What is RAISE?

RAISE is a voluntary organisation. Its 24 strong Board is elected by its membership. Membership is free of charge and open to voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) in the South East Region of England. To join free of charge online click here .

VCOs in the South East:

• work in fields related to social exclusion;
• deliver bottom-up solutions to social and economic issues;
• need to contribute to Regional thinking;
• are key partners in regeneration;
• have a significant contribution to make to Regional policy;

Our research shows that there are over 30,000 VCOs in the Region ( How Many???!!! ). All are eligible to join RAISE.

The last Board elections took place in August 2002. For current Board membership click here . RAISE is a charity (1080583) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (03932854). Its Articles and Memorandum of Association are posted to the Inform/RAISE Papers section of this Website. Minutes of Board meetings are also posted there.

RAISE members can also nominate and vote for VCO representatives at the South East England Regional Assembly (the Assembly). For more about the Regional Assembly, click here . They can also nominate people to represent the sector on a host of other strategic Regional bodies. In this way RAISE members get a grass roots perspective into Regional policy.

RAISE also manages and organise events, seminars, workshops and conferences. We publish a variety of papers, guides and other publications that our members say they need. We work to find funding for all we do so everything is delivered free to VCOs - including travel and childcare for very small community groups. Details of current activities are available throughout this site.

At the time of writing (August 2002) RAISE is a very young organisation and has had staff in post for just two years. RAISE has achieved a great deal in its short life but there is a great deal to do and the challenge for us all is enormous. RAISE ensures that VCOs have a voice in the Region that is both heard and respected so that they are treated fairly by all as equal partners.

If yours is a VCO in the South East, get involved. We need you.

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