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Developing a Voluntary Sector Assembly
Toby BlumeChief Executive, Urban Forum
www.urbanforum.org.uk
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About Urban ForumHelping community groups have a greater say over policy-making.
Research and consultation
Policy work and lobbying
Briefings and reports
Events and outreach
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Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to
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Some possible goals…
Increased influence over decisions
A thriving third sector
United and coordinated
More than the sum of the parts
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Play to our strengths
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Challenge
Inspire
Lead
Collaborate
Innovate
Do more for less
At our best we…
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Acknowledge our weaknesses
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Unaccountable & unrepresentative
Parochial
Serving self interest not beneficiaries
Moaning
Agents of the State
But we have our moments…
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Some context
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The Past
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The Present
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Doom and Gloom?
‘You should never let a serious crisis go to waste’
Rahm Emanuel (Barak Obama’s Chief of Staff)
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Challenge
Inspire
Lead
Collaborate
Innovate
Do more for less
Remember! We…
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Open minded
Vocal
Creative
Prove our value
Act collectively
Nothing is off limits!
Grasping the Opportunities
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Democratic renewal is the new Empowerment
Tackling political extremists
Good community relations
Civic participation
Current government priorities
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A Conservative government?
?
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Labour legacy
‘Control Shift’
Support for activists
Infrastructure?
A Conservative government?
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Challenges and hardship ahead
Electoral success driving the short term
13 years of access – unlucky for some?
Diversity, solidarity, equality
Thriving or surviving?
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A shameless plug!
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Stay honest and maintain your independence
Pick your battles – it’s a marathon not a sprint
Don’t get caught in political crossfire
Be in the solution business!
Final thoughts
