Commitment in Communities

1. Representation:

CiC, in order to support its beneficiaries, will continue to be represented at a variety of levels across the region, for example; at the Greater Manchester/Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) level. CiC will continue to develop this representative role on behalf of Methodism to ensure Churches and projects are informed on what is happening and our partners are better informed on Methodist activities. This will manifest itself in areas such as coordinating bodies for the voluntary sector (as opposed to more distinct subject forums such as housing, drugs & crime – where CiC may wish to attend in its own right).

In the future there may be a need to develop the representative structure more widely, across the North West for example. This will require a significant build up of infrastructure that can be duplicated elsewhere.

Given the practicalities of representation, CiC will ensure that Methodism is represented at relevant local forums by proactively encouraging local representation from Churches and Circuits by establishing systems to ensure coordinated feedback and responses by those who attend.

2. Networking:

CiC will continue to engage proactively in networking across the region, form partnerships to actively seeking funding and delivery opportunities for CiC and Methodist Churches and projects.

Primarily, networking is about increasing CiC’s knowledge of the possibilities and circumstances within the sector, and then sharing this with others. This may include attendance at formal representation structures but will also include informal and smaller meetings and liaisons.

3. Policy:

This is a process of identifying and assimilating relevant social policy that impacts on both CiC and Methodism. CiC will continue to draw on its experience in this field and bring issues to the relevant bodies. This will lead to creating influence and identifying funding and delivery opportunities.

As part of this service, CiC will provide reports to enable a response or actions to be taken on behalf of or with Methodism. This will be achieved by creating two-way structures and reporting systems from a range of sources.