New Year, New Opportunities

Happy New Year! The start of a new year provides us with an opportunity to make new resolutions, to reflect on the past and plan for the future, to embrace partnerships old and new, to share the great work of our sector, and to continue to make a huge difference through all the work we all deliver.

I’m really excited about 2019 and the opportunities for Cumbria CVS over the coming year and I would just like to share some of these with you.

Firstly, and key to our development, is a new Operational Plan and a review of our Strategic Plan.  Just over 12 months ago, we launched our new Strategic Plan; 12 months down the line we will review its relevance and identify potential changes. This plan was always designed to be fluid and to be adapted to our ever changing environment and the changing needs of the sector, and so in line with this, we will review and update our priorities as an organisation and as a support provider to our membership and beyond.

Secondly, we are looking for new trustees to strengthen our board and help support the work of Cumbria CVS and its members, in particular a new Chair and Vice-Chair.  Simon Thorrington has been a strong and supportive chair to Cumbria CVS for 3 years but his term of office comes to an end later this year and  Lesley Dixon, who ably supported Simon in his role, stepped down as a trustee and Vice Chair at the AGM in November 2018.  We offer a comprehensive and supportive induction to those joining us and so if you, or someone you know may be interested, please either get in touch – I would be delighted to discuss the role with anyone interested in joining us – or keep an eye out for further information, which will be available very shortly. We are very grateful for the support provided by all our trustees and look forward to expanding our current team.

2019 will also see the launch of a new membership offer which will be more open and inclusive. We look forward to sharing further details with you soon.

So… a few exciting opportunities for Cumbria CVS over the next 12 months, which we look forward to sharing with you and others.

Very best wishes for 2019.

Laura Cadman
Chief Executive Officer
Cumbria CVS