Choosing the Correct Membership Type

At SECNA, our members are on a mission to build a thriving social enterprise sector across NSW and the ACT. But because the "business for good" ecosystem is incredibly diverse, we know it can be confusing to figure out exactly where your organisation fits in our membership structure.

Whether you are an aspiring founder with an idea on a napkin, an established business looking to find B2B clients, or a corporate ally looking to support the movement, we have a place for you.

Here is our step-by-step guide to finding your membership category, understanding our size tiers, and selecting the right level for your goals.

Step 1: Find your Membership Category

To start, identify which track matches your current day-to-day operations and public impact messaging. We offer four distinct categories:

• Industry Membership (For Social Enterprises)

  • Who it's for: For trading social enterprises that exist specifically to make the world a better place and that clearly and publicly communicate their purpose and reinvestment/give-back model.

  • Benefits: In addition to the many other SECNA membership benefits, all Industry Members get a listing in SECNA’s public Social Enterprise Finder. Small & Large Industry Members that provide B2B services to the sector also get a listing in our Services Directory.

  • Assessment: The SECNA Board reviews and approves all Industry Member applications. 

• Emerging Social Enterprise Membership (For Pre-Revenue, Developing & Transitioning Ventures)

  • Who it's for: For pre-revenue ventures and trading businesses operating with a strong social mission, but who are still refining, formalising, or working on how they articulate their impact and reinvestment/give-back models publicly. 

  • Benefits: In addition to the many other SECNA membership benefits, all Emerging Members get a listing in SECNA’s public Social Enterprise Finder. Small & Large Emerging Members that provide B2B services to the sector also get a listing in our Services Directory.

  • Assessment: All Emerging Member applications are reviewed and approved by SECNA’s Operations Team.

  • Pathway: Emerging membership is designed to be a temporary, short-term launchpad and can only be held for 1-2 years. Our ultimate goal is to support emerging members to transition into full Industry Membership. After the first year, we will review the organisation’s progress towards becoming an identifiable social enterprise. Emerging Members will then be moved into an Industry Membership (pending Board approval) if they meet the criteria, or into an Associate Membership, as appropriate. An additional year as an Emerging Member may be granted under special circumstances, as determined by SECNA.

• Associate Membership (For Supporter Businesses & Charities)

  • Who it's for: For small to large businesses, charities and government agencies that do not operate as social enterprises themselves, but who want to learn about, support, procure from, invest in, provide services to, and champion the social enterprise movement.

  • Benefits: In addition to the many other SECNA membership benefits, all Associate Members that provide B2B professional services (like accounting, legal, consulting, or marketing) get a listing in SECNA's Services Directory, which we promote directly to social enterprises looking for sector-aligned suppliers.

  • Please note: There is no 'Start-Up' level for Associate membership. If your business is not established yet, you can choose to join as an individual member.

• Individual Membership (For People, Not Organisations)

  • Who it's for: For individuals who want to support, learn about, connect with, and be part of the social enterprise movement. This tier is open to anyone - whether you are currently working for a social enterprise or a business that provides services to the sector, studying, or simply an ecosystem ally and supporter.

  • Billing Options: You can choose Annual Billing or a flexible, though more costly, Monthly Billing option.

Step 2: Pick your Tier (Start-Up, Small, Large)

Our Industry, Emerging, and Associate categories are broken down into tiers based on the size of your organisation. The financial guidelines are consistent across all membership types, so you can easily find your bracket:

• Start-Up Level: For early-stage or small-scale operations, generally with a turnover up to $500k per annum. For Emerging members, this also includes all pre-revenue ventures. Pre-revenue ventures are not eligible for Industry membership.

• Small Level: For organisations moving past the start-up phase, growing, or becoming established, typically with a turnover between $500k and $2 million per annum.

• Large Level: For large organisations, typically with turnover greater than $2 million per annum.

Financial Equity Note: We don't want financial capacity to prevent anyone from joining SECNA and connecting with our community. If you are facing limited financial capacity but belong in a higher tier than you can afford, please reach out to our team at hello@secna.org.au to request a discount.

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Behind the Scenes: How We Review Applications

Transparency is a core value at SECNA. Here is exactly what happens when you press ‘submit’ on an Industry or Emerging application:

• Board Reviews: The SECNA Board assesses Industry membership applications against global standards. This process takes 2–4 weeks, but you can engage with the community immediately while you wait. You will start to receive member communications and opportunities from the day you submit your application.

• Emerging Reviews: The SECNA Operational Team assesses Emerging applications against global social enterprise standards. To be approved, there must be publicly available information showing that you meet most standards. 

• Not a Certification: SECNA Membership is not an external verification or certification. If your social enterprise model is unclear, the Board may ask that you obtain third-party verification (like Social Traders or People and Planet First) before being approved as an Industry member. In this case you will be moved into an Emerging or Associate Membership and can request that the SECNA Board reconsider your application as an Industry member as soon as you obtain a third-party verification.

• If your application is not appoved: If Industry or Emerging status isn't approved, your application won't be rejected! It will simply be transferred to an equivalent Associate or Emerging Membership. You will receive constructive feedback explaining why we couldn't approve your application and actionable advice on any social enterprise criteria that need strengthening or better articulation. You will still have access to the majority of SECNA member benefits and can re-apply for Industry or Emerging status in the future.

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A Supportive Pathway: How 'Emerging' Membership Works

Emerging membership is designed to be a temporary, short-term launchpad. Our ultimate goal is to support your transition into full SECNA Industry Membership. Here is what you can expect during your Emerging year:

1. Actionable Feedback: Upon approval, our Operations Team will provide constructive feedback highlighting which social enterprise criteria need to be more clearly articulated on your public channels (website and/or social media), along with resources and opportunities for further learning.

2. Active Refinement: Over your first year, we expect you to actively work on implementing this feedback, updating your website or public messaging to clearly lock in your purpose and give-back model.

3. The Year-One Review: Towards the end of your first year, we will review your publicly available information to see how you're tracking.

   • If you have successfully updated your model and messaging: We will ask for the Board to reconsider your application and, if successful, you will graduate to full Industry Membership!

   • If you have taken great steps but still need a little more time: We may offer you one additional year in your Emerging Membership to help you get over the finish line.

   • If no steps have been taken to strengthen or articulate your model: Your profile will be transitioned to an equivalent Associate Membership at renewal so you can remain part of the network as a supporter.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the difference between Emerging and Industry membership?

  It comes down to your outward-facing messaging! Both categories are for businesses with a social purpose. However, Industry members already have clear public messaging on their website or channels mapping out their purpose and give-back model. Emerging members are either pre-revenue or are still working on making those impact models publicly clear.

• I am a Sole Trader providing consulting/professional B2B services to social enterprises, but my business itself isn't a social enterprise. Which tier should I choose?

  You have two great options depending on your goals:

  1. The Individual Tier: If you just want to access the network, learn, and connect, you can join as an Individual. However, please note that you will not be listed on our Services Directory.

  2. The Small Associate Tier: If you are an established service provider and want to market your B2B services directly to the sector, joining at the Small Associate level will grant you a listing on our Services Directory (making you more visible to social enterprises).oes here

• Do I need to send SECNA my financial statements or company constitution to apply?

  No! We do not collect private financial documents or constitutions. SECNA relies on a "pub test" - meaning our Board and Ops team review publicly available information to see if your business is actively making the expected public statements about your purpose and give-back model.

• If I am already certified by Social Traders or verified by People and Planet First, where do I sit?

  If you hold a current certification or verification from these external bodies, your application is automatically approved for Industry Membership. Just make sure to select the correct level (Start-Up, Small, or Large) based on your annual turnover!