The CVO
(East Ayrshire) can provide Information and assistance to Community and
Voluntary groups.
Access to:
- Free Information
Sources of Funding, Constitutions, Charitable Status
- Free Advice
Grant Applications, Organisational Structures
- Seminars/Training/Conferences
Effective means of sharing information important to the voluntary sector.
Highlighting issues of concern.
- Free Advertising
Promote your organisation in our quarterly newsletter
- Special Rates
Photo-copying, Minutes, Reports, Tickets, Posters, etc
- Collective Fund-Raising Events
Sources of Funding
CVO (E.A.) can assist groups to identify potential funders and offer support
with grant applications.
Constitutions
A constitution is a set of "operating rules"
drawn up to assist a group or organisation to operate on a day to day basis.
However, it assists in explaining who you are, the activities the group
will undertake, who will be responsible for managing the group and the powers
they have to enable to do this effectively.
If a group or organisation is
seeking funding any potential funder may ask if you have a constitution
in place and that it is sent along with any application for funding.
If you are a Trust or a Company
Limited by Guarantee then you will need specific legal documents, which
will require the assistance of a Solicitor.
If you require assistance with
a constitution our Manager will be pleased arrange an appointment to meet
you and discuss your groups particular requirements.
Organisational Structures
Starting up a new group
or organisation is an exciting and challenging process. Groups and organisation
can adopt one of several structures and it is important that you select
the most appropriate one for your group and the activities you wish to carry
out.
Charity Law has identified
the following structures and CVO (E.A.) can assist you in selecting the
right legal structure for your group or organisation;
- Association
- Incorporation
- Trust
- Charity
- Community Interest Company
- Social Enterprise
The structure that
you choose will be governed by a different set of regulations and this will
be part of the information you will need when deciding on the most appropriate
structure for your group.
Management and Governance
Groups and organisations
will be managed in different ways depending on their nature of their activities
and the organisational structure they have adopted. It should be remembered
that the way in which the group is managed and the organisational structure
may change as the group grows and develops.
Our manager will be
happy to assist with committee skills training, looking at the role of the
chair, the secretary, the treasurer and the committee member without office.
If you have a Board of
Directors, then you may wish to look at what a Director is and their roles
and responsibilities.
CVO (E.A) CORE ACTIVITIES
Understanding The Voluntary Sector
CVO (E.A.) will gather up to date information on the local voluntary sector,
using a standard range of data collection.
Communicating With The Voluntary Sector
CVO (E.A.) will provide relevant and up to date information to the local
voluntary sector, facilitating networking between organisations and promoting
opportunities for them to respond to emerging issues and consultations.
Representing The Interests Of The Local Voluntary Sector
CVO (E.A) will
work to ensure their representation at the strategic level of the Community
Planning partnership and will facilitate voluntary sector participation
in thematic Community Planning forums.
Providing Support Services
CVO (E.A.) will provide support services
to the voluntary sector on business planning, legal frameworks, management
and monitoring and evaluation and will support the generation of income
for the sector.
Promoting Good Practice
CVO (E.A.) will develop the skills and knowledge of those operating at all
levels of the local voluntary sector, seeking to improve standards in management,
policy implementation and service delivery through the provision of training
events for staff and volunteers.
Growing the Sector
CVO (E.A.) will support the emergence of X of new groups in response to
local issues and needs, to strengthen the capacity of existing organisations
through training and support and also to identify the economic value of
the local voluntary sector.
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