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Nova's AGM 2025-26: Leading Well In Challenging Times

We’re inviting you to Nova's Annual General Meeting on Thursday 12 November, 9am to 11.45am at The Cluntergate Centre.

This year, our focus is on leadership – something we’re not short of in the VCSE sector where people make ends meet and go the extra mile to make Wakefield District a happier, healthier, better place.

  • Learn about our work over the past year to support VCSE organisations and create better conditions for our sector, with reflections from Nova’s Chair and CEO
  • Reflect on what it means to lead well and how we can use our collective strength, with keynote speaker Karen Creavin
  • Engage with our panel on their experiences of leadership and what’s on the horizon locally, to inform you as a leader
  • Continue the conversation and network, with plenty of time set aside to meet VCSE organisations working locally and partners

Nova is a local infrastructure charity that supports Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations working in Wakefield District.

Leading with Courage and Care

We hear from our members about what has been accomplished, thanks to their incredible leadership across a challenging few years.

So this year’s AGM is an opportunity for local organisations to come together and think about what is means to lead well going forward, so we can sustain ourselves and each other.

Keynote talk: Karen Creavin

Difficult times call for brave leadership, rooted in compassion, trust and collaboration. Karen will share what she has learned about leading through challenge and caring for ourselves and each other along the way. Bring your experiences, and hopefully leave with fresh ideas for the practices our communities need now.

Karen is co-founder of Cracking Change Collective, a systems leadership consultancy supporting place-based partnerships across England, including here in Wakefield. She was previously Chief Executive of The Active Wellbeing Society in Birmingham, where she now serves on the Board. Karen has coached chief executives and boards through some of the toughest moments organisations face, and is co-author of Active Communities (2024). She works closely with the LGA around systems leadership for elected members and senior officers,  and is a former member of Sport England’s Investment Committee. She is passionate about leadership that is brave, human, kind, and shared.

We welcome anyone [not just those in a leadership role] interested in community-led change to attend and contribute to shaping a stronger VCSE sector.

Event details

This event is open to staff, volunteers and trustees from community groups, charities, social enterprises, CICs, voluntary groups and not-for-profit clubs; council and healthcare colleagues; and other partners.

Please register by Monday 9 November at https://tinyurl.com/nova-agm2026

Voting: at the AGM, we will ask one representative from member organisations to vote on this year's resolutions, which can be found in the notice document. Organisations with full membership are entitled to vote, and our team will provide you with a voting card and information on the day if this applies to you.

Venue: this year's AGM is at The Cluntergate Centre, a brilliant VCSE space in the district operated by a Nova Member. There is parking available at the venue and nearby, and the space is accessible. If you have any accessibility needs or would like to check something about the venue, please reach out to our team.

Papers: printed papers will only be available on request, to meet our aims and practices around environmental sustainability.

Any questions: our team are happy to help if you have any questions or requests. You can contact us at info@nova-wd.org.uk or 01924 367418.

AGM papers

Please take some time to read the papers before the meeting, particularly if you intend to vote on any resolutions.

If you are unable to attend, another representative from your organisation may attend and vote on your behalf. Alternatively, you may appoint a proxy to vote for you by Friday 6 November at 5pm. The proxy form is available to download above.