Organisations eligible for inclusion into the GNC as full members should:

1. 1. Be a professional organisation with a functional UK based administrative office
   2. Represent qualified Naturopaths, or therapists practising according to naturopathic philosophy
   3. Require minimum criteria of qualification and training as laid down in the GNC Core Syllabus including supervised practicum
   4. Maintain a register of members
   5. Verify that their members hold suitable professional indemnity and public liability insurance to practise
   
   
2. OR be Schools accredited by such GNC member organisations
   
   
3. Be able to demonstrate how the above criteria in 1. are implemented
   
   
4. Be accountable to and for its members
   
   
5. Have a membership database of at least 25 individual qualified and practising therapists
   
   
6. Be prepared to abide by the GNC Memorandum and Articles of incorporation, Rules and Code of Ethics, Disciplinary and Complaints procedure and Continued Professional Development procedures
   
   
7. Acknowledge as the benchmark National Occupational Standards (NOS) when finalised for the practise of Naturopathy
   
   
8. The GNC shall determine the membership eligibility of applicant organisations and the councils' decision on the granting or termination of membership shall be final
   
   
9. No organisation shall be considered a member of the GNC if it has failed to pay within such period as may have been defined by the GNC, or as laid down within the Memorandum and Articles, such annual subscription as may be set from time to time as being required for its membership
   
   
10. No organisation which is not financially solvent can be considered for or continue as a member of the GNC
    

LAY MEMBERS

Initially, the GNC will appoint up to three lay members; the eventual aim is to appoint up to one third of the GNC as lay members.

The role of Lay Members

1. Bring a lay/consumer perspective to the work of the GNC
2. Attend Council/Forum meetings, generally up to six days per year
3. Commit some time between meetings for reading, participating in email discussions, etc, up to six days per year. Contribute personal knowledge, expertise, skills and abilities to the GNC meetings, to aid effective decision-making. They may also be able to contribute specialist skills, such as accountancy or legal skills
4. Ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of the GNC role in protecting the public interest and in promoting high professional standards, To act in the best interests of the GNC and support the groups' objectives
5. Promote effectiveness, inclusiveness, accountability and transparency
6. Have an understanding of the work of the GNC with a good working knowledge of processes and other information that may be helpful to the role
7. To share full involvement in the functions of the GNC including
   • promoting good professional practice and public and patient safety
   • acting as an ambassador for the Council/Forum
   • other duties as may be specified

Lay Person - model specification

Candidates should be able to demonstrate the following qualities, skills and experience

• Essential
  • Demonstrate sound judgement - the ability to think logically, make thoughtful and unbiased decisions, display openness of mind and objectivity
  • Be able to view situations from a patient's and a member of the public's perspective
  • Be aware of and take into account the profession's views
  • Be able to understand complex issues, assimilating information quickly and effectively
  • Display good communication and interpersonal skills; the ability to communicate effectively, work with others having regard for their views, putting across views persuasively and sensitively
  • Ability to think strategically
  • Understand and contribute to management change
  • Demonstrate commitment and reliability, with the ability to offer the requisite time
  • Command the confidence of the public and the profession
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Demonstrate an interest/experience in health, consumer or related issues
  • Have no direct financial interest in any CM product, therapy or clinic related to the profession or in the GNC
  
  
• Desirable
  • Experience of representing the interests of the general public
  • Broad interest in complementary medicine
  • Management experience
  • Experience of patient advocacy
  
  
• Excluded Applicants - factors that may affect an applicant's suitability could include:
  • Criminal convictions or outstanding criminal charges
  • Disqualification from a profession
  • Dismissal from an office of employment in the past 10 years
  • Disqualification from acting as a company director or conduct in a company
  • Conflicting financial interests
  
  

Note: The person appointed as a lay member should not have been a practitioner nor student of the profession to be regulated now or at any time in the past, and ideally not of another complementary therapy.

LAY MEMBER APPOINTMENT

Taking the above factors into account, appointment will be by panel interview; at least two references will be required.
Lay member posts will have a duration of 3 years, after which time the lay member may be re-appointed.
The post of lay member is unpaid. Out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed upon presentation of valid receipts, and other such expenses as may be decided by the GNC from time to time.