CIEH purpose of Regional Hub and lead volunteer role October 2018

Regional Hubs 22 Regional Hubs Regional hubs – A single tier of 22 Regional Hubs to retain the geographical and local connection and drawing on local expertise and commitment. The Regional Hubs deliver CIEH activity close to where members live and work and are inclusive of all sectors, disciplines and membership grades. Across all of the Hubs there is a need for consistency and encouraging member engagement. The 22 Regional Hubs provide a baseline for activity but are boundaries not barriers! Flexibility and collaboration across the Hubs will enable more effective networking sharing and learning. The Hubs are led by 2 volunteer lead roles supported by a team of volunteers. The Regional Hub in Wales will be supported by Director of Wales Kate Thompson k.thompson@cieh.org The Regional Hub in NI will be supported by Director of NI Gary McFarlane g.mcfarlane@cieh.org The 19 English Regional Hubs and Scotland will be supported by Network Managers.

Regional Hub- purpose Local voice and visibility: Networking, sharing good practice/experience/professional perspectives, Public Relations and media campaigns Professional development: through provision of local events and other CPD activity supporting the professional competency framework/ pathway. Engagement, consultation and contribution to CIEH membership development, technical practice and campaigning Local partnership activity Delivery of support services for members and adding value, underpinning retention to membership Member recruitment and supporting membership recruitment campaigns Purpose: to facilitate and co-ordinate membership support activity; focal point for communication/ambassadors (profession and membership) The local Regional Hubs (approximately 22 across UK) will remain the centre of volunteer support and co-ordination- led by members for members. The co-ordinating groups (and advisory panels in the communities) are made up of volunteers who are self nominated and where necessary elected. The volunteer roles are representative rather than to represent, but retain a consultative focal point, provide leadership, advocacy and ambassadorial support (brand, professional and membership) as well as facilitate the delivery of the CIEH objectives and operational plan. Central support will facilitate local activity, removing the need for additional administrative support at the local level. Streamlining administration such as: No need for minutes. Actions recorded for volunteer use. Templates used for all reporting and planning Online event booking used for all events Member communication, engagement, partnerships and PR supported through HQ More availability of event packages for roll out and structured event planning

The new local Hub network How will it look to Members? Local Hub for local activities Two named Lead volunteers for each Hub Local events within reach for every member In touch and informed of other nearby Hub events Regular activity in every Hub – a network for all members Attend any event in the network at low cost rates Inclusive of all sectors, grades and specialisms

The new local Hub network How will it look to Volunteers? A variety of roles for anyone who wants to volunteer No need to join a committee or be elected to a board Minimal administrative burdens Connected to the centre Use your best skills and knowledge to benefit the profession All sectors, grades, specialisms welcome

Volunteer Leads roles Leadership of Hub Ambassador for the Hub and CIEH Link between Regional Hub and CIEH Events local co-ordination While the roles are ambassadorial there is a practical element of the function that is needed to facilitate and help co-ordinate local activity. These roles take on the important membership representation, as they are nominated from and elected by the membership of the respective Regional Hubs. These roles will work with and alongside other volunteers within the locality.

Election of Volunteer Leads Three year term office with a maximum of 2 consecutive full terms. October – marketing of nominations of lead roles in relevant Hubs 02 November to 22 November – Nominations received from volunteers 30 November -elections take place if required within each of the Regional Hubs (more than 2 nominations received per Hub). All members (all grades) in Hubs may vote for their Lead volunteers. December- appointments confirmed January – start of three year term of office The roles will be structured around a three year term of office ( no more than 2 consecutive full terms). Appointments will be confirmed in December ready for taking up the role in January. There will be induction webinar and material to support a good understanding of the role and expectations.

Working with other volunteers Welcome all members who would like to help List of interested members willing to help in each Regional Hub No formal meetings -use informal meetings & digital technology to keep in touch and find lead volunteers for events and activities. VLs are main leads but all volunteers within the local volunteer team will work with CIEH and Directors of Wales and NI as required. Volunteers can work across boundaries with neighbouring Hubs and clusters of Hubs We know that volunteers have busy lives and that different members can offer different skills and time. We want to welcome all volunteers able and willing to contribute and therefore the Hub will bring together a wide team of volunteers. It will be the role of the Lead Volunteers working with CIEH to work out who can lead events, projects and activity within and across the Hubs. Working with a team of willing helpers the Lead Volunteers will help plan local events and activities. Volunteer discussions can take place informally over the phone, through email or in informal settings eg café. While the Hubs provide a good geographical description, volunteers can work in areas within a Hub and can also work across Hub boundaries, joining up with neighbouring volunteers from adjacent Hubs. This will mean that each Hub team will be able to share and network with other volunteers, maintaining current links that work well but also able to build other alliances. Frequent sharing of good practice and supporting each other should help volunteers.

Regional Hub activities Developing local Member Forum events and workshops – planning a minimum of 2 local events as part of annual event programme Visits and tours- local experiences and activities Content for member communications such as EHN, Emails and newsletters Ambassadorial- supporting CIEH and profession Membership retention and recruitment – as part of a CIEH co-ordinated campaign So what type of activity are we expecting from the Regional Hubs? The aim will be to continue much of the excellent services and activities that have been provided by volunteers up to now. Each Regional Hub will address local needs and flavour and will be supported by Network events/ activities that will take place with central support as part of the planned wider CIEH Event programme such as Regional Conferences. There are clear processes in place and that they are readily accessible to support all volunteers.

Supporting you Network Managers lead on overarching Network strategy and specifically volunteer support in England and Scotland. Directors of Wales and Northern Ireland lead on volunteer support within nations, event promotion and local campaigns CIEH as a whole organisation contributes to the success and effective operation of the Network The CIEH will continue to invest in supporting the volunteer effort. Centralised network management will continue to be reviewed and will underpin the refocussing of administrative support: Through out the early implementation we will consider and identify additional administrative and support needs and any potential solutions including the use of contractors if required.

Central support Overarching Network co-ordination and volunteer support Event co-ordination of the annual event programme Marketing events- central CIEH support Finance such as paying invoices and expenses – through central CIEH using existing forms Member communications- through central CIEH targeted emails, member connect, social media, EHN etc To confirm centralised support will cover these main areas and CIEH will be working with volunteers to revise and refresh our guidance and template forms to ease access and use of these systems.

Funding One central fund to support Network activity with Wales and Northern Ireland financially responsible for their nations Event strategy – cost recovery normalised, consistent pricing bands and non- member differential Financial transparency and reporting The funding of the Network needs to support the efficient delivery of its newly focussed role. It is about efficient use of the resources- making the most of our investment in membership and enable volunteers to continue to respond to members’ needs with locally planned events and activities. The event programme provides a consistent and co-ordinated approach with centralised administration and local delivery. Through this co-ordinated event programme CIEH can ensure that all members have access to a range of low cost, supportive events and workshops.

Thank you Network: volunteering@cieh.org