What Branch Resources?
This section provides a comprehensive toolkit of resources tailored to support Country Coordinators, Branch Officers, and key roles such as Chair and Secretary.
Here, you’ll find essential policies, procedures, and practical guides to ensure your branch operates smoothly and effectively.
These resources are designed to help you engage members, foster community, and promote best practices while making your branch dynamic, impactful, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Whether you’re looking for strategic planning tools or ideas to energize your meetings, this hub is your go-to source for building a thriving and resilient local branch.
Benefits of Local Branches for British Citizens Abroad
Local branches of the British Overseas Voters Forum (BOVF) offer a multitude of benefits for British citizens living abroad.
They serve as vital hubs where expatriates can come together, share their experiences, and collaborate on advocacy efforts.
Local branches create a sense of community and provide a platform for individuals to connect with others facing similar challenges, whether that’s related to voting access, pensions, or other key issues affecting British citizens overseas.
By joining a local branch, expatriates can take an active role in shaping policy proposals and campaigns, ensuring that their voices are directly contributing to the wider movement for fair representation and equality.
Moreover, local branches help amplify the impact of the BOVF’s national campaigns by fostering grassroots activism and organizing efforts on a country-specific level.
These branches enable supporters and members to engage with local British embassies, consulates, and political representatives, ensuring that the concerns of expatriates are heard not just in the UK, but in their host countries as well.
Through coordinated efforts, local branches can also influence UK policymakers by demonstrating the strength and unity of overseas voters.
Overall, these branches empower British citizens abroad, making it easier for them to stay connected to UK politics and advocate for their rights collectively via the central BOVF in a planned strategic way.
Answering the basic questions
Some questions are raised more than others. Here are a few answers:
Why the Forum?
Why the Forum? British citizens living overseas have a great deal to offer the UK….
Why Branches?
Why the BOVF has branches? If everyone does a little bit, no one has to…
What Branches Do
What branches actually do? Helping BOVF GrowRecruiting more Members, Activists and Supporters Talking to other…
New Branch Toolkit
The toolkit has been created to provide country coordinators and branch officers with support, information, advice, and guidance when starting a new branch.
Remember, BOVF is a voluntary group of like-minded individuals. There is no pressure to do anything quickly.
Progress for change is, in most cases, a marathon not a sprint.
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…
Step 10
Keeping the Branch Flourishing Long-term Engagement Strategies Building a sustainable and thriving BOVF branch requires…
Final Tips for Success
Final Tips for Success As you continue to grow and strengthen your BOVF branch, keep…
BOVF Branch Registration
Volunteer Roles
The Local Volunteer roles are standard roles within each branch.
Local Branch Secretary
Local Branch Chair
Social Media Activist
Branch Event Organizer
Branch Policy
These are some policy documents to help country coordinators or branch officers refer to policy or procedure documents when dealing with routine issues. If you have any suggestions regarding issues of corrective improvement action, please email webmaster@bovf.org.uk.
Reporting to your stakeholders
Reporting to Your Stakeholders It is an opportunity for you to talk about the ‘health’…
New Branch Policy
New Branch Policy Document As you continue to grow and strengthen your BOVF branch, keep…
Branch Framework Principles
Branch Framework Principles The following principles guide Local Branches within the BOVF framework: Grassroots EngagementLocal…
Routine Branch Functions
Routine Branch Functions Local Branches shall work in accordance with the following: Recruitment of Branch…
Branch Review and Evaluation
Branch Review & Evaluation The BOVF shall periodically review and evaluate the performance, impact, and…
Branch Dissolution
Local Branch Dissolution Policy In the event that circumstances arise warranting the dissolution of a…