Membership

Our members are everything to us – they drive our agenda, run our working groups (we have no employees) and, through subscriptions, provide our only financial support. For over 50 years we have shown that working together, our members can influence the city for everyone’s good – and enjoy the city in new ways.

Read about how our members have shaped Oxford in our Changing Oxford report.

Please join us and enjoy:

  • supporting us as the independent voice for Oxford
  • a year-round series of free talks on a wide range of topics: architecture, local history, planning and transport issues, science in Oxford and much more
  • a lively programme of walks and visits to places of interest, many of them closed to the public. Recently we have visited historic and modern buildings, gorgeous gardens, art collections, high-tech industries …
  • regular newsletters and e-bulletins to keep you in touch with our work
  • the opportunity to join our working groups – or even start a new one – see the Volunteers page
  • online resources such as our Walks in Oxford website and guidance such as how to comment on a planning application
  • introduce a new member and get a free ticket to one of our members-only visits and guided tours.

How to Join

Subscriptions are due annually on 1 January. If you join during the last three months of the year, your subscription will last until 31 December the following year.

Our membership rates are:

  • Individual membership – £15 a year
  • Joint membership (2 people at the same address) – £25 a year
  • Students, Friends and Groups – £5 a year

Already a member?

If you are already a member and would like to help us by switching your payments to Direct Debit, please use the link below to set up a Direct Debit from your bank account. Our Direct Debits are managed by GoCardless and are covered by the Direct Debit guarantee; Oxford Civic Society does not see or store your bank details. You will not be asked for any payment when you set up the Direct Debit; we will do this from your membership records and you will get a notification from GoCardless. Unless you still owe membership fees for the current year your first payment will be taken on or after 2 January next year.

Set up Direct Debit

Introduce a new member

If you introduce a new member, whether Single or Joint, to the Society we will thank you with a free ticket to one of our members-only visits and guided tours.

  • Simply use the form here to give us your name and email, and the new member’s name and email
  • Our Membership Secretary will hold the details until the new member has joined, and will then send you confirmation that your free ticket is available.
  • The email will include instructions for claiming your free ticket.
  • Choose a visit or guided tour from our programme and enjoy the event!

Join online – new members

It greatly helps us to manage our membership records and keep administration to a minimum if you choose to pay by Direct Debit (DD). This allows us to renew your membership automatically each year. You may of course cancel your Direct Debit and your membership of the Civic Society at any time. Our Direct Debits are managed by GoCardless and covered by the Direct Debit guarantee; Oxford Civic Society does not see or store your bank details.

Alternatively you can opt to make a one-off payment by PayPal or by direct bank transfer, in which case we will send you a reminder when your membership is due to expire.

Join by Direct Debit

Join by Annual Payment

Join by post

Download an application form and send it with a cheque for your subscription to the address on the form.

Gift Membership

Why not give a friend or neighbour gift membership of the Society for one year? We will send them a card with a note that their membership has come from you. We cannot offer this service online yet, but just send us a cheque for £15 or £25 as appropriate, with your name and the name and address of the person or people receiving your gift.

Corporate Membership

The Society is very appreciative of the ongoing support of our Corporate Members. Please see the Corporate Membership page for information about our corporate membership rates and how your organisation can join.

Donations, legacies and gifts in kind

We rely almost entirely on members’ subscriptions for our income – and also welcome other kinds of support.

Your donations will support our vital work and boost our ability to take on more activities. To make a donation please click this button, then ‘view basket’, and enter your donation amount on the next page.

Add to basket

We also welcome support in kind – for example the use of rooms for meetings, professional services, or sponsorship of specific projects.

Please consider a bequest in your Will. Legacies to charity are a tax-efficient way to support the causes you care about.

If you’d like more information on how best to support us, please contact us at info@oxcivicsoc.org.uk.

Thank you!