<p>October 2011 No. 66</p><p>GMCVO NEWS</p><p>Building economic and social inclusion GMCVO is currently involved in brokering the voluntary sector’s role with prime contractors in the delivery of the Work Programme. The Work Programme will replace all current programmes such as Flexible New Deal and Pathways to Work, and the Government requires all prime contractors to involve voluntary organisations in their supply chain. Working in partnership with Greater Manchester’s public authorities (including local councils and the NHS), GMCVO views this as an opportunity to demonstrate the impact of voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations to these potential funders in relation to building economic and social inclusion. To this end, GMCVO is conducting a survey that asks Greater Manchester’s VCS organisations to report on their current involvement/engagement with those who are economically and/or socially excluded. This information will help us to demonstrate the ability of Greater Manchester’s VCS organisations to deliver against priorities in a wide range of areas, such as helping long-term unemployed people get back into work. To take the survey, please go to: www.gmcvo.org.uk/building-economic-and-social-inclusion. If you would like any further information, please contact Andy Rawling, Policy and Partnerships Officer, GMCVO, 0161 277 1032, [email protected].</p><p>GMCVO research skills autumn series GMCVO has worked with the Third Sector Research Centre (TSRC) to put together a series of events on research skills for the third sector. The series kicks off on 20th October with a lecture on the pros and cons of a popular social accounting method, social return on investment. This will be followed by workshops on research tools for the third sector (10th November) and collecting and interpreting data (1st December). All events will be held at GMCVO and take place between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. The first session is free to attend; there is a £10 charge for the other two events. Please click on the links below for further details and online booking. www.gmcvo.org.uk/ambitions-and-challenges-social-return-investment www.gmcvo.org.uk/research-tools-third-sector www.gmcvo.org.uk/collecting-and-interpreting-data-make-your-point For more information, please contact Susanne Martikke, 0161 277 1031, [email protected].</p><p>Room hire discount at the St Thomas Centre The St Thomas Centre is offering a 20 per cent reduction on room hire charges for any new bookings made for December 2011 and January 2012. The Centre, which is managed by GMCVO, is within easy reach of Manchester city centre and Piccadilly railway station. The main hall can accommodate 140 people, while smaller rooms can hold up to 30 people. Please call 0161 277 1010 or e-mail [email protected] to check availability. www.gmcvo.org.uk/stc</p><p>Tell us your views on buying products and services Do suppliers provide a good service and aim to meet your needs or do they make your life difficult? We want to know what made an experience a disaster or hit all the right buttons. We’ll offer a hamper to the voluntary organisation that: ● describes most clearly the best experience; ● can give the most entertaining or outrageous example of the worst experience. Your comments will be used by GMCVO’s Market Place project in their supplier learning research. We aim to disseminate the learning to suppliers to de-mystify the sector and help them to understand how to tailor products/services and target their market more effectively. We’ll also promote best practice to Market Place members and other voluntary and community sector organisation. Please send us your experiences – the prize draw closing date is 26th October 2011. Contact: Alison Crush, [email protected], 0161 277 1022. For more information about Market Place, visit www.gmvss.net/marketplace. </p><p>A new approach to supporting voluntary action Across Greater Manchester we still face gross inequalities of wealth, health and skills. We know we have a strong tradition of local voluntary action and enterprise in Greater Manchester and we believe a new approach is needed to enabling community inspired solutions to these entrenched economic and social problems. GMCVO, in partnership with a number of business and voluntary sector infrastructure organisations, are working together to develop a new approach to supporting voluntary action and community enterprise. We would appreciate it if you could take five minutes to tell us your opinion. Please click on www.surveymonkey.com/s/TG89GKF to complete this short questionnaire. The closing date for the survey is Monday 24th October 2011. Should you wish to discuss this further, please contact Marie Brookfield, GMCVO, 0161 277 1009, [email protected]. </p><p>NEWS AND INFORMATION</p><p>Comic Relief funding for Greater Manchester Forever Manchester, the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester, has again been appointed by Comic Relief to manage and distribute its large grant scheme to community groups and projects across Greater Manchester. Grants of up to £10,000 are available for community groups, resident associations, community centres, social enterprises/community interest companies and credit unions. The activities or projects Comic Relief will fund include: ● Community sport activities ● Furniture projects ● Projects providing access to benefits advice ● Projects combating fuel poverty ● Community consultation exercises ● Community employment projects ● Food co-ops running costs; including salaries, core costs and project costs ● Committee and volunteer/staff training The fund does not award money to individuals; statutory organisations, including schools; trips abroad; buses, mini buses or other community transport schemes (not including transport costs forming part of a project); building costs, including access adaptations to buildings; and organisations not in receipt of a grant directly from Comic Relief. Applications need to be completed online and can be found via this link: www.gmcvo.org.uk/comic-relief- funding-greater-manchester. The deadline for applications is 25th October 2011. For further information, contact Forever Manchester, 0161 214 0940, [email protected]. </p><p>Providers for 2012 citizen service scheme announced The Office for Civil Society has announced the 19 providers chosen to run the 2012 National Citizen Service (NCS) programme, which will aim to reach three times as many young people as this year’s pilots. There will be 30,000 places available next year, compared to 10,000 this year, and Government funding for the scheme will grow from £13 million this year to £37 million next year. NCS is a voluntary eight-week summer programme for 16-year-olds administered by the OCS and the Department for Education. It aims to help young people develop the skills and attitudes they need to become more engaged with their communities and become active and responsible citizens. This will be the second round of pilots for the scheme, with the Government hoping to roll the programme out nationally in 2013. Providers in Greater Manchester include Bolton Lads and Girls Club (who also ran pilots in 2011) and the Salford Foundation. </p><p>President of NCVO says payment of trustees is inevitable Payment of trustees is coming whether we like it or not, according to president of NCVO’s president, Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbott. Speaking at a panel debate at the Charity Commission annual public meeting recently, Lord Hodgson responded to concerns from the audience that a new lighter-touch Charity Commission would put more pressure on trustees and lead to calls for remuneration. The whole panel, which also included Lord Smith of Finsbury and Baroness Tyler of Enfield, all agreed that some form of trustee payment could be necessary in the future. Lord Hodgson said: "We have situations where the chief executive's pay is £150,000 and trustees are thinking ‘I supervise him for nothing’. It is an issue of risk and reward.” He added that the Red Tape Taskforce, a group he chaired which looked at reducing bureaucracy in the charity sector, had asked stakeholders about relaxing rules on paying trustees and found a 50/50 split in opinion: “So we didn’t make the recommendation,” he said. “We ran away from it. But I do believe it’s coming whether we like it or not. And we’ll need to make sure it’s declared and transparent.” Baroness Tyler of Enfield, chief executive of Relate, was more tempered in her view, but did say that expecting people to give more time and expertise for free in the future could hinder inclusivity: “If it’s only people with time and money who can volunteer as trustees without recompense, then we won’t have a diverse trustee board. Maybe we will need honorarium payments in the future.” Lord Smith of Finsbury added: "It's not right or necessary to pay trustees of small, community charities, but it is probably now needed for large ones." [from: Civil Society Governance 23.9.11]</p><p>The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund is inviting applications from charity organisations for projects that support carers, community arts and education disability, older people, poverty, integration and rehabilitation. Successful projects will either maintain an open, inclusive society or promote integration (or reintegration) of individuals or groups into society. In general, priority is given to: ● smaller charities; ● charities which serve a locality or region of the UK, rather than national charities; ● causes which find it more difficult to raise funds from the general public; ● activities where the Trust's financial contribution will have an identifiable impact; ● new activities, provided there is evidence of these being sustainable in the longer term if they demonstrate success in meeting a need. Grants are normally awarded in the range of £1,000 to £10,000, with the majority of grants around £4,000 to £5,000. Trustees either make one-off grants, or offer funding for up to three years, sometimes on a tapering basis. Grants are not made for activities which promote the advancement of religion, nor for medical research or animal welfare. The next application deadline is 4th November 2011. For further information and to apply, visit: http://thetriangletrust1949fund.org.uk/index.htm, or contact Lesley Lilley, on 020 7299 4245. [from: Manchester Community Central Bulletin 3.10.11] New health lottery attracts criticism A new commercial lottery aims to raise £50 million a year for health causes across Britain. The Health Lottery, run by the Northern & Shell media company which owns Express newspapers and Channel 5, will offer a top prize of up to £100,000. It will donate 20p per £1 ticket to charity, compared with 28p for every National Lottery ticket. But the new lottery has been described as a "pretty disgraceful development" by Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of ACEVO. He said Northern & Shell owner Richard Desmond was "profiteering on the back of charities". "The National Lottery gives 28p; if he cares about health charities he should match that figure or he should close it down. I suspect this is more about making profits for this new venture than it is to give money to health charities." Bubb added that ticket sales for the National Lottery would fall and charities generally would get less money if Mr Desmond's new lottery competed with it. The Health Lottery has been set up to oversee 51 society lotteries, each representing a different area in England, Wales and Scotland. As a society lottery, the draws will be exempt from the 12p in duty paid on each pound of National Lottery sales. The Health Lottery expects that £50 million will be donated to health-related causes, based on projected annual ticket sales of £250 million. That compares to the £270 million the National Lottery is said to have given health-related charities last year out of total donations of £1.6 billion and overall sales of £5.8 billion. Donations from the Health Lottery could include money to cover respite care and counselling for young carers, and specialist nurses for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, but the aim is not to subsidise or finance NHS projects, organisers said. The money raised will be distributed by the People's Health Trust. More than 40,000 retailers have signed up to sell tickets, which is believed to be about 12,000 more than the National Lottery has.</p><p>Policing and equality survey Voluntary and community groups in Greater Manchester are being asked to give their views on policing, equality and diversity. These views will help shape the Greater Manchester Police’s equality objectives over the next four years. The objectives are intended to ensure that the GMP and the GMP Authority follow the Equality Act 2010 – specifically, that they: ● don’t discriminate, harass or victimise people; ● promote equal opportunities; ● encourage good relations between people, and celebrate diverse cultures, lifestyles and communities. The survey, which takes only a few minutes to complete, is available at: www.gmpa.gov.uk/equalityobjectives.htm</p><p>Social Action Fund opens A new fund which aims to inspire organisations to create social action opportunities in the community opened on 6th October. The Social Action Fund will encourage people to give what they have – be it time, money, assets, knowledge or specific skills. Announced in the Giving White Paper in May (www.gmcvo.org.uk/GivingWhitePaper), and managed by the Social Investment Business on behalf of the Office for Civil Society, the £20 million fund supports activity in three areas: ● Social action in the community: projects that will encourage people to come together in their neighbourhoods to support each other. ● Social action inspired by the Olympics and Paralympics: projects that will capitalise on the momentum generated by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games to create a legacy of social action. ● Social action for all ages: projects that motivate people across all generations to get involved in volunteering and charitable giving – from school children and students, to working professionals and those near or of retirement age. Preference will be given to large-scale proposals, usually covering a region or more. The deadline for applications is 2nd November 2011. Further details from: www.socialinvestmentbusiness.org. Community First seeks members for grant-giving panels The £30 million Community First grants fund, which will provide small grants to community groups, is now seeking members for 600 grant-giving panels. The fund will give grants in the 600 most deprived wards in England through panels that will be set up by people living in them. Once created, each panel will be able to access funds and start giving grants in its local area. Charities interested in receiving funds will have to apply to their local panels. Lesley Chambers, of the Community Development Foundation, which will administer the programme on behalf of the Office for Civil Society, said: "Anyone can apply to be on a panel and anyone can register a panel with us. In theory, if a community is able to set up a panel tomorrow, it can start giving grants tomorrow. It might not take some communities very long to set up these panels. For others, it might take a few weeks." Each panel will have between £17,000 and £200,000 to give away over a four-year period, depending on the level of social problems in their wards. In order to receive a grant from the panel, projects must be able to attract match funding from elsewhere. However, charities will be able to count volunteer time as match funding. The supermarket chain Asda will provide publicity and support for the programme at both local and national levels. In many areas, charities will also be able to access match funding from the Asda Foundation. For further details of the fund and a list of eligible wards, go to: www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/community-first. The Community First programme also includes a £50 million endowment fund, which will be available only once £100 million in match funding has been raised from other sources. The fund is currently raising money, but charities will not be able to apply to that tranche of the programme until 2015. [from: Third Sector Online 7.10.11]</p><p>Film archive surgeries Community groups and individuals interested in preserving their old films, videos and photographs for future generations to enjoy are invited to attend free surgeries being run by WFA. The one-hour sessions will explain what the best medium is to preserve various kinds of material, what storage life it will have, what equipment and precautions are required – and what the costs would be if WFA were to carry out the preservation work. The next surgeries will be held at WFA during the afternoons of 19th October, 27th October and 3rd November. On each day at 6pm there will be an illustrated talk and projection by the NW Film Archive. Further details from WFA, 0161 848 9785, [email protected] . www.wfamedia.co.uk</p><p>Charity leaders' confidence reaches new low, NCVO survey finds Ninety-eight per cent of charity leaders think economic conditions in the voluntary sector will be ‘negative’ in the next 12 months, according to new research from NCVO. The most recent edition of the NCVO’s quarterly Charity Forecast survey, published at the end of September, shows confidence in the sector’s economic conditions has fallen to its lowest level since the survey began in 2008. To the question "do you think the economic conditions within the voluntary sector will be negative, neutral or positive over the next 12 months?", 98 per cent say conditions will be negative, a rise from 90 per cent in the previous edition of the survey, published in June. The report, based on a survey of 80 chief executives, directors, trustees and senior managers in August and September, says that 60 per cent of respondents believe the financial situation of their charity will worsen in the next 12 months, an increase from 53 per cent in the previous survey. Twenty-five per cent believe there will be no change and 15 per cent say they expect conditions to improve. Thirty per cent of those polled plan to reduce staff numbers in the next three months. Thirty-five per cent say there will be no change in staff numbers and 22 per cent that numbers will increase. Forty-six per cent believe their charity will cut its spending in the next 12 months, but 36 per cent say they will increase spending, a rise from 33 per cent. Seventy-two per cent of respondents expect to collaborate more with other organisations in the next 12 months. Seventy per cent say they expect to compete more with other organisations in that time. [from: Third Sector Online 28.9.11] www.ncvo-vol.org.uk Survival survey of small groups in the North West A survey to see how community groups and smaller voluntary organisations are planning to survive the current recession is being carried out by Community North West, in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. The survey looks at what problems groups in the region are facing and asks about their plans to survive the current climate as well as what support they may need. The link to the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/resiliencenorthwest. The closing date is 17th October 2011. Interim findings will be available at a free conference on 1st December at Manchester Mechanics Institute. For more information about the survey and conference, contact Dave Hannay, Regional Director, Community North West, 01282 692323.</p><p>New £110m Lottery fund for older people A £110 million package of measures to help older people has been announced by the Big Lottery Fund. An initial tranche of £10 million will be distributed in to up to 30 organisations, and the progress of these initial projects will determine how the remaining £100 million will be spent. Grants of between £50,000 and £200,000 will be made by the Silver Dreams Fund to projects to be rolled out over a 12- to 18-month period. The most successful five projects will be given additional funding of up to £1 million to scale up. BIG is expecting to receive applications for initiatives which involve experimenting with new ways of working with older people with the aim of helping them manage in changing circumstances and encouraging participation in the community. The deadline for first-round applications is 28th October 2011. www.biglotteryfund.org.uk</p><p>Energy efficiency strategy for Greater Manchester homes Low carbon housing retrofit will be one of the most significant challenges to face Greater Manchester in seeking to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The Greater Manchester low carbon housing retrofit strategy sets the scene for what will be needed to achieve improved energy efficiency in nearly 1.2 million homes between now and 2050. It sets out a framework for delivering domestic carbon reductions of 55 per cent by 2022. This ambitious target is required in order to achieve Greater Manchester’s overall commitment to 48 per cent carbon emission reductions by 2020, drive local growth in low carbon employment and training, and help tackle fuel poverty. The draft strategy can be seen via www.gmcvo.org.uk/energy-efficiency-strategy-greater-manchester- homes. The GM Housing Retrofit team welcomes comments on the strategy document from the voluntary and community sector. Comments can be made via an on-line survey up until 4th November 2011. The survey can be accessed at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z7V6QTC. Contact: Anne Parkes, AGMA Green Deal programme, 0161 600 7975.</p><p>Greater Manchester wins Fit for Work contract A new scheme to keep1,500 people across Greater Manchester in work was approved recently by the Department for Work and Pensions. Under the Fit for Work Service, free support and advice will be given to people whose health conditions are putting their jobs at risk. Around one in 10 Greater Manchester residents of working age are not able to work because of their health, costing around £1.4 billion in benefit payments and lost taxes annually. But employment is important for a healthy lifestyle. The Greater Manchester scheme is one of only five nationally to be awarded funding under phase two of the programme. The contract value is £414,020 over a two-year period with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority being the accountable body.</p><p>EVENTS and TRAINING</p><p>The Ambitions and Challenges of Social Return on Investment 20th October Manchester Social return on investment (SROI) has been touted as a method of capturing impact that is holistic and thus more suitable to third sector practice. Is this really justified and what needs to be considered before using SROI? In this first of three events in GMCVO's Research Skills Autumn Series, Domenico Moro from the Third Sector Research Centre will offer a critical examination of SROI and delegates will have an opportunity to share their own thoughts and experiences. The event, which is free to attend, will be held at GMCVO from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Bookings: Susan Barrett, 0161 277 1001, [email protected] Details: Susanne Martikke, 0161 277 1031, [email protected]</p><p>Riots: exploring the causes 21st October Manchester There has been much talk about criminality and opportunism, however even these aspects to the riots have causes. This 2-hour discussion, organised by CLES, will explore the causes of the riots across the country and in particular, consider the extent to which the economic circumstances and economic culture of the UK has a role to play. £25 + VAT for non-members. Details/Bookings: Laura Symonds, CLES, 0161 236 7036, [email protected]. </p><p>Give an Hour 24th October Salford BBCi Player? What’s that? What am I missing by not being on the internet? BBC staff from various departments will help you get online along with The Scouts, Girl Guides, NHS and staff from numerous community groups and unions from the region. Experts will be on hand to showcase some of the best BBC content and other sites around areas such as health, sport, food, family history, nature and managing finances. Booking/Details: Maria Montgomery, BBC North, 07841 004560.</p><p>October Meetup: .coop – the first social networks? 25th October Manchester Over 160 years ago in Rochdale, the principles for the Co-operative movement were laid out by the Rochdale Pioneers. New ways of working and joining together helped shaped a worldwide movement of businesses, associations and collaborations. This ‘Net Tuesday’ get-together will look at some of the ways the modern movement is embracing social media and web technology. Net Tuesdays are free monthly gatherings for social changemakers and web innovators to network, socialise and share ideas. Details: www.meetup.com/Manchester-NetTuesday</p><p>Enabling Active Citizenship and Community Empowerment 26th October Manchester This free event will provide an opportunity to explore current issues and initiatives and learn more about the findings from the ESRC Taking Part? Capacity Building Cluster which has been developing research around active citizenship and community empowerment. Key questions and themes will focus on equalities, diversity and cohesion; work with young people; and evaluating the impact of our work. Speakers include Richard Caulfield of VSNW and Marjorie Mayo of Goldsmiths University. Organised by the Community Audit and Evaluation Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University. Details/Bookings: Katherine Roycroft, MMU, [email protected] www.mmu.ac.uk/caec Health and Social Care Conference: Health and Social Care In Transition 27th October Liverpool This ACEVO conference for third sector health and social care leaders comes at a crucial point in transition, with stakeholders across the health sector shifting to adapt to the Government’s ongoing health reforms. This conference will update delegates on the shifting health and social care landscape. Key points of discussion at the conference include how NHS organisations are changing shape, the impact of the Social Care Funding Review and new opportunities for the third sector to improve public health. Mike Farrar, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation will be the morning’s keynote speaker. The GP Commissioning Pathfinder Schemes will also be covered as a workshop. Free places are available to organisations with an annual income of less than £1m through the Department of Health. Bookings: ACEVO events team, 020 7280 4971, [email protected]. Details: www.acevo.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=2547</p><p>Parliament Week 2011 1st November Manchester This half-day conference will explore the Parliamentary processes available to individuals and organisations as part of their campaigning work. It will include a variety of different workshops including how a law is made, how to use the Parliament website effectively, and how to engage with Select Committees. The free event is organised by Parliamentary Outreach. Details/Bookings: Hannah Roberts, 07917 488950, [email protected]. www.parliament.uk/outreach</p><p>Locality ’11: Communities ambitious for change 1st and 2nd November Manchester A two-day convention for members of Locality and anyone else who wants to transform their local area through community enterprise, social action and community asset ownership and development. There will be workshops, masterclasses, debates, fringe meetings and visits. Key speakers include Sir Stephen Bubb (CEO of ACEVO) and Julia Unwin CBE (CEO of Joseph Rowntree Foundation). Details: Locality, 0845 458 8336, [email protected]. Bookings: www.locality.org.uk/convention</p><p>Building Consortia and Working in Partnerships 2nd November Manchester A one-day introductory course is aimed at children and young people's voluntary and community organisations which are looking to form consortia and partnerships in order to be able to bid for public service contracts. Delegates must have an understanding of commissioning. The event is organised by NCB (National Children’s Bureau) and is free to voluntary sector organisations. Bookings/Details: NCB, 020 7843 6084, [email protected]. http://vss03.eventbrite.com/</p><p>An Introduction to Organic Gardening 4th November Manchester This basic one-day course is for anyone interested in organic gardening. Participants will learn the basics of organic growing and will be shown how to grow fruit and vegetables in the organic way. The course costs £10 per person and takes place at Debdale Eco Centre in Gorton. (A more in-depth two- day course will be held on 11th and 12th November). Details/Bookings: Marva Lashley, 0161 220 9199, [email protected]. www.debdale-ecocentre.org.uk/training.</p><p>Moving on with autism, what’s next? 9th November Cheadle A free information event for parents and carers of young people aged 14 years or older with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). The event is an opportunity to find out more about services and support for young people with ASC in Greater Manchester. Organised by Inscape House School (part of the Together Trust). Details: Liz Dabrowski, 0161 283 4750, [email protected]. www.togethertrust.org.uk</p><p>How to Plan and Secure Future Funding 10th November Rochdale This course is designed to help organisations understand the importance of planning for financial sustainability. It will provide you with the tools and techniques necessary for raising funds and generating income. In addition to this, our top tips will help you ‘hit the spot’ when funders are allocating grants. Organised by CVS Rochdale, the course is aimed at paid employees, volunteers and members of governing bodies of not for profit organisations and statutory organisations. Bookings: Emad Uddin, [email protected], 01706 510831.</p><p>Research Tools for the Third Sector 10th November Manchester In this second of three events in GMCVO’s Research Skills Autumn Series, participants can choose between two workshops: Introduction to the Third Sector Research Portal – Join the people behind the new one-stop knowledge resource on issues concerning the third sector to find out how to use this tool for your own work. Community research: an introductory DIY guide – Join colleagues from the Association for Research in the Voluntary and Community Sector to learn how their successful resource pack for community researchers can help your organisation. The 2-hour session starts at 1.30pm and costs £10 to attend. Bookings: Susan Barrett, 0161 277 1001, [email protected].</p><p>Salford Social Media Surgery 10th November and 8th December Salford Need Help? Want to know how Twitter can help you campaign? How can Facebook help you connect? Or maybe you just need a basic starter? If so, come along to this free social media surgery – an informal event where ‘patients’ get to spend one-to-one time with ‘surgeons’ looking at how social media can benefit their community organisation. 4pm to 6.30pm. Details: http://socialmediasurgery.com/surgeries/salford</p><p>Got a Problem? 11th November Manchester If you have encountered difficulties in your research-related activities come along to this meeting and get advice from peers. You will have the opportunity to learn from each others’ experiences and get input to your work-in-progress. This special, afternoon session of the Greater Manchester Third Sector Research Network will aim to tackle problems as a learning opportunity. Details/Bookings: Susanne Martikke, GMCVO, 0161 277 1031, [email protected]. Building Healthier, Safer, Prosperous and More Inclusive Communities 17th and 18th November Manchester A two day workshop for those wishing to learn more about asset based community development (ABCD) – a growing movement that draws upon existing community strengths and the support of local institutions to build stronger and more sustainable communities for the future. Cost: £150 per person. Event hosted by Forever Manchester. Details/Bookings: Forever Manchester, 0161 214 0940, [email protected]</p><p>Prosperity for All? GMCVO AGM and Presentation 22nd November Manchester The vision of the Greater Manchester Strategy states: “By 2020, the Manchester city region will have pioneered a new model for sustainable economic growth based around a more connected, talented and greener city region where the prosperity secured is enjoyed by the many and not the few.” But what contribution can voluntary sector organisations make to this vision and how can they create the conditions for economic participation in our more deprived areas? Clive Memmott, chief executive of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, will discuss the economic performance of our sub-region and the issues facing the new structures, and will go on to consider the contribution of smaller businesses and the voluntary sector to the economy – and in what ways their role might be sustained or extended into poorer communities. The event will be held at GMCVO and starts at 3pm. Bookings: Susan Barrett, 0161 277 1001, [email protected].</p><p>Community Issues to Community Research to Community Movements: Making Connections 23rd November Manchester The annual conference and AGM of ARVAC (the Association for Research in the Voluntary and Community Sector). ARVAC believes that VCS organisations play a vital role in creating and sustaining healthy communities, and that research plays an essential role in increasing the effectiveness of those organisations involved in voluntary and community action. AGM starts at 11.30am, with the conference running from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Speakers include Alex Whinnom, director of GMCVO, and Julie Worrall, director of CUE East. The conference will include learning from practitioners seminars. Bookings/Details: Ruth Selwyn-Crome, 01603 591 561, [email protected]. www.arvac.org.uk</p><p>Strategic Planning for the CEO and their Executive Teams 24th November Manchester This workshop will help you craft a realistic and impactful strategic plan that will engage and align key stakeholders. Build your own toolkit to kickstart the strategic planning process. Organised by ACEVO. Bookings/Details: Events team, ACEVO, 020 7280 4962, [email protected] www.acevo.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=1304</p><p>Collecting and Interpreting Data to Make Your Point 1st December Manchester In this final event of three in GMCVO’s Research Skills Autumn Series, participants can choose between two workshops: Methods and Toolkits for Qualitative Interviews (requires some basic experience) – Get creative ideas of how to use this popular research method for your own work and learn about analysis techniques. Led by Katherine Davies from the National Centre for Research Methods. Using Research Findings and Data to Make Your Case (no prior experience required) – Join Rob Macmillan from the Third Sector Research Centre to explore real-life examples to learn how to read and interpret findings, as well as bring out key messages. The 2-hour session starts at 1.30pm and costs £10 to attend. Bookings: Susan Barrett, 0161 277 1001, [email protected].</p><p>GMCVO Training Programme Autumn 2011</p><p>Enrolment for the following accredited and non-accredited training courses is now underway. </p><p>● Empowering the Voluntary Sector 27th October This training explains how voluntary sector organisations can use the Compact and public law to hold public bodies accountable for unfair decisions and actions that they may take. ● DIY Guide to Fundraising 2nd November This course will provide an overview of DIY fundraising by looking at ways of raising money independently, and without filling out lots of grant forms. ● Excellence in Volunteer Management 9th November A blended learning programme in four modules, comprising workshop sessions, e-learning exercises and written assessments. Organised in conjunction with Warrington CVS, the programme is an accredited training course. ● Sustainable Funding 10th November Reduce your expenditure by cutting bills, finding freebies and by identifying appropriate funders. ● Good Governance and Strong Management Committees 22nd November A one-day training course focusing on the legal structure of your organisation, and the role and responsibilities of your management committee. ● Campaigning Skills 1st December This one-day course will look at the ‘where, when and how’ of campaigning, helping you to identify the best ways and means of raising the profile of your organisation and gathering support for your cause.</p><p>All courses to be held at the St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester M12 6FZ. For further information, contact Gill Dixon at GMCVO, 0161 277 1019, [email protected], or visit www.gmcvo.org.uk/gmcvotraining2.</p><p>Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter</p>