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Would you like to know more about social media and how it might benefit your organisation? Organised by the East Midlands Regional ICT Champion, these workshops provide an introduction to social media and its potential uses by third sector organisations.

Designed for staff, volunteers and trustees of third sector infrastructure organisations, the workshops have been organised to help organisations better understand how social media might support their work.

For further information visit: www.item3.org.uk/Events

The workshop is free of charge.

To book your place, contact Jackie Donnelly at High Peak CVS:
Email: Jackie@highpeakcvs.org.uk
Telephone: 01663 736436

Free ICT Health Checks for Infrastructure Organisations

Are you a third sector infrastructure organisation in Derbyshire?
Would you value a FREE professional assessment of whether your Information Technology is helping your organisation achieve its goals?

High Peak CVS/Digital Umbrella has recently secured funding from The Big Lottery for a project to offer free Information Technology (ICT) “Health checks” to infrastructure organisations in Derbyshire to support their work.

The ICT health check includes:

A visit from experienced staff to discuss your organisation’s work, your plans for future development and how ICT can help realise them.
A detailed review of your organisation’s use of ICT - including equipment, ICT support arrangements, and staff ICT knowledge.
A concise written report containing short, medium and longer term recommendations to support your ICT planning, strategy development and staff training programme.

By taking part in the review, you will also receive on-going help and support throughout the project to help you implement any changes and take account of the external demands, challenges and changes facing the voluntary sector.

Contact Rachel Harman on 01663 736 432 (Rachel@digitalumbrella.co.uk)

Rural Action Derbyshire Fights Threat to Rural Communities

Independent charity Rural Action Derbyshire is tackling head on many of the issues highlighted in the recent Rural Advocate’s 2010 report, threatening the future of rural communities in England. Working to improve life for those living and working in rural Derbyshire, RAD offers a number of services that present realistic options to creating sustainable communities.

In particular, the Wheels to Work Derbyshire project, hosted by RAD, is an extremely successful transport project that has been running since 2004 to help people to get to work and training through subsidised moped loans.

Project Manager, Sandie Abberley explains: “For those living and working in rural areas of Derbyshire, getting to and from work is more often than not the biggest obstacle, particularly for young people, to trying to take up or stay on at work. Our scheme means that we can give people the chance to work relatively near to where they live but at the same time raise their aspirations and help them to access to the opportunities out there.”

To find out more about Wheels to Work Derbyshire call 01629 821923 or visit www.wheelstowork.org.

Transition Towns Event

If you're involved in a transition town group or social enterprise in the East Midlands you won't want to miss a unique event being held on 24 April 2010.

Organised by East Midlands School for Social Entrepreneurs (EMSSE) in partnership with the Development Trusts Association (DTA) and bringing together some of the leading organisations and practitioners in their field, this event promises to be a day of action, not words - including workshops, plenty of practical advice and support and stalls by transition town groups at all stages.

Visit www.smartse.org.uk/etransition to find out more and to download the event programme and booking form.

Administrative Assistant Vacancy at Rural Action Derbyshire

Part Time 7.5 hours per week (with a possible increase to 10 hours per week)
NJC Point 21 £19,126 per annum pro rata

Rural Action Derbyshire is looking to recruit an Administrative Assistant to support the Financial Inclusion Derbyshire project manager based in Wirksworth. The successful applicant will need to have confidence to work on own initiative and as part of a team, organise and take minutes at meetings, establish and maintain a database, have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, deal with phone enquiries and be able to communicate confidently with a wide range of people.

Applications packs are available from the website at www.derbyshirercc.org.uk. or email Emma Simpson at e.simpson@derbysrcc.org.uk or call 01629 824797.

Closing date: 10am Monday 29 March
Interviews: Thursday 8 April

Learning Circles Need Meeting Places

Help people get together, make friends, and learn from each other. Attract new people and good publicity to your club, centre or business. Help give your community the energy, fun, hope and knowledge of people learning together, from each other.

How? By offering an occasional meeting space for a learning circle – at no cost to them, arranged at times that suit you. Can you offer an occasional free meeting space? www.joinourrevolution.org.uk

Put your details on the new free venues directory on the website – through the link to your region. The directory enables people to offer a free venue and others to search for one. Got any queries? Put “I’ve got a query” in the text box and you’ll be contacted before your details show on the site.

Trained volunteers (Learning Revolutionaries) are helping learning circles to get going.
So, as well as offering a free meeting space to others, would you, or anyone you know, like to start a learning circle or become a volunteer?

You’re invited to Celebrate Learning Circles on 24 March at the Indian Community Centre in Nottingham.

So – will you offer free space? Start a learning circle? Celebrate at the event? To find out more about any of the above, please contact clare@cefet.org.uk or call 0115 911 0455 or visit www.joinourrevolution.org.uk

Guide for Charity Trustees with Learning Disabilities

The Charity Commission, in partnership with Mencap, has published a guide for trustees in the Easy Read format. 'Being a trustee' is intended to help charity trustees with learning disabilities to understand their role, covering many of the key aspects of the 'Essential Trustee' guide (CC3). "This guide will help ensure that with the right support, someone with learning disabilities is not excluded", according to the Commission's chief executive, as part of building diverse boards. News item at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/pr_cc3_easy.asp or download direct (pdf, 1.37MB) from www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Library/publications/pdfs/cc3_easy.pdf Large print, Braille and audio versions are available on request.

Simplification Changes on VAT de Minimis Rules

Two changes to simplify the 'de minimis' rules on partial exemption for VAT come in for periods commencing on or after 1 April 2010. HM Revenue and Customs information sheet in pdf, 25KB.

Listen to Discussion on HMRC Changes

HM Revenue and Customs has a new 'Super Podcast' discussing forthcoming changes to VAT, PAYE and Corporation Tax filing and payments. Any employer or VAT-registered organisation could find this helpful in being prepared for the changes, 12MB mp3, approximately 13 minutes, from www.hmrc.gov.uk/podcasts

Boosting People Power through Web Information

The Audit Commission has published a discussion paper, 'The truth is out there', which aims to stimulate debate on transparency in the public sector. The second in a series, it asks questions such as "What information will capture the public's imagination?" and "How will the public know what information to trust?” See news release or the summary or full report.

Online Course to Develop as a Strategic Manager

A pilot online collaborative learning programme 'Personal development as a strategic manager' is being launched by the Cass Centre for Charity Effectiveness. Part of the KnowHow NonProfit study zone, the course lasts eight weeks, and starts on 12 April. More information at www.cass.city.ac.uk/cce/resources/feb_10/development.htm

Small Charities Struggle with Paperwork

A survey conducted by the Small Charities Coalition found that nearly forty per cent of small charity respondents struggle with VAT issues and over one third struggle with Gift Aid. See more on a Directory of Social Change guest editorial: 'Small charities tell regulators to keep it simple'.

Small Funds for Local Projects by Young People

Think Big is a new funding scheme from mobile phone firm O2, developed in conjunction with youth charities National Youth Agency and UK Youth. It gives 13 to 25 year olds the chance to apply for a £300 grant to fund projects aimed at addressing local issues identified by the young people themselves. O2 news release, or go to www.o2thinkbig.co.uk

Understanding Team Roles

Not-for-profit trainers the Management Centre has a new article exploring the roles, identified by social psychologist Meredith Belbin, that people assume in teams, and how to use this insight for team effectiveness. If you work in a team but aren't familiar with Belbin, start here.

A National Conference for Volunteers

Voice for Volunteers, a national conference for and by volunteers, is being planned for October in London. Background on the i-volunteer website, where you can add suggestions and comments.

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