13 new VCS Panel representatives from across a broad range of different sectoral interests have been appointed to the Joint Forum Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Panel, for this new Joint Forum term following an open nomination and selection process that took place throughout November and December of 2024.
NICVA is responsible for overseeing the appointment of VCS Panel members to the Joint Forum and voluntary and community sector organisations put forward representatives via an open nomination process.
We received a great range of nominations from across a breadth of sectoral interests/groups.
All nominations were reviewed by a Selection Panel made up of 3 members of NICVAs Executive Board who agreed appointments on the basis of the information provided within the Nomination Forms, whilst seeking to ensure as broad a range of representation as is practical.
In making their appointments the Selection Panel noted the high quality and diverse range of nominations that were received. When selecting new representatives, gender balance, geographical representation, sectoral balance and size of organisation were all taken into account by the Selection Panel. In addition the Selection Panel was also looking to address any gaps in representation across the current membership of the VCS Panel.
In addition the Selection Panel also agreed a Reserve List of VCS representatives who may be offered a place, should any Panel members be required to step down over this next Joint Forim term. The Reserve list is maintained for one JF term only, with any replacement appointments from this made only made on the basis that the Nominee is still employed by their nominating organisation etc
Panel Members are appointed to represent a sectoral grouping and/or thematic interest, rather than their individual organisation or group. Nominees had to clearly state the sectoral grouping/thematic interest (for eg; women’s sector, young people, children’s sector etc) they were seeking to represent.
All new panel members are appointed for one term/3 years initially and currently can serve a further 3-year term.
The 13 new VCS representatives, whose membership spans the voluntary and community sector are as follows:
- Scott Jackson USEL
- Stephen Dallas Bytes Project
- Frances Campbell Community Transport Association UK
- Samantha Gallagher Rural Community Network
- Avery Bowser Action for Children
- Kathy Martin Community Development Health Network
- Manus Maguire Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum
- Paul Boylan Cooperation Ireland
- Andrew Irvine East Belfast Mission
- Roisin McLaughlin Northwest Community Network
- Fergal McFerran Children's Law Centre
- Dr Kelly Turtle Age NI
- Anne Mc Vicker Women's Resource & Development Agency
VCS Panel Member Induction and First VCS Panel Meeting
Earlier this month our new VCS Panel members took part in an induction session where they had the opportunity to meet with the current VCS Panel Chair and existing and former members of the VCS Panel.
The aim of the Induction was to provide new panel members with an overview of the background to and role of the Joint Forum; outline their role as a VCS Panel and bring panel members up to date on the workplan and activities of the Joint Forum to date.
In addition as part of this session Panel members meet with the Public Sector Joint Chair of the Joint Forum Tracy Johnston, DfC and other Public Sector representatives to the forum. Tracy provided new members with an update on the Joint Forums work, in its last term to progress the new Partnership Agreement between the Voluntary and Community Sector and Government including a set of Fair Funding Principles and the Joint Chairs discussed their hopes of further progress against this work as part of the new workplan for the Joint Forum.
The VCS panel also held their first VCS Panel meeting of this new term on 9 January were they discussed and agreed key issues for the Agenda of the next full Joint Forum meeting with Government to be held on the 23 January. Read more on the first full Joint Forum meeting here.
We look forward to supporting the work of the VCS panel and to keeping the sector updated as the work of the Joint Forum gets underway in this new term.
Who are the Voluntary and Community Sector Panel ?
The role and purpose of the VCS Panel is:
''To represent the Voluntary and Community sector within the structures of the Joint Forum and to support the Forum in the delivery of mutually agreed key aims and objectives, including delivery of an associated Workplan.’
The VCS Panel comprises representatives from across the voluntary and community sector.
It is chaired by a VCS Panel member elected by panel representatives.
Voluntary and Community Sector Panel members are appointed for a period/term of three years and are entitled to seek re-nomination for a further three-year period. No panel member can be appointed for a period of more than six consecutive years/two consecutive terms.
For more information on the VCS Panel and Joint Forum , including details of its membership please visit Joint Government and Voluntary Sector Forum (Joint Forum) | NICVA
If you have any queries about this article or the work of the VCS Panel and Joint Forum, please contact NICVA secretariat via [email protected].
