eNews 260407

Apologies that our e-bulletin service has not been available for a few weeks. This was caused by a computer server issue that we have now (finally!) resolved. We hope that you find this bulletin informative and useful. We aim to cover, in “bite size” chunks, items and information that is relevant to the voluntary sector locally, with links to more detail if you want it.

A reminder that you won’t ever get more than one of these emails a week, and we guarantee that we won’t ever give out your email address to anyone else. If you have items for inclusion, please let me have them: simply email tony@highpeakcvs.org.uk

And now…on with the news:

Volunteer Drivers Guide

A new Volunteer Driver's Handbook from Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) sets out to ensure the safety of the drivers and their passengers, and highlights the driver's duties and legal responsibilities. Voluntary organisations can request complimentary printed copies by email: dvernon@rospa.com, or download in pdf format, from http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/volunteer_drivers.pdf.

Training at High Peak CVS

Don't forget that our training programme is regularly being updated – view the current sessions available at http://www.highpeakcvs.org/training/events.asp

One session worth noting is

Fundraising for beginners

Thursday 10th May, 10.00am to 1.00pm

Short of cash? Would you like to know how to go about making grant applications – and be successful?

This is an introductory session for those with little or no experience of making applications for grant funding. The task of applying for grants can seem awesome. This session will provide you with a step-by-step process including where and how to find out who to apply to, how to make your cause look attractive to the funder, and inspire you with confidence to have a go!

THIS SESSION WILL BE FOLLOWED BY "USING DERBYSHIRE 4 FUNDING"
A buffet lunch will be provided for people attending both sessions

To book email Nicola@highpeakcvs.org.uk
or book online http://www.highpeakcvs.org/training/events.asp

Digital Umbrella Launches First Training Programme

Digital Umbrella, the IT services wing of the CVS, has just launched its first brochure of IT training courses, covering everything from 1st Time online, Introduction to computers for the 50+ to Creating leaflets using Publisher. Download the brochure from www.digitalumbrella.co.uk or email nicola@highpeakcvs.org.uk and she’ll post you a copy.

Transferring Community Assets

The Office of the Third Sector has launched a consultation on the £30 million Community Assets Fund, which will be managed by the Big Lottery Fund to facilitate the transfer of management or ownership of assets from local authorities in England to the third sector, by offering help with refurbishment. Download the consultation document, pdf format 305kb, at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/documents/catf/catf.pdf - deadline 23rd June.

You could also feed into NCVO's response via:
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/policy/index.asp?id=2896#comm_assets

Introducing Funding and Finance

A pocket size version of 'Introducing Funding and Finance' has been published by the Finance Hub. It gives the basics of sustainable funding, planning, good financial management, fundraising, trading, contracting and loans. A 739kb pdf from http://www.financehub.org.uk/?Resources.

Recruiting and Mentoring Chairs

The Governance Hub has produced 'Starting on the Right Track - A Guide to Recruiting and Inducting a New Chair'. Download in pdf format, 245kb.

There is also a pilot mentoring programme for chairs. It will test out innovative ways of enabling chairs of national voluntary organisations to find support and to learn through the exchange of skills and experience. Up to 30 chairs will be asked to attend the initial briefing on19th April and meet three times before the debriefing on 9th July. If interested, download the form at this link (Word format 188kb):
http://www.governancehub.org.uk/govhub/content/documents/NewsWorkDescription.doc.

Pay Scales Delayed

The 2007/08 version of the local government NJC pay scales, much used in the voluntary sector, has been delayed and may not be available until early summer. Current scales are available from various umbrella bodies, and can be found for example at
http://www.navca.org.uk/localvs/scales/

Security Software Donations

The Charity Technology Exchange software donation programme run by Charity Technology Trust is available to registered charities, and has two new donor partners. A pilot starts later this month for some Symantec software, including Norton's Firewall, AntiVirus and Internet Security products. Also new is Winfrasoft, providing VPN Quarantine and VPN Compliance solutions.

Other donor partners include Microsoft. There is a small CTX fee for administration costs, but software is far cheaper here:
http://www.ctxchange.org/ctx/about_ctx/news/default.asp.

The team at Digital Umbrella (the IT services wing of High Peak CVS) can help advise on your needs – email hello@digitalumbrella.co.uk

Regional Sector Capacity Building

Capacitybuilders, England's voluntary sector infrastructure development body, is reviewing the effectiveness of ChangeUp Consortia. There are around 130 of these across the nine regions, with regional, sub-regional and local groupings, set up to develop capacity building programmes locally. This is part of Capacitybuilders funding policy development for 2008-2011. Feedback is requested by 25th May. See http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/info/story/default.asp?item=54 or Charity Finance news item at http://www.charityfinance.co.uk/charitynewsalert/issue24/changeup.asp.

Focus on Faith at Commission

The Charity Commission is establishing a Faith and Social Cohesion Unit to work with and support faith charities, strengthening their governance and accountability. This will be funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government. It will initially work primarily with Muslim charities and communities, but the Muslim Council of Britain is quoted by Third Sector as seeing this focus as "counterproductive". Work with other faith communities is to follow at a later stage. Commission news release at http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=276874&NewsAreaID=2,

Capturing Volunteer Images

Volunteering England is running a photography competition for Volunteers' Week. Photos of volunteering in action can only be submitted by email, by 25th May, with Dixons vouchers as prizes. See http://www.volunteersweek.org.uk/article.php?id=102.

And if you do have some images of local volunteer activity, at High peak CVS we are always keen to see them to try and use in our publications – for example our annual report – to show the breadth of voluntary and community activity in the area. We can’t offer a prize, but you’d get our gratitiude and thanks and a credit in the publication. Contact tony@highpeakcvs.org.uk

Councils Holding Back Third Sector?

The third sector is being held back by a lack of imagination in the public sector, the deputy chair of the Local Government Association has warned in 'Charity Times'. Councillor Richard Kemp challenged commissioners to be more ambitious in their design of services.
http://www.charitytimes.com/pages/ct_news/March_07_news/210307_procurement.htm

Donate a PC - Computer Hardware for the Voluntary & Community Sector

There is a free 'matchmaking' service for individuals and organisations to donate un-needed hardware (computers, printers etc) to UK charities, not-for-profit organisations and educational establishments (hardware only - not software).

It is primarily for those with only one or two items to donate and/or who can not use a suitable recycling organisation.

However they also have a comprehensive list of organisations that have larger quantities of computer equipment to donate to charities.

Website: www.donateapc.org.uk

Children and Young People

Are you a group working with Children and Young People in the voluntary, community and Independent sector?

If you are then you need to be at the next: Derbyshire Children & Young People’s Trust Moving Forward Together! roadshow.

The next roadshow is on 17th May, 2.30pm – 5.30pm at Buxton Methodist
Church Hall, Chapel Street, Buxton

Have Your Say!

Your opportunity to find out about new developments. Have your say!

The event is aimed at groups and organisations working in the voluntary, community and independent sector (VCI).

This event will focus on:

The participation of voluntary, community and independent sector providers in the commissioning process of Derbyshire’s Children’s Trust
Information about funding opportunities from Derbyshire Community Foundation.
The Derbyshire Compact and how best to take this forward for working with the Children’s Trust
Update from the VCI GRID county partnership group.
Workforce development priorities

There will also be time for networking and discussion with groups working with children and young people in your area

If you work with children and young people, and even better if you are a group of young people running your own group, the Trust would very much value your involvement in the developing role of the Derbyshire Children and Young People’s Trust arrangements.

In order to ensure all children and young people have the best start in life in Derbyshire, its vital that the Derbyshire Children’s Trust works closely with the VCI sector and vice versa, this could be through direct support or the provision of resources. It might be through helping groups work more effectively in partnership with each other or there may be some other role you think we should be developing. Come and let us know!

To book your place at this event, email louise@highpeakcvs.org.uk or download more information from the CVS website www.highpeakcvs.org.uk

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