ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP (5 FAQs)

1.    What opportunities will membership give us?
ESN brings together managers and senior professionals in social services from across Europe. As a Member, you will have the opportunity to meet colleagues in the Network and engage in ESN activities according to your areas of interest (working groups, thematic forums etc.). You will have access to contemporary European policy information, research data, statistics, and good practice projects. ESN members also make their own contacts and often meet each other to learn about and visit services.

2.    As a Member, will my organisation have to participate in every event organized by ESN?
Participation in every event is not obligatory, nor will it always be possible for each Member to take part in every activity. ESN encourages its members to participate in events that are within their range of interest and expertise.

3.    What is the working language of ESN?
English is the primary working language of ESN. Our events run usually in English plus the language of the country where they take place. However, the annual European Social Services Conference is held in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian and German. The ESN secretariat can be contacted in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Croatian, Serbian, and Albanian.

4.    Is the work of ESN focused exclusively on good practice exchange?
No, while good practice is at the heart of what we do, we seek to make a practice-based contribution to the development of social policy at European and national level. On the basis of the exchange of good practice and experience in managing local public social service, ESN contributes to policy development through the European Union. In all our activities, we seek to bridge the gap between policy and practice.

5.    What are my organisation’s duties as a Member and what are the duties of the lead representative of each Member?
As an ESN Member, we encourage your organisation to participate in our activities and respond to our initiatives, to use the network to make new contacts and to learn from and contribute good practice exchange online, via e-mail and through ESN events. The lead representative for ESN in each Member also has a duty fully to involve colleagues in ESN work.
 

ABOUT THE ORGANISATIONS WHICH CAN JOIN (8 FAQs)

1.    I represent an association of social directors, but it is not national, can we join?
Yes, you can.

2.    I work for the social work/social care department of a local/regional authority (all levels of local government) which would like to join ESN: is this possible?
Yes, this is possible.

3.    My organisation does not work directly in the social work/social care sector but in a closely related area: Can we join?
Yes, you can. Several ESN Members work in a variety of sectors: social work and care, benefits provision, health, employment, and education.

4.    My organisation does not work directly in service provision but supports local public social services: can we join?
Yes, you can. ESN also works with research and regulatory agencies.

5.    My organisation works in the private commercial sector in service provision: how can we work with ESN?
If you are interested in working alongside our members to develop and improve service delivery and management, we suggest you arrange a telephone call with the Director of ESN.

6.    Are there different levels of membership within ESN?
There are not different levels of membership within ESN, except as far as representation on the ESN Board is concerned. The Board is composed of representatives of national or regional (where there is none at national level) associations of directors of social services. .

7.    Does my country have to a member of the EU in order for my organisation to be eligible for membership?
No. Whilst ESN is part-funded by the European Commission and works on EU policy issues, we are concerned to strengthen good practice exchange and development across Europe.

8.    I understand that ESN is a politically independent organisation: can an organisation which is politically accountable or which is quasi-governmental join?
Yes, absolutely. Most members of ESN in their full-time jobs as directors of social services are politically accountable to an elected politician: this is a key to the governance of local public social services.
 

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND GOVERNANCE (5 FAQs)

 1.    I think my organisation is eligible: what should I do next?
Please send us an e-mail to request a membership form or call us. We would very much like to know more about your organization: What does your organization do? Why do you want to join ESN? What European projects have you been involved in?

2.    Is there a formal application procedure: how long does it take?
ESN’s director manages membership application procedures on behalf of the Board. Once your organisation has approved membership and paid the subscription fee, it will be an ESN member.

3.    How much is the annual membership fee?
There is an annual membership fee.. The fee for membership in 2010 is €965 and for Members eligible for Board representation - €1925. Each year the ESN Board adjusts the fees in line with inflation.

4.    Are there additional fees for participation in ESN seminars and working groups?
There are currently no additional fees for attendance at ESN seminars and working groups funded by the European Commission. Delegates’ travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs to ESN policy & practice groups and seminars are covered by ESN within budget ceilings determined by European Commission rules. The meetings of the Board are an exception to this: Board members are asked to pay their own travel costs for two Board meetings per year.

5.    What are the fees for participation in the European Social Services Conference?
The European Social Services Conference is ESN’s flagship event. It is financed directly through delegate fees and sponsorship and is managed independently of the European Commission’s grant funding. As a Member of ESN, you get a 20% discount off delegate fees to the annual European Social Services Conference for the members of your organisation.
 

CONTACT

If you still have questions or you want to arrange to talk to the ESN Director, please contact Marie Vinet in the ESN Secretariat . Alternatively, you may wish to talk to another member of staff in your own language: this can also be arranged through Marie.