Bulletin Contents - 7 November 2007

Two FREE Articles for Busy Managers and Trustees

Full Cost Recovery – Don’t be Out of Pocket!

Official Consult on Third Sector Research

Random Checks Not Effective

Workforce and Skills Research Published

Funding More Support Services

Resources for Working with Young People with Disabilities

VolResource on Facebook

Administrative Post with Small National Charity Based in Disley

Exciting New Part Time Post Available

Two FREE Articles for Busy Managers and Trustees

1. How to Better Manage Your Email
Advances in technology have benefited our lives and allowed for instant global communication in the blink of an eye.  However, the change from paper to the more easily abused and unregulated email system of communication has left some of us feeling overwhelmed by technology.
A FREE article on good practice and techniques to help you manage your emails more efficiently is available from Deborah Oddy, contact details below.

2. Goal-Setting and Action Planning
Success in any walk of life is dependent upon the setting and pursuing of goals and action. This is just as applicable to the voluntary sector where accountability, social audit and commissioning are challenges to embrace, rather than shy away from.

Deborah has written a goal-setting plan including a simple but effective planning model, which is used by coaches worldwide.

If you would like FREE copies of these tools please contact Deborah on: deborah.oddylc@virgin.net or telephone on 07946 557 147.

Deborah is a local Business & Charity Coach with 20 years experience in the voluntary and community sector as a manager, trustee and fund-raiser.

Full Cost Recovery – Don’t be Out of Pocket!

How do you ensure that your organisation is covering the full costs of a project/activity? When you apply for a grant or submit a tender for a service do you allow for all the costs in your budget?

Full cost recovery (FCR) means securing funding for, or “recovering”, all your costs, including the direct costs of projects and all your overheads. It is one budgeting tool that will help an organization to calculate the true cost of an activity. It can help you plan and manage the costs of your work, help you make informed strategic decisions and make sure you are not out of pocket or subsidising the work.

High Peak CVS have organised a practical workshop on Tuesday 27 Nov 2007  (10am-3pm), delivered by Jeanette Stafford, Community Accounting plus.

The session will include exercises and case studies (so please bring a calculator), and there will also be a full cost recovery template available for all participants so you can put theory into practice.

To book, contact Nicola at High Peak CVS: Tel 01663 736 432 or by email at nicola@highpeakcvs.org.uk

Official Consult on Third Sector Research

The Office of the Third Sector now has a web page inviting views on the independent third sector research centre which it is creating with partners including the Economic and Social Research Council. Questions asked include priorities and how to support the transfer of knowledge to and from the sector. Deadline is 19th November. See OTS item.

Random Checks Not Effective

The Charity Commission has not only decided to stop making random review visits to charities' offices but has also abandoned the practice of randomly checking annual reports and accounts. Serious issues uncovered as a result of such checks were "few and far between".

This is part of its response to the funding restrictions recently imposed by the government. The Commission sees the availability of charity accounts via its web site as a way of tapping into scrutiny by the public. See Plaza Publishing news report at www.plazapublishing.co.uk/randomchecks.html.

Workforce and Skills Research Published

New research has revealed that the number of people working for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups has risen at a much faster rate than the public and private sectors over the last ten years. That's according to NCVO's press release (www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=6882) for the 'UK Voluntary Sector Workforce Almanac 2007', published last week (31 October). It is based on the UK Labour Force Survey analysis from 1996 to 2005.

Published at the same time, 'Voluntary Sector Skills Survey 2007' has been produced by the UK Workforce Hub with Skills for Health, Capacitybuilders and Society Guardian, based on more than 2,500 interviews. Note that this covers England only, but separate versions for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will follow. The headline here is the high proportion of under-skilled staff, blamed on a lack of funds. Third Sector news item at www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/Article/763286/ (registration required).

Funding More Support Services

The Improving Reach programme run by Capacitybuilders will fund activities that build the capacity of sector support organisations, with a particular focus on extending and improving services available to those frontline organisations dedicated to working in and with excluded communities. It is open for applications until 28th January, with briefing events to be held across England in November and December. See Capacitybuilders info

Resources for Working with Young People with Disabilities

The Children's Workforce Development Council has created a web-based resource for anyone working in the children workforce, to make it easier to find information, qualifications and training provision that will help you meet the needs of children and young people with disabilities.
www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/projects/childrenwithdisabilities.htm.

VolResource on Facebook

VolResource has set up a group on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5590303303. As more sector support groups find ways of using the site, this will help to keep track of what is there. For example, Voluntary Arts Network (at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6562320932) has recently set up a forum for people who work with children and/or vulnerable adults, to share knowledge and tips - www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6218187658.

On the VolResource group there's also a start at rounding up applications, such as Causes and Pledgebank, which frontline organisations could find helpful to connect with new or existing supporters. Do join in.

Administrative Post with Small National Charity Based in Disley

Enthusiastic, experienced and committed person with proficient computer skills required for 15 hours per week to help co-ordinate charity activities.  The successful candidate will be part of a small dedicated team.  The ability to work independently and travel at various times is essential.  Travel expenses will be paid.

Apply in writing with full CV to: Action for Sick Children, 36 Jacksons Edge Road, Disley,
Stockport SK12 2JL

Closing date 5th December 2007

Exciting New Part Time Post Available

An experienced NNEB/NVQ3 required for Dental Play Box project.  10 hours per week with National Charity based in Disley.  The successful candidate will visit nurseries/playgroups demonstrating the Dental Playbox.  Training available.  Computer skills required.

Apply in writing with full CV to: Action for Sick Children, 36 Jacksons Edge Road, Disley,
Stockport SK12 2JL

Closing date 5th December 2007