BCAF’s latest Quarterly Forum meeting on Saturday 20th June 2009 unanimously passed the proposals to become a limited company and amend the objects of the constitution to make charitable status a viable future option.
Some concerns were raised that this could restrict the ability of BCAF to be a campaigning organisation and that similar problems could be encountered to those of Burngreave Community Action Trust. Members of the Coordinating Committee and Working Group explained that company status is essential for BCAF to maintain its independent status. Ensuring such mistakes are avoided is a crucial part of the process.
Following this, Alison Rayner from Community Assembly North-East gave a presentation on the new arrangements. A copy of the presentation is available at http://www.bcaf.org.uk. Some people raised concerns that there would be no public meeting for residents to participate in, as there had been at the area panel.
Transition Burngreave also ran a workshop.
Despite reduced staff hours, BCAF have continued important work in a number of areas.
BCAF played a major role in bringing together the residents and groups who organised this years successful Abbeyfield Festival. Supporting the community of Burngreave to work together like this is exactly the type of work we think BCAF should be doing. BCAF’s Adult Learning Working Group is putting together another edition of their popular directory of all the Adult Learning opportunities available in the area. All providers of training and courses in the area are encouraged to send details to nyeams@yahoo.co.uk by Friday July 24th 2009.
The Working Group meets monthly to discuss Adult Learning in the area – get in contact if you are interested in attending a meeting.
BCAF has another long-standing working group that has focussed on issues around Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Members recently decided that the group would benefit from a wider remit, with three proposed themes:
Strengthening community cohesion in the area
Celebrating the diversity of cultures in Burngreave
Ensuring Burngreave offers sanctuary to those in need.
The group intends to hold an event in the next couple of months to discuss these proposed aims and recruit new members to the group. Please get in touch if you would like to be a part of it.
For more information contact: BCAF, 82 Spital Hill, Sheffield S4 7LG Telephone: 0114 272 8008
E-mail: enquiries@bcaf.org.uk
Check BCAF's website for the latest information: http://www.bcaf.org.uk