We need and welcome input from all sections of the community. You can join the Steering Group or be one of the army of volunteers we will need to complete specific tasks or research particular topics.
The Steering Group meets once a month on the third Wednesday, in the evening. At present most of the meetings are face-to-face, but during the preceding two years they were often held using Zoom, and this option is still used on occasion, to allow access for those who cannot attend in person.
What kind of people are needed?
Enthusiasm and a willingness to work as a team will be essential qualities of effective volunteers for this project. It is also important that impartiality is maintained. For the members of the Steering Group, these qualities are at least as important as skills in writing, marketing, design, outreach, organisation, analysis, web publishing and social media.
However, there are many other jobs that need doing to support the work of the Steering Group. From time to time, we deliver a small number of short surveys in targeted sample areas, briefly explain their purpose, and collect the completed forms on the following day. Volunteers to help with this task would be welcomed. There is a wealth of evidence that needs collecting, for instance in the Character Assessments that are on the way to completion. Observational skills are needed here. There are research and evaluation tasks to undertake and this area will become increasingly important as the project develops.
What kind of commitment is required?
The Steering Group is not a talking shop although there is plenty of lively discussion, in a supportive atmosphere. Tasks are undertaken in relationship to the guidelines provided with our overall project plan as we progress through the different stages of making the NDP. These tasks can be large or small, fine detail or broad brush. The speed at which the plan progresses is partly down to the number of people willing to give their time, energy and expertise to complete the research and organise the evidence. NDPs usually take between two and five years to complete depending on how large the area is and how quickly the various essential tasks can be completed. All the proposed policies need to be backed up with robust evidence from and about the community and its environment. Our job is to get that evidence whether by consultation or research.
Your commitment can be short or long term. We are all volunteers.
How do I get involved?
Come on in! Talk to us. Steering Group meetings are open to anyone to attend. Just use the Contact page to get in touch, or get in touch with our Steering Group chair via Facebook.