Voluntary Sector Network
What is the Voluntary Sector Network?
The Voluntary Sector Network (VSN) is made up of some of the largest voluntary organisations in Scotland. The VSN aims to support them in the continuous improvement activities. VSN is a network of Quality Scotland members that belong to the voluntary sector; they all strive towards organisational excellence and believe in sharing best practice. They meet quarterly to discuss quality issues in the voluntary sector and support each other throughout the year based on their personal experiences. VSN members also have access to a dedicated Account Manager for advice and expertise on Business Excellence. The Voluntary Sector Network also explores the use of self-assessment and continuous improvement techniques in their organisations.
The VSN has gone from strength to strength over the years, and their contribution to Excellence within their own organisations and the sector was recognised at Quality Scotland’s 2009 Scottish Awards for Business Excellence when they were awarded the inaugural ‘Ambassadors for Excellence’ Award. This is presented to an individual, organisation or group who consistently support excellence in Scotland, sharing their learning and providing mentoring support to other organisations as well as actively promoting quality within their organisation. Quality Scotland were delighted that VSN were awarded this for their work as a network throughout the past decade.
For further information contact Orla McDonald on 0131 556 2333 or orla.mcdonald@qualityscotland.co.uk.
Who is part of the VSN?
Recent news within the Voluntary Sector Network
The success of VSN members has continued over recent months, and this was demonstrated by the strong presence of the voluntary sector at Quality Scotland’s recent Scottish Awards for Business Excellence. At the ceremony, VSN members Penumbra, The Wise Group, Barnardo’s Scotland, Who Cares? Scotland, Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency and Key were all received their Committed to Excellence Awards from Quality Scotland’s Chairman, Sir Andrew Cubie.
Another set of voluntary sector winners included four organisations that have been part of the SVA Quality Matters programme. This programme is being delivered to Third Sector Interface organisations and the first of these organisations to achieve Committed to Excellence, which were also presented at the Awards Ceremony were; East Dunbartonshire CVS, West 
Dunbartonshire CVS, Voluntary Action Highland and CVS and Volunteer Centre Falkirk. Quality Scotland congratulates all of our award winners and look forward to recognising more voluntary sector successes at future award ceremonies.
At the most recent VSN meeting, the update to the Excellence Model was discussed. Members felt that the changes made to the model were positive and felt that the 2010 model was much more easily applied to the voluntary sector than previous versions. Hopefully these improvements will encourage more organisations to engage with continuous improvement and the Excellence Model.
An area that the network are beginning to work on more formally is the benchmarking of results, a benchmarking exercise around people results is being undertaken and the findings of this exercise will be discussed at then ext network meeting in August.
How do I join?
To join the VSN, organisations should become members of Quality Scotland. Find out more about Becoming a Member here or click here to apply today. If you would like to discuss the VSN or membership please contact Orla McDonald on 0131 556 2333 or email orla.mcdonald@qualityscotland.co.uk.
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