eNews

If you enjoy a good sing at Christmas, mulled wine and mince pies, all within an atmospheric setting of a farm barn, then come along on Sunday 7th Dec at 2.30pm for the annual Farming Life Centre Christmas Carol event, featuring Cressbrook Brass Band and Derbyshire Dales Youth Choir.

Farming Life Centre, Blackwell Hall Farm, Blackwell, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9TQ; 01298 85162; info@thefarminglifecentre.org.uk

Only Connect: Learn from Colleagues in the Sector

Only Connect is a visit scheme sponsored by Triodos Bank which enables you to visit another voluntary and community organisation (VCO) to learn about their experiences. The next round closes on Wed 10 Dec.

Only Connect pay £150 for your time and travel to visit another organisation to learn how they have diversified their income through trading, public service delivery or by using loan finance. Theyl pay the host organisation £200 as a consultation fee for their time spent with you.

So, if you would like to:

* Pursue a new trading idea

* Learn about the delivery of public services under contract

* Use a loan to increase the capacity of your organisation to do either of the above

then apply to Only Connect www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/sfp/?id=7278 and learn from colleagues in the sector.

New Community-Led Planning Website

A new ACRE website was launched at the Sustainable Communities 2008: A Shared Strategy for the Future Summit held at Church House Westminster. Sylvia Brown, Chief Executive of ACRE launched the site during her seminar session. The site, which is a one-stop shop resource of community led planning advice, was well received by attendees and has already stimulated much debate.

The online comprehensive guide to community led planning has been designed using the decades of experience available from those who have supported community led planning, implemented it, or been through the process. The site includes information on how it can enable people to decide their own future, how local government can benefit and how the goal of community empowerment can become a reality.

www.communityledplanning.com has been created by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) drawing on the experience of the Rural Community Action Network practitioners. The site will be continually developing so make sure that you visit it regularly to stay ahead in the community led planning field.

Getting to Grips with Monitoring and Evaluation

3 December, 10.00 am – 12.30 pm at T3SC

Tameside 3rd Sector Coalition, St Michael’s Court, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne
OL6 6XN. Telephone: 0161 339 4985; Email: info@t3sc.org; Website: www.t3sc.org

This session will:

help your group get to grips with getting the right information about your activities/projects – particularly looking at what you need for completing your end of grant forms for funders; and
give you the tools to help work out what you do well and how to improve your services.

Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

For more information and to book a place, contact Naomi Creed on 0161 339 3985 or email naomi.creed@t3sc.org

Easing Tensions Between Trustees

Charity Trustee Networks has developed a practical resource to help trustees work well together, and to introduce, develop and use codes of conduct appropriate for their organisations. "Codes of conduct really can prevent issues becoming personal and should not be seen as another piece of unnecessary bureaucracy." according to CTN chair Rodney Buse. News item or download 'Codes of Conduct for Trustees' from www.trusteenet.org.uk/resources/codes-conduct-trustees-ctn-booklet

Priorities for Lottery Funds

The Big Lottery Fund is urging organisations and individuals to engage in the debate on how its grant programmes between 2009 and 2015, expected to be over £2 billion, should be allocated. It has set up a Big Thinking website at www.big-thinking.org.uk for the public consultation – you might want to start at the survey section, www.big-thinking.org.uk/consultationsurvey.aspx Closes 27 February.

Official Advisor on Third Sector Innovation

Anne McGuire MP has been appointed Cabinet Office Advisor on Third Sector Innovation. Her role will be to identify and promote opportunities for the third sector to support the creation of world class public services. She has previously been Minister for Disability at the Department of Health, and is a former Deputy Director of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.
News - www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/081113_mcguire.aspx

Possible Government Support for the Sector

Minister for the Third Sector, Keith Brennan, in response to a Commons question, has said that "a package of support measures for charities... will be outlined later this month after the Pre-Budget Report". See Charity Finance news alert, www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2379

There was very little in the Pre Budget Report presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Monday 24 November specifically for the third sector. The full text does have a couple of paragraphs "confirm(ing) the Government's ongoing commitment to the third sector" and the importance of social enterprise, www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/081124_pbr.aspx

Otherwise, two national charities are to receive additional funds to provide additional debt advice to people in financial difficulty – Citizens Advice gets £10 million and the Money Advice Trust £5.85 million, as reported in Third Sector, www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/864587/ (registration required).

The temporary reduction in the standard rate of VAT from 17.5% to 15% starting on 1 December will save many voluntary organisations some running costs and has been welcomed by sector umbrella bodies, for example Charity Finance Directors' Group, www.cfdg.org.uk/cfdg/prdetail.asp?presscode=241108
It has also produced a briefing note on the budget changes, available via www.cfdg.org.uk/cfdg/influencing_current_issues.asp For practical information on VAT rate changes, see HM Revenue and Customs, www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2008/measure1.htm

On the same day as the Pre-Budget Report, 24 November (Monday), sector leaders and government representatives met in a financial crisis summit called by NCVO (www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=10962). Ahead of this, the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo) issued a 16-point plan to kick-start the debate about how government can best support the sector – for details see Society Guardian news item or Acevo boss Stephen Bubb's blog. The ‘recession summit’ didn't come up with any immediate solutions from the Government, but Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, did announce his intention to develop an action plan of Government support for charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises through the economic downturn. This will be published early in the new year, but further views and proposals can be submitted before 26 December – see OTS news. Charity News Alert item includes comments at the summit from unions and funders as well as sector support bodies, at www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2406

Phased Support for Sector Resource Centres

Capacitybuilders has launched a five million pound capital grants programme to develop third sector resource centres in England. This is the last main funding stream to start up under the Office of the Third Sector's ChangeUp investments for 2008/11. The three phases of the programme starts with grants to functioning resource centres to support smaller-scale improvements, applications by 31 January 2009. That date is also the deadline for expressions of interest for Phase 2 support of significant refurbishment and development of premises. Phase 3 will fund around five flagship projects. More at Capacitybuilders.

Ethnic Minorities and the Criminal Justice System

The Race for Justice Coalition has published 'Less Equal than Others: ethnic minorities and the criminal justice system', which highlights the strength and value of the numerous voluntary and community-based organisations that support those whose lives have been affected by the criminal justice system. In pdf, 356KB.

Involving Service Users and Volunteers in Communications

Five ideas for charity workers to involve service users and volunteers in campaigning communications from the Ask Charity blog at:
www.askcharity.org.uk/blog/2008/11/communications_volunteers.php

Further Education Volunteering Project Toolkit

Volunteering England has produced a step-by-step guide on the initial stages of developing student volunteering programmes and how to set up successful, sustainable projects. See Toolkit info.

Sharing Knowledge on Working with Vulnerable Adults

A web forum "to help deliver the Government's commitment to radically improve the life chances of vulnerable adults" has been set up. The 'Socially Excluded Adults Public Service Agreement' Community of Practice is open to anyone involved in the four PSA 16 client groups (see link), whether working for local government or the third sector, but you do have to register. At www.communities.idea.gov.uk/c/842578/home.do – or start at www.communities.idea.gov.uk/welcome.do (Source: clinks light lunch)

Advice Videos on Dealing with IT Threats

WorkSmart, the TUC advice site, has put together a group of experts from industry, media and unions to give workers the basics on IT safety through some short advice videos and quizzes. Not Safe for Work is at www.worksmart.org.uk/nsfw/

Modernising Volunteering

An online survey to look at the support available to volunteer managers and volunteers who run projects, part of the Modernising Volunteering Improving Support project, has been created by Red Foundation. It will inform the work of front-line support providers, and there is a chance to win training or an iPod nano. See www.modernisingvolunteering.org – survey closes 8 January.

Small Organisations Get Volunteering England Membership Package

Volunteering England has launched a no-cost membership package for volunteer-involving organisations with an income of less than £20,000 a year. VE hopes that this will boost its membership from 900 to 1,500 by April. A membership application form in Word format can be found at www.volunteering.org.uk/joinus.htm along with the membership brochure. News item.

Regional Networks Get Further Funding

Third sector regional networks are to receive £1.5 million of Government funding over the next two years (starting April 2009), channelled through Capacitybuilders. This follows concern from the networks with three years of funding through Regional Infrastructure Programme coming to an end in March 2009. News item www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/081126_regional.aspx

Recognising Rural Innovation Champions

The Carnegie UK Trust is running Rural Sparks awards to recognise rural champions who have helped transform the areas where they live. Winners from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will receive a contribution towards their project and be included in a compendium of rural innovation to be published in 2009. News item with link to entry form, closing date 29 December.

Lite Version of Gift Aid Management System

GIftEase Lite, a Gift Aid recording and claiming database, is available at no charge from 1 December.
Charities can register their interest at www.gift-ease.net/GEM/Default.aspx?tabid=79 (Source: UK Fundraising)

NCVO/Media Trust Marketing Conference 19 January, London

In these challenging times we need to work even harder to communicate with our audiences. Join us at this NCVO/Media Trust Marketing Conference to find out how to stretch your budget further and strengthen your marketing function. Attend participative workshops, get tips on effective marketing and communications techniques and learn from experts and colleagues.

For more and to book visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/effectivemarketing09

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