York and North Yorkshire FAN is a sub-regional network based at North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations – a sub-regional VCS infrastructure organisation. It has a single co-ordinator whose work is funded by external grants (CapacityBuilders, DEFRA Rural, Social and Community Programme and Lloyds TSB’s Foundation Collaborative Fund).
The network is open to VCO and local authority-based funding advisers, however it’s current membership is mainly funding advisers based within 14 local infrastructure organisations (e.g. CVSs). The network currently has 34 members. They have developed terms of reference for the group which serve as a guide for anyone wishing to join. The work of the network primarily focuses on networking, sharing good practice, fostering partnerships and co-ordinating and sharing resources. Any issues with funders are referred to the regional FAWN (Yorkshire and Humber FAWN) for them to act upon as their views are perceived to carry more weight by funders.
The network would like to have more direct influence over funders, particularly since they have first hand knowledge if VCOs are having difficulties with a particular funding stream. However, this is not the case at the moment.
The network uses a Yahoo membership website to store shared documents e.g. events calendar, best practice documents (e.g. evaluation forms), funding information sheets, and funding newsletters. The site also enables members to email each other easily. It has the advantage that it is free and would therefore continue should the coordinator lose her funding. They hold bi-monthly meetings that last two and a half hours – allowing one and a half hours for business and an hour for a speaker. Having a different speaker each time is a good way to encourage people to come along. The sub-region is very rural and meetings are held in York as this is the most convenient place to get to.
For more information on the York and North Yorkshire FAN please contact Ellen Reeves, telephone 01347 825710 or email ellen.reeves@nyfvo.org.uk, or visit http://www.nyfvo.org.uk/fundingadvice.shtml
