Shaping our Future - Wiltshire Voluntary Sector Assembly
You are invited to attend this key event in determining how your voice will be heard in shaping the future of the voluntary and community sector in Wiltshire. 17th July 2008, Market Lavington Community Hall, 9:30am - 3.30pm. Organised by the Wiltshire Infrastructure Consortium this event will give you the opportunity to help shape the structure of third sector representation within the local authority; Contribute to whether you think the proposed new structure will work for you; Help determine how the sector decides who represents your interests in Wiltshire; Look at where your organisation would fit into the new structure; and, Focus on how your ‘community of interest’ will be given a voice. A free lunch will be provided, places are limited and must be pre-booked so please email beth@cvsnw.org.uk to reserve your seat.
Searchable Funding Website
www.governmentfunding.org.uk. The Voluntary and Community Sector Funding Portal, also known as governmentfunding.org.uk, has been developed by the Directory of Social Change with initial funding from the Home Office Active Communities Unit, and is now funded by the Office of the Third Sector. DSC is a registered charity which provides a wide variety of information and training for the voluntary and community sector. In line with Recommendation 17 of HM Treasury's 2002 cross-cutting review, the site aims to provide 'a common point of access to Government grant funding for the VCS'. The site is free to use and offers features including: Searchable database of key information on grant schemes, with downloadable application forms and guidance documents. The option to apply online for grants. Personalised user profile, where you can save previous searches, grant schemes, and online applications. Email alerts about new and updated schemes that match the criteria you select, and much more. Take a look today!
Employment Law Updates
Increases to Statutory Maternity, Statutory Paternity Pay, Sick Leave and the National Minimum Wage, click here for the details.
Your Chance to Influence Public Policy
DSC's (Directory of Social Changer) view on the Conservative Party's green paper, unveiled earlier this month, is that it seems to demonstrate that the Party has listened to and understood many of the real concerns of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Regardless of one's personal loyalties or inclinations, this green paper is a rare opportunity for you to really influence public policy that affects voluntary organisations. Now is your chance to have your say! Read DSC's first response to the green paper. Still wading through the 86-page green paper? Not sure what it means for your charity? Download DSC's summary.
Volunteer Expenses
There are a number of definitions of volunteering, but they generally boil down to describing an activity that is socially useful, freely entered into and unpaid. But the lack of payment doesn’t mean that volunteers should be out of pocket after giving their time. The reimbursement of expenses should be a straightforward matter, but there are a number of legal or good practice issues to be aware of. Why reimburse? It’s not unknown for managers of organisations to query why they should reimburse expenses. Some volunteers too might feel that they shouldn’t take money from a charity. The reimbursement of expenses is an equal opportunities issue. The cost of travelling and a meal eaten out is significant to someone on benefits or a low income. Any organisation serious about involving a diverse range of volunteers should reimburse expenses. Volunteer expenses should be built into any funding application. It’s worth remembering too that volunteers are making a gift of their time – one that has substantial monetary value. They should not be expected to give up money as well. Click here to read on.
Free Guide to Interim Management Worth £15
Interim management can be practical, productive and cost-effective for voluntary organisations looking to manage major projects, bring heavy-weight management skills to solve a particular problem, put together bid or tender documents, or to fill management gaps due to illness or maternity leave. This free guide from interim management provider Russam GMS will help you establish whether an interim management solution could work for your organisation. To receive your free guide Email your full postal details, name and job title.
Combating
the
Rising
Cost of
Energy
With
fuel
costs
spiralling
upwards,
Chris
Berry
reports
how one
village
is
leading
the way
with a
green
alternative.
Click
here to
find out
more.
Review on the Role of SMEs in Public Procurement - Call for Evidence
On the 12th March the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his budget speech that he had asked Anne Glover, Chief Executive of Amadeus Capital Partners, to lead a committee to inquire into the barriers small firms face in winning public sector contracts, to make recommendations on the necessary action to reduce these barriers over the next five years and to examine the practicality of setting a goal for SMEs to win 30% of all public sector business. The committee is to report jointly to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in time for the Pre-Budget Report which will be issued in the Autumn. To ensure that the report reflects the views of businesses and public sector procurers we are interested in gaining your views, and hearing about your experiences. Click here to find out how to have your say.
Starting in Social Enterprise
Do you have an idea for a business that could benefit your community but don’t know where to start? Maybe you are in the early stages of developing a social enterprise business. If so, here’s an opportunity to develop your idea into reality a free half-day workshop for people starting out in social enterprise. Business Link are running workshops throughout the South West so click here to find out more.
Working with People who Self Injure – Training Course 4 July
Bristol Crisis Service for Women is running a one day workshop on Friday 4 July. Cost (includes lunch and refreshments) £115 statutory, independent and large voluntary organisations (10+ employees), £85 other voluntary organisations and individuals. Download booking form www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk or contact them by email: bcsw@btconnect.com or telephone 0117 927 9600.
Strategy Aims to Support Carers
The Department of Health has launched a strategy to support Britain's "unsung army" of carers, including cash to provide short breaks, support to get back into work and a pilot of annual health checks. More personalised support for carers will also be made available. See www.dh.gov.uk.
Fair Play from Play England
Government Office South West (GOSW) held two regional events supporting the consultation on Fair Play. They were held in Bristol on 3 June and Exeter on 5 June. The consultation sought views on proposals to create more and better opportunities for all children to play, building on the framework and investment laid out in the Children's Plan. Jonathan Rogers, Area Manager and James Holden, GOSW Policy Advisor (play) stressed the importance of raising the profile of play and explained how this consultation will be fed back to central government and will represent the region. Delegates chose from two workshops out of a total of five, which focused on specific chapters of Fair Play. Discussions were based on a series of questions designed to facilitate the consultation process. Feedback was fed back to the wider group, and there was an opportunity to discuss these further. Discussions covered risky play; transportation, planning; and traffic calming measures. Ben Ward, Play England South West Regional Programme Manager said ‘It was a strong turn out by the South West play sector who have provided some very valuable comments. We hope the Department for Children, Schools and Families will take these on board including ensuring the voluntary sector have a clear role to play and that Fair Play takes into consideration the rural issues of regions such as the South West. ‘ He also thanked GOSW for being proactive in facilitating greater awareness of the proposals outlined in Fair Play by holding these events. In related news, Play England has been appointed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to help deliver the Government’s vision for the future of play. Play England will support and challenge local authorities receiving funding under the Government’s new play pathfinder and playbuilder programmes. For more information please go to www.playengland.org.uk.
Tech Talk
www.zamzar.com - a free website that converts file types. More interesting than you might think as it enables you to edit pdf's by converting them to Word. And you can easily convert your iTunes (aac) files to mp3. www.picnik.com - an online photo-editing program that anyone can use. It works in a Web browser, so you don't need to install it, or even register to use it.