Dorset’s Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Assembly is in need of four new Members of the Governance Board.
What is the Governance Board?
The Governance Board is a key part of the Assembly. The Assembly has been created to help the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) to work better together. You can read the story of the Assembly’s formation here.
What does the Board do?
The Governance Board will help the VCS to connect to other partners in the county. It will also influence strategy and partnership working within the VCS. It will also assure the VCS’ place as a valued partner within the new Integrated Care System (ICS).
The ICS is a partnership between the NHS, local Councils, emergency services, education, commerce, public representatives, and the Voluntary and Community Sector, all working together to deliver and improve local health and wellbeing across the county.
Its vision is that everyone will start life, live, and age well, and die with dignity, no matter where they live or what their circumstances are.
The Governance Board will also oversee the work of the Engagement Group, and provide management of the Terms of Reference for the Dorset VCSA, management of the composition of the Engagement Group, and hold the Engagement Group accountable to the Values and Objectives of the Dorset VCSA.
The Engagement Group (initially #HelpAndKindness and CAN) weave between the ICS and the VCS to include and involve people, open links and lines of communication at all levels, and work in ways that flex to fit both the VCS (e.g. going to community meetings on a wild and wet Wednesday evening in January in the depths of rural Dorset) and Public Sector Partners in the ICS (e.g. going to board meetings and service reviews in person or through virtual connections). They are tasked with doing the work needed to help the Assembly to run.
The Board is entrusted with upholding the Assembly’s values (set out in the Terms Of Reference), and will shape and oversee the systems and activities of the Assembly to enure they meet these standards.
The Board already has seven members. They bring a passion for the VCS and are a critical friend in the operation of the Assembly.
They are not expected to do the work of the Assembly (whatever that needs to be). They are there to ensure the work is done well, and that the Assembly is trustworthy, fair, equitable, and focused on providing support to the VCS in its work to deliver support to our residents in Dorset.
The Board meets regularly to review and comment on proposals for the operation of the Assembly, and approves activities and policies that guide the work of the Assembly.
Could it be you?
The Board would like to draw on a wide range of personal perspectives, experience, and expertise to help it carry out its work.
Representation can never be complete or perfect, but it is hoped that the Board will have an inclusive composition.
Women, younger people, and people from non-white ethnic backgrounds would be especially welcome to apply.
If you are interested in contributing to this new opportunity to serve the VCS in Dorset, you can download the application form here:
Dorset VCSA Governance Board Member Application Form – July 2023
The closing date for application is Monday, 31st July 2023.
For an informal discussion, contact Jon Sloper (CEO) on 01305 595958 or Emma Lee (Partnerships Manager) on 01202 466130.