SETTING UP A GROUP
There are a number of key steps to setting up a successful group and it often starts with planning a launch event.
Planning a launch event
At the launch event
After the launch
Once you have launched the group and have enough interested people to develop it further, you need to arrange the first formal meeting. At this meeting you might want to discuss the following:
Some useful contacts
Swansea Council for Voluntary Service - provides advice on volunteering, funding, training, setting up groups and much more
Wales Council for Voluntary Action - offers guidance on safeguarding, risk assessment, safety, supervision and other topics
- Decide loosely what you want the group to achieve (e.g. access, practical, events, fundraising)
- Develop a contact list of interested individuals or groups
- Meet the landowner / site manager to discuss your intentions
- Plan a launch event – involve the site manager in this
- The launch event should be informal and fun in order to attract people, and it should give people a chance to express their feelings about the site
- Ideally, it should take place on or very near the site and might involve a guided walk or talk from an expert, and perhaps a practical task e.g. a litter pick or a family event with activities
- Publicise the launch event as widely as possible, including a press release and using social media
At the launch event
- Gather names and contact details of people who show an interest in being part of the ‘Friends of...’ group
- Find out what attendees think of the site, including how they would like to see it improved - perhaps display a map and use a questionnaire with various options
- Try to talk to everyone that comes along
- Gather feedback about what people would like the ‘Friends of...’ group to achieve
- Promote the date of the first formal meeting
After the launch
Once you have launched the group and have enough interested people to develop it further, you need to arrange the first formal meeting. At this meeting you might want to discuss the following:
- Aims of the group - what would the attendees like to achieve (in priority order)
- Putting together a committee
- Writing a constitution - for help with this, visit the resources page
- Planning another activity to maintain motivation e.g. fundraising event or practical task on the site
Some useful contacts
Swansea Council for Voluntary Service - provides advice on volunteering, funding, training, setting up groups and much more
Wales Council for Voluntary Action - offers guidance on safeguarding, risk assessment, safety, supervision and other topics