3rd September 2009

The eLN becomes the eLN CIC

Full members of the eLN - a non-profit organisation run by the e-learning community for the e-learning community - have unanimously approved of the organisation's transition from an unincorporated association to a community interest company (CIC).

Consequently, the organisation became the eLearning Network Community Interest Company (eLN CIC) on 1st September. It has inherited all the assets of the eLN.

The current 12 members of the eLN's committee have been appointed as directors of eLN CIC. The former eLN chairman, Clive Shepherd, continues as chairman of the company's board and Pat Straughan, the eLN's administrator, has become the company secretary.

Clive Shepherd explained: "The eLN CIC is a 'social enterprise' - that is, a business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community. Social enterprises tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues and operate in all parts of the economy.

"In the case of the eLN CIC, we recognise that many elearning professionals work alone or in small teams, without the peer support they require," he continued. "The eLN CIC is determined to remedy this and build the most vibrant community of practice in the industry - hence this move to become a CIC."

Shepherd stressed that becoming a CIC has not changed the organisation's membership structure or its continuing vision and mission. However, as eLN CIC director Viv Cole, of REDTRAY, pointed out, the move now furnishes the organisation with a legal entity.

"This means that, unlike the eLN, the eLN CIC has limited liability and can also enter into contracts in its own name," he said. "This adds 'legal credibility' to the body which has been, for over 20 years, the leading provider of continuing professional development activities for those in the e-learning sector."

Pat Straughan, the eLN CIC's company secretary, commented: "Becoming a CIC gives us greater status within the business world and should encourage further confidence among those doing business with us."

Like its predecessor body, the eLN CIC offers associate membership absolutely free. Associates are able to enjoy all the benefits of online networking, including the eLN CIC's free webinar programme, with the option to upgrade to full membership at any time.


For further details of the eLN CIC visit www.elearningnetwork.org

End

Notes for Editors:


About Community Interest Companies (CICs)

Community Interest Companies (CICS) are limited companies, with special additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. This is achieved by a 'community interest test' and 'asset lock', which ensure that the CIC is established for community purposes and the assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes. Registration of a company as a CIC has to be approved by the Regulator, who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role.

A CIC is designed for social enterprises that want to use their profits and assets for the public good. CICs have all the flexibility and certainty of the company form, but with some special features to ensure they are working for the benefit of the community. Social enterprises are diverse. They include local community enterprises, social firms, mutual organisations such as co-operatives, as well as large-scale organisations operating nationally or internationally. There is no single legal model for social enterprise. They include companies limited by guarantee, industrial and provident societies and companies limited by shares. Some organisations are unincorporated and others are registered charities.

About the eLN CIC

The eLN CIC is a non-profit organisation run by the e-learning community for the e-learning community. The eLN CIC is the number one source for guidance on best practice and future trends in technology-based learning and development at work, with more than 1,500 members in the UK and beyond.

For more information about the eLN CIC and eLN CIC events, call +44 (0)1273 561714 or visit www.elearningnetwork.org

Further information from:
Clive Shepherd, eLN CIC, +44 (0)1273 561714
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0) 1727 860405