National voice, local impact.

THE BACKGROUND

October 2007 – CVS network
There are 56 independent CsVS that make up the CVS network. SCVO, through its contract with the Scottish Government, provides support and facilitates the network.

In October 2007, at the CVS national conference, CsVS chairs indicated they wanted progression of a network that would function better with structure, identity and role clearly defined and able to develop and endorse strategic policy, which CsVS could support. The Scottish Government, at the 2007 conference encouraged the development of a national body and subsequently committed financial support to form a steering group.

September 2008 - The Steering Group
A steering group was elected by ballot in March 2008 and produced an Interim Report in September 2008. It was widely disseminated and discussed at the 2008 CVS network conference. Support for a national CVS body grew from less than 40% in October 2007 to around 80% by October 2008.

In October 2008 a Survey Monkey questionnaire sought views from CsVS across Scotland on aspects which informed the Steering Group’s work in terms of developing a detailed proposal and draft governing document for the establishment of a new network body.

November 2008 - The Final Report
The Steering Group produced a Final Report in November 2008. The Final Report was developed based upon feedback from CsVS. There was strong support for a new national body – with the vast majority feeling it would strengthen the network and the work of its members.

The Final Report stated “there is sufficient support for that body to move to a wider membership option model quite quickly but not in the first instance”. The Report sets out VAS's aspirations to be a membership body open to local infrastructure organisations - not just CVS's or emerging third sector interfaces.

May 2009 - Voluntary Action Scotland was born!
Voluntary Action Scotland was officially established and registered as a company limited by guarantee in Scotland at the end of May.

October 2009 - CVS network votes to welcome VC colleagues
In October 2009, a mandate from Scotland’s CVS’s was secured to allow Volunteer Centres to become members. Almost95% of CVS's vote “Yes” to embrace VC colleagues within membership structure of Voluntary Action Scotland. Since then, VC colleagues have been engaged to ensure VAS develops in ways which support both CVS and VC activities and interests.