We want every member to get the support that best suits their structure, goals, and community focus. That’s why we offer three membership types.
- Compare membership tiers
Good news: You don’t need to choose. Just fill in the sign-up form, and we’ll match you with the tier that fits you best. All memberships are free and last for three years.
Membership Types
Full membership
- Charities, community groups, or social enterprises in Dorset or the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas
- Volunteer-led or mostly unpaid directors
- Constituted and self-governing
- Formal structure to protect community assets
- Not-for-profit organisations.
Affiliate membership
- National charities, funders, CICs/CIOs with paid directors
- NHS Trusts, GP surgeries, Primary Care Networks
- Local councils, schools, and academies
- Informal, newly emerging or unconstituted groups.
Business supporter membership
- Businesses providing services in Dorset or Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Companies supporting the community through donations, volunteering, or partnerships
- Organisations with a social conscience.
Membership Tiers
| Benefit | Full Members | Affiliate Members | Business Supporters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free training | Yes | Newly emerging VCS groups only* | No |
| Network events <48 a year | Yes | No | No |
| Advice and guidance | Yes | Newly emerging VCS groups only* | No |
| CAN Member logo | Yes | No | Yes (Business logo) |
| AGM voting rights | Yes | No | No |
| AGM attendance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Hubs: Wellbeing Hub / Early Help Partnership / Professional Network / Member Network. | Yes | Yes | Sometimes* |
| Online Member Zone: Access a library of templates, training resources, HR tools and more. | Yes | No | No |
| Be a Community Hero in the Spotlight: Showcase your story in our newsletter, on social media, in local press and on Dorset Coast Radio. | Yes | No | No |
| Promote Jobs, Events, and Training | Yes | Yes | Sometimes* |
| Access the Volunteer Hub | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sector Newsletters | Yes (all newsletters) | Yes (selected newsletters) | Yes (selected newsletters) |
| Join Local Forum | Yes | Yes | Sometimes* |
| Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) guidance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support local causes: Donate goods / services / expertise / funds. | No | No | Yes |
| Service Finder access: NHS-commissioned tool to signpost to local services in Dorset. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Service Finder listing: Promote your services so others can easily find and refer to you. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| * Access may be offered where there is a clear community benefit, relevance to the event, or at CAN's discretion. | |||
| ** Informal groups or networks with no formal structure, at early stages of development. | |||
Can Members