Engagement

GCVS have a membership of 600 organisations who we listen to and represent at city, regional and Scottish level. Through our "Connect" work, we support strong, collective input by Glasgow's voluntary sector by sharing information, co-ordinating and linking organisations and providing opportunities for networking and joint working. We aim to ensure that the voluntary sector is well linked into public affairs and is informed, supported and engaged in order to maximise its contribution to the life of the city.

In undertaking this role, we carry out a number of key functions to:

• advocate and act as an intermediary;
• interpret and disseminate policy and strategy information in an accessible format;
• communicate with the voluntary sector and represent it's views to key stakeholders;
• research, consult and report on the contribution of the sector to the city's priorities; and
• build the capacity of and effectiveness of local voluntary and community organisations.

Our policy work ensures that we communicate the issues and concerns of the sector to elected officials, statutory agencies and other relevant stakeholders following regular consultation with our members and partnership organisations. 

Our network meetings, consultations, surveys and information events ensure GCVS staff listen to our members and hear what the sector is saying in order to accurately represent their views.

We are a key partner in the Glasgow Interface, a Scottish Government initiative that seeks to contribute the voice of the sector in community planning at strategic level.

We provide regular information briefings to our members, voluntary sector networks, the wider sector and key partners through our monthly Interchange newsletter.  We also produce special briefings covering key current issues such as the results of our ongoing Recession Survey.

Our website serves as a key mechanism for improved communication and engagement between Glasgow's voluntary sector networks and public sector partnerships. It provides the voluntary sector and partners with direct access to news, resources and targeted services.

Our InfoBase/ Engage on line directory is a powerful resource that provides a detailed profile of the community and voluntary sector in Glasgow and the contribution it makes to the city.  Users of the database can access information and data about the size, scope and contribution of Glasgow’s voluntary and community sector.

And our capacity building work with voluntary and community organisations enables the competence and effectiveness of local third sector organisations to be developed through a range of provision, including start-up support, help with governing documents, incorporation and good governance, business and strategic planning, organisational development, funding advice and dissolution/amalgamation.