GAVS
A new council for voluntary service (CVS) for Greenwich
Welcome to the GAVS website. Here you will be able to keep up to date with and follow the progress
and development of GAVS. The website will be updated with news and information and so we hope you
will check us out regularly, feed in your comments and contact us if you need further information
about GAVS.
Initially, the development of GAVS is being overseen by a CVS Steering Group comprising
representatives from:
- Greenwich ChangeUp Partnership
- Greenwich Community Network
- Greenwich Council for Racial Equality
- Volunteer Centre Greenwich
- Greenwich Council
A thriving and respected CVS for Greenwich is an increasingly important issue for the sector, and over
the past 18 months much has been achieved in the development of a new organisation – Greenwich Action
for Voluntary Service (GAVS).
Initial Advisory Group and sector consultation
Initial development and sector-wide consultation was undertaken by an Advisory Group, and their report
identified the type of CVS that the sector in Greenwich wanted to see in any new organisation. The
Advisory Group made a successful 1st stage application to the Big Lottery BASIS programme for
development phase funds.
Steering Group oversees development phase
Following further consultation events with the sector, the CVS Steering Group was set up to oversee
the development phase. Memorandum & Articles of Association (Mem & Arts) have been drafted and a
3 year business plan produced to support a 2nd stage Big Lottery BASIS application for three year
funding. The business plan provides a clear picture to the reader of how much has been achieved and
how much more there is to do.
Initial Subscribers
This is the name given to the first set of Trustees for a charitable organisation. They are
non-elected Trustees and are usually in place for a limited period during the development of a new
organisation, in preparation for a handover to elected Trustees at an inaugural general meeting.
It is expected that GAVS Initial Subscribers will be in place for approximately six months. During
that time they will ratify the proposed Mem & Arts, set GAVS up as a legally constituted charitable
company, and appoint a Chief Executive.
Support
Throughout all stages of the consultation and development of a new CVS for Greenwich, the sector
has had the full support of Greenwich Council, including the funding of the Advisory Group with an
independent Chair, and match-funding of the BASIS development phase. NAVCA (National Association
of Voluntary & Community Associations) have given support in the setting up of the Advisory
Group, and the Group included representatives of East London CVS network and CEMVO.
Feedback
The Steering Group welcomes feedback so please use the feedback
form with any comments or questions you may have.
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