The Board is discussing proposals for a Civic Day in 2011 and would welcome your views. The idea builds on the success of many civic societies in identifying a point in the year when they raise awareness of their work and public interest in the local area. We have received many suggestions that Civic Voice might make more of this at a national level. One of the most successful initiatives is Civic Societies Week in Yorkshire and Humber which is now in its third year and was launched for 2010 in Scarborough today. Local groups across the county are co-ordinated to put on events and activities which attract local interest and regional media coverage. They also compete for the Peter Spawforth Trophy with the prospect of a £ 250 prize for the civic society judged to have put on the best initiative. Civic societies elsewhere do similar things - from Blackpool's participation in the annual civic pride week to Midsomer Norton's celebration of midsummer's day.

A potential idea we are investigating is the idea to co-ordinate a national day when civic societies across the country get involved and truly raise the profile of the civic movement. It might also provide an opportunity to recruit members and raise funds - with each civic society deciding what works best for them and it all hanging together around a shared day and publicity. Civic Voice would offer support and co-ordination. By joining together we will be able to make a much bigger impact and to share ideas.

We want to hear your thoughts concerning future campaigns and projects.

A discussion forum has been created on our new website which you can use to raise issues and respond to others. We also plan to hold regular "live" discussions where everyone can talk online at the same time. The first of these will be at noon on Thursday 3rd June for one hour with Tony Burton will be available to discuss the Board's proposal for a Civic Day next year.

Please join us on 3rd June - it only takes a minute to register to share your views if you follow these instructions

• Click www.civicvoice.org.uk/forums
• Click Register (top of page)
• Fill in the member registration
• You will be sent an email (to the email address you registered with) containing a link to activate your account.
• Click the link and your account will be activated
• You can now participate in the discussion

You can register and post discussion items on the forum here and view what people are already talking about here