Welcome again to the latest news and views from Compact Voice. Thanks to all who made our recent Local Compacts Conference such a success; you can now see photos from the event and network further with colleagues on our online forum.

November sees the announcement of 2009’s Compact Awards during Compact Week – best of luck if your area is in the running! And remember to keep abreast of all this and more by visiting the Compact Voice website. We’re asking National organisations at this time to appoint a Compact Champion for your organisation and tell us who it is.

Oliver Reichardt
Head of Compact Voice
 

Compact Voice launches one network for all

The Compact Voice online network is your place to discuss Compact issues. It's open to everyone whether public or voluntary sector, national or local - please join us and start posting!

Join the local compact network now
 

Compact Week 2009

Compact Week 2009 is almost upon us; this year Compact Voice is posing the Compact Week Challenge - to get 100 more groups to know about your Compact, 10 new Compact Champions recruited, and to make 1 extra policy link (eg Scrutiny/Compact-proofing).

Take the Challenge and find out what's on

Help us improve our service to you

Compact Voice needs you to tell us how you use our website and publications, so we can make them better. We're offering a £50 prize from Ethical Superstore to entice you.

Complete the survey

Tell us your Compact Stories!

We're collecting your Compact Stories - about how the Compact is making a difference round the country - on our website.

Tell us your story or read others

Chris Frost is the Chief Executive of Merton Voluntary Service Council, and was instrumental in developing the Merton Compact, which has gone on to win a major award every year since its adoption. She is also the Compact Voice Regional Leader for London. Chris is a strong advocate for the role of the voluntary and community sector in bringing about social change, and does a range of voluntary work including Chairing the Governing Body of a special needs school.

Q. What do you think is the Compact’s most important achievement so far?
That is has led to a Compact Way of Working at local level – stuff now gets done!

Q. Do you think there’s more need for a Compact in its second decade than in its first?
Definitely – it’s important to build on the trust and confidence to date and continue to influence decisions to ensure better outcomes for the wider community.

Q. How well do you think Compact is representing the sector as a whole?
Public bodies understand that everyone wants small groups to be involved, and the Compact does that.

Q. Can you give us the best example of Compact usage in your own organisation?
This is a tough one as there have been loads, I guess the fact that partners better understand the role and remit of the sector as a whole with a vast range of skills and expertise it can draw on. That is, better outcomes are achieved by working with it from Day 1.

Q. What is the one key point you’ve made about the Compact recently, for example at a national address?
To give all prospective councillors and parliamentary candidates information about our Compact in January 2010.