THE COUNCIL OF VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICES JAMAICA

1. THE COUNCIL OF VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICES JAMAICA

2. Background • Established in 1940. It was the brainchild of the Most Honourable Norman Manley, who was very involved in social reform and social development • The largest and longest serving national, non-profit umbrella organization

3. MISSION • To build the capacity of members and the wider community, create sustainable alliances, facilitate mutual support and joint action; and to represent the concerns of the social sector including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, at national and international levels

4. Who are we 110 Affiliates engaged in health, education, community development, agricultural, skills training and advocacy programmes. Some of our members are: • Health: Jamaica Cancer Society Heart Foundation of Jamaica Diabetes Association of Jamaica (over 40,000 beneficiaries) Rise Life Management Services • Education: 3D Projects Boy’s Brigade Abilities Foundation VOUCH • Agriculture: Jamaica Agricultural Society Jamaica 4-H Clubs – promoting agriculture in schools (60,000 young people are engaged in this initiative)

5. Who are we(cont’d) Community Development: St. Andrew Settlement Spring Village Development Foundation Skills Training: YMCA YWCA Operation Friendship Children First Advocacy National Consumers League Jamaicans for Justice Citizens Advice Bureau

6. Who are we (Cont’d) • The work of members has national reach e.g. - Jamaica 4-H Clubs- 5000 volunteers working with 60,000 young farmers in schools. - Salvation Army - Jamaica Red Cross - Heart Foundation of Jamaica - Jamaica Cancer Society - Diabetes Association of Jamaica

7. SCOPE OF WORK • Training and Resource Development • Advocacy • Networking • Data Collection and Dissemination • Inter Agency Collaboration • Membership Education/Sensitization • Services to Staff - Health Insurance/Pension

8. Sector Agencies • Members are grouped into three sectors - Health - Youth - Gender and Community The CVSS facilitates meetings of these sectors on a bi-monthly basis for: • Planning joint action • Information Sharing • Problem Solving • Cross fertilization of ideas • Sharing of best practices • Networking and collaborative action.

9. Major Achievements • Remaining relevant and sustained for over 70 years • Establishment of the National Volunteer Centre – the focal point for volunteer training, houses the National Registry of Volunteers.

10. Major Achievements (cont’d) The National Volunteer Centre facilitates training programmes and is a resource centre for social work practitioners and students. At centre is Shoshana Edwards, Volunteer Art & Craft instructor of YMCA, with participants Christopher (L) and Shereene (R) Mrs. Winsome Wilkins, CEO of CVSS, expresses gratitude to Professor Murchison Callender and his team from the University of Waterloo for conducting eye screening at the National Volunteer Center

11. Major Achievements (cont’d) NGO Management Training Programmes using curriculum developed in conjunction with the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies and offered with support from Caribbean Development Bank, Inter American Development Bank, British High Commission The establishment of the United Way of Jamaica Successfully lobbying Government for income tax relief for over 60 voluntary organizations. Instrumental in the establishment of the Council for the Handicapped and the Council for the Aged, which are today departments of government. Established the Citizens Advice Bureau

12. Benefits of Membership • Access to funding for qualified projects from the United Way of Jamaica • Ongoing information regarding funding sources • Training for staff and volunteers • Access to skills bank of resource persons • Exposure for membership • Health Insurance and Pension Scheme for NGO staff • Networking opportunities

13. Governance • The Council 110 affiliates Meets at least once per year • The Executive (20 members) Elected by the Council at AGM Serve for three years Meets monthly * The Sectors (Health/Youth/Gender & Community Meet bi-monthly * Member of the International Council of Social Welfare

14. Partners The organization has long standing working relations with a variety of strategic partner organizations • Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (Training/Technical Assistance, National Registry of Volunteers) • Inter-American Development Bank (Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening) • British High Commission (Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening • European Union (Funded construction of National Volunteer Centre) • Jamaica Social Investment Fund (Infrastructure for several agencies and fund Summer Intervention Programmes • PAHO/WHO (Training in Conflict Resolution and Crime Prevention Strategies) • Global Fund • Chase Fund (Sponsorship of Youth Development Programmes) • UWI/UTECH • Ministries of Finance/Health/Social Security/Youth and Sports • Planning Institute of Jamaica • Sports Development Foundation • Social Development Commission • United Way of Jamaica (Project Funding)

15. Administration • Staff - 12 core staff members Project staff Interns/Trainees • Budget MOU in 2000 United Way 65% CVSS 35% • Offices Own facilities at 122-126 Tower Street, Kingston National Volunteer Centre 2D Camp Road The CVSS Administrative team consists of a core of qualified professionals, experienced in Project Management, Project Monitoring and Evaluation supported by influential and experience volunteers