Representation

Being involved in representing the voluntary and community sector on a partnership or a working group is an important role and the members of DACVS offer support to enable you to fulfil your role.

• If you are asked to voice the views of the sector - how do you speak up for all the different organisations?
• How do you get the back-up support and knowledge you need when you are involved in a small organisation?
• What does all the jargon mean? How do I feedback to relevant organisations across the sector?

Our role of supporting and enabling effective and meaningful representation will address these issues.

DACVS will:

• Create a database of who represents the sector on the many forums and partnership that work at County level within Devon
• Publish a directory of representatives
• Develop terms of reference and guidelines for sector representatives and a format to elect sector representatives when required
• Implement systems that enables two-way communication between the forum/partnership representatives and those with an interest in the subject in the community-voluntary sector.
  

One of our DACVS outcomes is that VCOs are represented and influence policies and programmes, aiming to enable the VCS to have a voice and influence.
We aim :

• To initiate and support consultation processes that are inclusive and meaningful
  
• To facilitate VCOs’ participation and self advocacy in partnerships and other multi-agency structures
  
• To promote and lobby for the common and diverse interests of the sector.
  

DACVS have become a key player in many types of strategic partnerships and all the Chief Officers are on their Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and the Compact Hub and many other partnerships from County down to a local level.
We strengthen the voice of the sector either through direct involvement or through facilitating and supporting the involvement of the local voluntary and community sector. Developing such partnerships within Devon and with other parts of the region strengthens our collective capacity and helps build the infrastructure on which all voluntary and community organisations will benefit.
As your local CVS, we are often asked to inform and consult local voluntary and community organisations such as yourselves on specific issues or developments that need your voice too, so ensure that your local CVS knows about your organisation. We have established effective communication mechanisms enabling you to receive timely and relevant information and also hold local forums and/or networking events.

To download the DACVS guide to Creating Effective Representation please CLICK HERE [PDF 100KB]

Even if you are already in contact with your local CVS, please spend a minute filling out the involvement form to update your details on how you would like to be consulted and/or represented. Partnership working requires your engagement, we need you to get involved!