The IHBC’s Branch and Volunteer Support Officer Jude Wheeler has written to IHBC Branch Committee representatives across the UK to update all on new developments and opportunities.
… great CPD opportunities, support and learning…
IHBC Director Sean O’Reilly said: ‘Jude’s new role means that we now have more – and more targeted – support for our busy Branch Committee volunteers. Her first update also is a sobering reminder of the range of activities that our Branch Committees might manage, on behalf of our wider membership as well as the IHBC charity. Such work is seldom sufficiently recognised, but is always very much appreciated.’
‘So it’s great to be able to thank our Branch volunteers here – especially in our anniversary year, IHBC25 – and also to remind all members of the great CPD opportunities, support and learning that are on offer to those who volunteer as IHBC Committee members.’
Jude Wheeler said: ‘I am delighted at the response I’ve had already to this first letter on current Branch business to Branch Committee representatives, and am pleased to have an additional dedicated email address for Committee officers to contact me.’
‘Of course the last thing the National office wants to do is to add to a volunteer’s inbox unnecessarily, so I have written only to my current list of Committee representatives. If you are on the Branch Committee and don’t hear about it at or before your next Committee meeting, please do let me know at support@ihbc.org.uk and we’ll get it sorted.’
‘And if you want to find out more about getting involved in your local Branch committee, be sure to get in touch with them using the links on our website, or just let me know!’
Jude Wheeler has written to Branch Committee representatives:
In my evolving role as the Branch and Volunteer Support Officer, and in response to issues raised at our ‘Branch Reconnection Day’ last year, an occasional update to IHBC Branch Committees on recent developments may be useful. This is my first such letter, so please do let me know if you find it helpful….
… one free banner with either your Branch or the National Office logo …
Free Branch Banners
Following the easing of pandemic restrictions, the IHBC has revived its offer to fund one free banner with either your Branch or the National Office logo, for use at events… The IHBC will handle this for you, paying for both the production and delivery costs…
Branch Business Plans
Thank you to those of you who have returned your Business Plans for 2022-2023 already. Please note that the next deadline for approval by the IHBC Board of Branch Business Plans for the current 2022-23 financial year is Monday 5 December 2022…
We are in the process of developing the current guidance, but in the meantime, for those of you who would like some help, please go to THIS LINK in the first instance, then contact me if I might be of further help.
Events – Branch Support case study update
Many will know that my role was established by the IHBC as a response to the pressures on Branches and volunteers generated by the pandemic and supported by funding linked to [our] anniversary year as discussed below…
Please do get in touch if I could be of any help with your events. Also, for any Branch events you are planning please do continue to send details to Michael Netter (services@ihbc.org.uk) so they can be put onto the national office Events Calendar and included in the monthly CPD Circular.
… help raise the profile of the IHBC’s CREATIVE Conservation Fund…
For now, also, I am about to start developing an ‘easy-to-use’ guide for Branch events. This will include encouragement to help raise the profile of the IHBC’s CREATIVE Conservation Fund. Among its many benefits, the Fund offers critical support to fund student bursaries at our Schools, so encouraging donations at free events is especially helpful. We will consult on the content of the guidance of course, but if you have any interim suggestions on what you would like included there, please do let me know.
IHBC Financial Report: Year-end returns
Lydia Porter – the IHBC’s Administrator and Company Secretary – has already sent emails to Branch Committee treasurers about the Branch Year-End Returns, requesting they be in by 30 November. I would like to pass on our thanks to those that have already provided that information and encourage all still working on these to meet the date. The link to the Guidance template is HERE, while if you would like to discuss matters please do get in touch with her AFTER 16 November.
Application support: Affiliate Applications and ‘MATE’ accreditation sessions
… We are also now considering ‘in-person’ MATE sessions…
Ramona Usher, our Professional Services Officer, is still offering a November Virtual MATE on 30 November, 14.00-17.00. We are also now considering ‘in-person’ MATE sessions too, so please do get in touch with her if your Branch might fancy hosting an in-person (or blended) session, at professional@ihbc.org.uk.
We have also been offering a series of virtual pilot Affiliate application support sessions, which are now under review (see the background HERE). After we review those, we may be able to offer Branch-linked events for this as well.
Education, Training and Application Support Officer: Anna Hart
I am also working alongside the newly appointed Education, Training and Application Officer, Angharad (Anna) Hart and I look forward to the opportunity of meeting committee members in this capacity.
IHBC’s ‘Silver’ Anniversary: #IHBC25
Thank you to those of you who have come up with ideas for celebrating the 25 years of the IHBC, please keep them coming to me, and/or through the funding application form on the IHBC25 web hub and linked HERE. Funding will go on to March 2023, but to access the current round you will need to get suggestions in to me before December 2022.
Feedback
I hope the above has been helpful and look forward to communicating with you all on a regular basis. Please do get in touch with your thoughts and comments, and names of contacts.
See more on IHBC Branches HERE
