eNews

High Peak CVS has won funding to encourage groups across the East Midlands region to develop trading activities in a bid to help them become more sustainable. The project, entitled ‘Stepping Up to Enterprise’ will be delivered jointly by High Peak CVS and two partner organisations, Enterprise Solutions Northamptonshire and the Development Trusts Association.

The project will initially be directed at advisory organisations such as CVSs which support a range of voluntary and community organisations. Through the project, advisors will be able to gain knowledge and skills to be able to assist groups through the early stages of exploring their trading ideas and getting started.

A comprehensive resources pack – comprising information, tools and training materials – will be developed, together with a directory with guidance on when to seek expert or specialist advice and who to approach for this. Advisors taking part in the programme will be encouraged to test out the resources with interested client groups, and share their learning with project staff and other advisors. The resources pack and directory will then be promoted widely to voluntary and community organisations throughout the region.

Funding for this project has come through the government’s Capacitybuilders Social Enterprise programme. ‘Stepping Up to Enterprise’ is one of a suite of projects supporting and developing social enterprise in the region, each running between now and March 2011. For further information on other projects, see www.seem.uk.net .

Peer Mentoring Scheme

One such project is a peer mentoring scheme for social enterprises, administered by the East Midlands School for Social Entrepreneurs with SEEM (Social Enterprise East Midlands) one of the partners. This project will be beneficial to those organisations looking at trading activity. It offers a free mentoring service of up to 10 hours over a 6 month period. More details can be found at www.smartse.org.uk/peer-mentoring, or by calling Fergus Brazel on 0115 875 8828.

Research and Marketing Development Worker Vacancy at Amber Valley CVS Community Development Team

18 Hours per week - £19,606 (Pro rata)
Contract length: 1 Year

This post requires a person with the skills to support the research and information needs of Amber Valley CVS and local Voluntary and community groups.

The successful candidate will also promote volunteering at a strategic level and co-ordinate specific volunteer related projects in relation to Amber Valley CVS’s marketing plan.

KEY TASKS:

To identify and support the research and information needs of Amber Valley CVS and lo-cal Voluntary and community groups.
To promote and develop volunteering opportunities and the role of Amber Valley CVS in ensuring quality volunteering opportunities
To identify and disseminate information to the voluntary and community sector.
To support the role and development of Amber Valley CVS

To take on this very challenging and rewarding roles you will need:

Project management skills
Experience of carrying out research and disseminating information
To be IT literate – Publisher, Access, Word
Experience of writing press releases for a range of audiences
Knowledge of quality accreditation processes
The ability to produce promotional material

Closing Date: 18 March 2009
Interview dates: 9 and 17 April 2009

The interview will consist of a formal question and answer session and a practical test.

For an application pack for this post please phone Amber Valley CVS on 01773 512076 or email: admin@avcvs.org

Training and Development Worker Vacancy at Amber Valley CVS Community Development Team

18 Hours per week - £19,606 (Pro rata)
Contract length: 1 Year

Amber Valley CVS require a highly motivated person for this challenging role which will identify and support the training and development needs of Voluntary and community groups.

KEY TASKS:

To identify and support the training and development needs of Voluntary and community groups and volunteers
To promote and develop training opportunities and the role of Amber Valley CVS in
providing quality training
To identify and disseminate information to the voluntary and community sector.
To support the role and development of Amber Valley CVS

To take on this very challenging and rewarding roles you will need:

Experience of delivering training
Experience of development work/ community liaison
Project management skills
An understanding of the needs and requirements of the wider voluntary and community sector in relation to training and development

Closing Date: 18 March 2009
Interview date: 9 April 2009

The interview will consist of a formal question and answer session and a 10 minute presentation.

For an application pack for this post please phone Amber Valley CVS on 01773 512076 or email: admin@avcvs.org

Running Smart and Sustainable Events

A guide to 'running smart and sustainable events' has been produced by the third sector greening group, Every Action Counts. It provides practical advice such as hints, tips, checklists and direct experience from those who have done it themselves.

'Event Action Counts .. for our event' is in pdf, 408KB, EAC Guides page at www.everyactioncounts.org.uk/en/fe/page.asp?n1=230&n2=281

Reviewing Regulations Around Community Interest Companies

Views are invited on proposed amendments to the Community Interest Company Regulations 2005, the new legal form "for social enterprises who want to use the company form while ensuring assets are used for the benefit of the community". The amendments are intended only to clarify and update the Regulations in light of experience to date and more recent legislative changes, so this is a short informal consultation. It runs to 6 April, www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page50213.html

Social Enterprise magazine also says that the dividend cap of 35 per cent on shareholders' dividends is soon to be reviewed by the Community Interest Company regulator. See www.socialenterprisemag.co.uk/sem/news/detail/index.asp?id=844 or check CIC regulator website for update www.cicregulator.gov.uk

Different Angles on Fraud in Charities

Headlines on the publication of a new report (published 24 February) by the independent Fraud Advisory Panel on fraud in charities have focused on the lack of anti-fraud measures being put in place. The Charity Commission has responded by emphasising the low incidence of fraud in the sector.

See Charity Finance news item at www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2605 or go direct to the summary 'Breach of Trust: An investigation into the incidence, origins and impact of fraud in the charitable sector' in pdf, 343KB, at www.fraudadvisorypanel.org/newsite/pdf_show.php?id=102
the full report 'Fraud in the charitable sector' 1.78MB pdf, at
www.fraudadvisorypanel.org/newsite/pdf_show.php?id=103
or FAP's website www.fraudadvisorypanel.org

Working Together to Tackle Cohesion, Wellbeing and Climate Change

Umbrella body NCVO launched a 'Civil Society Framework for Action' at its annual conference last week. In it, NCVO sets out that it will work with others (such as the TUC, Co-operative UK, Local Government Association) to develop work that will focus on the four key challenges of Community Cohesion; Individual and Community Wellbeing; Climate Change; and Financial Security.

Find out more at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/about/index.asp?id=12788 or Charity Finance news item at www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2575

NCVO Annual Conference Presentations

Presentations from the recent NCVO Annual Conference are available to download at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/annualconference09. You can also listen to or read the speeches.

Examining and Improving Employee Engagement

Charity chief executives body Acevo has set up a working group of members to examine and give advice on how sector leaders can engage more effectively with their employees. It will also look at how senior staff interact with umbrella bodies and unions, and will report later this year. Charity Finance news item at www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2473

Spreading the Intellectual Property of Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise magazine reports that a health food shop in Norwich is the first social enterprise in the UK to be set up under a licence from an existing social firm. Wholefood Planet, a community interest company, paid more than £14,000 to receive the 'intellectual property' of Daily Bread Co-operative, which has two successful social enterprises based in Northampton and Cambridge providing employment for people with learning disabilities.

Could You Use DIY Products?

The One Planet Living Awards from B and Q provide up to £10,000 of products for environmental groups, community organisations and other local charities in saving energy, conserving nature, supporting local culture and heritage, or 'grow your own'. Applications by 27 March. See BandQ info.

Information for Sector Infrastructure Workers

NCVO, the English sector umbrella body, has created a new web section specifically designed for people working in other infrastructure organisations. The section aims to gather in one place NCVO's information and advice for those helping other organisations become more effective. www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/infrastructures

Twittering for Charities

There are some indications of use of ‘micro blogging’ service Twitter by campaigns. A compilation of those promoting 'worthy causes' is at econsultancy.com/blog/3267-list-of-uk-charities-on-twitter (source: charity web forum). And Councillorr Tweeps aims to list all UK councillors 'tweeting', with 112 councillors listed at time of writing (by e-government bulletin), cllrtweeps.com

Using YouTube to Raise Awareness

The YouTube Nonprofit Programme was launched for the UK some months ago. More information, including case studies from Beatbullying, Friends of the Earth and others, is at www.youtube.com/nonprofits?info_lang=GB You can use the resulting 'channel' to raise awareness on all sorts of issues.

The Assets Transfer Unit has a number of short videos on transferring public assets (usually buildings) to community groups, at www.youtube.com/AssetTransferUnit

Check Your Use of Plain English

Drivel Defence is a software package to help to check your use of Plain English, provided by the Plain English Campaign. It runs in the web browser but needs JavaScript operational and able to open new windows to work. Find out more at www.plainenglish.co.uk/drivel_defence.html (Source: Voluntary Arts England newsletter)

Successful PR in a Challenging Climate

NCVO / Media Trust Event on 25 March in Birmingham

If you are involved in PR and communications, this event is for you. We'll cover a range of topics, including how to protect your reputation in a recession; how to get good regional coverage; how PR can support your fundraising activity and more. You'll leave with a wealth of knowledge and fresh ideas.

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

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