WMBC Membership & Harborne Permit Information & Application
If, after reading about the types of WMBC Membership & Harborne Permit available, you would like to become a member of WMBC or purchase a Harborne permit please select an application method by clicking on the links at the end of this document. Online application & payment is the preferred option by WMBC.
There are two basic types of WMBC membership - Standard Membership and Inclusive Membership. Inclusive membership is available at reduced cost for the younger birder in two categories: Young Birder Membership (Age 16-17) and 18-23 Birder Membership (Age 18-23) as well as the full cost “Adult” Inclusive Membership. In addition, Joint Membership is available for the spouse/partner of Standard and Inclusive members for a small additional cost.
Joint membership does not change the existing rights of partners of members in any way and is entirely optional for those who require the additional benefits it gives. It is open only to the Spouse/Partner of a fully paid up member (either Standard or Inclusive) and designed to give the additional benefits of full membership without having to pay a second full membership fee. Joint members have full voting rights at Club meetings and are eligible to serve on Club committees and their presence at meetings counts towards making that meeting quorate. They receive their own membership card and, if requested, an additional Blithfield sticker. They are not however sent their own copy of the Newsletter and Annual Report (for that a full Inclusive membership would have to be taken out).
All members are entitled to attend Club Indoor Meetings, Field Trips etc irrespective of their location and, apart from Joint spouse/partner members, receive a copy of the Club’s Annual Bird Report together with four issues of our Newsletter each calendar year. If you wish you can unsubscribe from the WMBC Newsletter or the WMBC Annual Bird Report at any time by informing the Membership Secretary by email or post that you wish to do so.
Regardless of when membership is taken out Membership renewals are due annually on Jan 1st
For that reason anyone joining in October or beyond in any calendar year and paying by standing order will have valid membership for the remainder of that year and the 12 month period of the following year (up to 15 months for the price of 12 in the first year of membership). Those joining online will have the same benefit if, on first renewal in January they set up a recurrent payment, as they will then receive a refund of their first recurrent payment. Due to the fixed date for renewal it is only possible to set up a recurrent payment during the renewal period. This is not possible at the time of joining.
WMBC also provide the option to access the WMBC Harborne Reserve only WITHOUT providing WMBC membership or its associated benefits. This is primarily intended for those who live locally to the reserve usually in Harborne and Edgbaston and is by issue of a Harborne Card Permit.
Standard Membership (Individual) - £20 per annum or Standard Membership (Joint) - £25 per annum
Caters for all those who do not wish to visit our reserves. The Joint version provides full membership for the spouse/partner.
Inclusive Membership (Individual) - £30 per annum or Inclusive Membership (Joint) - £35 per annum
Inclusive Membership (Individual) gives all the benefits of Standard Membership (Individual) with the addition of access to all four West Midland Bird Club reserves - Belvide, Blithfield, Harborne and Ladywalk. It also gives access to our reserves for the spouse/partner of the member and their children up to age 18, living at the same address. It does not however make the spouse/partner a full member of WMBC, for this Inclusive Membership (Joint) is required.
Young Birder Membership - Age 16-17 - £5 per annum
Children of members living at the same address are covered by their parent’s membership however those aged 16-17 can, if they wish, take out Young Birder Membership where, for an annual cost of £5, they would be Inclusive members in their own right and receive their own membership card, Newsletter and Annual Report. This category is also open to young people in this age bracket whose parents are not WMBC club members. Applicants for Young Birder Membership are required to provide their year of birth and their application should be supported by a responsible adult (in the case of the child of a member this would be their parent, otherwise a member of WMBC, teacher, youth worker or similar would be required).
18-23 Birder Membership - Age 18-23 - £10 per annum
This category has been introduced to encourage the involvement of birders in this age group in the facilities of the Club and its activities and provides all the advantages of Inclusive membership at a reduced cost. Applicants for 18/23 Birder membership would have to provide their year of birth.
WMBC Harborne Reserve Permit - £7.50 per annum
This provides access to the WMBC Harborne Reserve ONLY.
It does NOT provide WMBC Membership or any of its associated benefits.
New Membership Categories for Young Birders
To encourage young birders to get involved and develop their interest in birds we have created two new inclusive membership categories: -
Robin Age 5-10
Eagle Age 11-15
Application is by paper form only, at present, which can be downloaded from the link below. The annual subscription is just £2.00, and membership, as well as their own membership card, lens cloth and WMBC bird list, includes a gift on joining chosen from; bird feeders, books or a nest box.
The parent or guardian needs to approve the application and complete the application form including signing a declaration taking full responsibility for their offspring when they accompany the young person to any WMBC activity, including reserve visits. The parent should be a WMBC member. However, if not, then they may nominate a friend or relative who is a WMBC member to take on the responsibility for the young birder.
Suitably accompanied young members will have admission to WMBC reserves, free Branch meeting entry & 50% discount on WMBC field trips.
Please see the application form, including the notes section, for further details.
In the future we may be able to provide volunteer adult mentors to accompany these young birders to reserves and events. However, this is dependent on WMBC establishing adequate Safeguarding procedures.
Please Note - Members should note that children, under 18 and living at the same address of parent members, are automatically included in their parents Inclusive Membership and may accompany their parent to reserves and events without taking out a separate young person’s membership.
Any queries please contact Michael Bevan, WMBC Membership Secretary at membership@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) May 2018
By applying for membership you are confirming that you consent to WMBC holding and processing the personal data you have given, to send you WMBC publications and to keep you informed about news, events and the activities of WMBC by the methods you have chosen.
On receipt of your completed form the contact details you have given will be entered onto the WMBC secure database and the choices you made will be flagged up so that you only get the contact you have given consent to.
You can withdraw or change your consent choices at any time by contacting the Club’s Membership Secretary.
Please note there are certain essential membership management issues (for example problems with payment of subscriptions, renewal reminders, etc) to which GDPR does not apply, it being concerned with unsolicited marketing communications, and regarding which we may need to contact members. This will normally be from the WMBC Membership Secretary and by email, as this is the most efficient and economical means of communication for the Club.
All general notice Emails sent out by WMBC include the opportunity to opt out from specific categories such as individual branch meeting reminders or from all general notice type Emails. These requests will be implemented on receipt.
You can also unsubscribe from the WMBC Newsletter or the WMBC Annual Bird Report at any time by informing the Membership Secretary by email or post that you wish to do so.
Any queries please email Michael Bevan, WMBC Membership Secretary at membership@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk
Membership Secretary - Michael Bevan, 64 Brookfields Road, Ipstones, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 2LY
Application
Online Application – This is the Clubs preferred method of payment going forward. Please click on the “Online Application” link below and follow the application process online. You will need an email address and a debit or credit card (Visa, Maestro or Mastercard) to make payment. You will need to complete the WMBC application form pages after which you will be taken for payment to the “Worldpay” secure online payment system where you can make payment for the current year’s subscription.
Subscription renewal is due on January 1st
each year and at this time you will be able to create a login to perform online renewal. This can be with either a single payment for the new year or you can set up a recurring payment which will automatically renew each year on the anniversary of the date you set up this up.
Please note renewal is due on January 1st and renewal should be done on or as soon as possible after this date during January to allow time for the Membership Secretary to process renewals and issue the new membership cards and passes before the reserve gate code change on March 1st.
Online Application for WMBC Membership
& Harborne Permit
Paper-based Application – Please click on one of the links below to download a form.
Combined WMBC Membership & Harborne Permit Application Form (Print, complete & post)
Combined WMBC Membership & Harborne Permit Application Form (Download, complete on PC & email).
Please note this version requires Microsoft Office Word.
WMBC Robin (Age 5-10) & Eagle (Age 11-15) Membership Application Form (Print, complete & post)
