Public invited to lunch at volunteer form AGM
THIS
year is the Year of the Volunteer and members of the Harrogate & District Voluntary and Community Sector Forum are offering an open invitation to anyone wishing to join them at their annual meeting to be held on Thursday, 10 November at St Wilfrid's Church Hall, Duchy Road, Harrogate.
Nationally, more than 3750 voluntary and community organisations across the country currently benefit from membership of the National Council for Voluntary Service (NCVO).
Locally, a wide range of groups has joined forces under this local sector forum, which was created in 2001 to promote good working relationships between Harrogate Borough Council and the voluntary and community sector.
This year's annual meeting is being used as an opportunity to consult this vital sector on how the council can improve its working links and support for their valuable voluntary and community work.
Councillor Ian Galloway, who chairs the forum on behalf of the council, said:
"Recent research has shown that the council has working links with over 70 such groups.
Whilst we are keen to improve our support for them, I would like to emphasise that without their support to us, and others in the district, it would be a poorer place to live.
We have a lot to thank them for.
Together, our vision is the same as the NCVO,
a society in which people are inspired to make a difference to their communities.
"We are expecting a good turn out from the members of the forum but we would be delighted to see other people join us to hear a bit more about our work.
The event starts at 9.15 am and we will finish with a buffet lunch about 1.00 pm."
Anyone who would like to attend should contact Chris Houghton on 01423 556076 to book a place.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
2005 is the Year of the Volunteer and as part of this work a series of photos commissioned by the local Volunteer Centre will be on display at the main Council Offices in Crescent Gardens from 31 October to 18 November.
The photos show volunteers involved in activities across the district and aim to inspire more people to get involved in voluntary work.
There is a direct link from the council's website
www.harrogate.gov.uk to the volunteer website
www.do-it.org.uk which has a host of ideas for involvement.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Councillor Ian Galloway is available for comment on 01423 522606.