Ross-shire Voluntary Action

Other Main Roles

Advisory.   The organisation offers a wide range of advisory services ranging from funding through governance to quasi-legal advice.  Most of the requests for advice come from local voluntary groups but a significant number are generated by the local authority, the Enterprise Company and national bodies from outwith the area.  The service can take the form of a five minute telephone call about a source of funding or several days spent with a group in the process of re-engineering. Some of the output is delivered by means of short training sessions. This aspect of work requires that the staff keep up to date with changes and movements.

Representative.    Because of its position as an independent non-topic focussed group, RVA is viewed and used as a representative of the local voluntary sector.   Representative roles are delivered by staff or voluntary managers attending meetings or conferences.  This role requires that RVA is fully aware of and sensitive to the needs of the local voluntary sector.

Training.   It has long been recognised that capacity building through training is the best way for the organisation to fulfil its main role.  Constantly fire-fighting the problems faced by local groups is not sustainable and an alternative way of supporting the local sector is essential. RVA now provides a range of training courses to local voluntary groups. There are well established and successful courses available in a wide variety of topics relevant to the sector.  In addition a range of advisory booklets has been written and produced.