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PurposeVSSN functions to promote the advancement of knowledge about, and understanding of, organisations between the market and the state. It provides a virtual and actual meeting point for scholars and researchers both outside and within the voluntary (third or non-profit) sector(s), with a shared analytic interest in this set of institutions. It is multidisciplinary, seeking to engage economists, historians, political scientists, sociologists, policy analysts and others. It aspires to a UK wide focus. OrganisationVSSN is a charitable association controlled by its members. VSSN became formally constituted in 2003. Annual reports and accounts (and as well as some history) are available below. The objects of VSSN are the advancement of public education concerning the voluntary sector in the United Kingdom: (1) by the promotion and diffusion of knowledge; and (2) by the publication of research; and (3) by the encouragement of contact between workers in relevant fields of enquiry; and (4) by undertaking such other activities (being charitable in law) as shall be conducive to the attainment of these objects. Constitution
VSSN is governed by a constitution with charitable objects
which is available here (PDF format)
VSSN is a registered charity in England & Wales no 1114742. Details of our charity registration can be found via the Charity Commission. We are also listed in Guidestar UK and CAF online. All contact details including our registered correspondence address are available here. TrusteesThe Trustees are the Steering Group who are elected by the members at the AGM, currently:-
Annual Reports
A history of Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings (at which annual reports were presented etc.) is provided via our Events page (under "Other events"). History and contextThe roots of the network were in an ESRC-funded seminar series during the period 1993-1995, at which there was agreement among the participants that similar events should continue since there was a demand for an academic forum for collegiate discussion of voluntary sector/voluntary action research. More details are provided here. Many of the voluntary sector's contributions evolve far beyond the gaze and reach of public policy commentators. At the same time, the activities of a significant number of organisations ranging from such familiar national players as Greenpeace, Age Concern and Oxfam to the smallest community associations and local clubs are developing with varying degrees of proximity to the State. They are subject to unprecedented public scrutiny, bound up with wider debates on 'partnership', 'compacts' and the like. VSSN seeks to encourage research on organisations in both situations, in what is one of the most rapidly evolving fields of social, economic and political life. MembershipThere are numerous benefits of joining VSSN as a member and you can join online. |
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