What is BCVYO Ltd?
Who runs BCVYO Ltd?
How do organisations ensure that their views are represented?
How do organisations register?
What about Grants?
Are any other Grants available?
At what stage should organisations apply for a Start-up Grant?
What about the Newsletter?
What Information do you provide?
What else does BCVYO Ltd do?
What is BCVYO Ltd?
BCVYO Ltd. was established by Bexley Councils Education Directorate in 1993. Our main functions are to maintain a Register of Voluntary Youth Organisations and administer a grant aid scheme on behalf of the Local Authority. We also encourage co-operation between the voluntary and statutory sectors of the youth service, publish a regular newsletter for registered organisations and help members of the public to locate organisations for young people.
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Who runs BCVYO Ltd.?
BCVYO Ltd. is controlled by an Executive Committee of twelve elected members, all of whom have been nominated by registered youth organisations. Two young people aged between 16 and 25 are co-opted onto the Executive Committee on an annual basis. We have a small office in Welling where our Company Secretary works, on a part-time basis.
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How do organisations ensure that their views are represented?
About a month before our Annual
General Meeting, all leaders receive an invitation to attend the meeting where they can discuss any relevant matters or have their say. They all have the opportunity to become a Trustee, subject to legal requirements.
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How do organisations register?
To register organisations must
complete a Registration Application Form and return it to us with a copy of their Constitution. If an organisation does not have a Constitution, help can be found to write one. Where leaders do not wish their personal details to be made available to the public we can make special arrangements to safeguard their privacy, although we do comply with data protection.
During March each year, we invite all registered youth organisations
to update the information we hold on our records. Leaders receive a grant application form for their organisation, which we ask them to sign and return to us as soon as possible. We also ask for a statistical breakdown of their membership as at 31 March. Football Clubs apply in September as their season starts then.
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What about Grants?
Grant Application Forms are sent to
all leaders in March, although copies are available to download from our website. Our financial year runs from 1st April to 31st March and organisations may apply for a grant at any time during the year. Our Grant Aid Scheme was devised by members of the Executive Committee with the intention of ensuring that the money is spread as widely as possible amongst about 300 organisations across the Borough. The grants are calculated according to the number of young people in the organisation and the duration of the weekly meetings. Each application is examined and assessed at regular meetings of our Board. These meetings take place on a regular, almost weekly, basis, so payments can be made relatively quickly, provided that all the necessary information has been submitted with the application.
Full details of the Grant Aid Scheme are contained in the Grant Aid Regulations and on the Grant Application Form. Our Company Secretary is available to assist leaders in completing their grant application, if required.
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Are any other Grants available?
Apart from the main grant aid scheme, we provide grants for new organisations to assist with their start-up costs, for leader training, for some overseas expeditions and for expeditions and residential elements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at Silver or Gold level. Details of the start-up grants are shown below.
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At what stage should organisations apply for a Start-up Grant?
When new organisations are being set up, we like to know about them as early as possible. We offer a small additional grant, usually of £50, to help offset the costs involved in setting up. The new Organisation will also be able to apply for a grant under the main Grant Aid Scheme. If we are notified before the first meeting of the new Organisation, we can usually offer a grant immediately to enable a bank or building society account to be opened and equipment purchased. Start-up grants will normally only be awarded within 6 months of the new Organisation being formed.
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What about the Newsletter?
Our newsletter, 5 to 25, is printed three times a year (School terms and contains details of services provided by BCVYO Ltd., articles about local youth organisations information for leaders news items and competitions. We welcome contributions from leaders and members of all organisations.
Our Newsletter can now be seen on the web. 5to25 online is constantly being updated with articles. Have a look, www.bcvyo.org.uk/newsletter.
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What Information do you provide?
We can provide information on a whole host of topics ranging from complex legal matters to simple questions like "Where can I buy a..." or "Do you know anybody who has a got a........?" We can provide information on sources of funding, safety issues, activity centres and places to visit. We can help organisations to forge links with local schools and youth centres. We can assist in any dealings they may have with the local authority, either by putting them in touch with the right person or by liaising on their behalf.
We can't guarantee to be able to answer all of their questions, but if we don't know the answer immediately, we do our best to find out.
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What else does BCVYO Ltd. do?
We have some display boards available
for use by members, a small donation may apply for
delivery and set up.
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