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The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national body for Scotland’s charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. SCVO works to support people to take voluntary action to help themselves and others, and to bring about social change. It provides services and support to the third sector in Scotland to advance shared values and interests. SCVO has approximately 1400 members, ranging from individuals and grassroots groups, to Scotland-wide organisations and intermediary bodies. The organisation employs approximately 100 staff.

Aims
SCVO’s stated aims are to:
 * connect people with ways to get involved with their communities – through volunteering, working, training, giving, and trusteeship
 * ensure all people forming, changing and developing voluntary organisations can access quality advice and support – through direct provision and by facilitating the development of a better sector infrastructure system
 * increase the voluntary sector’s contribution to public services and wider public benefit – through influencing policy, practical support and brokering collaboration

Governance
SCVO is governed by a Management Board with representatives elected from its Policy Committee. Martin Sime has been chief executive since 1991. Alison Elliot became convener in 2007.

History
Established on 1 October 1943, SCVO was originally known as the Scottish Council of Social Service (SCSS). During its first years much of the Council’s work was dictated by wartime need and its immediate aftermath. In 1983 the Council’s name was changed to the Scottish Council for Community and Voluntary Organisations with the working title of Voluntary Action for Scotland. In 1986 the name Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations was adopted. SCVO hosted the 6th, 7th and 8th CIVICUS World Assemblies in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Current work
SCVO supports the third sector in Scotland in a variety of ways, including
 * Lobbying and campaigning on behalf of the sector
 * Running training, conferences and events
 * Providing services and deals to members
 * Managing jobs and employability initiatives

Sister Councils
The equivalent infrastructure bodies for voluntary organisations in the other UK countries are:


 * England: SCVO, National Council for Voluntary Organisations
 * Wales: WCVA, Wales Council for Voluntary Action
 * Northern Ireland: NICVA, the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action