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E-Bulletin - 02/11/06
Welcome to the CVS North Wiltshire e-bulletin. To view this e-bulletin online click here.
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Chairs Network - 21st November
If you are the Chair Person of a voluntary organisation why not come along to our next Chairs Network meeting on Tuesday 21st November? We will be conducting some training in our session. The training will cover the roles and responsibilities for management committee members. It will be a very interactive session with Karen Scott, the CVS training officer. Do let me know if you would like to attend. I am usually available on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings on 01249 654089 or email me vanessa@cvsnw.org.uk.
Job Opportunities Online
Click here to see the current job opportunities in the local voluntary sector. Please let us have your opportunities to advertise on the site! Email Beth: beth@cvsnw.org.uk
Diversity Conference
The North and West Wiltshire Community Safety Partnerships cordially invite you to a Diversity Conference on Monday 20 November 2006 at the Civic Hall in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. As part of an ongoing programme the North and West Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership are holding this one-day conference to present some of the good work achieved locally and to highlight any areas which still need to be addressed. A chance to meet with others working in a similar field. Click here for the invitation and agenda details.
Donate Used Ink Cartridges and Old Mobiles Phones to Doorway
Change to Licensing for Village Halls: Consultation Promised
In July it was announced village halls and other community venues might no longer have to name a single person to be in charge of their premises licence - instead the responsibility would fall to the whole management committee. Under the new licensing laws, every application for a licence to sell alcohol must name a designated premises supervisor who is responsible for licensable activities at the premises. After community groups and others voiced concerns about bureaucracy and costs, the Licensing Minister Shaun Woodward announced that the Government would, subject to public consultation, seek to remove this requirement. The government are currently putting together a consultation paper which is due to be published early in 2007. For more information on the Licensing Act 2003 go to http://www.culture.gov.uk/about_us/tourismleisure/licensing_act.htm.
Learning Curve - Special 3:2 offer - Short and Snappy Winter courses at New Road Chippenham
The Learning Curve is running a 3 for the price of 2 promotion on all their half day courses this winter. There are 25 different courses on offer including finance courses, people skills, promotion and marketing courses, IT courses and many more. The normal price per course is £35, so with this promotion you can go on 3 courses for just £70! Click here to view all the courses on offer.
Funding and Finance for Voluntary and Community Organisations
Sustainable Funding Project - A new information pack on funding and finance for voluntary and community organisations has been published by the National Council for Voluntary Organisation’s (NCVO) Sustainable Funding Project, in partnership with the Finance Hub. The six guides, which can be downloaded for free from www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/sfp or www.financehub.org.uk, contain practical information on specific areas of funding or finance including: Sustainable funding, Financial management, Fundraising, Trading, Procurement and contracting and Loans. The guides also include case studies, tips and ‘lessons learned’ from other voluntary organisations, including some of the first steps that have been taken by smaller organisations.
Free Banking For Voluntary Groups
The Cooperative Bank has launched a Community Directplus Account which offers free banking for community groups. For a free information pack call 0800 783 4741 quoting ref 32713. www.communitydirectplus.co.uk.
Swindon Charity Ball - Beneficiaries Wanted!
The Swindon Charity Ball organising committee is now seeking worthwhile organisations to submit applications to be considered as beneficiaries from monies raised by the 2007 Swindon Charity Ball. For further information about making an application contact Nigel Henham, Old Bank House, 5 Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4BJ, 01793 610 222 or email nhenham@dpds.co.uk. The Closing date for grant applications is the 30th November 2006.
Mainstreaming Mental Health Consultation
This update is for everyone with an interest in the Mainstreaming Mental Health process, and all those who contributed in any way to the Mainstreaming Mental Health consultation. Please click to download the October Update.
Doorway Celebrates Link with Wiltshire College
Students at Wiltshire College, Chippenham campus, have entered into an exciting link with Doorway, the North Wiltshire drop-in centre for single people who are homeless or facing homelessness, as part of the Wiltshire College Community Campus Programme. The Programme encourages students to be aware of a number of important local issues such as homelessness. Students can also volunteer their services as part of the Community Campus Volunteer Programme and this volunteer work, all carried out in the student’s spare time is accredited by the Millennium Volunteers Award. Student Liaison Officer, Karen Colley, said “The link between Doorway and the Student Volunteer Programme is the students recycling their own clothes, mobile phones and ink cartridges for the guests of Doorway, thus linking the importance of the issue of recycling with community help.” Doorway’s Manager, Margaret Cleverley, said “The threat of homelessness can affect any of us at any time, whatever our age or background. We are delighted that Chippenham College is helping us promote Doorway and raise funds for our work in North Wiltshire.” Other fundraising events are planned for the academic year and two students have just been recruited as volunteers for the drop-in centre. For more information about Doorway visit the website: www.doorwayproject.org.uk.
Local NHS Annual Health Check Results
The annual performance ratings for 2005/2006 were published on 12th October for those NHS organisations that were in existence for the last financial year. These are the first results from the new approach to assessing and reporting performance that replaces the old “star rating” system. For detailed comment visit http://www.wiltshirepct.nhs.uk/Newsroom/PressReleases/HealthCheckRatingsWilts%20PCT2005-2006%20Final5.pdf Alternatively to view the official results please visit: www.healthcarecommission.org.uk.
The Companies Bill
The Companies Bill promises to be the biggest overhaul of company law for 20 years. One important aspect of the Companies Bill is that it will create a new regime for running smaller companies which will affect all charitable companies and some social enterprises. The new regime should make it simpler and cheaper to run your company. Ten key features are: You will no longer need to appoint a company secretary. Written resolutions will only require the signature of the majority of members. Companies House will not require you to hold an AGM. Companies House will not require you to lay your accounts before members at an AGM. Companies House will be able to easily replace and correct documents filed with them in error. The company will be able to change its name without having to pass a special resolution providing the Articles of Association allow for this. The minimum age for Company Directors will be 16. The meaning of ‘connected person’ is being extended in relation to conflicts of interest to include civil partners, some cohabitees, parents and stepchildren. The rules surrounding voting by proxy will change. Proxies will be allowed to vote in meetings on a show of hands as well as on a poll. Company Directors will be allowed to give Companies House a service address rather than a home address. The Companies Bill should make it much easier to run a small charity / social enterprise and is expected to come into force in April 2007. Source: Legal Eyes Bates, Wells and Braithwaite.
Releasing the Potential of the Third Sector for Learning Skills & Employment
How Can Voluntary and Community Organisations Best Develop Skills and Equip Disadvantaged People for Employment? How Can Government Strategy Best be Implemented? How Can VCS Organisations Best Develop their Own Skills, Capacity and Performance? This one day seminar aims to bring together organisations and stakeholders concerned with the key strategic and operational issues at senior levels to discuss how we can best realise Third Sector potential to deliver on learning and skills challenges. The seminar is limited to 60 people. The fee is £50 and includes lunch. Click here to download the event programme.
Legal Updates - You Cannot Afford to Miss This
With the recent and forthcoming changes to employment law and discrimination this one day's session focusing on the changes and their implications is vital and relevant to all organisations. Holi Whitehead, who is barrister and specialist for voluntary and community groups, will be delivering the information that everyone needs to know these days, to remain legal. The event costing £40 is 10am-4pm, 13th November at The Wharf Centre, Devizes. For booking and further information contact Anne Mantle at Voluntary Action Kennet, anne@voluntary-action-kennet.org.uk, 01672 564140.
WCC Expressions of Interest - Advocacy Services
Wiltshire County Council in partnership with the Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, is inviting expressions of interest from organisations who can offer a Wiltshire-wide independent generic advocacy service, to include a new specialist independent advocacy (IMCA) service to people covered by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Preference will be given to those organisations able to demonstrate a local presence. Following a competitive tender process, the contract will be awarded to the successful organisation in January 2007. Closing date for expressions of interest is Monday 6th November. For more information contact Karen Brzonkalik on karenbrzonkalik@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Keeping Your Organisation at the Top
A Bitesize meeting (from 11am to 1pm) to learn about good governance and being a more effective, better trustee, including recent changes in trustee roles and responsibilities. This is followed by a sandwich lunch from 1 to 2pm, when there will be a chance to network with others, only £10 to members. The meeting is at Voluntary Action Kennet offices at River Street, Pewsey on 31st October. For booking and further information contact Anne Mantle at Voluntary Action Kennet, anne@voluntary-action-kennet.org.uk, 01672 564140.
GuideStar Update October 2006 "One Website. Every Charity"
Trustee Information Tool Now Available - In response to feedback from charities, it is now possible for charities to amend the information about their trustees in their GuideStar UK entry. If you are a charity that wishes to remove or add new trustees to your entry, please go to the 'Update My Charity' section, log in and click the Organisation tab.
Join us at the Institute of Fundraising’s one-day training workshop in Swindon on Wednesday 08 November 2006 and find out how to increase your charity’s bottom line through tax-effective giving. Missing Millions - UK charities are currently missing out on around £600 million each year in Gift Aid income alone. Make sure your charity is not one of those that are missing out by making the most out of tax-effective fundraising techniques. You may already be making the most of Gift Aid, but what about Legacies, Share Giving and Payroll Giving? Increasing Your Income Just Got Easier - The Institute of Fundraising’s one-day tax-effective giving workshops are taking place in over 30 locations across England at a cost of only £40, (inclusive of lunch refreshments and all course materials). Book Today! Click for more information about the workshop in Swindon. For a full list of venues and dates for the workshop programme, visit www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk. To book a place on a course, or to find out about training sessions in your area call 0845 337 3801.
External Funding Network - October Bulletin
Please click here to download the EFN Bulletin for end October. The next EFN event on Sport in the Community is advertised in this bulletin – please have a look. There is also a call for Expressions of Interest for the Healthier Wiltshire bid within the Big Lottery well-being programme.
Disability Rights Commission - Partnerships and Transfer of Expertise Briefing Sheet
Click to download the latest edition of the DRC briefing sheet. This month we feature an article on how to get the best out of the Commission’s comprehensive Website and our Helpline – a nationwide service via a local rate call. The article also keeps readers up to date with various improvements and developments which the Helpline has put in train. December is almost upon us now – which means that the Disability Equality Duty will soon become a reality and though it is a duty on public authorities, there is nothing to prevent Organisations in the private sector from adopting the aims of the Duty as a guide to good practice. The DRC has produced lots of guidance and other information on the Disability Equality Duty to help create Disability Equality Schemes in time for implementation - 4 December 2006.
Visual Awareness Training - Salisbury
Salisbury District Voluntary and Community Sector Training Partnership has arranged a short training course in Visual Awareness at a very low introductory price. This training is being delivered by Action for Blind People. Don't miss this opportunity to up skill your staff. Aim: To enable staff to meet the needs of blind and partially sighted clients/customers effectively. Objectives: By the end of this session, delegates will be able to: demonstrate their communication skills with blind or partially sighted people; be able to describe the issues faced by blind or partially sighted people on a day to day basis; Explore the concept of practical “reasonable adjustment” (DDA/Working Environment). Demonstrate guiding techniques and identify different canes and explain the correct etiquette when aiding a guide dog user. Thursday 30th November 2006 1pm - 4pm at Salt Lane Learning Centre, Salt Lane, Salisbury. Cost is only £10 per person. Please book ASAP to avoid disappointment: Debrah Biggs 01722 421747 or email Debrah@salisbury-cvs.org.uk .
CAB Update -
The Cost of School Uniforms
Article from North Wiltshire Citizens Advice Bureau. September sees the excitement of a new school year but for some parents and children it's a time of anxiety and stress because they cannot afford school uniforms. We wrote a report last year about the problems of affordability and pointed out that some schools have no second-hand shops or funds to help people purchase uniforms. We called for greater discussion on the problems and made practical suggestions, for example clothing without the need for a school logo. We are pleased to see that the Office of Fair Trading has begun a fact finding study into the £450million school uniform market.
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