VCS Representatives 5th Listening Event September 2010

VCS Representatives’ Leadership and Listening Event, on Thursday 30th September at the offices of Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire

‘Leadership of Our Sector through Representation’

This event aimed to bring together VCS (Voluntary and Community Sector) Representatives to discuss ‘Leadership of Our Sector through Representation’
The event was also attended by Maggie Bryan, of Worcestershire Partnership, who discussed the Worcestershire Partnership re-structure.

Areas discussed were as follows:

Introduction from the Chair: Cathy Clement – the Chair of WIC – set the scene of WIC’s work in Engagement and Representation. This included a mention of The Big Society Agenda and community engagement via the VCS, and how this engagement might help shape services to meet the needs of the community. The Chair continued that the VCS are an independent voice in this respect. Cathy, introduced Richard Quallington (WIC’s Worcestershire Partnership Board Representative), who lead on the discussion ‘What are the Qualities of a VCS Leader?’

‘What are the Qualities of a VCS Leader?’
Richard discussed both leadership and representation and noted the tensions between the two. He continued that leaders need to be followed for them to be defined as leaders, and that VCS representatives (supported by WIC) are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the sector.
Philip Talbot (Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire C.O) reminded the group that this leadership is not organisational based but sector-wide leadership.
Richard asked the group to consider: what helps leadership, what hinders leadership and how WIC can support VCS Leadership.

‘Thinking about VCS Leadership Qualities.
Richard then tasked the group with listing the attributes of good VCS leaders on LSPs (Local Strategic Partnerships). This listing included:
• Communication Capacity
• Ability to cascade information and using the tools to do so
• Access to and from a constituency
• Understanding of the sector
• Not afraid to speak
• Ability to listen
• Understanding that you have to be there for the sector and behalf of
• Objectivity
• Clarity in your role
• Diplomacy
• Confidence
• Fairness
• High Profile
• Authority (but not authoritarian)

Richard then tasked the group with listing the VCS Leadership characteristics we need to display for partners which included:
• Expertise on: topic/the sector/gaps in service/gaps in sector resources/gaps in community resources
• Impartiality – not speaking purely on behalf of your own organisation
• Communication skills
• Representing the views of the sector, not your own
• Able to learn quickly
• Able to articulate views/contribute
• Self confidence/able to make decisions
• Able to promote COMPACT
• Strength of character/able to stand ones ground
• Understanding of the responsibilities of the role
• Commitment to attend meetings and to the topic
• Passion and caring for the sector

What can WIC do to Support Representatives?
The groups continued by discussing what can WIC do to Support Representatives? The session resulted in the following points:
• To build on the feedback process
• Diagrammatically draw out VCS representatives seats/groups and constituencies to illustrate the structure of VCS representation
• By giving representatives and collective and solid base
• Supporting with leadership information
• Increasing the evidence and research base
• Briefings
• Training – influence/communication/coaching
• Encourage diversity of representatives – via mentoring
• Help VCS representatives roles, responsibilities and systems






Finally attendees welcomed Maggie Bryan, (Worcestershire Partnership) who discussed the WIC’s response to the Worcestershire Partnerships re-structure noting:
• The re-structure came about as part of the Dilotte report
• The current structure was not fit for purpose now that LEPS (Local Enterprise Partnerships) and the Big Society comes into play
• That the partnership consultation now close
Maggie continued by running through the re-structure principles including the new partnership forum for virtual consultation

There followed a general discussion concerning community influence, communication and accountability of the partnership. All attendees questioned the rational behind x1 VCS representation seat on the Partnership Board, and noted that the previously agreed to x 2 VCS seats. The groups asked for further and future clarity of the systems for Worcestershire Partnership consultation. Maggie noted that on the 27th October the board will convene to review all Partnership re-structure consultation.

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