SWEN
South West Engagement NetworkIn March 2021 we launched the RTPI South West Membership Engagement Network (SWEN). The purpose is to create a network of key contacts in both the public and private sector to provide a more effective 2-way communication between RTPI members and the Regional Management Board and Regional Activities Committee. The network will be used to share opportunities, support members and listen to feedback. The network would have a dedicated link to the Regional Coordinator to share any opportunities and challenges they would like to raise with the RTPI regionally or nationally.
See below for more details and how you can make sure your authority or organisation is represented.
Please contact the RTPI South West Regional Coordinator [email protected] if you have any questions.
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The volunteer would be the Regional Coordinator’s point of contact in their organisation on RTPI matters, enabling the Regional Management Board (RMB) and Regional Activities Committee (RAC) and associated working groups to connect more effectively with RTPI members. Volunteers would be encouraged to engage on matters such as :
- Promote the RMB and RAC to encourage new members to join the committees.
- Encourage students, licentiates and newly qualified to engage with the Young Planners Network
- Put forward the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and training needs of organisations/authorities to help inform the regional CPD and national training programme.
- Suggestions for speakers, topic ideas and case studies as well as promoting the available CPD to colleagues.
- Suggestions and submissions for relevant and interesting local articles and RTPI Member news for regional newsletters including Branchout and E-News.
- Encouraging submissions to and promoting the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence.
- Suggest relevant case studies for RTPI Research projects
- Ensure organisations or authorities are represented at RTPI roundtable meetings to inform research and consultations
- Promote Planning Aid England (PAE) and help to identify community reach out projects for PAE
- Provide details of current RTPI membership within LPA/consultancy in order to identify potential new members and to understand any issues/challenges affecting membership.
- Promote membership of the RTPI and support new members into RTPI.
- Potential to support initiatives within the RTPI Corporate Strategy including:
- Heads of Planning Everywhere (HOPE)
- Enabling a more diverse and inclusive representation of the regions membership (CHANGE)
- Politicians in Planning Network (PIPN)
- Mentoring opportunities (NURTURE)
- Promoting work of RTPI Ambassadors and opportunities for School Visits and Careers Fairs
- Explore sponsorship opportunities for events
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- A dedicated contact/ more direct link to the RTPI at a regional /local level.
- A conduit to pass feedback and queries back to the RTPI from colleagues. This could then feed into business planning.
- To have the knowledge to encourage colleagues to become involved with regional activities.
- An opportunity to put forward ideas for speakers, topics and articles to showcase their organisation’s work and achievements in planning.
- Networking opportunity with dedicated events for the SWEN – ‘Meet the Regional Chair/RTPI President’ and Q&A sessions with RTPI staff in policy, membership & education
- Opportunity to network between private and public sector organisations
- Opportunities to hear about how to promote careers in planning and the current routes to membership e.g.: apprenticeships
- Contribute towards CPD
- Dedicated newsletter / communications
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Around one hour a month. This is a voluntary role so the amount of time to be devoted to it is not fixed and the volunteer from the organisation or local authority can change, although it is recommended that a volunteer engages for at least 6-12 months to help continuity.
The regular communications from the Regional Coordinator will focus on some of the points listed in the role description above so the volunteer can expect to learn more to enable them to engage and disseminate to colleagues effectively.The communication will be no more than once a month and at least every two months. The emails will be limited in content and will include a balance of information, opportunities and requests for information.
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Ideally a Chartered Member of the RTPI who is:
- A good listener and communicator
- A keen advocate for RTPI membership and
involvement - Approachable to colleagues
- Keeps abreast of significant local planning issues, community activity, key developments and planning initiatives of the LPA
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Who will be my local RTPI contact?
The RTPI Regional Coordinator Charlotte Daborn will be your first point of contact and will be able to help you with any queries and if required connect you with the right RTPI department. Contact via [email protected]
What communication can I expect?
You will receive an email from the Regional Coordinator with an aim that this is no more than
once a month and at least every two months. The emails will be limited in content and will
include a balance of information, opportunities and requests for information.
Who are the Regional Management Board (RMB) and Regional Activities Committee (RAC)?
Both committees led by volunteer RTPI Members. The RMB prepares and sets the annual
Business Plan and Budget and manages the overall affairs of RTPI South West. The
RAC organises and delivers a range of activities for members. The RMB also feeds
into the Nations & Regions Panel, General Assembly and the Board of Trustees.
See diagram below.
More info hereUseful links:
CPDPlanning Aid England (PAE)
NURTURE (Mentoring)
RTPI Corporate Strategy 2020-30