Voluntary Sector Manifesto eBriefing

Why do we need a Voluntary Sector Manifesto
and what would one look like?

Background

As you will know, political parties prepare manifestos for elections which both set out their strategic direction and outline prospective legislation that they would seek to enact, should they be elected. By standing for election, the candidates for each party are endorsing the manifesto that their party is putting forward.

At the same time as the parties are putting together their manifestos, other organisations and lobby groups such as the Institute of Directors or the Confederation of British Industry put together their own 'manifestos for business' that they believe candidates and parties should endorse as part of the election campaign. Other lobby groups such as Liberty put together manifestos covering issues important to them such as ID cards, human rights and equality.

At previous elections, charities such as Age Concern Scotland or Diabetes UK Scotland have developed manifestos that they have asked candidates and parties to read and endorse for the Scottish Parliament elections.

As the national umbrella body for the voluntary sector in Scotland, SCVO has launched a 'Manifesto for the Voluntary Sector' targeted at the political parties standing for the Scottish Parliament in 2007. It is a document that SCVO feels sets out its position regarding issues affecting Scottish society, how improvements could be brought about and the role of the voluntary sector in delivering those improvements.

A Voluntary Sector Manifesto for Fife

Fife's Voluntary Sector Manifesto will target those political parties and candidates that are standing for the 2007 Council Elections. These elections will bring about a complete change in the political landscape in Fife due to the introduction of proportional representation and multi-member wards. There will be a number of new Councillors as well as the possibility of a change of ruling administration from a single party to a coalition and even Councillors from parties not currently represented (e.g. The Scottish Green Party). It is important therefore that a Voluntary Sector Manifesto targets all of these parties in the hope that as many as possible endorse it as part of their own election manifesto. The process of seeking endorsement of the manifesto will create dialogue between the voluntary sector and the political parties and their candidates. This will lead to a greater understanding by the candidates of the strength and depth of the voluntary sector in Fife.

By having a Voluntary Sector Manifesto endorsed, it will enable the voluntary sector to see real commitments made by those elected to lead Fife Council. The sector can then press the new Administration to deliver on the areas of the manifesto that have been endorsed.

What Might the Manifesto Look Like?

Manifestos can vary in size, content, depth and scope. Issue-specific agencies such as Age Concern will be primarily focused on their specialist areas such as the care and support of older people in society. Fife's Voluntary Sector Manifesto will cover more general issues affecting the nature of the relationship between it and Fife Council. Specific content for the manifesto is still being developed but a report from the first consultation event, along with other information about the development of a manifesto, can be found online at www.cvsfife.org/manifesto.

Due to the fact that there are a wide variety of voluntary sector organisations in Fife, it is unlikely that the manifesto will be client-specific in nature like Age Concern's manifesto. It is more likely that issues such as partnership working, clearer funding streams, staff training budgets to meet legislative needs, funding inequalities, open decision making processes and more involvement in long term planning will be the areas that are covered in the manifesto.

How Can I Get Involved?

The next consultation event will be held in the morning of the 29th September at the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes. Please email manifesto@cvsfife.org for details on attending or look at the manifesto website for more information. We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible along on the day.

Any ideas, comments, issues or concerns about the Voluntary Sector Manifesto can be forwarded to CVS Fife and the Consultative Group via the Manifesto Website or emailed to manifesto@cvsfife.org.

Some Manifesto Links

Kind Regards

Douglas McLellan
Development / Capacity Building Officer

CVS Fife
23-27 Randolph St.
Buckhaven
KY8 1AT
T: 01592 567001
F: 01592 567009
E: douglas.mclellan@cvsfife.org
W: www.cvsfife.org