Hastings Community Network Membership pack 2014 -2016 A few papers to get you going as a Hastings Community Network representative. HCN: the Voice of the voluntary and community sector in Hastings 2 Welcome to Hastings Community Network Inside this pack you will find: CONTENT What is the Hastings Community Network? Page 3 What does Hastings Community Network do? Page 3 Feedback from HCN Events Page 4 HCN Executive – Representational Cycle Page 5 HCN Membership Page 6 Hastings Community Network Board Page 7 Hastings Community Network Executive Committee Page 8 Purpose & Role of Executive Group Role Description for Executive Group Members Support for representatives Replacement Frequently Asked Questions on becoming an HCN Executive Committee Member Page 9 - 10 3 What is the Hastings Community Network? Hastings Community Network (HCN) is the main representative and networking body the local voluntary and community groups in the not-for-profit sector. Established in 2004, there are currently 155 HCN members representing 91 member organisations. HCN’s main purpose is to capture the views of the local voluntary and community groups through a system of group, network and forum representation. It then brings those views to the table of the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) in order to influence the future shape of services in the town. HCN also provides for events meetings a year in which network members can bring issues forward to the HCN elected representatives. Essentially HCN provides a formal voice for the sector in Hastings. HCN also feeds into the County wide voluntary and community sector representation structure, speak up. It may also provide representation to some countywide partnerships for example HOSC. Many agencies want to include the voluntary and community sector and their work and often ask HVA or larger voluntary sector organisations to be that representative voice that their meeting we think that you can be better represent your own communities/interest and this is what we work to achieve through HCN. Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA) coordinates the development of HCN. The work of HCN is shaped monitored through the elected HCN Executive Committee. What does Hastings Community Network do? Invite free membership from any organisational community group in the notfor-profit sector. Provides sign-posting to key agencies, and partnerships responsible for delivering services within the town. Provides development support for networks, forums and organisations where a gap has been identified. Is co-ordinated through its elected Executive Committee. These members provide a broader representation to wider policy areas within the sector. It has up to 10 seats on the LSP to represent the voluntary sector’s views on strategic planning of the town. Raise awareness of consultation and planning that will impact on Hastings and local services. Through, for example, facilitating focus groups or coordinate a collective sector response. Provides a minimum of four events/meetings a year where groups can network, exchange information and find out what is going on within a given theme / topic. In the past 12 months these have included Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty, Health Reform, Environmental Initiatives and Housing and Homeslessness. 4 What happens after attending an HCN Event? We asked people who had represented their organisations at one of our quarterly HCN Events to let us know whether there had been any longer term benefits that had come about as a direct result of attending an HCN event. Below is a sample of responses received: WELFARE REFORM & THE ANTI POVERTY AGENDA 23rd April 2013 I found the research presentation really useful, particularly the statistics for the local area and the discussion about what other places were doing - would have liked more of that and more practical suggestions about what we were all doing, whether people were duplicating, what else needed to be done. Nick's evidence about the impact of financial shocks like a piece of furniture or appliance breaking was helpful when we were talking about the DESSS with ESCC. When we found a supplier of new beds that we could stock at affordable prices in our stores, that information was one of the reasons that we started the scheme giving people time to pay if they are on benefits. We don't charge any interest, they just pay over a few weeks and once the item is fully paid we deliver it. We're still looking for a good supplier of white goods so we could stock them in the same way but so far we are only providing them via DESSS. So I suppose you can say the research confirmed the need for a service that we have now established and hope to extend in future. Naomi Ridley, Hastings Furniture Service FINDING A VOICE FOR HEALTH 11th July 2013 Unfortunately, I have only been able to attend one of the last three quarterly events - Finding A Voice for Health – However, this in itself was incredibly useful as although I already had the contact with Marie Casey, the event gave me access to new sources of information for a new joint project being undertaken by HARC and SEAP around advocacy work. Jacky Everard Hastings Advice and Representation Centre LAND, SEA & BLUE SKY THINKING 10th October 2013 During the ‘Land, Seas and Blue Sky Thinking’ event I got talking to Patrick Glass, who was representing the arts forum. He also works at Pestalozzi, who I have been trying to establish links with over a number of years on behalf of Woodcraft Folk. He was keen to get our Venturers and his students together, and we later met again to discuss this. The result is that our young people have put together a presentation to share with the students, and we hope to camp together in the spring, to begin to ‘Span the World with Friendship’! Thanks for making this possible. Shar Brown, Hastings District Woodcraft Folk 5 HCN Executive Committee There are twelve representatives on the HCN Executive Committee. Four automatic places from the Community Forums and eight members elected by the HCN membershiporganisations.The Executive elect a Chair and in the cycle 2014-2016 will also be responsible for chairing the LSP.The Executive meet four times a year. Representational Cycle Quarterly 1. HCN Networking Event and Board Meeting: Speakers, information, discussion, points agreed by the HCN. Identify topics for future events. 2. HCN Executive Group Further discussion amongst the Executive Committee – rehearse points to raise at the LSP 3. LSP 10 HCN representatives articulate on behalf of the community and voluntary sector 6 • HCN Membership As long as you are a member of Hastings Voluntary Action, you can join HCN, or renew your membership. Membership of HVA and HCN is FREE. We ask that each group joining HCN provide us with up to two names of people who will be the main contact for communication and will act as the representative for their group, one person will also be the named contact for the election of the HCN Executive. 7 Hastings Community Network Board Member Purpose of Board To be the Accountable Body for HCN’s work. To agree Policies and Procedures for HCN. To elect an Executive Group, Chair and vice-chair to represent HCN on Strategic bodies. To delegate responsibility for the day to day operations of HCN, to the Executive group. To decide on issues for the HCN Executive Group to take forward in their representational and strategic role. To make decisions about HCN’s work. Role of an HCN Representative/Board Member To find effective ways to communicate between HCN and the group you represent. To participate in discussions and decision making. To bring your members concerns and issues to networking events and Board Meetings. To oversee the work of the Executive Group. To engage with HCN’s work as part of an effective voice for the voluntary sector in Hastings. Activities of Board There is no limit on the numbers of representatives/board members within HCN. To attend 4 networking/board meetings a year. To read and digest papers in advance of meetings. To consult with your groups’ members on issues affecting HCN and the sector. To participate in working parties from time to time. 8 Hastings Community Network Executive Committee Purpose and role of Executive Group To be accountable to the Board.To work out ways to implement Policies and Procedures for HCN. To represent HCN on strategic and other decision making bodies as requested by the Board and where necessary seek additional representatives from the Board. To propose recommendations to the Board. To report back to the Board issues that affect HCN at 4 networking events a year. To understand the East Sussex Compact and be willing to champion it where necessary. To represent the interests of HCN when working with statutory bodies as an HCN rep. To participate in working parties from time to time. Role Description for Executive Group Members To attend a total of 8 HCN meetings a year and attend themed events and premeetings in order to gather the views of the VCF sector. To be able to stand in the Executive Group for a period of two years. To attend up to 4 Local Strategic Partnership Meetings a year. To represent the views, interests and priorities of the community and voluntary group and to use your expertise to help shape the priorities, policies and decisions made by the board. To produce written summaries of meetings attended. To read and digest papers in advance of meetings and bring a view to the table. Support for representatives Induction, training and support for representatives are provided. An HVA Officer will convene meetings for HCN reps to help them prepare for meetings and work as a team. They will also provide opportunities for them to link with other representatives across East Sussex and further a field where appropriate. Other support includes some administrative back-up, travel expenses, and help with other barriers for people becoming effective representatives e.g. childcare, costs. Replacement Recognising that this role is important to the sector and our communities, if an HCN representative feels unable to fulfil this role, she/he must ask for help, and support will be offered. Ultimately, if the situation cannot be resolved, the representative may be asked to step down to enable someone else to fulfil this vital role. 9 Frequently Asked Questions on becoming an Executive Member What do Executive Members do? HCN elected executive representatives are leaders of the community and voluntary sector in Hastings. They represent the sector’s interest, sharing their knowledge and expertise across a broad range of partnerships and agendas. The executive members influence strategy, policy and decision-making, ensuring the voice of the community and voluntary sector are heard and understood. A full description of the role and the skills needed is available in the membership pack. What are the benefits of becoming an Executive Member? HCN has been electing members of its executive for 10 years. During that time, executive members have consistently fed back on the benefits gained by taking on the role including: increased knowledge of the town and its decision-making structures and being involved in the decision-making processes; gaining new opportunities to network and build relationships across the sector; developing skills and representation, facilitation, writing reports and giving presentation; deeper understanding of a particular themed area of work; belonging to the sector in its broadest sense; meeting like-minded people, networking and building personal and social connections; raising the profile of your organisation; and developing communication skills, diplomacy, negotiation skills, assertiveness. How do the Executive Members make a difference? Ensuring inclusion and diversity by engaging with meeting the needs of underrepresented groups; being part of changing developing new ideas and services; identifying gaps in developing solutions; influencing agenda is to include and promote the sector; sharing good practice; building a sense of shared purpose, values and goals the public and business sector; acting as a conduit for information sharing within the sector; making sure that community engagement is meaningful and undertaking effectively; improving the communication within the sector; and promoting collaborative working. 10 Why get involved in strategic decision-making? collective action is more influential than a series of single voices; to ensure that you are in the loop and know what’s going on; to protect the sectors interests and tackle issues facing Hastings in a broader way; the capacity of the sector mean that the same organisations have influence, by taking a representational role it improves the services and outcomes the people of Hastings and the influence of the sector; there is increasing emphasis on the role of the community and voluntary sector as a key player local services it is important to organise itself in such a way as to have maximum impact. What is the time commitment of an Executive Member? This varies according to how many partnerships executive members attend throughout the year and what other influencing work they identify as essential to the role. Space as an approximate guide, executive members commit around 15 to 25 hours per quarter which equates to around 4 to 8 hours per month. (For example, reading papers and preparation for executive meeting, preparation for LSP, participation in events and activities to support HCN and providing any feedback to HCN members of particular policy areas). What support will HVA provide? HVA staff hope to: act as adviser to representatives, providing information and translating policies strategies etc as needed or requested by the executive group. Provide the secretariat service for HCN including organising or hosting of all meetings liaising with chair to develop agendas, writing papers, sending out information etc. support to develop and implement an HCN action plan will stop arrange induction for new executive members following the election and organise relevant training as required. Make available links to key partnerships and forums Support in the collating of and disseminating of information What else do I need to consider before I make a nomination? 1. Is your organisations/groups HVA and HCN membership up to date? 2. Do you have the full support of your organisation and the time to attend meetings and take part in other related activities? Elected representatives hold their seat for 2 years. 3. Do you have enough capacity within your job to perform a representative role on behalf of the voluntary and community sector?