How to structure your group
A constituted group has some great benefits. It increases the credibility of your group, it explains what you do, how you are organised and the guidelines you follow.
By registering a constituted group, you build trust with your community and the Council, which opens up your chances for funding.
The first step to register your Friends of Greenspaces group is to:
Form a committee
A committee helps your group run smoothly. It makes it easier to manage things and have an impact on local parks and green spaces. These are some main benefits
- everyone shares the workload
- each member brings their own diverse skills and ideas to the mix
- all members have a say in decisions in a transparent and democratic way
- it adds legitimacy which can help with support from local authorities and organizations
- funding bodies often require a formal committee for grant applications
- committees can pave the way for future projects
- they help with better communication and keeping contact
- members get to vote on who joins the committee and that provides fairer representation.
Roles to consider
- chairperson who leads the group and talks to local authorities
- secretary who keeps everyone informed, outlines meeting agendas and takes notes
- treasurer who handles the finances and keeps track of records
- cice-chairperson who supports the chairperson
- events officer who plans events and manages health and safety guidelines
- marketing officer who promotes your group's activities in order to get more people involved
- general members can help everyone and contribute to projects.
Consider to share each role between two people, thus distributing responsibilities and ensuring more support
Committee membership
Committee members are elected by group members to handle tasks between regular meetings. Members must have the committee's authorisation for any actions as the committee is accountable for the group's actions. They cannot receive personal financial benefits.
These are the types of committee members:
- elected members who are chosen by the group
- co-opted members who are selected for specific skills from outside the group
- it's important to note that Council officers cannot serve as office bearers in Friends of Greenspace groups but can provide support during meetings.