What the Network will be doing in 2011/12

Having received input from members at the AGM and at the recent speed networking event, and following on from discussions at the Executive Committee there a number of pieces of work and activities that Network will be going ahead with this year.

For Members

Networking

Four bigger networking events during the year, these will either be speed networking or have a guest speaker. These events will also be used to update members on current issues, as well as, hearing from you on what's happening with your organisations and areas.

Training

There’s always a need for training, but in order to use the funding we have best we will look to run training that isn’t being offered by other organisations.

However, we need to know from you what sort of training would be helpful - so, if you have any suggestions or ideas, get in touch with the Network office and let me know.  We can't offer it, unless we know you want it!

Developing the Network

The idea of skill sharing, peer support and sharing resources have come up again and again in the Network, and this year we will be directing very specific energy and attention to these areas to explore what is achievable. I’m currently looking to get a small working group together to start discussing the topic. If you’d like to be involved please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For Partners

Developing our links with partners has been a prime focus in Executive Committee discussions and we’re looking at two main approaches

• Presentation to Central & West and West CPP Boards

Over the next few months we’ll be putting together a presentation to deliver on behalf of the Network at CPP boards.  While the content isn’t agreed yet, we’ll be using the opportunity to ensure that partners get a sense of the range and depth of voluntary organisations that exist in the area, as well as, some of the key issues and priorities for the network and member organisations.

• Establishing links with all key partners

It’s clear that at a strategic and national level the role the voluntary sector is being expected to play is changing. It’s also clear that at a local level, relationships will only be developed if partners have a good understanding of the sector as it exists in their area and can see how to connect with it. Over the course of the next few months members of the Executive Committee and me plan to meet with senior officers from all the key agencies in this area. Through this we hope to be able to start building a better understanding of the sector leading to improved relationships and links at both a strategic and operational level. We’ll keep you posted on this as it progresses.

So, that’s what we’ve got planned so far. This will form the basis of our action plan for 2011/12, but before we finalise that I want to know what you think – is this what you want your network to be delivering for you?