Sponsorship guidelines for group applications

From year to year the Branch Committee will decide the level of budget if any to be devoted to sponsorship and the terms and conditions that will apply for applications and awards. The Committee may decide to use all, part or none of any budget earmarked for sponsorship in any particular time. Decisions of the Committee will be final. The Events Sub-Committee considers applications.

The Branch will normally expect a Group's request to be submitted on the official form via the Group's designed representative on the Branch Committee, and endorsed by the Group's own Committee. If the Group is not represented on the branch Committee then the request will be expected to come from a duly authorised officer of the Group.In considering applications the Sub-Committee will have regard to:

• Financial Status of the Group: The Sub-Committee may give preference to applications from Groups whose funding base, in their view is particularly narrow or fragile.
• Alternative Sources of Funding: The Sub-Committee will have regard to the likelihood of the Group being able, in their view, to obtain alternative sources of funding.
• Nature of the Activity: The Sub-Committee will have regard to the nature and subject matter of the activity for which sponsorship is sought. Preference may be given to events and activities which further the stated aims or policies of the Branch as may be set out by the Committee from time to time; and/or those activities which may allow scope for the Branch to offer partnership support (e.g. by organising the event as a joint activity).

In every case where Group sponsorship is awarded either in whole or in part, the Branch will require a written report, newsletter article or other such item from the Group at the conclusion of the activity sponsored. This should describe what the Group achieved through the Branch's sponsorship and any benefits which the Branch itself may expect to obtain as a result of having sponsored the Group. In addition, the Branch will require an acknowledgment of its sponsorship in any printed programme, material, report account, article etc. subsequently published by the Group relating to the event or activity and in any verbal announcements or acknowledgements made by the organisers of the event/activity on the day(s) that it is held.

IMPORTANT

Applications will normally be considered by the Branch four time a year - in January, April, July and October. Applicants are asked to send in requests as early as possible to allow enough time for the Branch to consider them properly. Applications must be received before the event or activity for which sponsorship is requested takes place.