About Voluntary Groups Sutherland

VGS was formed in 1973 and has been registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee – charity number SC 001528.

It is managed by a Board of Directors, currently 7, who are elected at the AGM by the membership. There are three office bearers: Chairman, Vice-chairs and Treasurer who are elected from the Board of Directors on their first meeting after the AGM and usually agree to hold office for a term of three years. Each director may serve for up to three years and is eligible for re-election after that period. The company has 2 staff the Chief Officer and a Development Officer. The Chief Officer is the Company Secretary.

Advisers may attend Directors meetings if deemed appropriate, but do not have any voting rights. Many of the Directors have individual skills and expertise which assist in the management and business of running the company.

VGS is a membership organisation. Voluntary organisations with a remit in Sutherland are eligible to become members. This may include local groups and branches of regional or national organisations. There are a few individual members: these are usually people who have a particular knowledge or expertise which will help to further the aims of the organisation. In 2025 VGS had a group membership of 141. The breadth and diversity of activity is inspirational, ranging from small local groups to branches of national organisations.

The voluntary sector is active in Sutherland. Many groups employ staff, have dedicated premises, have become or are becoming companies limited by guarantee/SCIO’s. Many groups require information on employment issues, company law, health and safety at work, disability discrimination law, and many other issues which require an understanding of requirements in order to develop policy and good working practices.