Scottish Men’s Sheds Association(SMSA) Shed Membership or Shed Developing Groups Terms and Conditions, Fees and Periods.
SMSA Shed/Developing Membership (£25 per year per Shed):
Shed Membership to SMSA that complies with the aims and purposes of the SMSA Constitution, Terms and Conditions set out below and being by definition in name a ‘Men’s Shed’, is entitled to the full benefits of membership including all available SMSA partner benefits which may change from time to time.
Cost per Shed – £25 per year.
Member Code of Conduct
The Men’s Shed Code of Conduct is designed to focus on particular values identified by individual Men’s Sheds that are central to their integrity. As the peak Scottish Men’s Sheds Association we feel it’s important to create a healthy solid foundation of guiding principles for the Scottish Men’s Shed Movement. We would like to know that all the SMSA Member Sheds we will promote will be supporting these principles below. Any new Shedder and the existing individual Shed Membership will feel comfortable in the knowledge of having a safe, mutually respectful and welcoming Shed to go to, if they know you embody the terms and conditions of SMSA Shed Membership. Also by having these as your foundation we believe that as the Movement grows, these principles will be organically spread to new Sheds who may ask for existing SMSA Sheds support. Together we are creating a healthy, sustainable and strong Scottish grass roots Men’s Sheds Movement for all to benefit from and enjoy for many years to come.
Purpose of ‘The Men’s Shed’ and its Definition:
- A Men’s Shed is a community-based, non-profit, non-commercial organisation accessible to all men, providing a safe, friendly and healing environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace in their own time in the company of other men.
- To provide a supportive environment for people to gather, volunteer, work, teach, learn and seek fellowship with other like – minded people.
- To promote and stabilise the mental, physical, emotional and economic wellbeing of people in our community.
To achieve this, Men’s Sheds must:
- Maintain an open door policy and not reject any person on the basis of race, disability, religion or age although some special conditions may apply. Certain restrictions may be placed on participation for physical safety reasons or in if a member requires the assistance of a carer (must be provided by the participant) or be deemed a prohibited person.
- Act in the best interests of the shed and not pursue personal agendas – think collectively through a democratic process, not individually.
- Provide a safe physical environment.
- Provide a safe and supportive social environment.
- Be able to guide members to other services or agencies when appropriate or requested.
- Respect the rights and decisions of members.
- Respect the confidentiality and privacy of members.
The environment in ‘The Men’s Shed’
- The Men’s Shed will not tolerate abuse, bullying, violence, anti-social behaviour or infringements of the rights of others. Persons indulging in this type of behaviour will be asked to leave the Men’s Shed.
- Members are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous manner towards Supervisors, Committee members, key stakeholders and other users of ‘The Men’s Shed’. This includes being considerate of other persons need for space, tools, materials and equipment.
- In the event of conflict, have in place formal policies and procedures that outline the courses of action to follow (see the SMSA Constitution).
SMSA Shed members are expected:
- To remain consistent to the definition of a Men’s Shed as outlined in ‘Purpose of ‘The Men’s Shed’ and its Definition’ above.
- Not compete on a commercial basis with local industries in the production of products for sale.
- Not refuse membership to the shed on any basis of race, sexual preference, religion or ethnic background.
- Not bring into disrepute the membership of any Shed or the SMSA or the corporate brands or images to which it is associated.
- Not make any unauthorised representation on behalf of the SMSA
- Maintain that an operational Shed is open for the use of its members as often as the membership requests and is physically, financially and logistically possible.
- To the best of the Sheds management’s ability, meets the identified and justified needs of the shed membership.
- Comply with all local and legal legislations that may apply to the operation of a Men’s Shed.
Membership Responsibilities
SMSA Member Men’s Sheds are responsible for:
the internal management of their shed and a good relationship with an auspice or sponsor organisations.
striving for financial independence and sustainability.
effective management of Men’s Shed Health and Safety, whether bound by Health and Safety Acts and common law ‘Duty of Care’.
maintaining a balance between shed member’s projects, projects for the shed and projects and other support to the wider community.
where occupying a shared space or space provided by another organisation, ensuring that effective consultation is established with the other organisation and a clear Agreement sets out the individual and shared responsibilities for
Men’s Shed Health and Safety.
- holding insurance policies approved by SMSA’s Insurer that are approved Insurers for Public Liability, Employer (Volunteer) Insurance, Trustee Insurance and Contents and Property Insurance etc.
- complying with SMSA guidelines and procedures as they might apply to their Shed.
- displaying at least one approved signage indicating that the Shed is a member of SMSA. This will be provided by the SMSA upon approved registration.
- not providing to any third party SMSA copyright materials, policies, management guidelines or management processes.
- abiding by legislation in regards to Anti-discrimination, Access and Equal Opportunity.
- members must observe Privacy and Confidentiality policies and Data Protection laws in relation to members and their personal records.
- ensuring that all significant statements on behalf of ‘The Shed’ are made by authorised persons. An individual shed cannot speak on behalf of SMSA.
Members of the Scottish Men’s Shed Association have a Duty of Care to themselves, their Shed colleagues, family members and visitors to operate safely. Responsibility for Men’s Shed safety is everyone’s business however the Committee or authorised persons who establish and oversee Shed operations and the members that supervise activities, have a key role in requiring that safe practices are followed. SMSA has available a range of Men’s Shed health and safety policies and procedures to assist committees and these are available to download from the website by being a SMSA Individual Member. SMSA highly recommends that Men’s Sheds who are seeking specific information and advice on Men’s Shed health and safety matters do so by contacting their particular Scottish State Regulatory/Statutory bodies.
SMSA Shed Member Facebook Moderators
Your Member Shed can have two Facebook Editors on the SMSA Shed Member Forum. These can be the same people as on your two main contacts or completely different people who might be your computer gurus. The two editors may only post information which is about your Shed. Nothing inflammatory, illegal, pornographic or that which will damage the image of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association or the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement. It is up to the person submitting this online application for SMSA Shed Membership that these people are informed of the conditions.
Thanks for taking the time to read these guidelines which we hope will keep you, your Board, members and the Men’s Shed as safe and enjoyable as possible. Thank you for joining us in creating a sustainable, fun and successful Scottish Men’s Sheds Association and Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement for yourselves and the generations to come.
Scottish Men’s Sheds Association Charity – SC045139
