Following its launch at the 2023 Network Conference, local institutes were given the opportunity to feedback to a questionnaire asking how the CII could further support their volunteer role and the local membership proposition. 90% of institutes responded. The feedback was used to develop nine key themes which would develop the work and support the CII gives to our local institute volunteers. Working with internal stakeholders eight of the nine themes will be complete by the end of 2024.
Theme One: Networking events – THEME NOW COMPLETE
What you said: Local institutes viewed networking activities for members as their key priority – what does good look like?
This theme has now been ACTIONED and COMPLETED. The regional membership team have now created a good practice guide which focuses on how to run positive networking events that benefit members locally.
Theme Two: Exam Training – THEME NOW COMPLETE
What you said: Local institutes need more support to arrange exam training for members.
This theme has now been ACTIONED and COMPLETED. The regional membership team have worked with the Learning Propositions team to ensure local institutes are considered in the ongoing development of a national exam training programme proposition (including the choice to offer financial support for their members). A programme was rolled out by the central team but take up was modest, with course costs a key factor. The central team are reviewing the model, whilst LIs continue to develop local support.
Theme Three: Career support and engagement – THEME NOW COMPLETE
What you said: Local institutes are keen to do more cannot progress without further support from CII.
This theme is ongoing but now being managed by the CIIs Career Partner Manager. The regional membership team have worked with the CIIs Career Partner Manager to create a plan for delivering more consistent and structured support for LIs who want to provide career support engagement with local schools & colleges. A toolkit is being developed to support these activities – due to launch in early 2025 and an established Careers thematic group will give volunteers an engagement platform.
Theme Four: CPD – ONGOING
What you said: Local institutes would like to help develop a standard CPD core offering for members across the UK.
This theme is ongoing. The regional membership team have worked with the CIIs Content and Capabilities Director to engage with local institutes in thematic group meetings across 2024 to gain an insight into how volunteers would like the CPD offering to be developed. This will be developed further over the coming months and into 2025. The regional membership team have further developed the current CPD database (which sits on Network Know How) following feedback via the survey and at LINF.
Theme Five: Corporate and chartered firm engagement – ONGOING
What you said: Local institutes want to develop further relationships with key organisations at a local level.
This theme is ongoing. The regional membership team are currently working with the CIIs corporate development team to create process and visibility in how the corporate development team can provide support and how local institutes can provide intel. This will include the sharing of key contact info and the updating of key corporate successes via the regional membership teams regular volunteer comms. The regional membership team will also be meeting on a quarterly basis with the corporate development team to discuss key opportunities for both parties.
Theme Six: Thematic groups – ONGOING
What you said: Local institutes need additional support for key council roles.
This theme is ongoing. The regional membership team have developed thematic groups to engage, support and develop relationships with key council roles to offer further support. The team also continues to host bi-annual Digital Town Halls providing an opportunity for local institutes to meet the CIIs CEO. Each one of these events will be replicated across 2025 effectively becoming the teams volunteer engagement program.
Theme Seven: Annual network conference – THEME NOW COMPLETE
What you said: Local institutes want to further support the development and hosting of Network Conference.
This theme has now been ACTIONED and COMPLETED. The regional membership team have worked in conjunction with the CIIs events team to deliver a successful network conference in 2024 and have developed a five-year plan for future events. The CIIs Vice President for Local Institutes has been heavily involved in the development of future conference content.
Theme Eight: Grants – THEME NOW COMPLETE
What you said: Local institutes would like to see more financial support for smaller institutes to stop potential cash flow issues.
This theme has now been ACTIONED and COMPLETED. Smaller local institutes will now receive 80% of their annual ordinary grant in January to ensure that there are no cash flow issues going forward.
Theme Nine: Non-financial resourcing – THEME NOW COMPLETE
What you said: Local institutes need more central staffing support.
This theme has now been ACTIONED and COMPLETED. The CII recruited two new members into the regional membership team in May / June of 2024, a Regional Membership Administrator, and an additional Regional Membership Manager, with responsibility for the North-West and North-East regions.