALI Finance. BALI is able to provide advice and specialist asset finance at competitive rates. Members can also use our competitively priced credit checking facility at HQ to obtain up-to-the-minute information, offering new business opportunities and cutting bad debt exposures.
	HQ Services HQ acts as a focal point for enquiries from members of the public, local authorities and specifiers seeking information on BALI members within their areas. The support services provided by HQ include correspondence on membership, training, recent legislation and general advice.
	BALI Domestic Form of Contract BALI has developed a domestic form of contract, which includes adjudication and clauses for the protection of the Landscaper. The contract includes the ability of either party of the contract to refer any dispute or difference arising to adjudication for resolution.
	Website Our website offers a further valuable way of marketing your services as does our comprehensive directory “BALI Who’s Who” which is circulated to over 7,000 specifiers. The BALI website is used extensively, receiving over 30,000 hits a month, by both the general public and architects alike. The ‘Members Only’ section of the website provides members with information on latest industry legislation, free advertising opportunities and somewhere to place job vacancies.
	Training Support and Seminars With training in the industry at a cross-roads BALI is working hard to ensure the best possible outcome for its members. In addition seminars at subsidised rates to members and the availability of our new HQ seminar/presentation room at Soneleigh for your own training and seminar initiatives offer further valuable benefits.
	National Conference This provides informative and professional advice to all members in an enjoyable and professional atmosphere.
	Newsletter BALI’s quarterly newsletter ‘Landscape News’ provides information on an array of topical events affecting the industry and our members.
	Regional Meetings Providing an opportunity to meet colleagues and participate in a variety of business and social events these can be a real bonus allowing the exchange of new ideas and building a real camaraderie.

Taking advantage of even one or two of the above benefits in your first year of membership could have the effect of saving your business significant sums of money, offering real returns on the investment you make when you pay your subscription. What cannot be shown in this list is the comradeship and information exchange gained by attending regional meetings and organized seminars, and the extra publicity by being included in the Who’s Who and on-line database, which is exclusively used by many Architects and Designers.

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP

This category of membership is open to a business, section or division of a business (or an individual), which supplies material, equipment or a service to the landscape industry and particularly BALI Members.

Benefits of Affiliate Membership

	We have a database of all members, which we access when members of the public telephone this office requesting specific product needs in their area. Councils, architects, designers and major authorities also use this facility.
	Full Affiliate members are allowed to use the BALI logo on all letterheads etc, and also your company can be entered under the corporate box of Yellow Pages (details enclosed in Welcome Pack).
	A Who’s Who Directory that lists all members is published and updated bi-annually. Members receive a free copy and this is also sent to architects, libraries, designers, councils and all organisations that would need a product guide, free of charge.
	All Members have a free entry onto our BALI Website so that the public can search by regions and disciplines. You will then be able to a ‘hotlink’ to your own website.
	We offer our members a direct line for Health & Safety problems, Employment queries, together with a Legal Help Line, which has proved invaluable to many members.
	BALI Affiliated Members are also able to circulate their company’s new products via our quarterly newsletter, Landscape News, at a greatly reduced cost.
	Each year BALI recognises outstanding achievements within the landscape sector at an annual Awards Ceremony. BALI Affiliate members have the opportunity to ‘showcase’ their product at this prestigious event.
	Great opportunities are available to promote your company’s products/services by mounting small exhibitions at Regional Events, or co-sponsoring a BALI stand at major landscaping exhibitions.

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER MEMBERSHIP

This is BALI’s newest membership, launched in June 2004. Entering this category will open an array of networking opportunities for Landscape Architects and Designers, both at a regional and national level, and being associated with the well-established reputation of BALI will greatly enhance credibility and client assurance.

There are two categories within BALI Landscape Designer Membership:

The ‘BALI Registered Designer’ category is open to designers and architects that have been in continuous practice for a minimum of two years. Applicants for this category must submit three completed schemes, with a portfolio, to be assessed by a panel of adjudicators.

The ‘Member’ category of Landscape Designer Membership is open to those who have recently completed a recognised garden design/landscape architectural course but have been practicing for less than two years.

Designer Membership Benefits

	Use of the BALI Landscape Designer Logo (subject to Membership category)
	Excellent networking opportunities at BALI Regional Meetings
	Opportunity to enter the new `Designer’ category in the BALI National Landscape Awards
	The BALI Domestic Form of Contract
	All members will appear in the new Designer category of the BALI Who’s Who, and the new Designer section of the BALI website
	Garden Design opportunities at Exhibitions
	Reduced rate advertising opportunities, both in the BALI quarterly publication Landscape News and on the BALI website
	Access to BALI Help lines, including a legal helpline, health and safety helpline and tax and business helpline
	Good support from BALI HQ and Regional Committees

CORRESPONDING MEMBERSHIP

This category is for a college, public or local authority, professional body or trade association, or individual involved in the landscape industry, that is not eligible for any other category of membership.

It is aimed at those that wish to keep up-to-date with the news of the industry.

Corresponding Membership Benefits

	A Quarterly Newsletter giving you members’ news and views, the latest government regulations, details of new products and interesting articles on a variety of topics
	Regular mailings keeping you up-to-date with all the latest news and statistics on the landscape sector, news of courses and BALI publications
	Regional meetings featuring visits, talks and workshops, where all our categories of membership meet for business and social interaction
	A free Who’s Who Directory listing all our members
	Entry onto the BALI database enabling easy distribution of information regarding the landscape industry to be sent through to you on a regular basis by both mail and email

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

We at BALI recognise how important training is to the future development of the landscape industry, and are passionate for the need to support young people embarking on a career in this exciting sector.

Joining BALI will give you a range of benefits that will not only assist with your studies, but also give you a good grounding for employment success in the future.

Entering this new category of membership will open an array of networking opportunities, both at a regional and national level, and the new BALI Student Helpline will provide you with useful links to information sources.

Health & Safety training is vital to the industry, so gaining the Student ROLO Card as part of your Membership will give you an extra edge when on work experience or applying for jobs.

Student Benefits

	New Student Helpline giving links to associations, training, and information websites
	The Student ROLO card – evidence of Health & Safety Training
	Excellent networking opportunities at the BALI regional meetings
	Access to members’ section of BALI website
	Access to job opportunities/seeking employment
	On-line access to Technical Notes/Landscape News
	On-line Student Noticeboard
	Minimal Membership Fee

OVERSEAS MEMBERS

Overseas Membership is open to a business, section or division of a business (or an individual), that is resident and operating solely outside England, Scotland, Wales. Overseas members have full use of the BALI logo.

Benefits for Overseas Members
(click on each benefit for more information)

	Legal Helpline Members are entitled to telephone advice on a full range of legal, personnel and related subjects including employment, court proceedings, criminal law, copyright or intellectual property problems, Health and Safety and contract law. Last year members made nearly four hundred calls to this service.
	Finance BALI Finance. BALI is able to provide advice and specialist asset finance at competitive rates. Members can also use our competitively priced credit checking facility at HQ to obtain up-to-the-minute information, offering new business opportunities and cutting bad debt exposures.
	HQ Services HQ acts as a focal point for enquiries from members of the public, local authorities and specifiers seeking information on BALI members within their areas. The support services provided by HQ include correspondence on membership, training, recent legislation and general advice.
	Website Our website offers a further valuable way of marketing your services as does our comprehensive directory “BALI Who’s Who” which is circulated to over 7,000 specifiers. The BALI website is used extensively, receiving over 30,000 hits a month, by both the general public and architects alike. The ‘Members Only’ section of the website provides members with information on latest industry legislation, free advertising opportunities and somewhere to place job vacancies.
	BALI National Awards BALI’s National Landscape Awards are designed as a showcase for high levels of professionalism, skill and achievement attained in the landscaping sector each year. The resulting publicity and prestige of the Awards greatly raises the profile of winning companies, BALI as an organisation and that of the Landscape Industry as a whole.
	National Conference This provides informative and professional advice to all members in an enjoyable and professional atmosphere.
	Newsletter BALI’s quarterly newsletter ‘Landscape News’ provides information on an array of topical events affecting the industry and our members.