Join Voice4Change England in building a thriving BME Third Sector
In its first year of existence Voice4Change England (V4CE) has been active in establishing itself as a voice for the BME Third Sector. It has responded to numerous Government consultations and has taken a lead on lobbying against CLG’s draft Cohesion Guidance for Funders. In addition, it has participated in many conferences and seminars, and hosted four quarterly policy roadshows to engage with regional audiences. The issues covered include: CLG's Cohesion Guidance, the review of the BME Compact Code, Local Area Agreements, the principles of representation, Compact Advocacy, the Public Law Project, the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill, and the Audit Commission’s Comprehensive Area Assessment consultation. It also organised a policy symposium that brought together leading thinkers and practitioners on equality and cohesion issues to inform the nation debate.
Please see policy work, responses to Government consultations, events, and policy symposium for further information about our achievements and work
V4CE now looks to enhance its advocacy and welcomes the support of individuals and organisations – BME or non-BME, Third Sector or non-Third Sector – in building a thriving BME Third Sector that is better placed to deliver improved outcomes for all in our diverse civil society. To assist with this, the Voice4Change England Subscribers scheme has been created to allow individuals, institutions, networks, forums, alliances, partnerships, social enterprises, voluntary and community organisations, registered charities and statutory bodies to join as supporters and strengthen V4CE’s role as a policy advocate for the BME Third Sector.
There are three subscriber types available: Full, Associate or Friend of V4CE. The eligibility for each type and the key subscription benefits and commitments are set out below:
Full subscriber to V4CE is available to any BME-led voluntary organisation with a charitable purpose which is autonomous and independent of national and/or local government, which operates at any geographical level. In order to qualify, the applicant must have a trustee board or management committee where the majority are from BME backgrounds. Please note: V4CE uses a broad definition of BME for its work. We include all those other than ‘White British’ as used in the National Census.
What V4CE provides to Full Subscribers include:
- Participation and contribution to V4CE’s activities
- A Full Subscriber certificate
- Entitlements to discounts on V4CE services such as events, publications and training courses as and when these come on line
- Regular newsletter and email bulletins, containing policy briefings and details of networking opportunities
- Signposting to the activities of other BME and Third Sector organisations
Full Subscribers can support the work of V4CE by:
- Keeping V4CE informed about important local developments that impact upon the BME Third Sector
- Assisting V4CE with the dissemination of information where possible using emails, bulletins, newsletters, and existing communication channels
- Providing information about their own good practice
- Engaging in consultation responses with views and comments
- Participating V4CE BME Third Sector surveys that aim to collect information on the state of the sector in order that this information is available to policy-makers in making the case for the sector to receive recognition and better support
- Agree to pay the annual subscription fee
Associate subscriber to V4CE is available to any organisation with a charitable purpose that agrees to the purposes of V4CE
What V4CE provides to Associate Subscribers include:
- An Associate Subscriber certificate
- Entitlements to discounts on V4CE services such as events, publications and training courses as and when these come on line
- Regular newsletter and email bulletins, along with policy information and briefings
- Networking opportunities and signposting to other organisations
- Signposting to the activities of other BME and Third Sector organisations
How Associate Subscribers can support the work of V4CE is by:
- Agreement to pay the annual subscription fee
Friends of V4CE is available to individuals who support the work of V4CE. Friends can be either individuals or organisations.
What V4CE provides to Friend Subscribers include:
- Information about the developments within the BME voluntary and community sector
- Access to policy briefings as well as other publications and bulletins
- Invitations to V4CE events
- Opportunities to network with V4CE full and associates subscribers
How Friend Subscribers can support the work of V4CE is by:
- Agreement to pay the annual subscription fee
What does it cost?
If your organisation becomes a Subscriber no fee will be charged until April 2009. Fees will be charged from 1st April 2009 and will range from £10.00 to £30.00 per year depending on which Subscription you qualify for. We aim to provide excellent value to Subscribers and our fees are set so as not to deter individuals and organisations from supporting the work of V4CE.
From April 2009 the fee charged are set out below.
The Full Subscribers fee will be £10.00 per year for any organisation with an annual income over £10,000. Unfunded community groups with an annual income of less than £10,000 get free subscription.
The Associate Subscribers fee is £10.00 apart from those with an annual income of less than £10,000 who again receive free subscription.
The Friends Subscriber fee is £15.00 for individuals and £30.00 for organisations.
Join Voice4Change England and help build a thriving BME Third Sector now.
There is a Subscriber launch Questions & Answers for guidance.
Begin the Subscriber application process