Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.
LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry
LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.
For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.
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In the past we have donated a percentage of the takings towards particular causes. For example, quite a few of our clients have suffered (or have family members) from a stoke and even a pound from each job over a weeks period makes a sizable donation.
However given that we have discussed donating to LJN to assist Phil with running the site and judging by some of the comments I do have to question how many would support your suggestion.
Point taken. I guess until that old chesnut is resolved it may not work.....I felt it was a positive way to associate 'us', LJN and a worthwhile charity....but unless it gains further support its no-goer
I saw several ways - an fixed amount, % of membership donations or some form of micro-payment click per page/charity advert.
Maybe it would give members the opportunity to help by using the Charities logo etc on their website/correspondance, be involved with local events (open days, fete's etc, programmes, brouchures) and also gain some exposure for the good of everyone. Currently, we support/donate to The Phylis TuckWell Hospice & Disability Challengers here in Sunny (!) Surrey.
That is not to say that your idea is a bad one, just that it doesn't sound much like charity to me!
Now perhaps this is through me mellowing, perhaps not, or Phil having a well earned week off.
Either way, Phil you are spot on. A Landscaping/Horticultural organisation set up by LJN members, for LJN members is surely what this network should be about.
For those companies that want to donate seperately to charities they can obviously continue to do so. For with over 1000 members LJN will never decide which charity to support, backed by all of the membership.
I think that I need a sit down, I agree with Phil about something.
If I look at it another way, could there be options to have:
1/ LJN support a Charity/Charities, ie the concept of giving for the benefit of others...
2/ LJN develop as a Charity itself (an association for the benefit of its members) and provide services such as support for those struggling, advice, medical/income policies, pensions etc.
I think i'm right in that quite a few 'trade' associations have gone down this route and set up as a charitable organisation.
Worth further thought, Phil ?
I would love to see LJN support a Charity (such a Thrive as mentioned by Gary C above) as well as Phil's idea.
As an individual and a business, I really enjoy putting something back, whether it be supporting LJN or the less fortunate. To me, it makes the world a better place.
I suspect your last comments do reflect the reality of it......
My biggest challenge lies in attracting the right organisation to partner with. I've written many emails - including to Lloyds Bank and the NFU - encouraging them to get involved but they seem to fail to see the benefits.
Gary C said: