Warwickshire CAVA, on behalf of the CWIC (Coventry and Warwickshire Infrastructure Consortium) Quality and Governance Project, held a celebration event at the CentralVision Studio in Coventry to reward Volunteers and Voluntary Groups for their hard work and dedication to Quality and Governance.  Also, the event was used to Premier the ‘Stepping Stones’ DVD, a practical guide on key aspects for running a community group which includes 10 short easy to view chapters ranging from volunteers, finance, running meetings and employment.

Before the event took place Voluntary and Community Groups from across Warwickshire were asked to submit nominations on behalf of individuals/groups that they thought should be put forward, self nominations were also accepted.

We asked for nominations from the following categories: -

• Best Chair Representing Leadership   
• Best Newcomer - Group
• Best Annual Report
• Best Trustee Report Showing Improvement
• Best Young Trustee – under 30 years of age

The Quality and Governance celebration event at the CentralVision Studio 

After receiving a significant number of nominations the celebration event took place on Wednesday 21st April 2010 with an excellent turnout. 

The night was kicked off with WCAVA Chief Executive Paul Tolley detailing the evening ahead and with Alison Orr Training and Quality Development Manager getting everyone up and networking with an icebreaker, in which attendees asked each other What Their Groups Did Well?  This defiantly got the room buzzing and once everyone had returned to their seats Tammy Ballard from WAYC offered an introduction to the Stepping Stones DVD – a helpful tool to Groups in the Voluntary and Community Sector. 

To obtain a copy of the Stepping Stones DVD, please contact william.clemmey@wayc.org.uk.

Everyone one was then given an overview of the Quality and Governance Project i.e. their aims and achievements and notified of Quality and Governance resources that are available to the Voluntary and Community Sector: -

• Q&G CD – governance (Stepping Stones)
• PQASSO & VISIBLE Forums
• Trustee Health Checks

Towards the end of the evening William Clemmey, Chief Executive from WAYC announced the winners of the awards.  He began with a brief introduction of the groups and then announced the winners from each category followed by the presentation of the awards.  The Winners are as follows:

David Foster - Best Chair Representing Leadership
The Spring Playgroup - Best Trustee Board Showing Most Improvement
WRCC (Warwickshire Rural Community Council) - Best Presented Annual Report
Norgren Social Club (soon to be Sheldon Bosley Hub) - Best Newcomer - Group
Tom, Jack and Anna Coupland, Blackwell Youth Club - Best Young Trustee – under 30 years of age

William Clemmey presenting Tom Coupland with the award for Best Young Trustee