Terms of Reference for the North East Funders Forum

Purpose of Funders Forum

To encourage good practice in funding to the voluntary and community   sector.

Through mutual co-operation and sharing information and ideas to maximise the value and impact of funding to voluntary and community organisations and thus the benefit to people in the North East of England.

Membership of the Forum

Membership of the forum is open to any organisation that supports the purpose and provides funds to voluntary or community organisations active in the North East of England.

Role of the Forum

 The Forum aims to fulfil its purpose by

1. Being an informal network of funders.

2. Holding informal lunchtime discussions and activities on topics of common interest to funders.

3. Involving representatives of grant recipients and other voluntary infrastructure organisations when appropriate. 

4. Facilitating the sharing of information and best practice.

5. Acting fairly and with equality of opportunity.

Members will participate on the understanding that events are not an opportunity to solicit funds or share information or opinion about applicants or potential applicants in an inappropriate way. For example,

1. Case studies should be made anonymous. Where this is not possible, permission from the organisations should be sought. 

2. References to a specific organisation should be rare and where it is unavoidable, there should be a clear separation made between publicly available fact and any opinion.

As an informal network it will rarely adopt policy positions on issues.

Membership of the Steering Group

A steering group will run the Forum. This will consist of approximately 6 representatives of members who are willing to volunteer their services for the purpose and who, as far as possible, are drawn from across the region and sectors (charitable, statutory and private).

The Steering Group will chose a Chair from within themselves whose term of office will be for 12 months. The position of Chair will be rotated amongst the members of the Steering Group.

Role of the Steering Group

The Steering Group shall

1. Oversee and plan up to 8 lunchtime discussions and any other activities as felt necessary.

2. Meet up to 8 times per year prior to the lunchtime discussions.

3. Maintain an up to date contact list of members.

4. Secure and account for any resources required for running the Forum.

5. Develop the Forum in response to members needs and priorities.

6. Promote the Forum and encourage membership.

7. Review the Forum’s effectiveness.

8. Perform other duties to support the Forum’s purpose and role.

Changing the terms of reference

Changes to the terms of reference will be made by the Forum membership, if the majority present at a meeting agree and if notice of the meeting and the proposed changes are sent at least 15 days in advance to all Forum members.

Dissolving the Forum

A decision to dissolve the Forum will be made by the Forum membership, if the majority present at a meeting agree and if notice of the meeting and the proposed dissolution are sent at least 15 days in advance to all Forum members.

On dissolution the Steering Group will decide upon the use of any remaining assets, following settlement of any liabilities, in keeping with the original purpose of the Forum.

Click here to download a copy of the Terms of Reference.