STARTING UP A NEW GROUP
Our secretary Gwyneth Stokes has many years of experience in assisting newly formed groups to get off to a positive start. You may be certain that there may be difficulties ahead and not everything will run smoothly - you only have to read some of the items on the News page submitted by our members. The support and bonding of the Federation with more experienced groups is but one of its strengths. Do please contact our secretary for advice.
e-mail secretary
We recommend that you browse through our list of members and search out one with a feature common to your own be it size, experience in campaigning, a special interest in ecology or to be honest the work that have done to date appeals to you and your potential members. Do get in touch with our secretary, remember many of the larger groups started from small beginnings. Watch out for Open Days and plan a visit with some of your supporters and you will be encouraged by their friendly support.
You will need to draw up a constitution if your association is to be run effectively and democratically. Make provision in it to appoint a president and vice presidents, carefully select those holders - people of influence, credibility, experience and somebody who is going to work with you to bond your multi talents of your group.
Try to get the media on your side. Often local radio stations are pleased to champion local causes, make sure that you build up a public awareness of the problems or your ambitions in your local cemetery.
Get a committee formed and delegate or otherwise it's a one man or woman show. Your committee has to share and take ownership of the strategy for your group. Number one priority, do a risk assessment. Talk to experienced groups like BTCV [British Trust Conservation Volunteers] , NCVO [National Council of Voluntary Organisations] and GreenSpace [dealing with parks, open spaces, allotments and cemeteries]. If funds permit arrange first aid training, safety at work courses and insurance cover [BTCV have a special group scheme].
Highgate figure courtesy of kingofcoleslaw@morguefile.com
A good publicity officer is essential, make sure you get mentions in the press, meet your councillors to engage support. If you can build a website or perhaps talk to a local firm or organisation in tune with your aims they may either sponsor a site or allow one of their employees to give a helping hand. Use this site to ask questions of fellow members [and to tell us of your successes or disappointments].
Whilst it is appreciated that on first starting that funds are hard to come by, nevertheless health and safety for your volunteers is an essential. Please refer to our Safety in Cemeteries and Funerary Monuments Group pages where you will find helpful advice on safety issues. In turn using the recommendations may be the means to help you in formatting an application for a grant.
Get a sponsor in tune with your aims preferably with a knowledge of your cemetery. They see themselves as part of the success, good for you, good for your project and good for them too.
Our publication Saving Cemeteries will be an invaluable aid.
