Civic societies from across the country gathered at the national convention in Blackpool on 16 October to discuss the future of the civic society movement. A copy of the report – ‘Own the future’ – presented to the convention is available to read on the organisation’s website. This presents the results of the intense period of discussion and debate which has occurred over the last few months, including the on-line survey and the series of Open Forums across the country. We are very grateful to the hundreds of people who have contributed their thoughts, ideas and hopes for the movement.
‘Own the future’ includes a number of proposals for the way forward on the basis of the discussion and the information that has been gathered. These include proposals for how civic societies might work most effectively together, the role of a new national body and funding arrangements. The proposals need further debate and your thoughts and reactions on any part of the report would be extremely welcome. It would be particularly helpful to have your feedback on five issues identified in the report:
1. Whether the principles of the movement (collective, networked, independent, federal) and a new national body (campaigning, responsive, light footed, grassroots) are sound.
2. The balance of priorities for the work of the new national body between representing the movement, supporting societies and helping societies network together.
3. How civic societies can best network and share experience – including the proposals to build this around clusters of civic societies and thematic issues rather than Government regions.
4. Defining the common thread uniting the civic society movement – founded on the importance of place, pride, identity and community.
5. The balance between securing independence for the movement and funding it through contributions from individual civic societies on a per capita membership basis.
We are keen to bring final proposals forward before the end of the year in order that any new arrangements can be established around Easter 2010. It would be helpful, therefore, to have your feedback by Friday 20 November. We hope that you might discuss the report and these key issues with others in your society. We are aware of a number of some societies planning special meetings to discuss this report. We will be in touch next week with further information in a special issue of “Initiative Bulletin” on the key outcomes from the Blackpool convention to help inform your thinking.
If you would like a printed copy of Own the future for you or your colleagues then please let Ian Harvey know by phone (0151 708 9920).
