eNews 16 January 2012

By Seana McAuley - last updated on Mon, 16/01/2012 - 18:37

Exploring collaboration
Handling redundancy
Northern Ireland's economic strategy - get involved
Free finance workshop for groups working with older people
Managing staff - snap up the last available spaces
PfG consultation event highlights need for sector to contribute
Institute of Fundraising January bites
An overview of the benefits and tax credits system
Mental Health First Aid with Aware NI
Event Management for Volunteers
Consultation event on the draft Programme for Government
Free capacity building training for NGOs
Mencap conference to consider inclusion and equality
Appointment of Independent Members to Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PSCPs)
CFNI Observatory examines community policing
Office space required (Antrim and Derry)
Centrally located office space to let

CEE Economic Insight
NICVA Out and About
Pick of the Websites
Make Your Move - new jobs from CommunityNI

1 Exploring collaboration

CollaborationNI has several courses on offer throughout February and March focusing on the skills needed to make collaboration work. The two courses outlined below offer an ideal opportunity to explore some of the issues involved in collaboration. For more information on the support available under the CollaborationNI programme, please contact Leeann Kelly (Programme Co-ordinator) by email at leeann.kelly@nicva.org or call 028 9087 7777. CollaborationNI is a partnership programme between NICVA, CO3 and Stellar Leadership, funded by Building Change Trust.

Exploring culture, values and behaviours in effective collaboration 16 February, 8 March 2012 and 22 March 2012 at CO3, 34 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast BT2 7DB, 9.30am-4.30pm
Cost: £75

This three day workshop, aimed at leaders within voluntary and community organisations, explores the links between culture, values and behaviours in effective collaboration. The workshop will consider what collaboration means, its benefits and challenges in practice. It will also look at the kinds of thinking and attitudes leaders often have that can make collaboration difficult and consider how to address them. The frameworks and practical tools presented will support planning for effective collaboration and help you translate thinking into action.

Leading beyond authority: using influence to make collaboration work, 7 February, 6 March and 3 April 2012 at City East, Belfast BT4 1GW, 9.30am- 4.00pm.
Cost: £75

This new programme will take board members and senior managers through a journey of learning that aims to develop specific aspects of leadership that are considered necessary for collaborative working across separately constituted organisations. The three-day, high-powered development programme is based on research and experience and is delivered by Stellar Leadership’s professional team of leadership specialists as part of CollaborationNI.

To find out more about these courses or to book a place please click on the links above or visit http://www.collaborationni.org/training-events.

2 Handling redundancy

Redundancy is one of the most traumatic events an employee may experience. Announcement of redundancies will invariably have an adverse impact on morale, motivation and productivity. The negative effects can be reduced by sensitive handling of redundant employees and those remaining.

Handling redundancy, 14 February 2012, 10.00am-1.00pm
Cost: £50 members, £70 non-members

This session looks at a best practice approach to handling a redundancy and ending fixed term contracts. It will give participants the opportunity to consider the potential risks in a redundancy situation.

To book a place click on the link above. For further information please contact Roisin Kelly by email at roisin.kelly@nicva.org or call 028 9087 7777.

3 Northern Ireland’s economic strategy - get involved

‘It’s the economy stupid’ was the catch phrase of President Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign used to remind his team of what really matters to people and what has the biggest impact on their lives. Whilst unemployment in Northern Ireland is still below the UK average our economy is currently underperforming compared to other UK regions. As Government cuts begin in earnest and welfare reform is initiated, the outlook for many households and young people in the short to medium term is bleak.

The draft economic strategy outlines the Northern Ireland Executive’s determination that the wealth and prosperity it is seeking to create will be used to help reduce poverty, promote equality and tackle existing patterns of disadvantage and division. Engagement with the draft economic strategy should not be left to business and Government alone. To help people become informed, engaged and write a response NICVA is holding a consultation event on 23 January 2012.

For more information and to book your place visit http://www.nicva.org/news/economic-strategy-priorities-sustainable-growth-and-prosperity

4 Free finance workshop for groups working with older people

This two hour workshop has been designed to remind or enlighten you about some of the key concepts and tools needed in financial accounting. It should help you think about your organisation's finances in a different way: more business-like than grant led but no less mission focused. The workshop will consider:

Introductory financial accounting
Income statements
Profit v cash
Cash flow
Working capital v reserves

The workshop has been developed by Sector Matters in conjunction with Charity Bank as part of the ‘Towards a Resilient, Sustainable and Independent Age Sector’ project. The project is delivered through support from The Atlantic Philanthropies and aims to help build financial capability in the age sector and in particular to support more social economy activity.

Monday 13 February 2012, 10.30am to 12.30pm (Registration at 10.15am) in Conference Room B, NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB

To request a booking click on the link above, or for more information, please contact Paula Reynolds at Sector Matters on 028 9087 5018 or email paula.reynolds@sectormatters.com

5 Managing staff - snap up the last available spaces

Managing staff offers a valuable training opportunity for anyone involved in the supervision, support and management of staff.

7 February 2012, 10.00am-1.00pm at NICVA
Cost: £75 members, £110 non-members

This one day course describes a framework for managing the performance of staff including supervision and appraisal. It also covers how to give feedback and tips for how to deal with underperformance. Motivation of staff is a key part of supporting staff and this session will outline motivation theories and give an opportunity for participants to share ideas (There is the option of achieving accreditation from the Institute of Leadership and Management for this course as a unit of the First Line Management Level 3 Certificate).

6 PfG consultation event highlights need for sector to contribute

NICVA kicked off its series of consultations on the draft Programme for Government with a meeting in Belfast on 11 January. The event was addressed by Jim Sutherland from the PfG team in OFMDFM who emphasised the strategic nature of the document and expressed the Department's wish to hear the views of the sector and also directly from the public.

Speaking at the event, NICVA Chief Executive Seamus McAleavey said that this was an important consultation for the sector and NICVA was committed to facilitating discussion and helping to share information between organisations. With this in mind, NICVA has published and will continue to add useful information to help organisations compile their responses.

The next consultation event takes place on Thursday 19 January in Derry and will be held by NICVA in conjuction with North West Community Network in Waterfoot Hotel, Derry.

7 Institute of Fundraising January bites

January Bites - Social Media Session hosted by Andy Hamill

Wednesday 18 January 2012, 1.30- 3.30pm at NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast

Andy Hamill, from MyDonate will be providing information on MyDonate, which is a not- for profit, online fundraising service for UK charities. This service provides a secure, easy-to-use way for millions of people to raise money for the charity of their choice.

The MyDonate service has been designed to complement existing charitable giving platforms. It gives fundraisers and donors more choice when raising money online to support their chosen charities.

The seminar will include a networking lunch and Q & A session.

Institute of Fundraising members £7.50, non-members £10.00 (payable at event and includes lunch)

If you would like to attend please email geraldineandrews@praxiscare.org.uk or telephone 028 9072 7198 to book a place.

8 An overview of the benefits and tax credits system

An overview of the benefits and tax credits system (Ref: OBTC2012)

28 February 2012, 9.30am-1.00pm (approximately) at the Advice NI offices in Belfast.

This half day training course provides participants with a basic overview of the benefits and tax credits system. It covers benefits for children, working age and older people, including means tested benefits, non-means tested benefits, child tax credits and working tax credits. The course is aimed at advisers, community champions interested in advice work, and those working in the subject area.

Educational/Professional Framework: This course is linked to the National Occupational Standards for Legal Advisers including IB19 – First Line Welfare Rights and Legal Advice
Fees: Advice NI Members £30
Voluntary and community organisations £45
Statutory and private organisations £70

To find out more about this course and to book a place please visit www.adviceni.net

9 Mental Health First Aid with Aware NI

Mental Health First Aid, Wednesday 25 January and Wednesday 1 February 2012 at Philip House,York Street, Belfast. The training will take place from 9.30am to 4.30pm on both days with lunch provided.

The course is usually delivered over two consecutive days. Topics covered include:

What is meant by mental health / mental ill health?
Crisis situations such as suicidal behaviour, self harm, panic attacks and acute psychotic behaviour
The signs and symptoms of common mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.

Each course is delivered by two MHFA instructors to a maximum of 16 participants through the medium of presentations, video, discussion and workgroups. For further information email Andrea Kearns andrea@aware-ni.org or telephone 028 9032 1734.

10 Event Management for Volunteers

Designed for both existing and new volunteers involved in sports or arts events and also people who support or manage event volunteers; all will benefit. Successful participants will gain an understanding of what is involved in event management for volunteers and have the opportunity to build on their event management skills. Participants who apply for the credited option will gain 5 credit points which could be used towards the University of Ulster’s Certificate of Personal and Professional Development (CPPD).

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February 2012 at University of Ulster, Jordanstown

Course costs:
Credited - £110 per person (only £60 if you are within the first 20 registered)
Non-credited - £70 per person (only £20 if you are within the first 20 registered)
The above costs reflect a £50 bursary from DCAL for the first 20 applicants to register and pay. To book a place contact Claire McLoughlin on 028 9023 2020 or email claire.mcloughlin@volunteernow.co.uk.

11 Consultation event on the draft Programme for Government

Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) will be holding a consultation event on the draft Programme for Government on Thursday 19 January 2012. Denis McMahon (Director of Strategy and Equality, OFDFM) will provide an overview of the draft PfG. Departmental Children's Champions have also been invited to provide an input on Departmental responses to the draft PfG.

The event will take place from 10.00am to 12.30pm at Children in Northern Ireland, Unit 9, 40 Montgomery Road, Belfast, BT6 9HL. Tea and coffee will be served from 9.30am onwards.

To register: contact Lynsey Dempster by telephone 028 9040 1290 or email lynsey@ci-ni.org.uk.

12 Free capacity building training for NGOs

Runnymede is offering UK NGOs and grassroots organisations working in the equalities sector the opportunity to attend one of two free awareness raising seminars focusing on advocacy, the media and monitoring. These free events, funded by the European Commission, aim to develop the capacity of civil society organisations in dealing with anti-discrimination.

The Glasgow seminar has been confirmed for Thursday 9 February 2012, 10.00am to 4.30 pm. The seminars will be practical in nature and participants will have the opportunity to share experiences and good practice. They are mainly targeted at representatives of NGOs who would benefit from:

more in-depth knowledge on how to work effectively with the media
knowing how to set advocacy goals and objectives and identify methods and tools
understanding how monitoring can be used to tackle discrimination and address disadvantage

Please visit the Runnymede website for full details, including the application form and the draft programme for the day.

13 Mencap conference to consider inclusion and equality

Mencap is hosting a two day collaborative conference in Spring 2012 (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 March at Ramada Plaza hotel Belfast), bringing together organisations, groups and clubs, self advocates, people with a learning disability, families and professionals - everyone with an interest in improving the lives of children, young people, men and women with a disability.

The conference will be an opportunity to share, discuss and learn about new ways to build inclusive communities and services and ensure that disabled children and adults enjoy equal lives.

For more information, please contact Karen Clarke on 028 9069 1351 or karen.clarke@mencap.org.uk.

14 Appointment of Independent Members to Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs)

The NI Policing Board (NIPD) is recruiting Independent Members for PCSPs. NIPD needs people who can demonstrate an interest in the local community, community safety or policing issues, either through their employment, community or voluntary activity.

PCSPs are new bodies which will bring together the functions and responsibilities currently undertaken by District Policing Partnerships and Community Safety Partnerships. There will be one in each council area and they will work to make people feel safer and provide a direct link between local communities and the police. If you are interested and want to know more, NIPB is holding information events across Northern Ireland. Dates and Venues follow. All events will be held between 7.00 and 9.00pm.

Thursday 12 January - Ballymena Leisure Centre
Monday 16 January - Newtownards Town Hall
Tuesday 17 January - Bankhouse Hotel, Dungannon
Wednesday 18 January – Strabane Community Library
Thursday 19 January – Belmont Hotel, Banbridge
Monday 23 January – Belfast City Hall
Tuesday 24 January – Derry Council Offices
Wednesday 25 January – Enniskillen Town Hall

For further information, please contact the PCSP implementation team on pcsp.implementation@dojni.x.gsi.gov.uk or consult our website at http://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/pcsprecruitment.htm

15 CFNI Observatory examines community policing

Community Policing: the challenges from a community perspective - 26 January 2012, 10.00am – 1.00pm, Lough Neagh Centre, Oxford Island

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’s Observatory is organising this seminar to explore what is meant by the term ‘community policing’ and what the challenges are for communities in working with the PSNI and others to develop an effective police service.

For more information about the Observatory and this seminar www.communityfoundationni.org/Programmes/Observatory. To register for the seminar please contact eboyd@communityfoundationni.org.

16 Office space required (Antrim and Derry)

MindWise is looking for office space in Antrim and Derry for its new Linked-In (Supporting Young People Leaving Police Custody) Project from 1 April 2012 for an initial one or two year period. Required is one room with access between 9.00am and 5.00pm during the week, located either near Antrim or Strand Road PSNI station. Use of a desk, desk chair and lockable filing cabinet would be ideal. Rent payments will be made monthly in advance.

If you have suitable office space available please contact Mirjam Bader, Challenge Youth Manager, Mindwise by email mirjam.bader@mindwisenv.org or call 028 9040 2323.

17 Centrally located office spaces to let

Centre for Global Education (CGE) is a development non-governmental organisation that delivers training and resources on international development issues. CGE has office space to let in its centrally located premises at 9 University Street, Belfast, BT7 that would be ideal for a voluntary / community sector organisation or social enterprise. The office accommodation includes three work stations with shelving, telephone and wireless internet. CGE is also offering a shared kitchen, photocopier, a twelve-seater meeting / training room and public library with development education resources on the ground floor. The premises are protected by a security alarm.

If you are considering relocating and would welcome a location close to the Queen’s University campus and Belfast city centre with good transport links by train and bus then call to arrange a viewing. The office is available from January 2012. For details and viewing please contact Stephen McCloskey, Director Centre for Global Education, 9 University Street, Belfast BT7 1FY, email stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com or call 028 9024 1879.

CEE Economic Insight

Economic Insight - 16 January 2012
This weekly roundup and review of economic news from home and abroad is an invaluable tool for keeping up to date with all the latest developments. You can find CEE's Economic Insight on our website at www.nicva.org/projects/centre-economic-empowerment along with other news and information on the project.

NICVA Out and About

If you are interested in NICVA's activities, events and training and would like to know what goes on in your area then take a look at the brand new Out and About feature on our website. This feature contains a map enabling you to see where activities are taking place across Northern Ireland and the types of activities delivered by NICVA staff. To find out more about what's going on just click on the activity to find out more about that project.

This week NICVA staff will be seen out and about in Cavan and Carrickmore.

Pick of the Websites

CDHN Networking Event and 17th AGM - “Putting Communities At The Heart Of Commissioning" on Thursday 26 January 2012 in Canal Court, Newry. This event is free but registration is essential (an agenda and registration form are available from the link above).

Unique-NI is holding a series of events looking exploring how faith plays a role in relationships and discovering the best ways to communicate to your child and/or young person about relationships, friendships and decision-making.

NI Hospice Chief Executive Professor Judith Hill, and Robina Parkes have both received awards in the New Year's Honours list, for services to people receiving palliative care in Northern Ireland and for services to Northern Ireland Hospice respectively.

Make Your Move - new jobs from CommunityNI

A random selection of jobs posted on communityni. For full listings visit www.communityni.org

Economic Analyst (Centre for Economic Empowerment) at NICVA

Locum Community Counsellors at Contact NI

Membership Officer at Early Years

Partnership Development Worker at Northern Ireland Youth Forum

Printer-friendly version

Keywords

NICVA eNews