Frequently Asked Questions about RAWM
This section gives answers to some frequently asked questions about RAWM’s work. If you have other questions that you would like to see included in this section, please email them to Sian McClure at sianm@rawm.co.uk or phone her on 0121 359 9181.
What does RAWM do?
As a membership organisation, RAWM provides a wide range of services both to members and also to organisations and individuals across the West Midlands region. These services include:
- Providing channels of information such as Action News (a regular newsletter giving bang up to date information about what is happening regionally that affects voluntary and community organisations), Action Briefings (two page briefings on important topics) and Fax/email bulletins to support Action News.
- Providing networks of communication, bringing together representatives for voluntary and community organisations, statutory authorities and other agencies in the region to identify the policy, development and funding needs of the voluntary and community sector
- As well as this, RAWM gets involved in meetings to decide how things are going to happen across the region. This includes subjects like how planning decisions will be made (Regional Planning Guidance).
How can I get involved?
Because RAWM is a membership organisation, your organisation can become a member. Membership is open to everybody but different organisations and people can adopt different types of membership.
If you are a network of voluntary and community organisations in the West Midlands, your organisation can become a full member which means you can vote for who goes on the Board. Otherwise you can become an associate member. If you are applying as an individual and not on behalf of an organisation you can take out a subscription to the RAWM information services. You will need to fill out a membership application form and wait for the Board to make a decision on your membership. (for further details, see our ‘membereship’ section.)
Why doesn’t RAWM do?
The West Midlands region has a population of about 5.3 million. There are about 20,000 local voluntary and community groups in the West Midlands. As there are ranges of services already available to these groups – either through Councils for Voluntary Service or through other types of organisation – RAWM will not duplicate services already provided.
In addition RAWM’s activities are defined by its Memorandum of Association, and are summarised below:
“bringing together representatives for voluntary and community organisations, statutory authorities and other agencies in the region to identify the policy, development and funding needs of the voluntary and community sector”
What is the West Midlands?
The West Midlands is one of nine English regions. As such it has its own Regional Development Agency (Advantage West Midlands), its own Regional Assembly (whose roles include scrutiny of the Regional Development Agency), its own Government Office, and a whole host of other regionally organised services. The West Midlands covers 38 local authority areas.