Email Briefing 3 Jun 04

• Consultation on Hate Crime Legislation
• Have Your Say - New Targeting Social Need
• NCVO shares NICVA’s concerns about the future of National Lottery Funding
• Responding to Consultations Course
• Big Lottery Fund Consultation Papers Available
• Media Trust and BBC Voluntary Matters Season
• Free Broadband in Border Areas
• BT Community Connections
• Age Positive launches in the North West
• Hallmarks of an Effective Charity According to the Charity Commission of England and Wales
• Saturday Night at the Movies… And Sunday Morning

1. Have Your Say - Consultation on Hate Crime Legislation

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster is currently taking evidence on hate crime in Northern Ireland in order to inform its discussions on the proposed legislation. The Committee is keen to hear from organisations and individuals in Northern Ireland who have experience in this area. While it is obviously not possible for everyone who may have something to say on this matter to attend a hearing in Westminster, the committee would like to hear your views via a web and email consultation (e-consultation) service they are currently establishing. In order for groups to find out more about the Committee’s debates to date and how the e-consultation will work, a seminar with the Hansard Society has been arranged for voluntary and community organisations

Monday 7 June 2004, 11.00am to 1.00pm, NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

To book a place at the seminar please contact Teresa Flanagan at NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, 028 9087 7777, 028 9087 7799 or teresa.flanagan@nicva.org .

2. Have Your Say - New Targeting Social Need

Three consultation seminars have been organised to discuss the recently released document ‘New TSN – The Way Forward’:- Monday 14 June 2.00pm 2004 at NICVA Offices, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.- Thursday 17 June 10.00am 2004 at Omagh Community House, Drumragh Avenue, Omagh, held in conjunction with FOCUS.- Wednesday 16 June 10.00am 2004 at the Island Centre, Lisburn - this event is specifically for network organisations.NICVA has produced an eight page briefing paper on the government’s review of New TSN and proposals for an anti-poverty programme. It expresses concern that the draft strategy does not take account of the structure of our society and the inherent inequalities that exist. Unequal societies inevitably have higher levels of poverty than ones with a more equal distribution of income and wealth. The briefing paper is available to download from www.nicva.org.

3. NCVO Shares NICVA’s Concerns About the Future of National Lottery Funding

NCVO is the sister organisation of NICVA for England. NCVO has outlined its concerns in the following statement.“The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is concerned that Government has chosen to ignore several of the Committee's proposals with regard to reform of the National Lottery. Firstly, it is clear that the issue of additionality remains under threat. The recent announcement that the £200m Young People's Fund in England is to be spent on a range of government inspired programmes appears to be further evidence of the erosion of additionality. Lottery initiatives must remain additional to government spending - not a substitute for it.”“With this in mind NCVO is disappointed that the Government rejected the Committee's call, for the Secretary of State to make an annual report to Parliament on how the additionality principle has been applied.”“Secondly, we are also disappointed that the Government rejected NCVO's calls to surrender Lottery Duty in favour of directing those funds to prizes and good causes. They have instead changed the rationale for Lottery Duty by stating it should make '...a fair contribution to the funding of essential public services'. This was not the original intention for Lottery Duty and does not serve the interests of the lottery good causes.”“Nevertheless, we will continue to push for reform of the Lottery in order to assert the interests of the voluntary and community sector and protect the money available to good causes.”Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive, National Council for Voluntary Organisationshttp://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/

4. Responding to Consultations Course

A one day course run by NICVA in partnership with the Consultation Institute.Are you inundated with consultation documents? Do you know how best to respond to them? Would you like to learn how to respond more effectively?This full day workshop is aimed specifically at groups and organisations who need to respond to public or stakeholder consultation exercises; to share Best Practice in how to respond and influence decisions; and how to encourage consultees to maximise the impact of their responses to achieve internal and external goals.The training will look at the role of consultation; different ways of responding and demanding effective feedback, alongside many other interesting and practical ways to improve the consultation process for you.There are only six places left on the course which takes place on 16 June 2004, 9.45am to 4.00pm. If you are interested in attending, please contact Denise McCann at NICVA as soon as possible on 028 9087 7777 or denise.mccann@nicva.org .The course costs £60 per person for NICVA members and £75 per person for non-members and will be held at Gortalowry House, Cookstown.

5. Big Lottery Fund Consultation Papers Available

The consultation papers on the future programmes of the Big Lottery Fund are available from the Big Lottery Fund’s website. NICVA will be preparing a briefing paper on the consultation. The consultation period will end on 30 September 2004. The Big Lottery Fund is the new distributor formed from the merger of New Opportunities Fund and Community Fund. For more information on NICVA’s work on the consultation contact Neil Irwin on 028 9087 7777 or neil.irwin@nicva.org.www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/consultation

6. Media Trust and BBC Voluntary Matters Season

Two TV programmes on fundraising will be shown on BBC2 in June.The 15 minute programmes, ‘Persuasion’ and ‘Raising It’ explain the key points of defining your fundraising message then putting it into action. They follow Hendon ladies football team from North London and Brighton-based musical youth group Audio Active as they struggle to define and build their profile and then raise the money they urgently need.The programmes will be shown on BBC2 on the Learning Zone from 2.00am to 230am on Monday 7 June 2004 with repeats on 14 June 2004 and 21 June 2004 at the same times. They are part of a series called Voluntary Matters, which is being shown as part of the Workskills in the Community season, a partnership between the BBC and the Media Trust. The season features a range of programmes designed to help people working in the voluntary sector. For more information about the Workskills in the Community season, see www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone.

7. Free Broadband in Border Areas

Socia.net can give not-for-profit organisations in the border corridor free broadband for a year, plus financial support against PCs, servers and so on.Organisations must be willing to find a cross-border partner (who will also get the same level of support including free broadband) and provide feedback on their broadband use and its value. The project has been supported by INTERREG IIIA, and is available along the entire border corridor but places are limited, on a first come basis. Applications cannot be accepted after July 2004. There is no complex application process, and a quick decision.To find out more and put your organisation forward, email gordon@socia.net.

8. BT Community Connections

BT Community Connections is a nationwide award scheme, which connects voluntary and community groups to the internet. In the last two years of the scheme more than 3,400 winning groups have benefited enormously from internet access. In 2004/2005 a further £1.3 million worth of internet-ready computers and IT equipment will be awarded to an additional 1,200 deserving groups across the UK.The scheme is targeted at community groups where internet access is vital. It provides them with a vehicle to pursue further education, employment and consumer interests, source new funding as well as boosting esteem and reducing feelings of isolation.There are three ways to apply for a BT Community Connections Award:Apply Online, Download an Application Form or Apply By PostAlthough Round One of the Awards has elapsed, there is a second chance and Round Two will be open for applications in July 2004.The programme closes to online applications on 2 December 2004 at 5.30pm. Postal applications must be received earlier ie by 5.30pm on 25 November 2004.Further information as well as an online application can be found at:http://www.btcommunityconnections.com/

9. Age Positive Launches in the North West

The Age Positive North West launch is to take place at the Beechill Country House Hotel in Derry on Tuesday 29 June 2004 at 10.30amThe event is targeted at all employers of any size, as well as those organisations involved in employment or training. It aims to provide advice on the benefits of employing a mixed age work force and information on the forthcoming age discrimination legislation.Further information on the Age Positive campaign can be found at http://www.agepositive.gov.uk/ . The website includes details of current case studies and Age Positive Champions, and you can view the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment.To register an interest in attending the launch, or if you think you could become an Age Positive Champion, contact Eimear Fitzpatrick, Age Positive, Geronimo Public Relations, 028 9050 3296 or mobile 077 9304 5473.

10. Hallmarks of an Effective Charity According to the Charity Commission of England and Wales The Hallmarks set out the standards that the Charity Commission believes an effective charity and its trustees will try to uphold and the principles that their regulatory framework exists to support.Each of the six Hallmarks describes an overarching principle and not a legal requirement. Together they set out a framework for effectiveness that charities can work towards. The bullet points under each of the Hallmarks suggest ways in which each might be achieved but will not be applicable to all charities. Some charities may find different routes to the same end. Although the principles on which the Hallmarks are based will be relevant for all charities, the way in which they can be achieved will vary with the size, income, complexity and activities of each charity.Compliance with the law is an integral part of good governance and effectiveness. This publication does not attempt to list the legal requirements that apply to charities and charity trustees.www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc60.asp

11. Saturday Night at the Movies… And Sunday Morning

Ireland’s first Midsummer Movie Marathon on 19 June 2004 will benefit Bryson House.Movie House Cinemas has teamed up with the charity Bryson House for a one-of-a-kind fundraising event to mark the longest day of the year. Movie House Cinema will host Ireland’s first all-night Midsummer Movie Marathon at its Dublin Road cinema in Belfast on Saturday 19 June 2004.The Midsummer Movie Marathon will begin at 10.30pm and will feature the first Northern Ireland screening of three new films. Films scheduled for the marathon are The Lady Killers with Tom Hanks, Man on Fire with Denzel Washington, and Twisted starring Ashley Judd and Samuel L Jackson. Participants will be among the first in the UK to see these films.Movie buffs, altruists and insomniacs are invited to participate in this unique event with a minimum £20 sponsorship. Films will run from dusk till dawn and the event will wrap up with breakfast at 5.30am. To register call 028 9034 7731 or visit the charity’s website at http://www.brysonhouse.co.uk/ . Participants must be at least 18 years old, and must pre-register.For those interested in fundraising, everyone who raises £30 or more will receive a free t-shirt, and a special prize will be reserved for the participant who secures the largest sponsorships. Registration packs are available at all Movie House Cinemas, at Bryson House in Belfast and on-line at the charity’s website at http://www.brysonhouse.co.uk/ .

Three consultation seminars have been organised to discuss the recently released document ‘New TSN – The Way Forward’:

- Monday 14 June 2.00pm 2004 at NICVA Offices, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

- Thursday 17 June 10.00am 2004 at Omagh Community House, Drumragh Avenue, Omagh, held in conjunction with FOCUS.

- Wednesday 16 June 10.00am 2004 at the Island Centre, Lisburn - this event is specifically for network organisations.

NICVA has produced an eight page briefing paper on the government’s review of New TSN and proposals for an anti-poverty programme. It expresses concern that the draft strategy does not take account of the structure of our society and the inherent inequalities that exist. Unequal societies inevitably have higher levels of poverty than ones with a more equal distribution of income and wealth. The briefing paper is available to download from www.nicva.org.

3. NCVO Shares NICVA’s Concerns About the Future of National Lottery Funding

NCVO is the sister organisation of NICVA for England. NCVO has outlined its concerns in the following statement.

“The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is concerned that Government has chosen to ignore several of the Committee's proposals with regard to reform of the National Lottery. Firstly, it is clear that the issue of additionality remains under threat. The recent announcement that the £200m Young People's Fund in England is to be spent on a range of government inspired programmes appears to be further evidence of the erosion of additionality. Lottery initiatives must remain additional to government spending - not a substitute for it.”

“With this in mind NCVO is disappointed that the Government rejected the Committee's call, for the Secretary of State to make an annual report to Parliament on how the additionality principle has been applied.”

“Secondly, we are also disappointed that the Government rejected NCVO's calls to surrender Lottery Duty in favour of directing those funds to prizes and good causes. They have instead changed the rationale for Lottery Duty by stating it should make '...a fair contribution to the funding of essential public services'. This was not the original intention for Lottery Duty and does not serve the interests of the lottery good causes.”

“Nevertheless, we will continue to push for reform of the Lottery in order to assert the interests of the voluntary and community sector and protect the money available to good causes.”

Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive, National Council for Voluntary Organisations

http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/

4. Responding to Consultations Course

A one day course run by NICVA in partnership with the Consultation Institute.

Are you inundated with consultation documents? Do you know how best to respond to them? Would you like to learn how to respond more effectively?

This full day workshop is aimed specifically at groups and organisations who need to respond to public or stakeholder consultation exercises; to share Best Practice in how to respond and influence decisions; and how to encourage consultees to maximise the impact of their responses to achieve internal and external goals.

The training will look at the role of consultation; different ways of responding and demanding effective feedback, alongside many other interesting and practical ways to improve the consultation process for you.

There are only six places left on the course which takes place on 16 June 2004, 9.45am to 4.00pm. If you are interested in attending, please contact Denise McCann at NICVA as soon as possible on 028 9087 7777 or denise.mccann@nicva.org .

The course costs £60 per person for NICVA members and £75 per person for non-members and will be held at Gortalowry House, Cookstown.

5. Big Lottery Fund Consultation Papers Available

The consultation papers on the future programmes of the Big Lottery Fund are available from the Big Lottery Fund’s website. NICVA will be preparing a briefing paper on the consultation. The consultation period will end on 30 September 2004. The Big Lottery Fund is the new distributor formed from the merger of New Opportunities Fund and Community Fund. For more information on NICVA’s work on the consultation contact Neil Irwin on 028 9087 7777 or neil.irwin@nicva.org.

www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/consultation

6. Media Trust and BBC Voluntary Matters Season

Two TV programmes on fundraising will be shown on BBC2 in June.The 15 minute programmes, ‘Persuasion’ and ‘Raising It’ explain the key points of defining your fundraising message then putting it into action. They follow Hendon ladies football team from North London and Brighton-based musical youth group Audio Active as they struggle to define and build their profile and then raise the money they urgently need.

The programmes will be shown on BBC2 on the Learning Zone from 2.00am to 230am on Monday 7 June 2004 with repeats on 14 June 2004 and 21 June 2004 at the same times. They are part of a series called Voluntary Matters, which is being shown as part of the Workskills in the Community season, a partnership between the BBC and the Media Trust. The season features a range of programmes designed to help people working in the voluntary sector. For more information about the Workskills in the Community season, see www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone.

7. Free Broadband in Border Areas

Socia.net can give not-for-profit organisations in the border corridor free broadband for a year, plus financial support against PCs, servers and so on.

Organisations must be willing to find a cross-border partner (who will also get the same level of support including free broadband) and provide feedback on their broadband use and its value. The project has been supported by INTERREG IIIA, and is available along the entire border corridor but places are limited, on a first come basis. Applications cannot be accepted after July 2004. There is no complex application process, and a quick decision.

To find out more and put your organisation forward, email gordon@socia.net.

8. BT Community Connections

BT Community Connections is a nationwide award scheme, which connects voluntary and community groups to the internet. In the last two years of the scheme more than 3,400 winning groups have benefited enormously from internet access. In 2004/2005 a further £1.3 million worth of internet-ready computers and IT equipment will be awarded to an additional 1,200 deserving groups across the UK.

The scheme is targeted at community groups where internet access is vital. It provides them with a vehicle to pursue further education, employment and consumer interests, source new funding as well as boosting esteem and reducing feelings of isolation.

There are three ways to apply for a BT Community Connections Award:

Apply Online, Download an Application Form or Apply By Post

Although Round One of the Awards has elapsed, there is a second chance and Round Two will be open for applications in July 2004.

The programme closes to online applications on 2 December 2004 at 5.30pm. Postal applications must be received earlier ie by 5.30pm on 25 November 2004.

Further information as well as an online application can be found at:

http://www.btcommunityconnections.com/

9. Age Positive Launches in the North West

The Age Positive North West launch is to take place at the Beechill Country House Hotel in Derry on Tuesday 29 June 2004 at 10.30amThe event is targeted at all employers of any size, as well as those organisations involved in employment or training. It aims to provide advice on the benefits of employing a mixed age work force and information on the forthcoming age discrimination legislation.

Further information on the Age Positive campaign can be found at http://www.agepositive.gov.uk/ . The website includes details of current case studies and Age Positive Champions, and you can view the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment.

To register an interest in attending the launch, or if you think you could become an Age Positive Champion, contact Eimear Fitzpatrick, Age Positive, Geronimo Public Relations, 028 9050 3296 or mobile 077 9304 5473.

10. Hallmarks of an Effective Charity According to the Charity Commission of England and Wales

The Hallmarks set out the standards that the Charity Commission believes an effective charity and its trustees will try to uphold and the principles that their regulatory framework exists to support.

Each of the six Hallmarks describes an overarching principle and not a legal requirement. Together they set out a framework for effectiveness that charities can work towards. The bullet points under each of the Hallmarks suggest ways in which each might be achieved but will not be applicable to all charities. Some charities may find different routes to the same end. Although the principles on which the Hallmarks are based will be relevant for all charities, the way in which they can be achieved will vary with the size, income, complexity and activities of each charity.

Compliance with the law is an integral part of good governance and effectiveness. This publication does not attempt to list the legal requirements that apply to charities and charity trustees.

www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc60.asp

11. Saturday Night at the Movies… And Sunday Morning

Ireland’s first Midsummer Movie Marathon on 19 June 2004 will benefit Bryson House.

Movie House Cinemas has teamed up with the charity Bryson House for a one-of-a-kind fundraising event to mark the longest day of the year. Movie House Cinema will host Ireland’s first all-night Midsummer Movie Marathon at its Dublin Road cinema in Belfast on Saturday 19 June 2004.

The Midsummer Movie Marathon will begin at 10.30pm and will feature the first Northern Ireland screening of three new films. Films scheduled for the marathon are The Lady Killers with Tom Hanks, Man on Fire with Denzel Washington, and Twisted starring Ashley Judd and Samuel L Jackson. Participants will be among the first in the UK to see these films.

Movie buffs, altruists and insomniacs are invited to participate in this unique event with a minimum £20 sponsorship. Films will run from dusk till dawn and the event will wrap up with breakfast at 5.30am. To register call 028 9034 7731 or visit the charity’s website at http://www.brysonhouse.co.uk/ . Participants must be at least 18 years old, and must pre-register.

For those interested in fundraising, everyone who raises £30 or more will receive a free t-shirt, and a special prize will be reserved for the participant who secures the largest sponsorships. Registration packs are available at all Movie House Cinemas, at Bryson House in Belfast and on-line at the charity’s website at http://www.brysonhouse.co.uk/ .

Established in 1906, Bryson House has been helping vulnerable people in Northern Ireland for nearly 100 years. The charity helps more than 100,000 people each year through its 27 projects.

Movie House Cinemas is locally owned and operated and was established in 1992. The company operates four cinemas at Dublin Road , Yorkgate, Glengormley and Maghera with 32 screens across Northern Ireland .

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