New – Association of Democratic Services Officers

By John Lynch, Head of Democratic Services, London Borough of Islington and a Member of National Steering Group.

ADSO has been created by a Steering Group of Democratic Services Officers across England and Wales who firmly believe that our profession can be crucial to supporting the government’s own objectives of encouraging democratic engagement.  We believe now is the time for our profession to work together as one body, as we have a key role to play in facilitating openness and transparency, with many of our colleagues at the forefront of engagement between local government and local communities.

ADSO’s key aims are to:

• Raise the profile and professional standing of Democratic Services
• Promote new qualifications and national standards for future qualifications for Democratic Services
• Share best practice and establish the most appropriate forum for networking
• Act as the professional body for the sector in both consultative and lobbying roles
• Develop strategies to aid the recruitment and retention of staff and encourage training and development of members across the profession

 The Association has the support of the Regional Employers Associations, with particular support from the South East Employers association (SEE) as well as from the Association of Electoral Administrators and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.  Since announcing the Association earlier this year, we have had over 600 expressions of interest from all sectors of Democratic Services, and we expect to secure our first fully paid up members when the ADSO website goes live on 7 July 2009. 

The first major event for the Association will be our inaugural Conference on 14 October at Birmingham City Hall.  The event will be opened by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and we are currently finalising the programme and speakers for this event.

ADSO has a potential market of 8,000 individuals across England and Wales, covering all aspects of Democratic Services.  We, therefore, believe our inaugural Conference will provide a powerful opportunity for those organisations that wish to align themselves to ADSO, which can be done through a number of sponsorship packages.  These include:

• Whole or part sponsorship of the entire event
• Sponsorship of the Conference Lunch
• Exhibition space in the Registration/Coffee area
• Insertion of marketing materials in delegate packs

To find out more about the costs for each of these packages and the benefits they will give your organisation, please contact myself or Sue Keogh, South East Employers on 01962 840664 or sue@seemp.co.uk  We are currently finalising the programme for the Conference and we would like to be able to confirm our key sponsors in this material.  We would, therefore, ask that you contact us before 13 July 2009.