Smart Solutions Campaign: Bulletin One - 16 Sep 2010

By John McCormick - last updated on Thu, 16/09/2010 - 17:16

Welcome to the Smart Solutions in Tough Times e-bulletin ...

NICVA has been running a campaign called Smart Solutions in Tough Times to highlight the strengths of the voluntary and community sector and to ensure that organisations in the sector are not seen as an easy target in the Government’s upcoming Budget. This fortnightly bulletin will keep voluntary and community organisations up to date on the campaign, highlight upcoming events, share information and encourage debate.

Driving the message home - telling YOUR story

As we get closer to the results of the UK Spending Review it is critically important that voluntary and community organisations show how they offer the smart solutions to the tough decisions that lie ahead. Anyone who was at the conference with Minister Attwood in NICVA will be in little doubt that the voluntary and community sector is at the frontline of service delivery and building strong communities.

Your case studies

The campaign website has a growing list of powerful case studies, some including video, which showcase the best of the voluntary and community sector.

So far we have case studies from:

Add yours

Events and training

Helping you tell your story

The strength of the campaign will rely on voluntary and community organisations telling their own story, showcasing their work in the media and engaging with elected representatives. Using Section 75 and human rights legislation can also be a powerful addition to your arguments. We have organised three masterclass sessions aimed at helping you get your voices heard.

Communicating in tough times - a communications masterclass for the voluntary and community sector - 23 September
Engaging with the committees of the Northern Ireland Assembly - 12 October
The budget, equality and human rights - 28 October

Meet the departments on the comprehensive spending review

Over 400 people from voluntary and community organisations have already taken the opportunity to question departmental officials on their spending plans. See Campaign News below for links to the feedback reports. Details for the final round of meetings at NICVA are:

Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) - 5 October 2010 at 1.30pm
Department of the Environment (DOE) - 30 September 2010 at 4.00pm
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) - 7 October 2010 at 2.30pm

Follow the links to find out more or contact Colm Burns to register to attend on 028 9087 7777 or email colm.burns@nicva.org

From the blog

Do you have a view on the cuts? Suggestions for government? Some insider news? Use the campaign blog as your forum for debate.

Stormont Today Seamus McAleavey was the guest on the first edition of Stormont Today. The new programme replaces Stormont Live - which, in its old post lunchtime slot, rumbled away in the background.
DFP budget guidance to departments NICVA recently requested a copy of the guidance DFP issues to other departments on how to draw up their savings plans.
DOJ Committee question proposed cuts to voluntary and community organisations Officials from the Department of Justice presented their proposed spending plans to the DOJ Committee in the Assembly.
World Suicide Prevention Day On World Suicide Prevention Day voluntary and community organisations joined families affected by suicide on dawn walk to City Hall.
DCAL officials say cuts will mean job losses The Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee has heard that DCAL is preparing for 17.2% cuts and that will mean job losses and other 'unpalatable' consequences.

Join in the debate on the Smart Solutions blog

Campaign news

Voluntary and community sector receives positive report from NI Audit Office The report highlights the fact that the voluntary and community sector makes a significant contribution to the achievement of the Northern Ireland Executive's strategic goals and priorities.
NICVA's response to Minister Alex Attwood's letter on budgets Read our response to the DSD Minister's letter and the repsonses of some of our members.
CSR - Department of Regional Development Report from the Comprehensive Spending Review meeting with DRD
CSR - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Report from the Comprehensive Spending Review meeting with DARD

Keep up to date

If you can't wait for the next bulletin or want to get involved right now, see the campaign pages. If you want to get in touch, please email Lisa McElherron - lisa.mcelherron@nicva.org.