Initial Planning and Structure

The purpose of this toolkit is to provide a clear, step-by-step guide to help British citizens living abroad establish and grow a local branch of the British Overseas Voters Forum (BOVF).

Are you registered to vote?

If you have not yet registered to vote in UK elections, please do that and then continue to read through this tool kit. You can find information on how to register to vote HERE.

Registered Supporter or Member?

Hopefully you have registered for free with the BOVF already as a Supporter. You may have decided to join as a full member. Either way, if you have not, please now go and investigate which option you prefer, and do that. You can information on Becoming a Supporter or Joining as a Member HERE

Checking For A Branch Nearby

When you register as a Supporter or Member, you will have shared with the BOVF where you are living abroad. There might already be an active branch in the country where you live.

The information is readily available on our website HERE.

If you have looked on the website and you are still not sure, you can always email membership@bovf.org.uk if there is a local branch in your area.

If there is an established branch, you will be put in touch with the Chair or secretary of the local branch.

It may well be that there is more than one branch in the country where you live.

If that is the case, the Country Co-ordinator will get in touch to help you determine which is the best branch for you to join. You can find out who is your Country Coordinator HERE.

Setting up Your Core Leadership Team

The foundation of any successful BOVF local branch lies in establishing a strong and committed core leadership team.

If you are reading this, you may well be one of a few people planning to create a branch, or, in some cases, you may be the only person you know where you live who can see just how important this is.

This team will drive the branch’s local vision, organise activities, and represent the interests of local British citizens living abroad to the BOVF.

The first step is identifying individuals who are passionate about the issues faced by expatriates and who have the skills and motivation to lead effectively.

These may include strong communicators, strategic thinkers, and individuals with experience in advocacy or community organizing. Building a team with diverse skill sets ensures that your branch can plan, execute, and grow over time.

In all cases, BOVF asks anyone being considered for roles in the branch to apply via the BOVF website. You can see advertised roles HERE.

In the future, if your branch would like to advertise for a specific role, you can get in contact with us and we can add your branch or country specific role to the volunteer page of our website.

This is very important and ensures that process is followed.

It is important that the core leadership team defines clear roles and responsibilities early on.

Key positions might include a Branch Chair, who oversees the overall functioning of the branch; a Secretary or Communications Lead, responsible for outreach and member engagement; an Events Coordinator to organize gatherings and activities; and even a Treasurer to manage any branch finances if local membership is big enough to warrant fundraising activities. In all cases – BOVF is committed to be a professional supporter of volunteers and encourages all branches to follow best practice.

Each member of the leadership team should have a well-defined role that aligns with their strengths and interests, ensuring that the branch operates efficiently and that no one individual is overwhelmed. Establishing this leadership structure early will create a strong foundation for growth and ensure the branch is positioned for long-term success.

Defining Your Branch’s Local Issues and Objectives

As a branch, individually and as a collective, you already subscribe to the BOVF Key Issues. You recognise them as priorities for all British expats living abroad.

On the branch page on the BOVF website, we are happy to display the Key Issues in the order that is most relevant to you where your branch is. You can see the BOVF current branches HERE.

Nevertheless, in addition to the BOVF Key Issues, defining your branch’s local issues and objectives is a crucial step in setting the tone and direction for your local BOVF branch.

A clear and compelling set of local issues and objectives acts as a guiding light, uniting members around a shared purpose and ensuring that every action taken is aligned with the branch’s core mission and in some way feeds into the BOVF Key Issues directly or indirectly.

Start by identifying what your branch hopes to achieve over the next few years. Maybe your primary goal to increase voter registration among British expatriates in your area?

Are you focused on lobbying for something which affects expats in the country where you are based, but does not affect the general global BOVF membership?

If so, that’s OK. That is why local Branches are effective in helping to make the BOVF more relevant at a very local level.

Your local issues and the change you want to see should be ambitious but also achievable. They should reflect the needs of British citizens living in your country while contributing to the wider goals of the BOVF.

Once your local issues are set, break them down into tangible objectives that can be worked on step-by-step.

These objectives might include growing your membership base, organizing advocacy campaigns, or hosting informational events.

By defining specific, measurable objectives, you create a roadmap for your branch’s activities, allowing you to track progress and adjust strategies when necessary.

Well-defined local key issues and clear objectives will keep your branch focused. They will also inspire potential members and supporters to join your cause, knowing that they are part of a meaningful and results-driven movement that will affect them and others where they live.

Securing Initial Support and Resources from BOVF

As you establish your local BOVF branch, securing support and resources from the wider global organisation is essential for setting a strong foundation.

The BOVF is committed to helping new branches succeed and provides tools and assistance to ensure that your branch can hit the ground running.

From initial online training on managing membership growth to access to communication materials, the BOVF offers guidance on how to organize your activities effectively and engage your local British expatriate community.

The first step in securing this support is to contact the BOVF team to discuss your branch’s goals and needs.

By doing so, you’ll be connected to the right resources, whether it’s training for your leadership team or templates for promotional materials.

In addition to practical resources, the BOVF also helps new branches build momentum by offering connections to their wider network.

This allows your branch to benefit from shared best practices and the collective wisdom of other successful branches. The BOVF’s ongoing advocacy efforts, research, and policy recommendations are also available to guide your local campaigns and align your branch’s initiatives with the global mission.

By leveraging the BOVF’s initial support and resources, your branch will be better equipped to grow its membership, organize impactful events, and ultimately drive positive change for British citizens living abroad.

We hope this page has been informative.

If you have any corrective or improvement suggestions, please email webmaster@bovf.org.uk