Commissioned Members

Although the size of the core staff team has increased slightly since DTA Scotland started in 2003, in organisational terms we are committed to remaining small at the centre, and instead utilising the strengths and skills of our members to help deliver elements of the development work of the organisation. This objective, together with the aim of increasing earned income for members, has evolved into the “commissioned member approach”, whereby DTAS contracts one of its member development trusts to enhance the DTAS profile and deliver outreach services in the remoter parts of Scotland.

Between 2007 and 2008 DTA Scotland’s fledgling commissioned member was Sanday Development Trust who provide these services in Orkney, Shetland and the north mainland, and in late 2007 a 2nd member, Sleat Community Trust, was contracted to cover Skye and Lochalsh. In January 2009, Northmavine Community Development Company was appointed as the newest DTAS commissioned member take over from Sanday to enhance the DTAS presence in Shetland and the Northern Isles.

Commissioned members can:

• Visit organisations applying for membership of DTA Scotland
• Speak to groups to raise awareness of the development trust approach and what DTA Scotland offers.
• Carry out health-checks with members and deliver some training (eg DTAS Start-Up Toolkit)
• Conduct membership review visits at during the provisional membership period
• Provide general advice and signposting to other development trusts who have tackled similar issues / developed similar projects.
• Organise networking and training events for members and other appropriate groups operating within the area
• Represent DTA Scotland at local and national events