NAVCA members


What is a member?

A member is a registered charity whose primary purpose is to provide one or more infrastructure services at a local level in England. See rights, responsibilities and membership criteria for more details.


How to become a member

Please download the following documents and return the forms to NAVCA.


Benefits of membership


As a member you will have access to:

Events
We have a programme of events for specific audiences (e.g. chief executives, development workers, trustees) and events on issues of interest to the network (e.g. commissioning and procurement, health and social care).

Members have access to discounts and bursaries for events.

Information and advice
Our website and email/telephone enquiries service offer information, advice and signposting on a huge range of topics. We publish regular briefing papers on issues of interest to the network and guidance on national policy initiatives as they emerge. Members have exclusive access to members-only pages of our website.

Publications
Our newsletter and email bulletin will keep you up-to-date on policy, funding, good practice and more. We also publish regular reports on areas of interest to the network (e.g. case studies of infrastructure in action).

Organisational development support
Our Performance Standards are available to support your organisation in providing effective services and as a member, you can apply for the NAVCA Quality Award. We also offer specific support for chief executives, a comprehensive skills development programme for development workers and a variety of other learning opportunities.

Networks
You can share information and ideas directly with your colleagues around the country through our email networks, whether you want to connect with others in a similar role or on a particular topic. We also offer support networks for specific communities. Most of the networks also meet face-to-face at our main annual conference.

National voice
We will consult with you and share information to ensure your views influence the development of national policy. We have excellent access to key decision makers in Government and bodies such as the Big Lottery Fund, Capacitybuilders and the Compact Commission.

Advice on tendering
Increasingly, local infrastructure organisations have to compete for funding against national charities and private sector organisations. We can help you to submit a successful bid by offering guidance and access to skilled consultants.

Discounted services
You will receive exclusive discounts on, or access to, services such as employment law support, national advertising and pension schemes.

Specialist support: we can help you to access skilled and experienced people in our network - for example, peer support from fellow chief executives or chairs - and skilled consultants who really understand the work of local infrastructure organisations.



Rights of members

  • Attend, speak and vote at AGM
  • Propose and second motions
  • Appoint proxy
  • Stand for and propose members to Trustee Board


Responsibilities of members

  • Share NAVCA values
  • Accept NAVCA Code of Practice
  • Have acceptable values statement
  • Participate in the regular members' survey
  • Acknowledge membership and put logo on all appropriate stationery and publications
  • Pay the annual membership fee


Membership criteria

  1. The organisation is registered as a charity.
  2. The organisation's primary purpose is to provide one or more good quality infrastructure services to voluntary and community organisations at sub-national level within England.
  3. The organisation has a broad membership of voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) or local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) relevant to its primary purpose from within its area of benefit.
  4. At least 60% of the organisation's trustees are elected by its membership of VCOs and/or LIOs from within its area of benefit on the basis of one vote per member.
  5. The organisation is committed to the promotion of equality and diversity within its organisation and in the delivery of its services, and has adopted a Statement of Values and Equal Opportunities.
  6. The organisation is committed to collaboration and partnership working with other LIOs in its area of benefit.
  7. The organisation will pay the annual subscription and other charges determined by NAVCA's Trustee Board. It will send to NAVCA a copy of its newsletter, annual report and annual accounts.

How much does it cost to join NAVCA as a member?

Download our Membership fees sheet for current costs of membership.