Local Strategies and How to Influence them Gillian McDonough Chief officer, Sunderland CVS 3 rd November 2009

Sunderland Community Network Structure The Sunderland Community Network is made up of all Voluntary and Community Sector groups and organisations operating in the City of Sunderland coming together to influence strategy and service delivery across the city. Local VCS groups can feed into the new Area Networks in their own area. Issues raised can be taken by delegates to the relevant Area Committee or they can be passed to the Core Network Group to be taken up at the appropriate level of the Sunderland Partnership, e.g. a Delivery Partnership. (Doc1. Network Structure)

The Core Network Group is made up of Delegates nominated to sit on the Boards and Delivery Boards of the Sunderland Partnership. These Delegates feed VCS issues into their relevant Partnerships. (Doc 2. List of Delegates) Sunderland Community Network through the Area Networks will nominate 3 representatives to sit on the Area Committees and 1 of those 3 will also sit on the Core Network Group and 1 will Co- Chair their Area Network meeting with the Vice Chair of the Area Committee.

In order to be a delegate to the Area Committee or Sunderland Partnership the organisation or group of the delegate must be signed up to the Sunderland Compact. Business Plan The Business Plan has been agreed and subsequently three years funding awarded. The Business Plan is Outcome focused therefore a smart Action Plan will be devised to achieve this (Doc 3. Outcomes)

Opportunity to get involved Staff team – 2 dedicated staff members will be on hand to communicate, support and deliver the Network activities and to support you in whatever way they can. Ways to get involved include; speaking to your delegates, members meetings, briefing sessions, and focus groups, through the website information, e-newsletter and attending annual assemblies.

Influence At what level do you feel you can get on board? Having the Capacity to do so – working with SCVS staff team to develop your own organisation and build your own organisational capacity, enabling you to get more involved in the Network activities. (Doc4.Degree and Capacity of Influence )

The 10 point journey to Influence Starting point – where people realise they ‘want to influence’ Step 1 and move upwards 10 Influence 9Know how to influence 8link with others to influence 7Know how to influence 6Know the political landscape 5Organised to influence 4Know what you want to change 3Willing to have a go 2Know why you want to influence 1Want to influence You decide Capacity to Influence

Influence is... Influence can be considered from different aspects and viewed in different ways The following three approaches have emerged through research and in discussions with people from community groups and networks. 1. Influence as qualities / attributes 2. Influence as methods / approach 3. Influence as Outcomes Read for yourself (Doc 6)

Examples of Influence At level 1 wanting to ‘Influence’ (Doc 6a Level 1) People Feel that things aren’t right Feel they have a right to state their views Feel dissatisfied with that is happening around them Have a sense of social justice Want their own views to be heard Talk to others about their concerns and ideas Feel that others share their views

At level 10 ‘Influencing’ (Doc 6b level 10) The group Is consulted and asked opinions Takes part in joining decision making Has a formal place on relevant boards / Partnerships Is involved in the process of shaping priorities Can identify its contribution Is invited to chair / facilitate partnership meetings Is encouraged and supported to take part (by other partners) Instigates joint discussions about power, boundaries, roles, functions of the partnership etc Provides feedback which is sought and valued Sees desired changes arising from its challenges

Thank You Any questions or anyone wishing to speak to me regarding any of the content in today's presentation can contact me: at Sunderland CVS – Host to Sunderland Community Network or