What does membership mean? Is it about benefits and access to services, or a sense of belonging and common understanding? Is it about being part of something bigger, where together we make our voices heard or is it about collective learning and shared experience
At OCVA I hope that membership can mean all of the above. I regularly remind myself that we are a membership organisation and exist to serve and support a wide and diverse network that will never be done growing, because in our sector we know that fresh ideas and new community responses to need are created each day.
Membership can help give us a sense of ownership and collective endeavour. That doesn’t mean that we can’t pursue our own organisational goals and celebrate the diversity of work in the sector, but it does mean that we can contribute to creating an inclusive and supportive atmosphere and delivering better outcomes for communities as a result.
That’s why we want to make membership of OCVA as accessible as possible. We have removed the fee for small and emerging organisations (currently described as Band A) so that more groups can get involved and benefit from discounted access our training, support and advice.
Services still are open to any non-profit group or organisation operating in the County, regardless of membership status, but by joining you can benefit at the same time as supporting others, helping to ensure that Oxfordshire is a place where everyone can make an impact.
We have an exciting year ahead with a great programme of training, networks and forums and some important new collaborations (watch this space!) so if you aren’t already a member, please do consider joining.
We look forward to working with you and for you.
Laura
