eNews: 11 June 2007

NICVA

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1. Top stories
2. Office Giveaways
3. Pick of the Websites
4. Make Your Move - new jobs this week on communityni.org
5. CommunityNI Diary
6. Subscribe to eNews
7. Feedback
8. Submit an Article
9. communitybuyer.org
10. Membership
11. Pick of the websites

Top Stories

1) Help the Aged and New Lodge Forum scoop SCOPE

Devolution of power in Northern Ireland is a great achievement, but the voluntary and community sector must make it work for them, suggested Paul McGill, SCOPE editor, at the recent presentation of the SCOPE Communication Awards to 16 voluntary and community groups. He also noted that 101 different pressure groups are up at Stormont making their case.

“Communicating well and campaigning actively will be even more important in the coming years as the Executive and Assembly decide their priorities and allocate their limited funding,” Mr McGill added.

Comedian Nuala McKeever presented the awards to the two overall award winners, Help the Aged (large organisation) and New Lodge Trust (small organisation) – congratulations to them both on their achievement.

Awards were presented in nine different categories and the full list of winners and runners up, plus video footage of the event is available from the CommunityNI website.

2) You asked, we delivered …

Thanks to all of you who completed this year’s Members’ Survey and congratulations to Belfast Exposed the lucky winner of a laptop in our prize draw.

The survey found that our members particularly want information and training in Governance, Skills Development and Policy Development and on the back of this we have has developed acalendarwhich offers training in Collaborative Working; Full Cost Recovery, Recruitment and Selection; Fundraising, Media Skills and Lobbying and more. The calendar meets many of your other training requests including Basic Finance skills, Risk Management, IT and Communication.

NICVA also has a range of ongoing training and information including:

• Finance
• Governance and charity advice:
• Community Planning and RPA
• European issues
• Collaborative working
• Strategic planning and contract negotiation

The full survey results and copy of the training calendar are available on the NICVA site.

3) Possibly the most important date at the movies you will ever have …

None of us can have missed the recent media interest in climate change and all things related, but what does it mean for the voluntary and community sector? This event is aimed at all types of voluntary and community organisation. It will give you the opportunity to find out more about what is perhaps the biggest debate of our time. It will also give you time to think about how your organisation impacts on climate change and what you can do about it.

Climate Change and You takes place at NICVA tomorrow - Tuesday 12 June 2007 - from 10.00am to 1.00pm

The event features a screening of Al Gore’s Oscar-winning An Inconvenient Truth and discussions that will show environmental issues and sustainability affect us all, not just the environmental groups.

To register, please contact Cathy Breslin at cathy.breslin@nicva.org or call 028 9087 7777.

4) What do you think of the Code?

A draft Code of Good Governance (enclosed with last month’s issue) drawn up for the voluntary and community sector was launched for consultation in April by the Developing Governance Group. The draft Code sets out principles and best practice to help and support management committees/boards of any size.

The Developing Governance Group welcomes your comments on the draft Code of Good Governance. Please tell us:

• What your reaction is to the key principles outlined in the Code.
• Whether your organisation could use the Code as a useful tool to help improve governance in your organisation.
• Whether your organisation could state compliance with either the full Code or some of the principles of the Code.

Copies of the draft Code are available on the NICVA site. Please send any comments to Denise McCann on 028 9087 7777 ordenise.mccann@nicva.org by Friday 29 June 2007.

5) Get together and thrash out your legal responsibilities

NICVA has enlisted the help of Cleaver Fulton Rankin solicitors to help demystify legal due diligence for organisations embarking on a merger or formal collaboration at a special seminar on 26 June 2007.

Mergers: legal due diligence is a breakfast seminar aimed at those people who will lead the implementation of the merger/collaboration - chief executives or senior officers and/or board members. Places are limited so priority will be given to those organisations which are seriously considering merging or collaborating on a formal basis.

The event takes place at NICVA with breakfast and registration at 7.45am. The seminar itself runs from 8.00am to 10.00am.

There will be an opportunity for networking and speaking to the solicitors on your specific situation after the seminar.

For further information, please contact Denise McCann at NICVA on 028 9087 7777 or email:denise.mccann@nicva.org. To register, please download and return the booking form.

Please note there will a more in-depth collaborations and mergers seminar on 25 October 2007 which will explore the broader context of collaborative working.

6) Time for a team leadership information seminar

NICVA in association with TIME Associates, one of Ireland’s leading Learning and Development specialists, is holding an information seminar on the Team Leadership Programme. This programme is tailored for the voluntary sector and aims to provide new or inexperienced team leaders/supervisors with the key leadership skills needed to lead and manage others with the positive effect of unleashing and releasing personal capability.

The event takes place at NICVA on 19 June 2007 from 10.00am to 12.00pm.

Please contact Samantha Livingstone for more details on 028 9066 7557.

7) Struggling with those funding applications?

This half day training session on 21 June 2007 could be just the ticket. Making a better Awards for All applicationwill give you a step by step look at the application process. It is an ideal starting point to learn about applying for grants and will give participants a better chance of being successful in this scheme and with other funders.

For more information or to book a place, contact Sandra Bailie at sandra.bailie@nicva.org.

8) Not using the media to best advantage?

Introduction to media skills training is available over two half days on 27 and 28 June 2007.

Writing an eye catching press release will use practical activities to improve your skills in writing press releases. (27 June, 9.30am-1.00pm)

Confident television interviews – will brief you on how best to present yourself and your message. Your own practice interview will be recorded and you will get individual feedback. (28 June, 2.00pm-5.00pm)

Numbers on these courses are strictly limited so please book soon to avoid disappointment.

For more information or to book a place, please contact Sandra Bailie at sandra.bailie@nicva.org.

9) Worldwide interaction

InterAction is an innovative programme that helps participants understand their role as a leader, increase their impact in their community or organisation, and learn from their peers in Africa and the UK. The programme has been highly successful to date and has already created a network of over 900 leaders in Africa and the UK.

Its strength is its unique approach to learning and the diversity of participants who come from across Africa and the UK to take part and learn from each other. Previous participants report that they have been able to make significant changes to their lives and to the communities and organisations they are part of.

The programme is fully funded by the British Council with all participant costs paid for (excluding cost of travel to events in the UK). It includes a series of training and active learning modules, practical work experience, and a Pan Africa-UK networking element to allow UK and African participants to share their experiences of leadership.

To find out more please visit www.bc-interaction.org.

10) Legacy of the troubles – a community workshop

Queen’s University is about to embark on a second phase of research examining the legacy of the troubles in terms of both mental health and social attitudes. The university has organised a workshop to take place on 27 June 2007 in the Cavan Crystal Hotel to highlight the value of this research, and research more generally, for those working in the voluntary and community sector.

One of the most interesting findings from the study so far was the role of identity in moderating the impact of experience of political violence. Further research will look at the longevity of the problems experienced by those most affected by the troubles, and will also investigate how factors such as remembrance and acknowledgment or lack of acknowledgment of injustice and grief can exacerbate post-conflict adaptation.

Please contact Alison Jeffrey for more information at a.jeffrey@qub.ac.uk.

11) Ethnic minorities and community safety

INCORE, as part of its Diversity in Action project is organising a series of seminars, the third of which is taking place on Wednesday 27 June 2007 in the One World Centre, 7-15 Foyle Street, Derry.

Participants will hear from a representative of PSNI who will talk about safety, reporting of hate crimes, the Hate Incident Practical Action Scheme, road safety, and the recent changes to legislation. There will also be input from Mena Heaney and Tony Quinn, Derry City Council, Community Safety Partnership. There will be an opportunity for participants to voice their concerns and identify the safety issues of greatest importance to members of the minority ethnic community.

Please contact Janet Farren on 028 7137 5575 or email je.farren@ulster.ac.uk if you would like to attend.

For further information on the Diversity In Action project, contact Roisin O’Hagan on 028 7137 5523 or email: r.ohagan@ulster.ac.uk.

12) How will EU state aid policy affect Northern Ireland?

Concordia is hosting a short seminar on state aid on 22 June 2007 at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast, from 9.30am to 12.00pm.

The seminar will discuss the recent developments and future outlook for state aid policy in the EU with particular emphasis on the effect this will have on Northern Ireland. The seminar will be of particular interest to those in the business and agricultural sectors although anyone with an interest in this area is welcome to attend.

Please email: info@concordiapartnership.org or call Fiona on 028 8778 8242 if you would like to attend.

Please visit www.concordiapartnership.org/trsupport_events.aspfor more information.

13) Don’t miss the bus …

Action Cancer’s BIG BUS provides mobile health services in Northern Ireland. On board services include breast screening for women aged 40-49 years and 65+years, men’s MOT health checks, complementary therapy for people affected by or living with cancer and our Listening Ear Service which offers information and support for those affected by cancer and for people who would like to talk to someone in confidence.

As our services are rotated regionally across Health and Social Services Board areas the BIG BUS is now accepting bookings based on your organisation’s geographic location as follows:

• September 2007 - Southern HSSB area
• November 2007 - Northern HSSB area
• December 2007 - Eastern HSSB area
• January 2008 - Western HSSB area

Groups and companies wishing to make a booking for the BIG BUS should call Action Cancer on 028 9080 3344 or email: bigbus@actioncancer.org.

14) Quench your creative thirst and make some money

Are you thinking about setting up your own business in the creative industries or perhaps making a little extra income with your creative skills?

If so, the WEA and Belfast City Council have the programme for you. The programme will enable participants to develop a full business plan and a portfolio as well as receiving guidance from mentors who will guide them through the experience.

Anyone with a Level 2 qualification or above in their skill area living in the Belfast City Council area and who is considering self employment or gaining additional income in the creative industries is welcome to apply.

For further information contact Carole Kane on 028 9032 9718 or email: carole.kane@wea-ni.com.

15) Beat the bullies

Does your organisation facilitate or support a parent/carers’ group or children/young people's group? The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum wants to hear from you to explore how your members can have an input into actions the Forum is planning to undertake.

For more information, please email niabf@savethechildren.org.ukwith your group's name and contact details.

Office Giveaways

Got some furniture or equipment to donate (or going cheap) to a voluntary or community group? Use this space to let people know what you’ve got.

Pick of the Websites

This week at the Assembly

An overview of upcoming business at the Assembly from 11 to 15 June 2007

Involved in rural community development?

Would you like to have a stronger rural voice at the decision making table?

Queen's Award for Red Cross volunteers

Red Cross ‘meals on wheels’ volunteers in Derry have been chosen as a winner of this year's prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Make Your Move – new jobs this week on communityni.org

This section contains a random selection of the latest jobs from the CommunityNI website.

• Regeneration Resource Centre Development Officer at Groundwork
• Development Officer at Mediation Northern Ireland
• Chaperone at Youth Music Theatre
• Training and Development Officer at NI Anti Poverty Network

Submit your job - eNews does not carry full job advertisements, but if you would like your job to be one of the featured links, please submit your advertisement to the CommunityNI website using this link.

As the featured link slot is in great demand, to keep things fair, we can only make a random selection of three or four new jobs each week, and cannot guarantee that your job will be selected.

CommunityNI Diary

NICVA’s successful Community Diary now has a new home on the CommunityNI web portal. Submit details of your upcoming events in CommunityNI’s Events Calendar at www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/events.

Simply follow the Submit an Event link to the right of the page, enter the details, and we’ll do the rest.

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Community Buyer

Communitybuyer.org has been connecting the voluntary and community sector with top suppliers since March 2007.

Communitybuyer.org is an online directory of products and services specially for the voluntary and community sector. With ratings and advice it’s an essential resource for your buying needs. Only companies that have a keen interest in working with the voluntary and community sector are listed and great discounts are available to NICVA members. Look out for the NICVA member discounts badge on the site.

To find out more, visit www.communitybuyer.org.

Membership

NICVA membership is open to all voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland.

To find out more contact Frances McAtamney on tel: 028 9087 7777, email: frances.mcatamney@nicva.orgor visit the website www.nicva.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/NICVAmembership.

The opinions, views or comments in this email do not necessarily reflect any views or policies of NICVA. In making information available from other organisations NICVA is not endorsing, privileging or guaranteeing its accuracy but acting as an information conduit in good faith.