(Click Here to Go to the CVS North Wiltshire Website)
Click here for Archived Bulletins
E-Bulletin - 18/01/07
Welcome to the CVS North Wiltshire e-bulletin. To view the latest e-bulletin online click here.
E-bulletin Update
A slight change has been made to the way this e-bulletin is stored on our website. Previously people have had difficulties accessing links via old emailed e-bulletins, this was due to the way we were archiving them. So hopefully the problem is now fixed and you can keep the e-bulletins for reference. Just in case the archive is still available online, and will always work: http://www.cvsnw.org.uk/resources/e-bulletin/Archive%20Bulletins/Archive%20Bulletins.htm
Next Tuesday (23rd January) sees the popular Community Lunches come into Chippenham, we will be at Pewsham Community Centre, from 12noon until 2pm (please arrive promptly at 12). We have a guest speaker from Wiltshire Wood Recycling to talk about the project. Organised by CVS North Wiltshire, the Community Lunch offers a chance for voluntary organisations, community groups and other representatives from the community to network over a good lunch with other people in the area and share information about their organisation, project or local event. Lunch is £2 per person (payable on the day). Please email Karen: karenm@cvsnw.org.uk if you would like to attend.
It is important to take action immediately to defend funding for local voluntary organisations and community groups in our area. The threat is very real but there is scope for the voluntary and community sector to influence national policy if we act quickly. The Government is short of a least £900m for the Olympics. Ministers are fighting over how to fund the Olympics. The Chancellor wants the National Lottery to provide the money. If this happens the Big Lottery Fund, Sport England, the Arts Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund will all lose large amounts of money, much of which would otherwise go to the local voluntary and community sector. You know how much National Lottery funding has meant to local groups in recent times. You also know how important National Lottery funding is to the voluntary and community sector in the future as other sources disappear.
What can you do? Perhaps most importantly, write to your own local MP telling them why National Lottery funds are so important for the people served by voluntary organisations and community groups in your area. Please put the emphasis on the services, opportunities and activities which local people will lose as a result of a dramatic reduction in National Lottery funding. This is a chance for the voluntary and community sector of influencing Government policy. All over the country groups are invited to join in this action. If together we can save £900m for the voluntary and community sector the effort will be well worthwhile but we will only succeed if local MPs and the relevant Ministers Gordon Brown, Tessa Jowell, Ed Miliband and Dawn Primarolo receive heavy post bags.
I’ve Heard that there’s a Gender Equality Duty Coming into Force – What Does this Mean and Will it Affect my Charity?
The Gender Equality Duty (GED) will take effect from April 2007. It has been introduced by the Equality Act 2006, which also establishes the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) to replace the Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission from autumn 2007. The GED requires public authorities to promote equality of opportunity for men and women, and to eliminate sex discrimination and harassment. It follows similar duties relating to race and disability introduced in the past few years – in fact the Disability Equality Duty just came into force on 4 December 2006. Click for the full article.
Wiltshire Wood Recycling is a ‘not for
profit' Community Interest Company, formed
in early 2006 to offer environmental and
social benefits to the community of
Wiltshire. Saving wood waste from land fill
and offering volunteering opportunities to
members of the community. Support in cash
and kind was secured from local councils,
private industry and grants to get the
scheme running, with the ultimate aim of
being self-financing. Wood destined for
landfill is collected, sorted and sold. Our
clients range from one person businesses to
national building groups. Visit our new
website to find out more about us:
www.wiltshirewoodrecycling.org.uk or
find us at the CVS Community Lunch next
week!
Voluntary Sector Jobs in Wiltshire
There are new jobs being advertised on our website, click here to visit the Jobs Page. If you would like to advertise any vacancies with us please email the details to beth@cvsnw.org.uk (paid positions only). To advertise volunteering opportunities please email volunteer@cvsnw.org.uk.
Feature Your Site in the WCW Online Newsletter!
In every issue of the Wiltshire Community Web Online Newsletter, we feature a site that has been created on Wiltshire Community Web. If you would like to have your site featured in the February issue to promote your site and share your success, then get in touch! Email us at info@wiltshirecommunityweb.org.uk with a short explanation of your site. Past issues can be found here: http://www.northwilts-communityweb.com/site/WCW-Newsletters/index.htm.
ICT Hub National Conference: Is Your Organisation Making the Best Use of ICT?
The second ICT Hub National Conference will take place on Wednesday 28th March 2007 at the Emirates Stadium, London. This one day conference recognises that your skills and knowledge of ICT vary and workshops have been tailored for different skills, knowledge and ability. The conference will also update on the ICT Hub's plans for the second phase of it's funding and as well as highlight useful resources that have been designed for the voluntary and community sector. ICT can help save money, time and resources, help communicate with more people in new and innovative ways and ultimately improve the efficiency of your organisation. There are 50 free places for small voluntary organisations and an early bird discount of 10% for bookings received before the 14th February. This conference is for small and medium sized organisations that deliver services directly to people but need some encouragement and guidance in their use of technology. The workshops are designed for differing levels of ICT knowledge and are suitable for voluntary organisations at all stages of managing their ICT. Click here to download the event brochure.
Free Job Hunting Training for Disabled Job Seekers
Working For Opportunities
will be starting our Job Hunting Training on the 26th of January. It might me suitable for some of your clients. The Job Hunting Training is a free 10 week programme. From 9:30 till 12:30 every week disabled job seekers can learn step by step how to apply successfully for employment. We train in a relaxed and practical way, helping clients to build knowledge and confidence in self presentation. Clients can work together and exchange experiences and knowledge with each other. A computer is available for CV writing, letter writing or job research after the training. The training is a structured 10 week programme and we recommend that client’s attend as many days as possible to benefit from easy and practical learning. We will adjust training methods and try to meet client’s individual learning needs. There are no entry restrictions except of that the client should have a disability (funding restriction) and would need to attend an informal meeting to discuss course suitability. Clients can contact us directly. Tel. 01793 514055 ext. 4758 or minicom 554725 or e-mail: admin.wfo@scamp.org.uk.
Self regulation of fundraising
All charities know that the profile of charity fundraising has never been higher and - as well as following the legal requirements - best practice is key to public confidence. The Fundraising Standards Board (FSB) was set up as an independent body to deliver the self-regulation of charity and voluntary sector fundraising, as recommended in the Government's 2002 Strategy Unit report. The FSB has opened to members and will be launching to the public on 12 February 2007. For an annual fee, charities that join will be able to display the FSB scheme logo to show that they are committed to best practice in fundraising, to help the public to 'give with confidence'. Charities that sign up to the scheme must abide by principles set out in the Fundraising Promise, and to the Institute of Fundraising's Codes of Fundraising Practice. The FSB will provide toolkits for participating charities and an independent complaints procedure for complainants. The Charity Commission welcomes this sector led initiative and encourages you to find out more. For more details about the FSB and how to join contact the Fundraising Standards Board, PO Box 42197, London SW8 1ZS, or call 0845 402 5442, or go to www.fsboard.org.uk.
Share the E-Bulletin!
Please share this email with anyone you think might be interested. If this email has been forwarded to you and you would like to receive CVS news direct to your inbox, please email beth@cvsnw.org.uk with "Subscribe Me to the E-Bulletin" in the subject box.
New Timetable for Chippenham Saturday Club
Click here for the January to April 2007 timetable for Chippenham Saturday Club.
Maintaining Grants in the Local Funding Mix - Good Examples Sought by NAVCA
We need your help to demonstrate to central and local government the importance of grant funding as part of the funding mix available to the VCS at local level. The recent Treasury Third Sector Review interim report stated that: "Government needs to understand better when it is appropriate to offer contracts to third sector organisations, when investment is required, and when Government should be offering grant funding." The recent Public Services Action Plan produced by the Office of the Third Sector also states a government commitment to grant funding as an important part of the funding mix, particularly for small community groups and capacity building activities. Click to read more.
Office of the Third Sector Newsletter
The Office of the Third Sector is now publishing a bi-monthly email newsletter: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/newsletter/issue_1. You can register to receive the newsletter via http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector.
This email has been sent to the members and associates of CVS North Wiltshire. If you feel you have received this in error please email beth@cvsnw.org.uk to unsubscribe.
If you have been forwarded this mail and would like to subscribe please email: beth@cvsnw.org.uk with "Please Subscribe me to the E-Bulletins" in the subject line.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content, CVSNW cannot be held responsible for any errors which may occur. Opinions voiced in the e-bulletin are not necessarily those of CVSNW.