SCVO Governance - Governance

A great deal of public policy impacts on voluntary sector governance. Some big issues (e.g. lottery funding policy or charity law) affect many if not all voluntary organisations but it is not possible for SCVO to tell an organisation exactly which policy issues affect it. A quick look at the headings should enable you to find the area that may have a bearing on your organisation.

Rural Issues
SCVO’s Rural Policy work seeks to influence decision makers and policymaking whether within government, the public sector, the voluntary sector or beyond. This work supports ongoing activities to increase understanding of rural voluntary organisations, support their growth and improvement, provide information to assist them and raise the profile of the rural issues with which they deal.

Equality Issues
SCVO's equality policy work focuses on those equality issues that are relevant to the voluntary sector as a whole. Our positions are informed by the concerns of the sector and we work closely with our voluntary sector colleagues with specialisms in equalities areas such as gender, disability, age, religion, race and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).

Public Services & Workforce Issues
Voluntary sector delivery of public services and effective workforce development are two issues of crucial importance to the sector. They are tied up with concepts such as the 'social economy' and 'social enterprise'. This section covers these areas under the following headings: • Finance • Investment in Growth/Futurebuilders • Employment, Skills & Workforce Development • Procurement and Public Service Reform

Funding, Law & Capacity Issues
This section tracks policy debates that focus on ways of ensuring that the voluntary sector and voluntary organisations can be sustainable into the future. Our activities and the sustainability of our environment are inextricably linked. This section includes information on: • Charity Law • Strategic Funding Review • Lottery • Funding – Miscellaneous • Infrastructure • Water • Compliance • Corporate Social Responsibility

Involving People Issues
The voluntary sector only exists when people get involved to work together for the benefit of their communities. There are numerous policy debates and practices around getting people involved, what encourages them and what prevents them. This section deals with involvment under the following headings: • Social Capital • Volunteering • Regeneration and Community Empowerment • Governance • Protection of vulnerable groups • Community Planning • Civil Society

International Issues
The Scottish voluntary sector is increasingly acting upon the world stage, linking with other countries for mutual learning, action and effect, often under the banner of 'civil society'. The surrounding policy context is one that the sector can and increasingly does influence but also one to which it is subject.

Green Issues
Underlying SCVO's green agenda is the broader goal of sustainable development. This comprises an evolving framework of principles aiming to integrate and resolve tensions between social, economic and environmental objectives and to maximise equality and wellbeing and ensure a long term future for the planet. This section includes SCVO policy documents and consultation responses in relation to the voluntary sector's contribution to sustainable development, the environment and climate change.