Checklist

A checklist for developing a new local inter faith initiative

If you are helping start a new local inter faith body, there are some useful questions to ask at early stages.

	What kind of local inter faith body might be best for our area?
	Are we aiming to be ‘representative’ of local faith communities?
	What is ‘our area’?
	What is the religious make up of our area? [Note: If you want to find out about the religious make up of your local authority area, details are available from the Office of National Statistics
	Who do we need to consult first?
	How shall we make the initial links?
	Which local faith organisations need to be on board at the outset to ensure that the initiative is well backed and high profile?
	Who will make the project their top priority?

Aims and names

	What are our main aims?
	What shall we call ourselves?

Times and places

	Where shall we meet?
	When shall we meet ?

Ethos and activities

	Are there any ‘ground rules’ that it is helpful to use to ensure a positive ethos?
	What sorts of events and activities do we want to run?
	What sort of role, if any, do we want to play in relation to external bodies such as the local authority?

Membership and structures

	Do we need a committee?
	Do we need ‘officers’ such as chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer?
	If we are setting up a more formal ‘forum’ or ‘council’, how will faith body members be nominated by their communities?
	Which faith communities will be involved?
	Do we want to have honorary office bearers (eg presidents or patrons) drawn from senior faith leaders who want to give their support and endorsement even if they cannot attend regularly?
	Should we have both individual and group membership?
	Do we want a constitution?

Money matters

	Where will financial support come from?
	Will “in kind” support be available (such as local authority staff time or venues)?

Volunteers, employees and premises

	How will our local inter faith organisation be serviced?
	Do we need an office or centre?

Making our work known

	Should we produce a newsletter and have a website?
	How do we put our work across to local people through the media?

How will we ensure that our new local inter faith body is sustained and developed and responds well to changing circumstances over the years?

Chapters 4 and 5 of the The Local Inter Faith Guide explore these and other issues related to starting new local inter faith initiatives in depth.

Local authority and LSP readers should note that Partnership for the Common Good: Inter Faith Structures and Local Government looks at some of the issues particularly from their perspective.

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