The
new SEEE sub regional Social Enterprises Network Suffolk (SENS)
was launched in November, 2005. SENS is the trade association
for social enterprises in Suffolk.
There
was a very successful launch event in November 2005 at Alder Carr
Farm at Needham Market, Suffolk.
This
was followed up by an even bigger event at Ipswich Football Club
in February 2006. This was sponsored by Business Link for Suffolk
and nearly a hundred representatives from a variety of social
enterprises attended
Later,
the “ Suffolk Trading Partnership” - a group set up to look at
developing joint trading activities between a cluster of Suffolk
social enterprises – merged with SENS.
 It
was agreed to set up a management committee for SENS to produce
a constitution, look at how SENS could be developed, plan future
SENS events and develop the SENS Business Plan
The
first management committee came together in March 2007. Work started
on the constitution which can now be viewed on the "Constitution"
page of this website. A bank account has been set up and a SENS
website
established
in July, 2007.
The
management committee have agreed to incorporate as a Community
Interest Company, in due course. Meanwhile, work has also started
on a SENS Strategy to Promote Social Enterprise in Suffolk, which
should be consulted on in the autumn with a view to fixing a local
prioritised action plan. Meanwhile, to read the SEEE regional
plan, please click
here.
Should
any eligible SENS member want to be part of the SENS management
committee please contact us
via the "Contact" page.
SENS
membership is open to:
- existing
social enterprises
- emeging
social enterprises
- organisations
that have made the formal decision to become a social enterprise
- supporters
of social enterprise
(but
only eligible social enterprise members can vote on SENS issues
and activities)
SENS
offers:
- peer
support group
- resource
sharing
- market
development
- collaboration
support
- collective
voice at local and regional level
- focal
point for issues specific to local social enterprise sector
SENS
operates:
- proactively,
as the SEEE sub-regional network
- revolving
Chair for each management meeting
- revolving
venue for each management meeting
- regular
social events
- to
add real value!
(statutory
bodies, funders and support agencies to attend meetings and events
by invite only) |
