Aims of the Hearing Voices Network - Dundee
- To gather information about voices in order to help understand more about what the experience means.
- To develop coping strategies.
- To raise awareness of the voice hearing experience through society.
- To bring voice hearers together in a confidential setting.
- To offer support to voice hearers and their carers.
- Raising awareness in society, amongst professionals and carers, what it means to hear voices, and the effect the experience has on the voice hearer.
- To bring voice hearers together to share experiences and ways of coping with their voices in a confidential environment where no one is bullied or suffers discrimination of any kind.
- To give people a safe and confidential environment to explore their own experiences, and to develop personal coping strategies.
- Normalization of the Voice Hearing Experience.
- Building a therapeutic community, where people can feel valued and accepted.
- To promote recovery and hope.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HEARING VOICES NETWORK DUNDEE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
The HVND Management Committee comprises of a Chairperson, a Vice-chair, a Treasurer, a Secretary and five Ordinary members. We also have the following Advisors to the committee: Mr George Farqhuar (Employment and Personnel matters) and Mr Sam Penn (Building design). The network is also a member of Dundee Voluntary Action (DVA), Scottish Centre for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), Volunteer Development Scotland,, Befriending Network Scotland, Mentoring Network Scotland, and liaises with the Volunteer Centre (Dundee) when required.
General responsibilities of Office Bearers.
- Ensuring the effective operation of the Management Committee including chairing meetings.
- Being the spokesperson for the organisation.
- Liaising with the Secretary re. Committee meetings.
- Acting as the final point in disciplinary/grievance matters.
- Chairing Management Committee meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
- Ensure the maintenance of accounts.
- Ensure systems for income and expenditure control.
- Submit regular financial reports to the committee.
- Ensure statutory returns to the Inland Revenue.
- Monitor cash flow.
- Prepare annual accounts for audit/review.
- Ensure expenditure accords with the organisation's charitable purposes.
- Contact point for correspondence.
- Convening meetings/preparing agenda, writing and circulating minutes.
- Arrange for the Annual General Meeting.
- Preparing Annual Report.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILTIES OF INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
Role: As an elected Management Committee member
- To contribute to the decision-making process and ensure the development of the Dundee Hearing Voices Network as a charitable organisation.
- To work with others to promote Dundee Hearing Voices Network and its work, and to maintain and enhance its reputation.
- To participate in the work of sub-committees and working groups as appropriate.
Responsibilities:
- To ensure that the organisation is meeting its objects or purposes and working within its powers as stated in the constitution.
- To attend meetings of the Management Committee, sub-committees and other related meetings or events as required.
- To prepare for meetings by reading papers, consulting with user groups, where appropriate.
- To contribute and participate in meetings in an orderly manner.
- To carry out actions agreed at Management Committee meeting, if given the responsibility to do so.
- To assist in representing Dundee Hearing Voices Network from time to time to external bodies and relevant forums and events.
- To consult, liaise with and support the office bearers and fellow committee members as appropriate.
- To develop relevant policies and procedures and keep them current.
- To maintain effective working practices as a committee and between committee and staff.
- To work with and support staff in appropriate ways.
- To maintain confidentiality.
- To be realistic about the work they can undertake.
- To be honest about the work they cannot continue with.
- To inform the relevant person when they wish to resign ahead of the AGM.
Persons with expertise in specific areas, e.g. employment and personnel matters, can act as Advisors to the Management Committee. There is no time limit on the period of acting as an Advisor.
