Quality Awarded

As part of the AGM proceedings on the second day of the conference seven Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIOs) were were formally awarded their Quality Award from NAVCA.

This externally evaluated award recognises the quality of the outcomes achieved by the LIOs that are delivering services to groups in their area. They are not a test to see if LIOs score highly in a set of tasks but are there to visibly show that these organisations are providing quality services.

Three organisations were present to receive their awards, Watford CVS, Gloucestershire Association for Voluntary and Community Action and Herefordshire Voluntary Action.

The other four members presented with their Awards were Keighley Voluntary Services, Tameside Third Sector Coalition, Voluntary Action Coventry, and York CVS. A further ten members have also achieved their Quality Award’s since the AGM in 2007.

For more information about the award presentation see the news page and to see how to take part in the scheme visit the NAVCA Quality Award page.

Sherwood CVS

No, we didn’t create a new CVS at the conference, well not a real one (that would have caused a stir). As part of the “NAVCA projects, NAVCA projects riding through the glen” workshop, Bill Freeman, the NAVCA Director of Development painted a picture of a staff meeting at a fictional (Sherwood) CVS.

Bill Freeman introducing Sherwood CVS

After working through the usual agenda items every meeting of this type has – minutes of the last meeting (45 minutes), coffee rota (20 minutes), oh and responding to three items of national policy (10 minutes) ! the meeting moved to any other business where a number of staff members asked for support in their project work. Each concern was answered with a helpful signpost to service from NAVCA … well what did you expect, it was a NAVCA projects workshop!.

The project work NAVCA has available is shown in the slideshow from this workshop.

NAVCA Projects workshop

After the presentation each of the projects hosted round table sessions where they were available for short consultations and discussions about their areas of work. These were kept to 15 minutes each so that as many people as possible could visit as many tables as possible.

I was on the Regional Champions table (or ‘Much the Miller’s Son Table’) together with Sam, the champion from the North East and Miles the champion from London.

We had many interesting discussions, which seemed to fit the theme on my own blog that local infrastructure organisations still need support to get over the basics of ICT procurement advice, support and training, but I was pleased to hear that the message is being given to funders about supporting the full cost of ICT – including training and ongoing support.

We also talked about use of forums / message boards, but how Social Media could be even better in engaging with communities that organisations are looking to reach out to in new and innovative ways.

This picture shows a general view – in full flow. There are also a larger number of pictures from this session in the Flickr photo page.

September 17th – Social Media Workshop

Firstly the AGM and the business of the day for NAVCA, then off to various workshops – I’m off to listen to Jude Habib from Soundelivery talk about Podcasting ….

…. which turned out to be a lot more than just Podcasting in fact!

The session covered the whole range Social Media tools that are available for infrastructure organisations to promote to their members.

Jude’s slideshow is here.

As someone with some knowledge of Social Media I tried to put myself in the shoes of an infrastructure organisation grappling with how to reach out to their members, how to engage communities in their work and generally how to be more effective and efficient.

Various participants shared their thoughts on the subject – which ranged from bewilderment, fright and lack of understanding to an interest if the benefits could be presented to them simply.

We heard podcast recordings both from Jude of young people she had worked with and examples from within the room of organisations using video to be more effective at gathering meeting feedback and using Facebook for supporters to show their support. Interestingly a significant number of people said they used Facebook for personal reasons – but had not seen its potential in a work context.

A clear message from Jude was Content, Content, Content – and it’s easy to see how the written Content (paper and emails) we all currently use can be enhanced to get our messages across in a fully three dimensional way. Listening to the podcast of the children on the beach or the young mother walking around here housing estate it was easy to feel transported into that situation and more connected to the messages they were putting across.

If we also use the audio Content (through a podcast) and video Content (through video and picture sharing websites) we have the potential to say so much more and connect with so many more people. As these media are two way communication channels the power to collaborate and be responsive to what people want is enormous.

I have put together a quick FAQ of Social Media definitions that you can read on-line or can be downloaded for your own use. For more in depth case studies see the booklet put together by the Media Trust which you can also read on-line or download in PDF format (944Kb). Printed copies of the booklet can be obtained by contacting your Regional ICT Champion.

September 16th

Welcome to Nottingham, or ey up m’duck !

East Midlands Conference Centre

Just getting ready for the welcome and first part of the programme introduced by Helen Voce the Chief Execeutive of Nottingham CVS.

All about Nottingaham, including the Goose Fair, the Football teams and the technology of Nottingham, the ‘Games City’ conference and the Homeshoring Project – which is a part of DC10plus.

You can watch the slideshow of this presentation in Slideshare. Just click on the arrows to take you through.

NAVCA projects, NAVCA projects riding through the glen

News has reached me via the Sheriff of Nottingham that this session at 2pm in the programme on 16th September is going to be a “little different”. The last thing anyone wants after a hearty lunch is a dull slide presentation just going through “here’s what we do and how you can use it”. Instead of this and through role play (!) by NAVCA staff, this session will be more of a “here’s what you do and here’s how we help”.

There will also be plenty of opportunities during the Round Table session to quiz in depth staff from the range of NAVCA projects on offer.

What I’m unclear about is if the role play extends to the Chair of the session actually dressing up as the Sheriff of Nottingham … you will have to come along to find out!

Peer Group Session

Chief Officers of NAVCA members have a ‘peer group’ session on Tuesday 16th September from 12 noon to 1pm. Only an hour so we need to be focussed to use the time well. Please use this blog to suggest the topics you would like to raise with your peers. If you prefer to be confidential please email me kevin.curley@navca.org.uk

Can we meet and not talk about Capacity Builders!

See you in Nottingham.

Kevin Curley

Wish you were there ?

Thoughts of a summer break are no doubt much more exciting than planning what you will do at the NAVCA Conference. Although it is still just under two months away there is already interest here from people wanting to meet-up and network (OK informally chat!) to others with similar interests.

In the Open Space slot Stefan Kuchar would like to meet with others interested in a Self Assessment Governance Framework and as part of the Peer Sessions Ruth Morgan is looking for others to network with.

If any of these interest you or you are looking to make links with others please visit the Networking “mini-site”, log in and leave your details. Trust me – the more the merrier!

Enjoy the summer holidays … and if any one sees the sun please get in touch !

Greg Clark

Kevin has asked me to remind you that Greg Clark, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Charities, is a main speaker at Conference this year. One of the proposals in the Conservative Green Paper on Voluntary Action is that local groups should be empowered to purchase the services they want from the infrastructure organisation of their choice. Sounds very empowering but what are the snags? Be ready with your arguments on this to put to Greg Clark.

Your Events team

This year’s conference and AGM is a team effort.

The team is here to make the booking process as simple and easy as possible, and to ensure that your time at the event goes smoothly.

There are ways that you can help us to help you…

Book your place early! That way you’re more likely to get the choices you request as some sessions are limited in numbers. If you want to go on the visit to Nottingham CVS you should book as soon as you can. We cannot take more people than the bus can seat. Early bookings also benefit from a discount, and are refundable should you need to cancel your place.

Tell us what you need! If you have a specific access requirement or dietary need, please tell us as soon as you can. We will do everything possible to accommodate you, but may need to make some specific arrangements which can take time.

Tell us what you want! There is space on the programme for you to help us shape the agenda. Your suggestions for discussion groups, topics, networking ideas etc can all be put into the pot for our Open Space time….so if there is a burning issue, or some good practice you’d like to share, let us know.

We will be using this blog to keep you updated on changes to the agenda, reminders about deadlines for bookings, and general information about the event. We’d like you to use it to give us ideas, feedback, make connections with other people coming from your area (perhaps to car share) and any other reason you’d like.

If you’d like to talk to us, you can call the team on:

Michelle 0114 289 3957 – for enquiries regarding exhibition space and sponsorship

Moira 0114 289 3963 – for speaker enquiries

Helen 0114 289 3973- for booking enquiries

Laura and Sophie 0114 278 6636 – for general enquiries including bookings and payment

We all look forward to seeing you in September!

Michelle

Kevin Curley – Conference bookings open

It will soon be NAVCA Conference time again. This year we’ve got Peter Wanless the new Chief Executive at the Big Lottery Fund coming. So, your chance to lobby him about the funding you think they should provide for the local sector – and for local infrastructure.

We’ve also got Greg Clark MP speaking. He’s the Conservative Shadow Minister for Charities, Social Enterprise & Volunteering. The Conservatives have just published their Green Paper on ‘The Future of Voluntary Action’ so again it’s a chance to respond to their ideas. One controversial Conservative idea is that infrastructure funding should be given to frontline groups so that they can choose where to buy their support from. I bet you’ve got a view on that!

At our popular drinks reception we’ll be launching ‘The Get Skilled Workbook’ – a brilliant NAVCA guide to creating a learning and development plan for your organisation. Free wine, a free handbook and great company.

And don’t forget that for the second year I’ll be organising the after dinner break dancing competition for the over 50s. See you on the dance floor…

Kevin