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Can you inspire people about the natural world?
The county’s leading conservation charity is seeking a highly motivated manager. Building on our achievements to date you will develop and direct opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy and learn about nature and to gain environmental skills. You will advocate policies which encourage the engagement of community groups with wildlife, including those linked to education and learning, health, regeneration, leisure and tourism. An outstanding communicator you will also be skilled in the management of staff, volunteers and a substantial budget.

If you want to make a difference to your local environment then please contact us for an application pack: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, East Mill, Bridge Foot, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1XH, or www.Derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/about/positions.php

Closing date: noon 6 April 2009
Interviews week beginning: 20th April

Enable Neurological Conditions Activity Day and Public Meeting

Wed 18 Mar 10am-4pm
at Danes Camp Leisure Centre, Channel Road, Northampton

See poster for details.

Energy Efficiency in the Workplace

Tue 24 March 9.30am-2pm
at Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire, The Bridge Centre, 43 Cromford Road, Langley Mill

Thur 26 March 9.30am-2pm
at Multifaith Centre, The University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby

Fri 27 March 9.30am-2pm
at Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire, The Bridge Centre, 43 Cromford Road, Langley Mill

Lunch included free of charge

This half day training course is aimed at organisations who would like to reduce their operational costs through improved environmental efficiency. Delegates will learn how to implement practical changes to achieve tangible cost reductions.

The training will include details of grants for energy efficiency improvements, how to complete a step by step process of implementing energy efficiency in the workplace, and provides details of organisations who can provide further help.

To register for one of the above training sessions please contact Amie Osborne at Groundwork Derby & Derbyshire. amie.osborne@groundwork.org.uk Tel. 01773 539435.

Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis and are limited to a maximum of 8 delegates per course.

Having Trouble with Bid Writing?

Free Seminar for Faith Inspired and Community Organisations
Monday 23 March 2009 10am - 1pm (followed by light lunch)
at GOALS, Wakerly Road, Leicester LE5 4WJ – Tel 0116 2490555

Book now if:

you are a faith based or community group/organisation that wants to know how to write a winning bid;
you simply want to know more about bid writing; and
you are based in the East Midlands.

For further details and booking contact:
Seema Ahmad on 08450 946343 or 07862 719436
Email: eastmidlands@faithaction.net
Web: www.faithaction.net

Final Settlement on Current Year Payscale

The local government NJC payscales for the current year (2008/09), often used in the voluntary sector, have finally been fully settled. An interim increase of 2.45% on the previous rates was made in November (backdated to April), and an arbitration process began. This has resulted in an uplift of 2.75% overall, with extra for the lowest paid. The details can be found on NAVCA's site at www.navca.org.uk/localvs/scales/

New Form P45 to be used from April

Employers are being reminded by HM Revenue and Customs that they must use the new A4 version of form P45 from 6 April. Introduced in October 2008, the new form includes date of birth and gender.

News item: nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=394560&NewsAreaID=2

Taking Action to Receive Prompt Payment

Voluntary organisations and social enterprises are being urged to take full advantage of the ten day payment commitment in the Government's recession action plan. This includes a pledge to urge public bodies to pay third sector organisations within 10 days of an invoice being received.

Third Sector news item www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/888450/ (registration required).

Managing Front Line Managers

Acas, the employment relations service, has a new guide on management, advising senior managers on how to get the best out of their frontline managers. The pdf version can be downloaded (260KB) from www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=802, news item at www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2169.

Annual Sector IT Survey

The IT Survey run annually by Charity Finance magazine is open for 2009, with three iPod Shuffles for randomly selected participants. The survey aims to assess how the IT capabilities and budgets of charities are changing over time, so identifying areas that your own organisation may need to improve.

Results will be published in the May issue of Charity Finance.

www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=6yZbTrcTwmKPiggGXNi_2bTA_3d_3d

Community Finance Could be Key to Economy

A new report from the New Economics Foundation, 'IOUK: banking failure and how to build a fit financial sector', argues that community development finance institutions should be given more Government backing as part of reviving the economy. The umbrella body for such organisations, the Community Development Finance Association, has welcomed the report at www.cdfa.org.uk/cmframe.php?prmid=5303 The report also highlights other elements of the "sleeping architecture" of a more robust local financial infrastructure, such as credit unions and local enterprise schemes - NEF news item at www.neweconomics.org/gen/iouk100309.aspx

Supporting Development of Social Enterprise in Health Care

A consortium led by Futurebuilders England is managing the £100 million Social Enterprise Investment Fund from June, it has been announced. The fund will provide start up and longer term investment finance, as grants, loans and loan guarantees, to support organisations that are, or are aiming to become, social enterprises delivering health and/or social care services. See Futurebuilders news item.

More Volunteers to Provide Management Consultancy

The Cranfield Trust has seen a surge in the number of skilled commercial sector managers keen to volunteer, which means that it has greater capacity to provide management consultancy to the voluntary sector across the country. Projects covered can range from strategic and business planning to marketing, financial management, IT and human resources advice. See www.cranfieldtrust.org

Support for Innovative Organisations Releasing Young People’s Potential

Learning Launchpad is a new project to "discover and support groundbreaking ideas that will raise the aspirations and release the potential of young people aged 14 to 25 in their transition to adulthood". It aims to help innovative organisations to grow or get off the ground through a combination of financial investment up to £100,000 and tailored support. Applications for the current round by 31 March, www.learninglaunchpad.org

Offenders Volunteering and Mentoring Network Bulletin

Clinks, the umbrella body for organisations working with offenders, has launched a monthly 'volunteering and mentoring network e-bulletin'. The network will support organisations working with offenders to involve volunteers – to join, ask questions or make suggestions email Nathan: nathan.dick@clinks.org

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Posting

Charlie Cattell has posted a useful round-up of what is (or isn't) happening on the Charitable Incorporated Organisation legal model on Third Sector Forums, and why it might be useful, at www.thirdsectorforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1291

NCVO / Media Trust Public Relations Conference

25 March, Birmingham

It is now more crucial than ever to make sure that your messages reach the largest possible audience. Join us in Birmingham at this PR Conference where leading experts will share their knowledge and experiences to demonstrate how you can maximise the coverage and impact of your campaigns. You will leave with plenty of top tips to apply to your own PR initiatives.

For more and to book visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/prconf09 or call Matt on 020 7520 3160.

National Campaigning Conference NCVO

1 April, London

www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/events/latest/?id=12674

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