Sport England would like to invite you to join their free Volunteer Investment Programme (VIP) which has three main aims:

• to raise the profile of volunteers working in sport.
• to provide you with the tools to better recruit, retain and reward your co-volunteers so that you can achieve the goals you are striving for.
• to identify best practice in volunteer management and encourage other clubs to adopt and adapt the good ideas.

Benefits of VIP include an initial Welcome Pack full of useful information, including resource booklets, factsheets, club health check lists and brochures. There’s a quarterly mailing providing the latest information on sport and volunteering, fact sheets on topics such as child protection and funding, good practice guides, special offers on goods and publications, practical tools such as thank you cards and certificates, and real success stories. A VIP Recognition Awards application form also gives the opportunity to receive up to £4,000 and public recognition for good practice in volunteer management. VIP members can access training opportunities through Sport England’s Running Sport workshops and VIP Seminars and are invited to attend at least two free regional seminars each year VIP members also have access to promotional material, practical tools and discounted publications.

The Government’s recent sports strategy -
A Sporting Future for All - highlights the importance of club development and the crucial role of volunteers. The Volunteer Investment Programme is an excellent opportunity to improve the operation of your club in every way. Your club will find out more about potential funding sources, the National Lottery, Sport England initiatives and ideas on how to overcome sports development challenges.

The RFU is sending all clubs the VIP pack from Sport England whereupon they will automatically be registered members unless an e-mail is sent to communityrugbyinfo@rfu.com opting out or a call made to the VIP hotline on 0800 363373