Membership Agreement

5th July 2024
Review date: 30th January 2025

This Agreement is available to view by all members of City of Stars at: www.cityofstarschoir.co.uk. The term ‘members’ refers to all paid members, music team and volunteers.

Membership Code of Conduct

As part of this agreement members agree to:

  • be present: attend rehearsals as much as possible during term time and, if unable to attend, use the resources supplied to catch up.

  • be respectful: respect their Choir Leader and other members at all times; for example, minimise talking when other parts are learning, and adhere to any decisions made by the Choir Leader.

  • be kind: be kind, considerate and treat all others as equals. Any behaviour that is deemed derogatory in a personal, sexual, racist, discriminatory or otherwise offensive manner will result in membership termination. If something it witnessed the member agrees to discuss with and/or take advice promptly from their Choir Leader with regard to any incident which could give rise for concern.

  • be a key part of the community: be a key part of maintaining and growing the City of Stars community, providing a friendly, encouraging and safe space for people to find their voice both in rehearsals and outside (social events, whatsapp etc.). This is key to the overall success of the choir.

  • be professional: conduct themselves professionally at all times during rehearsals, performances, and other choir events, and to represent City of Stars in a positive and professional manner.

  • be safe: prioritise safety at all times during rehearsals, performances, and other choir events, and to follow any safety guidelines or instructions provided by the Choir Leader or other staff.

  • have fun: enjoy singing and bring your A game to each rehearsal so the choir can be the best it can be!

Membership Freeze

Membership freezes are available for the summer term only and entail a small payment in return for full access of resources when no rehearsals are attended. There is a limit of 5 that can be frozen per choir so the member is responsible for talking to their Choir Leader about this with as much notice prior to the summer term.

Membership Cancellation

Members may cancel at any point of the term, however a minimum of 3 weeks notice is needed. This covers both term-time and in-between and the charge applied will be relevant to that (based on a per-week cost). Other than that this agreement stays in place unless:

  • Member fails to meet any requirements of membership or code of conduct -  see more on this below

  • Agreement term lapses without further terms or agreements added and cancellation notice adhered to.

  • Company files for bankruptcy or ceases to do business.

Membership Changes

Any and all membership privileges obtained through this membership agreement may be revoked or changed at any time with prior notice to member. Member agrees they meet all membership requirements and will notify company if any requirements are not met during the time of the agreement term.

Payment Schedule

Member Fees are due by week 3 of the term, unless previously agreed with the Choir Leader. If term fees are late a session fee of £12 is added to the term price as a penalty and accumulates per-week the payment is late.

Bursaries

City of Stars believes singing should be accessible to everyone and so have set aside a limited number of bursaries available per choir which will entitle the member to a full term at half price. This can be paid in full or in two halves over the 14 week term. This is available to anyone who is in need and are granted by the Choir Leader, so the member should discuss this with their Choir Leader should this be of use. 

Referral schemes

As the choirs grow City of Stars will be running referral schemes and deals to encourage new members while rewarding current members. These are subject to change but at the moment the choirs are running:

  • "Refer a friend" - If a friend signs up to a trial for either of the first 2 sessions of choir and then sign up for the term, the member who brought them then gets that session for free. To claim this the member will need to let their Choir Leader know so they can apply this discount.

Notices

Except under extenuating circumstances, any and all communications in regards to this contract shall be delivered either personally, via email or via the WhatsApp group.

Breach of Code of Conduct

City of Stars has the right to refuse participation in rehearsals and performances to a Choir member who is found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct to allow any investigation necessary to be undertaken unhindered and without prejudice.

This breach of the Code of Conduct will be reviewed by the *City of Stars team as soon as possible and appropriate action taken in accordance with dispute procedures. The process will be recorded and held on record.

After the review of any breach of the Code of Conduct, the City of Stars team will inform the member of the agreed course of action, following this process:

1. Verbal warning that is noted in writing by the Conduct Committee

2. Formal written warning

3. Dismissal

The full City of Stars team has the power to escalate this process, depending upon the seriousness of the misconduct.

If any member is unhappy with decisions made by the City of Stars team, they have the right to appeal. However, if the original decision is upheld at appeal stage, there is no further right to appeal as this decision is final and binding.

—————————————

*City of Stars team members:

Candice Underwood (Choir Founder & Director - Mondays & Wednesdays)

Megan Sayer (Choir Director - Tuesdays)

—————————————