Membership organisations are mostly governed by the universal duties — with data protection looming largest, because membership records are extensive and often specially protected. This path takes you through it in order: put the shared duties in place, register what you are, and finish by checking you have covered everything.
Unions, parties and charitable bodies each have their own registration route on top of the shared duties. Other membership groups carry the shared duties alone.
Step 1 — Put the shared duties in place
Every membership organisation must protect its members' data and pay the ICO fee unless exempt, insure its employees, and keep its premises safe, fire-safe and free of discrimination.
Step 2 — Register what you are
Trade unions list with the Certification Officer and file the annual return. Political parties register with the Electoral Commission. Charitable bodies register with the charity regulator for their nation and follow the detailed charity guides.
Step 3 — Confirm you are compliant
Work through the membership organisations compliance checklist to confirm every obligation that applies to your organisation is in place.