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Bulletin Contents - 21 October 2008Introduction to Volunteer Management Is Your Social Enterprise Idea a ‘Cash Cow’ or a ‘Clunker’? Boost Your Confidence Women’s Support Networking Event Derbyshire Partnership Forum Event Vacancies at Glossop Women’s Aid Senior Organiser Vacancy at HomeStart Erewash Buxton Festival Wins Regional Tourism Award Encounters Seeking Artists in the North of England Checklist for Computer Workstations Delays to Record Checks Possible Standards for Sector Development Workers Economic and Banking Issues Hit Third Sector Officially Explaining Charity Accounts to the Public Recognition for Clear Online Reporting Official Sector Role in Reducing Reoffending Grants to Help Increase Benefits, Reduce Tax | ||
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Introduction to Volunteer ManagementThis 3 hours workshop aims to broaden participants understanding of volunteering and will cover the benefits of volunteering to both the volunteer and the involving organisation. Participants will also discuss the correct step by step process of volunteer management, including basic dos and don’ts. The course is aimed at those from within both Voluntary, Community and Statutory sector organisations and departments who have a responsibility to mange volunteers, either in a paid or voluntary capacity themselves. It will provide an overview of basic good practice regarding volunteer management, policies and procedures. The courses are being delivered by Volunteer Centres Derbyshire. Please call the appropriate centre for more details or to book a place. 23 Oct - Chesterfield - Chesterfield Volunteer Centre
01246 276777 |
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Is Your Social Enterprise Idea a ‘Cash Cow’ or a ‘Clunker’?Tue 18 Nov 2008 12:30-3:30 pm (lunch included) How often do we get a really good idea and plough right into the planning phase without taking time out to test whether or not the idea will actually work? This networking event will explore the importance of taking time right at the beginning to test ideas for viability. Come along and meet other people with enterprising ideas, specialist advisers and Business Link advisers. What you will learn:
This event is free to attend. Book your place by telephoning Jules Sebelin on 07949 180556 or email jules369@ntlworld.com This event is also on Tue 4 Nov 10am-1pm at Sinfin Enterprise Centre, Sheridan Street, Sinfin, Derby. |
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Boost Your Confidence Women’s Support Networking EventWed 19 Nov 2008 9.30am-2.30pm at Swadlincote Ski Centre (John Nike Leisuresport), Sir Herbert Wragg WayFind out how to:
The day begins with an exhibition where you can chat to a range of people who can help and advise you on what’s available to help you in your area. You will hear from an inspirational speaker who has changed her life by increasing her confidence. Building Self Confidence, Exploring Your Dreams and Planning for Your Future; time to meet and chat with other women who share your thinking and have done what you want to do. A free buffet lunch will be provided. Hear from women who have changed their lives and are living their dreams successfully. Find out how they did it. Experts will be at hand to answer any questions and give you advice. |
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Derbyshire Partnership Forum EventFri 24 Oct 2008 at County Hall, Matlock What is Derbyshire like now? Partner organisations are working together to gather the latest
information about people and places in Derbyshire. This will: Come along and give your views on analysis of the information - tell us if anything is missing - add your own information - provide views on a long term future vision for Derbyshire - say how your organisation can help to bring about change. KEY TOPICS - People & Place - Community Involvement & Cohesion – Environment - Transport & Access – Housing - Community Safety – Economic Wellbeing – Education & Lifelong Learning - Health & Wellbeing – Culture & Leisure. There will be a short welcome and introduction at 10am but this is an informal, dropin style event so please feel free to join us at any time throughout the morning. A buffet lunch will be served at 1pm. Who should attend? Elected Members, public, private and voluntary sector officers involved in partnership working, policy development and/ or strategic or spatial planning, research and information, consultation, performance management etc. Please email or telephone Becky Lomas to confirm your attendanceand to let us know any dietary or access requirements. Email becky.lomas@derbyshire.gov.uk Tel 01629 585366. |
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Vacancies at Glossop Women’s AidGlossop Women’s Aid is a dynamic and evolving voluntary sector agency, providing the full range of domestic abuse services to women and children in the High Peak. GWA are seeking applications from appropriately experienced and qualified women.
Flexible working hours will be required to meet the needs of the service users For an application form or further details, please contact: – Closing date for receipt of completed applications is Thurs 13 Nov. These posts are exempt under section 7(2) (d) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. |
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Senior Organiser Vacancy at Home Start Erewash£23,749 - £26,835 PA (Pro rata) (Pay award pending) Home-Start is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under 5 years of age. Volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families under stress in their own homes helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown. Home-Start Erewash, are looking for a Senior Organiser based in Ilkeston, who will be responsible for the management and development of the scheme including fundraising, staff support, recruiting, training, supervising and supporting a team of Home-Start volunteers and liasing closely with other statutory and voluntary organisations. Parenting experience and an understanding of the needs of families is an essential requirement for this post and experience of working with families or volunteers would be an advantage. Applicants must have use of their own car, for which expenses are paid. Pension scheme available. Criminal Record Disclosure (Enhanced Level) will be required. For a job application pack, please phone 0115 9304640 or email homestarterewash@supanet.com. CV’s are not accepted. Closing Date: Friday 7 November 2008 @ 12Noon Interview Date: Monday, 17th November 2008 |
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Buxton Festival Wins Regional Tourism AwardBuxton Festival will go head-to-head with the country’s finest tourism businesses at the Enjoy England Excellence Awards’ national final. The opera festival was crowned Best Tourism Experience in the East Midlands at a prestigious awards ceremony on October 8, for ‘going the extra mile’ to give holidaymakers an exceptional visit. It will now compete to become ‘England’s Best’ at the final in April 2009. Top quality opera, music and literature; a warm welcome; passion for the Peak District and providing excellent information for people planning trips were just some commendations for the 30-year-old Festival. The Festival specialises in producing rarely performed opera uniquely for the 19-day event. The 2009 Festival (July 10-28) will see three Festival operas, plus three touring productions in rotation at the spa town’s beautiful opera house. It will also offer a morning literary series featuring the finest contemporary authors and a high quality and eclectic afternoon concert series. |
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Encounters Seeking Artists in the North of EnglandSheffield based Participatory Arts Practice, Encounters is looking to expand its pool of artists based in the North of England who have experience of devising, and delivering participatory art projects in a range of different settings They are interested in meeting Artists involved in socially engaged practice and relational work. All disciplines welcome including architecture and public art, and experience of Housing Market Renewal, Regeneration, and Creative Partnerships desirable. They have a number of opportunities for artists from Jan 09 onwards and other projects are currently in development. Selected artists may have the opportunity to contribute to pitches, curated and produced by the company. They are interested to meet with both emerging and established artists. Please see the Encounters website before applying - www.encounters-arts.org.uk For applications please send a letter outlining your practice and why you would like to work with Encounters as well as an up to date CV to:projects@encounters-arts.org.uk Images of your work are also welcome; no more than 2 images each please. Deadline: 31st October You will be required to be CRB Checked Selected artists will need to be available for informal meetings taking place in Sheffield on 10th November. |
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Checklist for Computer WorkstationsThe Health and Safety Executive has produced a VDU checklist for safety reps, which should be of use to anyone doing checks on computer screens and the rest of the 'human interface'. An eight page pdf, 269KB, at www.hse.gov.uk/msd/campaigns/vduchecklist.pdf |
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Delays to Record Checks PossibleA work-to-rule by staff at the Criminal Records Bureau is likely to create further delays for criminal record checks on job candidates, reports People Management magazine. Around 450 workers at the CRB in Liverpool started this action last week. However, CRB says that it does not expect the action to "have any significant impact on its ability to deliver its service to its customers", www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=5142 |
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How Green is Your Workplace?A new survey for Every Action Counts is a follow up to one carried out in early 2007, to see how voluntary and community organisations are shaping up in addressing the green agenda. All those replying will be in with a chance in a prize draw. Respond by 28th November, www.groundwork-surveys.org.uk/eacgreenquestionnaire |
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Standards for Sector Development WorkersA set of national occupational standards for development workers who support voluntary and community groups and organisations is being created. The SKiLD learning project at NAVCA has already developed a competency framework. UK-wide consultation events start in December, with the online version live from 2nd December. See Workforce Hub, www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/DisplayPage.asp?pageid=12836 |
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Economic and Banking Issues Hit Third SectorThere's been a large amount of material published over the last week or so on the impact of the economic crisis on charities, and in particular the collapse of Icelandic banks. Although much of this is repetitive, it is difficult to boil down to a succinct piece. If you are concerned, we suggest following up the links given. Bank deposit compensation – the coverage of 'retail depositors' includes incorporated charities (or other voluntary organisations) which have two or more of the following: £6.5 million or less turnover; £3.26 million or less balance sheet total; or 50 or less employees. It also includes unincorporated associations with assets of £1.4 million or less. This scheme currently guarantees £50,000 per licensed banking institution. See Charity Commission's guidance at charity-commission.gov.uk/news/fincomp.asp and also the specific notes on Icelandic banks at charity-commission.gov.uk/news/ice.asp Many of the umbrella bodies across the UK are asking for input from organisations in their networks on what impact recent financial events are making to their operations. On a nation basis: Icelandic Bank Crisis joint statement from NCVO, Charities Aid Foundation, Charity Finance Directors' Group (CFDG) and ACEVO (chief executives) www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=11010 CFDG has written to the Chancellor to express concern over the rules of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which only covers charities that are limited companies if they also meet the small companies’ rules. Read as pdf (30KB). Latest news on the FSCS at www.fscs.org.uk/consumer/Latest_News/ The Charity Commission has also recently published a survey showing that charities are being squeezed by both an increase in demand for their services and increased costs, with 38% of the charities reporting that they have been hit by the economic downturn of the last year. www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/crunch.asp NCVO is convening an emergency summit in November of umbrella organisations and relevant official bodies to try to reach consensus on a way forward for voluntary groups. Plaza Publishing news alert, www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2303 |
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Officially Explaining Charity Accounts to the PublicThe Charity Commission is to produce guidance for the public on reading charity accounts to tackle possible misunderstandings, following the launch of the new easy-to-read format of the online register. Speaking at Parliament's public administration select committee hearing on the Charity Commission's recent work, chief executive Andrew Hind said "We are very conscious about explaining to the public that you can't just look at the figures without understanding the background to a charity.” The Commission is also to consider using the online register to highlight charities that are "overwhelmingly funded from one source" which could indicate 'captive charities' being used as a mouthpiece for commercial lobbyists. As reported by Plaza Publishing news alert, www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2300 |
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Recognition for Clear Online ReportingThis year's Charities Online Accounts Awards are open for entries, which recognises charities with the most accessible and transparent online accounts. Entries of accounts with year end 2007 or 2008 must be submitted by 28th November. Supported by Charities Aid Foundation and the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales, see www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=11271 |
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Official Sector Role in Reducing ReoffendingThe National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has published 'Working with the third sector to reduce reoffending' based on the feedback from a public consultation held with voluntary organisations earlier this year. It sets out principles for NOMS' work with the third sector to reduce reoffending and protect the public and can be downloaded (pdf, 690KB) from www.justice.gov.uk/docs/third-sector-effective-partnerships.pdf This supports the Ministry of Justice third sector strategy published in June, in pdf (365KB) at www.justice.gov.uk/docs/third-sector-strategy.pdf, and will also connect with Baroness Neuberger's review of volunteering across the criminal justice system. |
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Grants to Help Increase Benefits, Reduce TaxBids are invited for a share of over two million pounds funding from HM Revenue and Customs, to help vulnerable people reduce debt and get the right benefits and tax, for example by helping to increase take-up of tax credits. Voluntary and community organisations, charities, social enterprises, mutuals and co-operatives can apply, deadline 12th November. News item at nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=380965&NewsAreaID=2 or go direct to HMRC Grant in Aid funding guidance at hmrc.gov.uk/vcs/guidance0809.htm |
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Volunteering as the Heart of the NHSA 'JoePublic' blog item on The Guardian: "The health service relies on volunteers, who between them carry out more than 100 different roles", |
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Assessing Organisational Health OnlineAn online benchmarking tool for charities and social enterprises was launched on 16th October. It has been tested with social enterprises across Yorkshire, and can be used anonymously to measure the cost-effectiveness and strength of finance and governance functions, according to Third Sector (www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/851443/). Check it out at www.theacidtest.co.uk |
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