Empress Immersive -
Membership Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 1st July 2025

Welcome to Empress Immersive LTD, a UK-based cooperative business that is member-owned and operated. We’re focused on advancing the field of immersive art and storytelling. By becoming a member, you are entering into a community founded on cooperation, creativity, and shared purpose. These Terms and Conditions explain what membership entails, including your rights, responsibilities, and the benefits of co-ownership.

About Our Co-operative

Empress Immersive is a UK-registered Enterprise Co-operative, guided by the 7 Co-operative Principles and 10 Co-operative Values stewarded globally by the International Co-operative Alliance. We are:

"An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise."

Our members co-own this co-operative. Each member has a voice — and a vote — in how we are governed and grown. Learn more about the International Cooperative Values and Principles here.

Eligibility for Membership

To become a member, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
    (We aim to include younger members aged 16+ in the future with appropriate safeguarding. Non-voting youth membership is under consideration.)

  • Have a home address in your country of tax residency

  • Be willing to have your identity verified (for UK legal compliance)

  • Be willing to pay the fees based on your chosen membership level

  • Be willing to commit to the rights and responsibilities outlined in your chosen membership level

  • Be an immersive art/storytelling enthusiast or creator, or aspire to become one. This includes, but is not limited to:

    • Physical installation designers

    • Interactive/immersive theatre artists

    • VR/AR/MR creators

    • Escape room or LARP designers

    • Sound, lighting, and 3D media artists

    • Narrative technologists and creative coders

    • Be a business engaged in any of the above activities

Types of Membership

We offer three membership types to serve our different stakeholder groups. All members pay a £1 one-time joining fee and receive a Co-operative Share Certificate within 4 weeks of acceptance.

1. Supporter Member

For: Individuals or organisations who support our mission but do not actively use our services.

Cost: £1 one-time joining fee
Benefits:

  • Vote in Quarterly Ordinary General Meetings

  • Vote in Annual Board Member Elections

  • Run for one of 3 Board Member Positions

Responsibilities:

  • Contribute 2–4 hours/week of cooperative project work (in an area of interest or “learn by doing” opportunity)

  • Attend at least 5 quarterly meetings per year

  • Develop working knowledge of our governing articles and the global immersive industry

2. User Member

For: Individuals or organisations who actively use our services (including creators and audience members)

Cost:

  • £1 one-time joining fee

  • Sliding scale quarterly subscription (£13–£52) based on need

Benefits:

  • All Supporter Member benefits

  • Discounts on:

    • Educational programs

    • Events, exhibitions, and immersive productions

Responsibilities:
Same as Supporter Members.

3. Employee Member

For: People employed by Empress Immersive who voluntarily choose to become co-op members.
(Currently no employees, but this framework is in place for future hires.)

Cost: £1 one-time joining fee
Benefits & Responsibilities: Same as User Members

Meetings & Participation

Members have the right and responsibility to participate in our democratic process. Meetings include:

Ordinary General Meetings (OGMs)

  • Quarterly: January, April, July, October

  • Open to all members

  • 30 mins

  • Includes:

    • Board and finance updates

    • Proposals and votes from members and board

    • Discussion of collective goals

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

  • January

  • Board elections

  • Voting on annual goals and co-op-wide projects

Monthly Board Meetings (MBMs)

  • Second Monday of each month

  • Board members only required; all other members welcome

  • Members may submit agenda items 2 weeks in advance

Member Rights

All members are entitled to:

  • One vote at Annual General Meetings and Ordinary General Meetings

  • Stand for election to the Board (if eligible)

  • Participate in decision-making and co-op projects

  • Be treated equitably and with respect

  • Access cooperative resources, training, and discounts (as applicable)

Member Responsibilities

All members are expected to:

  • Actively contribute 2–4 hours/week toward co-operative goals

  • Respond to communication and calls to action

  • Attend and vote in general meetings

  • Uphold co-operative values and the governing documents

  • Respect community guidelines and fellow members

Board Member Eligibility

To stand for a Board Member position, you must:

  • Be an active Empress Immersive member for at least one quarter

  • Have attended at least 2 OGMs

  • Not be:

    • Under 16 years of age

    • A disqualified director

    • An undischarged bankrupt

    • An auditor of the cooperative

Membership Termination

Membership may be terminated if:

  • A member voluntarily withdraws in writing

  • A member fails to meet participation requirements without communication

  • There is a serious breach of co-operative values or governing rules
    (Disputes will follow a fair internal review process.)

Questions or Concerns?

We’re committed to transparency. If you have questions about your rights, responsibilities, or anything in these Terms, reach out to us at:

info@empressvr.com

By applying for membership, you agree to the Terms & Conditions outlined above.