Forgot about this one! Sorry! Think it may be relelvant to Pat? Any others
please send your info direct to the contact at the bottom of the email.

Alison

Hi All
I am forwarding an Email from Celia Burton (MidWest- Supporter Group Forum
Representative) which is self explanatory. If you have any information or ideas
would you please contact Celia direct
  Kind regards
Derek Riley


Dear All,

You probably know that Rotary Clubs are some of VSO's long standing generous
supporters - but you may not know that Rotary International is the world's
biggest conference - and the Centenary one is being held at the NEC Birmingham
from June 21st -24th - with run-up events before that.  25,000 delegates from
all over the world are paying big money to take part......


Here in Birmingham we have been brainstorming about what we could/should do to
promote VSO in the city while so many delegates are around.  (Can't afford to do
some of the obvious things e.g. to have a stall anywhere near the conference
costs between £1100 and £5000 !!!!)


However, we are determined to try and cultivate as many personal contacts as
possible in the run up to the event - and see if we can get to meet any
delegates with a VSO link - or who might be tempted to sponsor volunteers in
future. (Marc Stewart from Harborne Hall is working on this from the formal VSO
side - but the local group thought we should pool our ideas and contacts, as we
may well have more than HQ know about.....)


VSO HQ have been in touch with all British clubs who currently sponsor
volunteers - but we know that there may well be other personal links with clubs
who do not do a formal sponsorship - and even links with clubs overseas who may
be in touch with volunteers abroad.


Please can you circulate this request to your groups and members:  We should
like to know the following:

(RSVP to Celia.burton@... )

Do you have any RV's who were sponsored by Rotary?   Or does your local Rotary
currently sponsor a volunteer?                                            (Who
/when/ where?   NB: HQ may not have kept records of sponsorship some years ago.)
Do you have other good links with your local Rotary Club?          (If not - why
not ring them up and ask if they or their friends will be in Brum.)
Are any members of your local club coming to Birmingham for Rotary
International?                              (Names?  Emails?)
Does your local club know of any personal friends/colleagues from their linked
clubs overseas?  (Look out for countries where VSO works - and also for partner
countries like Canada and Holland........  Contacts welcome)
Did any of your VSO RV members meet any overseas Rotary clubs/members while
working abroad e.g. their employers/colleagues in the host country?         
(Where - who what?)         Obviously if they know anyone coming over - that
would be brilliant - but even if we only know that a volunteer spoke to a Rotary
club in e.g. Ulan Baatar (which is a real example) - then we can chat up any
Mongolian visitors and hopefully impress their British hosts!
NB: Inner Wheel - the women's club associated with Rotary, is also holding
social events alongside the big conference - so contacts there are also useful.
If you can offer any useful ideas or suggestions - please do!
Thanks for any info you can gather.......

Celia  Burton  (LG Rep - Mids West.)

This came from Steve but hopefully now we've sent back our signed framework to
VSO, they'll release her details so we can contact her in placement!

Alison

For your information, there was a story in The Press yesterday (25 Feb p16)
about Lorraine Stinson from Heworth, just graduated from Newcastle, going to
Ghana for 3 months to live in a family, through VSO. She has to raise £600 to go
(www.justgiving.com/lorrainestinson),

Steve

And these are the 2 RVs who are gallantly doing the rounds of uni careers fairs
in the north to promote VSO. I met them at a recent one at Leeds and they were
very happy to have some support!

Good to meet you yesterday, particularly to have some really in-depth
discussions with some very enthusiastic, thoughtful and vibrant under-graduate
students.  We will certainly forward any requests to attend fairs to take place
in the vicinity of the York VSO Supporters Group to them (via yourself) when
they come through the main VSO network.  Many thanks.  Peter and Janet Cradock

This has come up in discussions before so I thought you may be interested to
read this official response from VSO to an email I sent suggesting they may like
to rethink their approach to recruiting at uni careers fairs given that there
are so many mature students and staff who could fit their skills areas.

Dear Alison

Thank you for your email.

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding.

Over the past decade, the marketing team at VSO has decreased in size, and
continues to do so. We are therefore limited, by staffing numbers, to the types
of activities that we can be involved in. As a team, we are responsible for all
the marketing activities that need to be delivered to recruit the 550+
volunteers we need to recruit from the UK each year. Over time, we have
therefore had to streamline the activities we have delivered and had to focus on
the activities that our delivering the highest numbers of volunteers to us.

I agree with you that universities offer VSO a great opportunity to reach out to
prospective volunteers. We are therefore working with a fantastic team or really
active regional co-ordinators to cover as many of these events as possible. I
believe that our returned volunteers offer people interested in volunteering
overseas a very balanced (an often more interesting) view of what volunteering
with VSO is like compared to members of VSO staff. Where we have active and
interested returned volunteer available to support at these events, I do not
think it makes sense for a member of VSO staff to attend the event as well.

I hope this help you to understand our decision to work through returned
volunteers.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Regards

Reshna

Reshna Radiven
Head of Marketing
VSO, 317 Putney Bridge Road
London SW15 2PN

A few weeks ago I received this contact via VSO, which I responded to saying we
would be very happy to work with:-

Judith Dent and I are doing some initial reserach with a view to setting up a
local group in Humberside and East Riding. Please could you tell us what areas
you include in your group (eg do you include Scarborough, Pocklington etc?). We
don't want to stand on your toes!

Once we've got more of an idea of numbers in this area and perhaps an idea of
how we might operate perhaps we could arrange to meet and maybe plan to work
together in the future?

Many thanks

Clare Gardiner

A month ago some of us had a difficult dilemma as to whether to meet for our
usual social or go to an Oxfam hosted Sisters on the Planet film at York St.
John Uni. We went for the pub!!

The good news is that I have since got hold of a copy - it's about what 4 women
from different continents are doing to cope with climate change and protect the
environment. I also have a copy of Blood Diamonds (with Leonardo di Caprio)
about conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone with additional commentary from the
director. So if anyone fancies borrowing one or both you're welcome. Or perhaps
we could view them together as they would make for good discussion.

Alison

Here is an update on the framework and members' list as discussed at the AGM and
our last social, from Maria in response to my contact with her. The letter
explaining the reasons for the framework can be found in Files. I will post the
framework once I receive it.

Can all of you please send me your postal address and email for VSO head office
(if different to the one I have) and if you want to be contacted by VSO or just
on the database as a return volunteer. The latter should save you from being
bombarded with pleading letters for money! The reason for this will also become
clear in my correspondence with Maria below.

Regards,

Alison


Dear Alison,
Thanks so much for your email.  I am very grateful for your feedback on the
framework and have attached the covering letter for you as requested.  When you
have managed to complete the members list please ask the members to identify if
they want VSO to contact them with news etc if not we can keep the information
as a return volunteer or group member only.

I hope this helps!  I will be sending out volunteer lists in early April.

Best regards,

Maria


-----Original Message-----
From: Alison Leslie [mailto:a.leslie80@...]
Sent: 13 March 2009 14:43
To: Maria Gierszewski
Subject: framework


Dear Maria,

Thanks for clarifying the info re categories of group. I have put the signed
copy of the framework in the post today. Would it be possible to provide an
online version of the accompanying letter giving the rationale for it and send
me an online copy of the framework itself. This way I could post them on our
group's site for all our members to see. This may avoid any other possible
misunderstandings of info as those interested can read it for themselves.

I think everyone agrees that the framework is a good idea and it's good to know
that we don't need a bank account or to have formal roles within the group.
Allowing us to have access to volunteers in our area so that we can support them
is something which appeals to the group. I am currently updating our members'
list with addresses too, but as I am sure you are aware I need to ask consent
for this info. Some members are concerned that VSO is going to use their
addresses to send them pleading letters for money! As active RVs through the
group, most of us feel we already support VSO enough, and feel uncomfortable
being asked to financially support another volunteer.

Regards,

Alison



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Maria Gierszewski <Maria.Gierszewski@...>
To: Alison Leslie <a.leslie80@...>
Sent: Friday, 6 March, 2009 16:13:39
Subject: RE: Grant forms


Dear Alison,
Thank you so much for your email and for sending on the minutes to your meeting
in February.  It would seem that the some of the information that was shared
with those who attended the Regional Meeting in Leeds has been slightly
misunderstood.  I am happy to give you a ring to discuss it further with you do
let me know when is a convenient time to do this.  I can however outline the
minimum criteria for a group to be in the green category.
The group must have signed up to the framework document by the 30th March 2009.
The group must send in regular updates on what the group is actively doing,
meetings etc and an annual report to summarise the year.
The group are asked to do a minimum of one of the 3 VSO asks which is to 1)
Promote volunteering 2) Fundraise 3) Raise Awareness (most groups are doing this
already)
IF and only IF the group have a bank account they will be required to send in an
annual return to VSO.  This does not apply to you as your group do not have a
bank account which is absolutely fine.
I do hope that this will enable you to feel more comfortable about signing the
framework.  The York group are doing all of the above and more.  I received the
other cheque for £435 which is really fantastic and appreciated.  It would
really be great to get them into the green category, I do understand that have
reservations of appointing officers, this really does not need to be anyone
other than a main contact for the group with whom we can contact.

I have sent a hard copy of the framework in the post for you today, and I look
forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

Maria Gierszewski
Supporter Groups Network Advisor
Active Communities & Networking Team
Communications and Public Engagement
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
VSO, 317 Putney Bridge Road, London SW15 2PN
+44 (0) 20 8780 7402 / Fax:+44 (0) 20 8780 7300
www.vso.org.uk

This week marks International Women's Week and as part of the York
programme wea are hosting a film on Wednesday please see attachment.  We
do hope you'll be able to come along it should be a very intersting
evening.
We are also hoping that you have put 18 March in your diary for our
Poetry event when we have people from India, Martinique, Chile and Kenya
joining us to share poetry with us.
Best wishes from all at CGE
cge@...

Hi everyone!

Guyana (I should say Georgetown) isn't nearly as weird as Papua New
Guinea! The British High Commission one of the few places protected
by coils of barbed wire, security guard a minority occupation,
public transport minibuses smartly modern (driven by maniacs), taxis
everywhere (cheap), banks glossy and cool (why telephone American
Express when I cash a traveller's cheque?), smartly dressed people
on the streets (no second-hand clothes shops), presentable bars (not
just in posh hotels), take-away food shops – Snackettes – that don't
mean food poisoning, an efficient VSO office.

But there's no escape from the heat, torrential rains, cockroaches,
mosquitoes, polluted water and garbage. Georgetown, the Garden City,
is now dubbed Garbage City: the ditches of stagnant murky water are
clogged with plastic and polystyrene, and the verges are yucky with
debris. The food shops are a little better than in PNG, but still
with a limited range, and are really expensive. Surprisingly,
locally grown fruit and veg in the markets is pricey - more than in
UK supermarkets. Beer is about 80 pence for a 275 cl bottle in the
shops and twice that in a bar (haven't tried rum yet).

The VSO induction was very good and I now have some grasp of
Guyana's history, culture and development problems. I learnt that
after abolition of slavery the first indentured labourers were
brought from Portugal (Madeira) before the East Indians. The
Portuguese are counted as a separate category of the population –
  `European' is a different category! We had a brief introduction to
Creolese. People here refer to it as `broken English' and insist
that it is not a language. So far I'm hopeless at understanding but
don't really need to as people speak `proper' English. The accent is
what I think of as typical Caribbean.

Have treated myself to membership of the pool and gym at the top
hote.The poolside is a really nice relaxing place – haven't tried
the gym yet. (The ocean is as expected, brown and contaminated.) I'm
hoping to fit in some swimming in the late afternoon as the VSO
office is not far away.

I've started work, doing some background reading in the VSO office.
Next week and the week after I have bits and pieces of introduction
to the work of the various partner organisations taking part in the
project I an helping to evaluate.

All the best
Trish

Please find the minutes of our very productive AGM in Files. It was
good to start with a clear focus even if we didn't have time to
discuss everything on the agenda!

Thanks to everyone who attended and especially to Steve for looking
after us so well at Peasholme House and Brenda for taking and typing
up the minutes.

Anyone who was unable to attend is welcome to comment on any of the
points on this message board, but more importantly it would be great
for you to come with clear info and ideas for events at our next
planning meeting.

In the meantime I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible
at our next social. I shall remind you of it nearer the time and make
sure a sign is available on this site to be printed off by the first
to arrive at the pub! Please remember to let me know what time you
plan to arrive so we can make sure no-one is left on their own.

Please can you also welcome Naomi Lyth to the group who has just made
contact.

Regards,

Alison

Here is the promised agenda for our first AGM on Tuesday 10 February.
As no-one has stepped forward to start off the meeting and Steve has
very kindly said we can stay until  about 8.15pm, I suggest we start
at 6.15pm at the earliest or as soon as I get there! (it may be
6.30pm depending on the trains from Leeds. Look forward to seeing you
for the start of the year and for those who can't attend but would
like to add their input to any of the points on the agenda, please
feel free to do so by emailing me before Tuesday and time permitting,
we'll try to include you.

Regards,

Alison

VSO YORK SUPPORTERS GROUP AGM
FEBRUARY 10 2009

AGENDA

1. APOLOGIES
Mary, Trish, Bob, Lindsay

2. REPORT ON CURRY NIGHT
Dan

3. REPORT ON REGIONAL MEETING
Dan

4. STATUS OF GROUP
Feedback from Supporter Groups Forum Meeting

Action:- Framework (Andy)
bank account?
committee and roles?
support from North East group (and Leeds?)

5. SOCIALS
Venue & communication

6. MEMBERS COMMITMENT TO GROUP
Involvement eg. events, networking, liaison with North East group &
Maria (Supporter Groups Network Adviser), management of email

7. EVENTS FOR 2009
VSO Women Matters Campaign (Alison)
List of events in York - fairs? (Andy)
Film at City Screen?
Venues - Spurriergate (Alison)
Booking form (Trish)

8. NETWORKING
International Service?
Centre for Global Education
Amnesty York
Coaching for Hope?

9. Leeds VSO Calendar
Alison

10. AOB

----- Original Message -----

From: VSO_Local_Group_York@...

To: VSO_Local_Group_York@...

Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 1:14 PM

Subject: [VSO_Local_Group_York] Digest Number 135

VSO Local Group York

Messages In This Digest (1 Message)

1.

Regional meeting - starts at 10.30 now From: trish.thornton

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Message

1.

Regional meeting - starts at 10.30 now

Posted by: "trish.thornton" trish.thornton@...   trish.thornton

Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:14 am

I received amended details from Derek at Leeds - see below. I won't
be staying on for a meal afterwards. Trish

REGIONAL MEETING – 24TH JANUARY
2009

AMENDED PROGRAMME
We are delighted that Maria Gierszewski – Supporter Groups Network
Adviser – based in London will be attending the above meeting. As she
will be travelling to Leeds on Saturday morning it has been agreed
that the start time has been put back. This has meant amending the
programme which will now be as follows:-

10.30am –
Welcome

10.35am – 11.45am - THE CHANGING FACE OF VSO – Presented by Maria
Gierszewski

11.45am - 12.30pm -
LUNCH

12.30pm – 1.30pm KEYNOTE ADDRESS - The Rt. Hon Hilary Benn
MP

1.30 pm -1.45pm
Break

1.45pm – 3.30pm EXCHANGE OF
IDEAS

3.30pm -4pm Review of the
day

4pm - Close

Attendance – I am pleased to report that over the past few days there
has been a considerable increase in interest in attending the meeting
and we are moving towards a full house. However there are still a
number of places available , so if you know of anyone who is
interested please let me know as soon as possible.
Car Parking – I have been informed that free parking is available on
a Saturday at the nearby Leeds University For full details contact
Rachel
Arundel
Email rachelarundel@yahoo.co.uk

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I received amended details from Derek at Leeds - see below. I won't
be staying on for a meal afterwards. Trish

REGIONAL MEETING – 24TH JANUARY
2009

               AMENDED PROGRAMME
We are delighted that Maria Gierszewski – Supporter Groups Network
Adviser – based in London will be attending the above meeting. As she
will be travelling to Leeds on Saturday morning it has been agreed
that the start time has been put back. This has meant amending the
programme which will now be as follows:-

10.30am –
Welcome

10.35am – 11.45am  - THE CHANGING FACE OF VSO – Presented by Maria
Gierszewski

11.45am  - 12.30pm   -
LUNCH

12.30pm – 1.30pm    KEYNOTE ADDRESS  - The Rt. Hon Hilary Benn
MP

1.30 pm -1.45pm
Break

1.45pm – 3.30pm   EXCHANGE OF
IDEAS

3.30pm -4pm  Review of the
day

4pm  - Close

Attendance – I am pleased to report that over the past few days there
has been a considerable increase in interest in attending the meeting
and we are moving towards a full house. However there are still a
number of places available , so if you know of anyone who is
interested please let me know as soon as possible.
Car Parking – I have been informed that free parking is available on
a Saturday at the nearby Leeds University For full details contact
Rachel
Arundel
      Email   rachelarundel@...

Weather permitting I'll make the AGM on 10th Feb.   Pat

I cannot attend any meeting on a Tuesday evening I'm afraid.
Am planning to go to the Regional mtg in Leeds so may see a few of you
there?
best wishes
Lindsay

I'm not able to make Tuesday 10 February for an AGM. My departure date
has been brought forward and I leave for Guyana that vey day.
Trish

Derek (Leeds) emailed me this info. I will be travelling by train.
Trish

FINAL DETAILS – REGIONAL MEETING – 24TH JANUARY 2009
Further to previous correspondence I am pleased to say that we have
now finalised the arrangements for the above event as follows:-
VENUE – The event will be held at the FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE, 188
Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2
9DX

              Map directions  -
http://www.leedsquakers.org..uk/maps/carltonhill.html
We have booked a room to hold 30 people and have a number of
vacancies so please publicise the event as much as possible.
TIME – The meeting will commence at 10am and conclude at 4pm. Details
of the programme have already been circulated and these have not been
changed.  The KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Rt. Hon Hilary Benn MP and
former Secretary of State for International Development will be from
12.30pm – 1.30pm.
CAR PARKING – There is a limited amount of car parking space
available at the venue.
LUNCH – We are arranging a simple buffet lunch. This will be free to
group members attending. However we would welcome donations to VSO to
help defray the cost.
EVENING MEAL – Although no formal plans have been made for this, a
number of group members have expressed an interest in the idea. This
would enable members from different groups to meet in a less formal
atmosphere. As the event concludes at 4pm I feel that if there is
sufficient interest some of our Leeds group members would be able to
recommend a suitable restaurant.
ATTENDANCE – THE MEETING ROOM WILL HOLD 30 PEOPLE  AND I KNOW  THERE
ARE STILL SOME VACANCIES. SO IF ANY RECIPIENTS OF THIS EMAIL KNOW OF
ANYONE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED, PLEASE LET THEM KNOW. THEY WILL BE VERY
WELCOME.

Happy new year. I'm going to Leeds on the train - but I don't know
where I'm going after that - if you could let me know the time Dan, I
could  take the same train from Yarm. I think in the last e-mail I
read, they hadn't decided on a venue - or have I missed somethng?

Pat





--- In VSO_Local_Group_York@..., "thecashdaddy"
<thecashdaddy@...> wrote:
>

> Happy New Year everyone!
>
> I'm also going to struggle this Wednesday - I would suggest that we
> postpone this meeting as several people are going to be absent.
>
> Lindsay, I am planning to go to the Regional meeting - would you
> (and anyone else who is coming) like to meet at York railway
station
> so we can travel there together?
>
> Dan
>
> --- In VSO_Local_Group_York@..., Lindsay May
> <lindsay@> wrote:
> >
> > I wont be able to get to the meeting either as I have another
> meeting that evening. I would like to get over to Leeds though for
> the regional meeting. Is anybody else planning on going?
> > best wishes
> > Lindsay
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ========================================
> > Message Received: Jan 11 2009, 12:27 PM
> > From: "Trish Thornton"
> > To: VSO_Local_Group_York@...
> > Cc:
> > Subject: [VSO_Local_Group_York] Re:Social, 14/1/2009, 18:00
> >
> > Sorry to say I won't be at the social on Weds as I have another
> commitment.
> > Trish
> >
>

========================================
Message Received: Jan 12 2009, 12:57 PM
From: "thecashdaddy"
To: VSO_Local_Group_York@...
Cc:
Subject: [VSO_Local_Group_York] Re:Social, 14/1/2009, 18:00

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm also going to struggle this Wednesday - I would suggest that we
postpone this meeting as several people are going to be absent.

Lindsay, I am planning to go to the Regional meeting - would you
(and anyone else who is coming) like to meet at York railway station
so we can travel there together?

Dan

--- In VSO_Local_Group_York@..., Lindsay May
> wrote:
>
> I wont be able to get to the meeting either as I have another
meeting that evening. I would like to get over to Leeds though for
the regional meeting. Is anybody else planning on going?
> best wishes
> Lindsay
>
>
>
>
>
> ========================================
> Message Received: Jan 11 2009, 12:27 PM
> From: "Trish Thornton"
> To: VSO_Local_Group_York@...
> Cc:
> Subject: [VSO_Local_Group_York] Re:Social, 14/1/2009, 18:00
>
> Sorry to say I won't be at the social on Weds as I have another
commitment.
> Trish
>

Thanks, Trish - that's the day after I get back from Indonesia so I don't think
I'll go.

Janet

Dr Janet Cochrane
Senior Research Fellow
International Centre for Responsible Tourism
Leeds Metropolitan University
Leeds LS1 3HE

Tel: +44 113 812 5880
www.icrtourism.org <http://www.icrtourism.org/>


<https://owa2k3.leedsmet.ac.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.icrtourism.o\
rg/NewsletterRegistration.shtml>

________________________________

From: VSO_Local_Group_York@... on behalf of trish.thornton
Sent: Mon 1/12/2009 13:10
To: VSO_Local_Group_York@...
Subject: [VSO_Local_Group_York] Regional meeting



The regional meeting is on Saturday 24th, in Leeds. I am going. Trish






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