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What is the District Forum?

Who are we?
The District Forum is a decision-making panel with 18 resident members who, at the moment, service for three years.

At our Annual General Meeting, new members are elected and voted into office. District Forum Officers are then elected by the whole group and stand for a year (with the exception of the Finance Officer who stands for a period of two years).

Members of the District Forum come from a wide geographical area and are of all ages and abilities, so anyone can play their part and no one is excluded from becoming a member.

The District Forum represents the views of all Westlea’s residents. Members, who feel passionate about making a difference, have both spare time and enthusiasm and want to learn more.

What do we do?
The District Forum focuses on policy and strategy, and makes sure we consult residents on important decisions. They look at Board papers, consider major decisions, and can attend Board meeting to give their comments. They can recommend more extensive consultation before commenting themselves.

Westlea looks to the District Forum for input into resident training, ideas for conferences, advice on consultation methods, and ways for residents to become involved in the association’s work and many other activities. You will see from this that we are a busy bunch!

We have developed better communication and a stronger relationship with Westlea’s Board of Management. There is now bi-monthly written feedback between the groups, and it is good to know that the voice of residents is heard.

The role of the forum is to:

• Represent the residents' views and work with Westlea in a positive way to make services better for everyone; Be consulted on all changes to policies and procedures, including the Business Plan, corporate objectives. and service delivery;
• Decide how residents should be involved in all major projects and decisions, and monitor performance.

We work with Westlea to further develop our skills in order to make us a more effective representative group. Some examples of this are:

• Individual training
• Group training/Team Days
• Away days, seminars, visits to other housing organisations.

Attendance at Conferences and seminars and visits to other housing organisations gives the members the opportunity to meet other tenants and residents, this way we can share information and learn from one another.

The District Forum has started the Residents Funding Project and has been raising funds through raffles & fundraising events etc.

Our Logo
We have our own logo. It uses Westlea’s corporate colours and shows the strength of our relationship with the association and the Board of Management.

The logo isn’t just for the District Forum, it gives residents the reassurance that we are or have been at the heart of the decision-making process, and that we approve the particular policy or strategy that bears our logo. It will be easily recognised and, most importantly, has been chosen by the residents we represent.

How much of my time will it take up?
We have at least 8 District Forum meetings a year, these are held in the evening.

Most of these are held at Westlea’s Head Offices and some are held in the community.

This means that members need to do a lot of reading and preparation, especially on the months that the District Forum receives papers from Westlea’s board meetings.

The District Forum also has two Team Days. These give us an opportunity to work and learn together outside a formal meeting environment.

What we expect from you
If you are elected to the District Forum you will be expected to:

1. Attend all the full meetings of the District Forum – anyone who misses three consecutive meetings without good reason may be asked to give up their membership.
2. Attend Team Days – these give us the opportunity to meet and learn together as we build team spirit and communication.
3. Agree to abide by the District Forum’s Constitution and Code of Conduct – these govern how we conduct our business and the way members are expected to behave. You can find a copy online at www.westlea.co.uk or in hardcopy from the Secretary of the District Forum.

Westlea has a support package to make sure that being involved does not cost you anything.

We will pay for:

• Your travel costs (at 40p per mile);
• Your care costs, for example if you need someone to look after a disabled relative so that you can come to meetings (paid at the same level as Social Services);
• You can get free training and access to the internet.

Is it for me?
No-one can answer this question but you.

Being a District Forum member can be hard, but it is rewarding knowing that what you do makes a difference.

It is a big commitment and does require more than just turning up for a meeting. Quite a lot of background reading is involved and meetings are usually held in the evening. Training is usually held during the daytime.

If this is something you really feel you want to do, please don't let anything put you off. You will be supported in your role by other District Forum members, Westlea staff, and the Board of Management.

How do I become a District Forum member?
Before you make any decisions on joining, you need to attend a few District Forum meetings as an observer to see what takes place there. You will be made very welcome. You will need to take the following steps to stand for election as a District Forum member:

• Decide you want to join
• Contact the Neighbourhood Involvement Team on 01249 466163 and ask for an application form.
• Get this form signed by two residents who are happy to propose and second your application.
• Write a short paragraph of no more than 120 words about yourself and why you'd like to join the District Forum.
• Send your application form and your short paragraph to Westlea and come to the District Forum AGM.

At the AGM the Chair will announce how many vacancies there are.