Fareham Community Action

Membership of 

Fareham Community Action

Fareham Community Action is an organisation which aims to promote volunteering and community activity in Fareham. It is a "Council for Voluntary Service". The membership is made up of voluntary and community organisations who wish to work together to improve Voluntary and Community action in Fareham.

The Mission of Fareham Community Action

The mission and purpose of Fareham Community Action is to work for the improvement of Quality of Life of the people of Fareham especially those who are disadvantaged in any way.

Fareham Community Action is a registered charity. It raises funds through grants and agreements to provide services. It is non-profit making.

Limited Company

Fareham Community Action became a company limited by guarantee on April 1st 1996. This is still entirely consistent with being a charity. However it does mean that the liability on the Trustees is limited. The liability is now shared among all members of Fareham Community Action and is limited to £1.

Meetings

The membership of Fareham Community Action meets at least once a year at the AGM. Other meetings of the whole membership would normally be arranged on particular subjects.

The membership of the management committee is elected by the AGM with members serving 3 years. Because of the status of limited company and registered charity, the management committee members are referred to as Trustee Directors. The committee is referred to as the Board.

The Board elects the Chairman and meets regularly to manage the charity.

Member of the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service

Using existing resources Fareham Community Action can offer a number of services to member organisations. These may be free or for a charge as agreed depending on what is involved.

Routine services include

Office Services include

Fareham Community Action employs a Chief Executive and 16 full and part-time staff to run it’s service.

With a small core of paid staff and many dedicated volunteers, Fareham Community Action manages a number of services for the benefit of people in Fareham. In particular Fareham Community Action serves the elderly and people who are disadvantaged in any way.

Values

Fareham Community Action strongly adheres to principles of Equal Opportunity. Relief of disadvantage in any form is a prime aim. We seek to empower people in their everyday lives. Fareham Community Action is non-discriminatory and non-religious.

Fareham Community Action is funded by Fareham Borough Council and Hampshire County Council to provide a core service. This is to support local voluntary activity through advice, liaison, networking, community needs analysis, representation and piloting new projects. Core service includes the Volunteer Bureau and Community Transport.

Fareham Community Action meets with other organisations including the local authorities to represent member’s concerns. This can help to influence policy appropriately.

Fareham Community Action actively participates in the network of Councils of Community Service in Hampshire. This can be for representation but also helps to gather information on changes as soon as is possible. The chief officers are in contact to help each other and develop ideas which may be of mutual benefit to local communities.  Networking lunches are held regularly to enable members to exchange ideas and get to know each other.

Fareham Community Action is currently working with over 90 local organisations.

Joining Fareham Community Action as a member

Membership of Fareham Community Action is open to voluntary and community organisations who are in sympathy with the mission of Fareham Community Action. Organisations may nominate an individual or an office holder, e.g. chairman or secretary, to be the representative member.

Individuals, public sector and commercial organisations may join as associate members who do not have a vote at general meetings.

Applications are made by completing the application form and will be considered by the Board.

There is no membership subscription at present.

Funding

Fareham Community Action receives a grant from Fareham Borough Council and Hampshire County Council.  The grant for Core work is currently supplemented by a grant from the National Lotteries Charities Board for the Community Groups Support for Fareham and Gosport.

Individual and membership by other organisations

Membership of individuals, other agencies and private organisations is not currently permitted but is under review.

Registered Charity no. 1056395

Last updated December 2001

5 Osborn Road South, Fareham

admin@farehamaction.org.uk