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Bulletin Contents - 13 October 2008Policy and Participation Manager at Vacancy T3SC Buxton Poetry Competition Launch Introduction to Computers for Blind and Partially Sighted Charity Accounts Independent Examination Guidance Update New Gift Aid Declaration Forms Political Reshuffles Change Charity Faces First Public Benefit Assessments Under Charities Act 2006 Support for Party Conference Bursaries for Small Charities Joining Together Against Poverty Futurebuilders Abolishing Application Form Involving Beneficiaries and Users in Campaigning Improving Online Information About The Compact NCVO Annual Collaborative Working Conference | ||
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Policy and Participation Manager at Vacancy T3SC£27,594 -£29,728 pa, NJC scale points 34-37, 36 hours per week. Pay award pending. This is an exciting opportunity to join T3SC, the CVS for Tameside, in a newly created strategic post as part of the organisation’s management team. The successful applicant will manage T3SC’s policy and participation work, developing effective mechanisms for representation and involvement of the voluntary and community sector in civic life. They will manage a small team of staff, leading on the facilitation and further development of Voice (the community empowerment network) and its associated networks, ensuring representatives are supported and trained in their roles. The post holder will have a key role in representing T3SC, and the work of the wider sector, at a senior level, to external organizations and as a member of partnership boards, and identifying gaps and opportunities for the Voice networks to influence and shape local quality of life and LAA indicators. The person we are looking for will have a track record of successfully working at a strategic level and of building effective relationships with key contacts; knowledge and experience of working participatively with voluntary and community organizations; effective leadership and staff management skills and experience of planning, developing and delivering complex projects. An understanding of local government and health structures, including local strategic partnerships and local area indicators, is essential. Experience of affecting change in service delivery and of researching and providing policy briefings and report writing are also important attributes that we are looking for. This will be a demanding role, but it comes at an exciting time for the voluntary sector in Tameside. In return, we are offering the successful applicant a competitive salary package, including generous pension contribution, [healthsure] and flexible working arrangements. Download an information pack for the post at www.t3sc.org, email Helen.tallents@t3sc.org or call 0161 339 4985. Closing date for applications is Friday 24 October and interviews will be held on either 5th or 6th November. |
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Buxton Poetry Competition LaunchThe Peak District’s major literary competition – supported by the UK poet laureate Andrew Motion – was launched on National Poetry Day, Thursday October 9. Poets of all ages have until April 1 2009 to create poems inspired by this year’s theme, ‘stone’, which is intimately connected with the competition’s beautiful Peak District origin. The White Peak’s stunning limestone landscape and the dramatic gritstone edges that shape the Dark Peak, form some of Britain’s best-loved countryside. Winners of the Buxton Poetry Competition will have their work displayed in the spa town’s Devonshire Dome and read at an awards event during the Buxton Festival. The poet laureate Andrew Motion and Lady Jasmine Cavendish, daughter of the Duke of Devonshire, are the competition’s patrons. The competition has three categories:
Entries will be assessed by a panel of distinguished judges including the award-winning poet Fleur Adcock OBE and Michael Schmidt OBE who is professor of Poetry at Glasgow University. Five finalists drawn from each category will feature in an exhibition held during the Buxton Festival, July 10 – 28 2009. Writers may enter up to three poems. Entry is free for the Young People’s and Children’s categories and £5 per poem for the Open category. First prize in the Open category is £300, second prize £200 and third prize £100. The Children and Young People’s winners will receive book token prizes. The contest proved highly popular in its inaugural year, 2008, drawing over 1,000 entries from as far afield as India and the USA. Buxton Poetry Competition is run in collaboration between Buxton Festival and the University of Derby, Buxton. The competition compliments the Festival’s highly successful literary series and the University’s range of creative writing courses. To enter contact Claire Rhodes at Buxton Festival: |
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Retirement CourseAtlow Mill Centre are promoting a unique course for people approaching retirement and those who have already retired but still wish to be active and useful participants in life. The course is called Re-wirement for Retirement and is a two day residential course to be held at Atlow Mill Centre, near Ashbourne in the Derbyshire Dales on Tuesday 4th - Thursday 6th November 2008 and also on Tuesday 3rd - Thursday 5th February 2009 then throughout 2009. Delegates will be enabled to value their experience and wisdom and challenge stereotypical attitudes towards ageing. If delegates book a place as a result of this email they will receive a 10% discount from the cost of the course at £240 per person. |
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Introduction to Computers for Blind and Partially SightedEyeT4All offers free computer taster days to blind and partially sighted people. Their aim is to introduce Information Technology to blind and partially sighted people in a relaxed and understandable way. They provide a trainer and support worker, the kit and all the materials necessary completely free. The group hosting the day provide a room, 10 people who are interested in having a hands on experience of computers, a light lunch and 4 to 5 volunteers who can help the trainees during the day. Contact Karen Boden, Administrator EyeT4All - 0845 643 9408 |
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Charity Accounts Independent Examination Guidance UpdateThe Charity Commission's Guide for Trustees and Examiners on the Independent Examination of Charity Accounts now has separate comprehensive guidance for independent examiners. ("Independent Examination is a form of external scrutiny of accounts specifically designed for charities ... a lower cost option for the 95 per cent of charities whose income and assets fall below the statutory audit threshold.") www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/cc31and32news.asp |
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New Gift Aid Declaration FormsThe model Gift Aid declaration forms for charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) have been updated to reflect the change in the basic rate of tax from 6th April 2008. Downloadable from www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/forms.htm |
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Maternity Leave ChangesPeople Management magazine has an overview on the changes in maternity leave law effective from 5th October. Employees on maternity leave are now entitled to the full range of company benefits throughout their leave. |
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Political Reshuffles Change Charity FacesThe reshuffle of Cabinet posts by Gordon Brown over the last week was limited, but has had wider impact on posts beyond the Cabinet table. Phil Hope has moved on from being Minister for the Third Sector (to a ministerial job at the Department of Health) and has been replaced by Kevin Brennan, MP for Cardiff West, previously at the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Meanwhile the Conservatives now have Nick Hurd, MP for Ruislip-Northwood and son of former foreign secretary Lord Douglas Hurd, covering the charities position. The previous holder, Greg Clarke, is to shadow Ed Miliband (a former third sector minister himself) at the new Department of Energy and Climate Change – the bare bones new website is at www.decc.gov.uk Plaza Publishing news alert at www.professionalfundraising.co.uk/home/content.php?id=1507 There is also a Guardian comment piece (8th October) on the Conservatives 'discovery' of social capital a helpful insight in to how the party is now approaching the role of community and charity organisations, |
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First Public Benefit Assessments Under Charities Act 2006The Charity Commission is beginning to assess the public benefit of some charities operating in areas for which the presumption of public benefit has been removed under the Charities Act 2006. As well as assessing whether the individual charities meet the public benefit requirement, wider themes and points of interest for the sector will be identified. The first group to be assessed includes religious charities, fee-charging residential care homes and fee-charging schools. The Commission has also published summaries of responses to its recent public benefit consultations. News release at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/pbresponse.asp consultations page at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publicbenefit/default.asp Plaza Publishing news alert item at www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2292 |
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Support for Party Conference Bursaries for Small CharitiesNCVO's bursary scheme, enabling small charities to attend the political party autumn conferences, has proved a success and is to be expanded for next year. Five different groups attended each of the three main party conferences this year – read some of their feedback in the NCVO press release at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=10908 |
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Joining Together Against PovertyGet Fair, a national campaign calling for an end to poverty in the UK by 2020, has been created as a coalition of organisations. More than 50 children and older people's organisations, refugee and disabled groups, housing groups, faith and community groups have already joined. More details at www.getfair.org.uk |
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Futurebuilders Abolishing Application FormSector investment fund Futurebuilders England is changing the way it works from 1st November, when it will no longer have an application form. If you are planning to apply using the online form, this should be done by 5.00 pm, Friday 31st October, as after that the form will no longer be accessible. |
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Involving Beneficiaries and Users in CampaigningNCVO's Campaigning Effectiveness team has developed a resource to support and inspire involving users in campaign work. "Involving those who you represent and placing them at the heart of your campaigning is not only positive and desirable but can be a source of legitimacy and accountability that strengthens your campaigns." There's a range of case studies, tools, research, Q and As, and more. www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/campaigningeffectiveness/index.asp?id=10370 |
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Improving Online Information About The CompactThe website run by the Commission for the Compact has been tweaked, with a new discussion forum, an event section and a monthly newsletter update. The navigation has been improved, with better links to local Compact information across England. However, it can currently be a little slow while the servers get upgraded, www.thecompact.org.uk |
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NCVO Annual Collaborative Working ConferenceAchieving Together Hear about key lessons and new opportunities from keynote speakers, and exchange ideas and experience with peers. Workshops: Collaborative HR; Merger; Web 2.0 technologies; Joint tendering for public service contracts; Associate charity models; Joint fundraising and project delivery. Information and booking: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/collab08 |
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NCVO Fundraising Conference19th November, London NCVO's first ever Fundraising Conference will give you a broad picture of the key elements involved in successful fundraising. The conference will take you through the fundraising journey, ending with a success story for inspiration. With networking opportunities and interactive workshops, you will get top tips to apply to your own organisation’s fundraising. For more and to book visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/fundraising08 |
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info 2.0NCVO's Flagship Information Management Conference, 24th November. Are you up to date with the latest developments in social media and web 2.0 functionality? What are the best ways your organisation can connect, both internally and externally? How can your organisation ensure you are making best use of new media to better serve your beneficiaries? For more information or to book a place, please visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/infoconf08 |
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Examining Public Trust in CharitiesThe Charity Commission is holding two events to look at the findings of a recent survey which found that overall levels of public trust and confidence in charities had increased. A chance to learn more and to respond, 14th October in London, 22nd October in Liverpool. For background and how to book, see www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/comptool.asp |
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Charitable Incorporated Organisation ConsultationThe Office of the Third Sector and the Charity Commission are jointly running half day consultation events on the new legal form for charities, the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Separate events for charity advisors and trustees/employees in London (15th October) and Leeds (21st October). |
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