You may well have heard that the total number of National Trust volunteers exceeded 52,000 in 2007. That impressively high number includes so many different types of volunteer, from the more visible visitor-facing roles to the many behind-the-scenes contributions made by different groups.
We would like to deepen relationships with our volunteers and share with you our exciting new plans to strengthen the ways we engage with all our supporters and members.
One way we are doing this is through three major conferences that we are holding towards the end of this year and I am delighted to offer you the opportunity to take part in one of these events.
We are building on the achievements of the territorial conferences previously organised for National Trust Centres & Associations by extending those conferences to all National Trust volunteers with up to 200 places available at each of the following:
- Thursday 20 November 2008 at Watford covering South East, Thames & Solent and East regions
- Wednesday 26 November 2008 at Sheffield covering Yorkshire & North East, East Midlands, North West and Northern Ireland
- Saturday 6 December 2008 at Heelis, Swindon covering Wessex, Wales, Devon & Cornwall and West Midlands
Through the conferences we aim to share our work with you in a way that inspires you to share it with others afterwards. I will be presenting the overview of our strategy at two conferences (a member of the senior management team or a Trustee will present the strategy at the third). The conferences will provide us with an opportunity to listen to your views and ideas on how we involve you in our work. They will also be a great way for you to meet fellow volunteers and learn more about their work.
As only a small proportion of volunteers will be able to take part in these conferences we are hoping that everyone who attends will be willing to share their learning with other volunteers in their area.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet some more volunteers at the conferences; in the meantime, thank you for all your vital contributions to the National Trust.
Dame Fiona Reynolds
Director General
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The Agenda
9.30 am:
- Doors open. Chance to meet other volunteers and learn about their work over a cup of tea or coffee
10.15 - 11.15 am
- Welcome from Director General / Trustee/ senior member of staff.
- Celebration of volunteers contribution: Marsh Heritage Awards, Fifty Thousand Strong – poetry reading, Highlighting volunteer roles and achievements.
- Overview of the 2007–10 strategy especially engaging with supporters.
- Overview of how and why the Trust is changing.
- How the Trust sees volunteers’ roles in delivering the strategy.
- Overview of volunteering both within the Trust including the findings of our 2007 survey as well as looking at external trends in volunteering.
11.25 - 12.30 am
- Morning workshops: Your role in engaging with others and supporter group workshop.
12.30 - 1.30 pm
1.30 - 2.50 pm
- Afternoon workshops: Your experiences of volunteering with the Trust and supporter group workshop.
3.00 - 4.00 pm
- Question and Answer panel session
- Summing up and goodbyes
4.00 pm onwards
- An opportunity to carry on meeting and talking with other volunteers over a cup of tea or coffee
Applications
Applications for the 2008 conferences are now closed
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