Be Flexible and Adaptable
First, always remain flexible and adaptable—as your branch grows, be open to new ideas, feedback, and changes in strategy that better serve your members and community.
This will help your branch stay relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of British citizens abroad.
Relationships
Second, focus on building strong relationships within your branch.
Personal connections create a sense of community and shared purpose, making members feel more invested in the branch’s success. Regularly check in with members, celebrate their contributions, and encourage them to take on leadership roles. A supportive and inclusive environment fosters lasting commitment.
The Mission
Thirdly, whilst making your local branch relevant by addressing local needs, always keep sight of the BOVF’s larger mission.
Ground at least 50% of your local efforts in the broader advocacy goals of the BOVF, ensuring that your branch remains aligned with the global movement for British citizens’ rights.
This will help sustain enthusiasm and participation, as members see how their local actions contribute to the bigger picture. By maintaining these values, your branch will be well-positioned for continued growth, engagement, and impact.
Be Aware of Burnout
Finally, if you feel as if there is too much work or you feel under pressure – always ask for support, either from BOVF or from other members of your branch.
There are always people willing to help if you have less time, bandwidth or capacity to do what needs to be done. Remember, if everyone does a little bit, no one has to do a lot.
We hope this page has been informative.
If you have any corrective or improvement suggestions, please email webmaster@bovf.org.uk
Goals of This Toolkit
Goals of This Toolkit The purpose of this toolkit is to provide a clear, step-by-step…
Step 1
Initial Planning and Structure The purpose of this toolkit is to provide a clear, step-by-step…
Step 2
Engaging the Community Identifying Local British Citizens and Potential Members Identifying Local British Citizens and…
Step 3
Hosting Your First Events Planning Your First Information-giving Meeting or Event Your first information-giving meeting…
Step 4
Growing Membership in Year One Strategies for Getting British Expats to Register for FREE as…
Step 5
Sustaining Engagement and Participation Regular Communication and Updates for Stakeholders, Supporters, and Members of the…
Step 6
Establishing a Strong Online Presence Setting Up Social Media Accounts for Your Branch Establishing social…
Step 7
Collaborating with the BOVF and Other Branches Setting Up Social Media Accounts for Your Branch…
Step 8
Reaching Milestones and Tracking Progress Setting Realistic Membership and Engagement Goals for Year 1 of…
Step 9
Expanding Membership in Years Two and Three Recruiting New Members for Your Local Branch Through…