Tools, Thoughts and Things one can Do with a little Time and Hardly any Resources

Fellowships are not just for academics - there is a host of opportunities out there from a variety of organisations that can be used to further your skills - or even an idea. Here's a quick gateway to a few of them.

Idealist.org's list of Fellowships
- "On this page you will find descriptions and contact information for a variety of nonprofit and public policy fellowships. At this point, most of these are in the United States.  

Leader's Quest Fellowship
- "The LQ Foundation Fellowship Programme awards financial grants to grassroots leaders from charities and other community organisations in the regions in which we operate our Quest programmes, thus increasing the reach of our learning programmes."

This last one is not a fellowship but it is a nice initiative from an interesting organisation: 

Step-Up Travel Grant
- $1000: "Identify a specific issue in a developing country that you believe needs greater international attention and advocacy for change" ... "Include in your proposal at least a 10 day travel itinerary that details how you plan to document the issue (photos, journals, video, etc) and a plan for how to increase awareness about the topic once you have returned."

Posted by Michael at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When preparing a grant application for a town, city or county council one often needs local information to make good estimates of cost and possible impact.

That's of course because most projects are remarkably similar to a standard business plan for a small (or even large) business: where are the clients, what do they need and can you serve them without loss (meaning, for example, at a cost no greater than grant and volunteer resources available)?

One key difference is that small local organisations rely much more heavily on social networks - both from a delivery but also impact point of view. Hence this lunchtime seminar @ the Young Foundation might be of interest:

"Jeremy Hawkins from the Centre for Collaborative Excellence (CCE) will be giving a seminar about social network analysis. This is a research methodology which has been successfully used in a number of UK public sector projects to support improvements in collaboration and partnership working within and between public agencies. The Young Foundation’s Neighbourhoods and Local Innovations team has been working with CCE to develop innovative social network mapping projects in neighbourhoods."

For more information on Understanding Social Networks in Neighbourbourhoods

The seminar will take place Wednesday 9th May, 12.30pm in the Michael Young Room
- See the full Young Foundation calendar

Social networks are of course not everything - So where's the Business Link equivalent for understanding some of those tricky numbers affecting a local area? Well, the audit commission has an interesting tool called Area Profiles which can be found here: http://areaprofiles.audit-commission.gov.uk
- It promises to "provide a rich picture of the quality of life and public services in your local area."

One talk, one tool - and you're that step closer to completing your grant application. Best of luck. 

Posted by Michael at 01:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

3rd Sector Organisations have to consider risk as much as any other entity and thus I thought I'd recommend the fascinating read that is Gerd Gigerenzer's Reckoning with Risk.

As is the case with many books like this though, there is often an article (which makes for a shorter read) making the point more succinctly:

"The science fiction writer H G Wells predicted that in modern technological societies statistical thinking will one day be as necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to read and write. How far have we got, a hundred or so years later?”

--- Simple tools for understanding risks: from innumeracy to insight http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/327/7417/741

And here’s a graph from the article that may blow your mind:

View larger version (30K): Fig 1 Doctors' estimates of the probability of breast cancer in women with a positive result on mammography, according to whether the doctors were given the statistical information as conditional probabilities or natural frequencies (each point represents one doctor)2

Scary how differently even highly trained (and experienced) professionals evaluate risk - anyway, the article (and the book if you have the patience) really is worth a read.

The RSA has a new dedicated website for discussing Risk in all areas of life - and whilst some items are UK focused, readers elsewhere may still find it of interest: 

"Can we define ‘risk’ in the context of modern society?

Do we understand the risks that affect us:-
- everyday
- on rare occasions
- at different stages of our lives

(Are these measurable? Evidence vs. Anecdote)"

Take part... http://www.rsariskcommission.org/

 

 

If you go to the RSA itself you'll find a number of interesting books on the subject in the library including: Culture of Fear: Risk Taking and the Morality of Low Expectation by Frank Furedi, Professor of Sociology at University of Kent. Interesting read, let's say 7 out of 10 - similar model to The Sceptical Environmentalist in the way that the author deconstructs received wisdoms. In this case it is not about nature but about humans and their role in society.

Amongst other things, he decries the development in the UK and US where big NGOs/charities have ended up being quasi-governmental in influence but also in presuming to be speaking on behalf of the nation or at least significant groups therein. See for example www.billinfluence.com
There is indeed an oligarchy of influence firming its grip around government consultations in direct proportion to the drop in interest in politics amongst the wider population. He asserts that these organisations are perpetuating a system of fear, glorified victimhood, low expectations and most importantly that an individual standing on their own can't possibly overcome adversity - from schoolground bullying to serious abuse. Now I agree with him that we don't want to end up with a nanny-state, but we don't want a Thatcherite every-man-for-himself either.
- The problem is, in other words, to find the right balance.

The NGOs, charities, not to mention the government, dominate the debate that Furedi meticulously deconstructs. A welcome counterpoint. But as mentioned above - you can now take part yourself on the RSA Risk Commission website. As for Furedi, you can read his articles here: http://www.frankfuredi.com/

An interesting outcome appears to be the Manifesto Club

Also looking forward to reading Fear: A Cultural History

Posted by Michael at 12:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Association of Chief Executives of 3rd Sector Organisations (ACEVO) helps facilitate learning and contacts for 3rd sector leaders in the UK, across Europe and Internationally.

Here's an interesting publication that should be of interest to any 3rd sector CEO as well as Chairmen - Measuring performance is a key, but sadly often ignored area in the 3rd sector.

 

Do you want to measure your organisation’s performance?

"acevo’s popular publication – Doing good and doing well? can help you. It offers a collection of case studies, research and perspectives from opinion leaders - Click here to order online."

* * *

One further take on this area is the Measuring Impact approach as pioneered through IBM's On Demand Community. Go here to learn more about the very successful workshop the At One Foundation members attended on this subject.

Now one of the reasons why these exercises sometimes go wrong is that people too easily switch to the private sector obsession (originating, I believe, from the otherwise clever heads at McKinsey & Co): "What can be measured, can be managed" - Now not all things should be managed. Especially not in the third sectors where motivations for volunteering and delivering often are very different from the public or private sector. Nevertheless, there is an interesting report by McKinsey & Co on "Effective Capacity Building in Nonprofit Organizations" (PDF) showing they do indeed have an understanding reaching a bit beyond the mantra.

I would suggest the right way of looking at it would be to follow the sage advice Mike Booth, of one of the IBM consultants from the At One Foundation workshop mentioned above, - saying it is about: "Making the important measurable, not the measurable important".

A few more items from ACEVO that may be of interest...

acevo Master class: How can campaigning CEOs have a real impact on behalf of their organisation?

Speakers Include:Shami Chakrabati, Liberty, Tony Juniper, Friends of the Earth

22^nd May  9.30am – 1.30pm - £39 Members & £49 Non-Members

Lunch Included

- More information

 * * *

Launch of the acevo negotiation guide

Bates Wells & Braithwaite

Thursday 17^th May 2007, 5.00pm to 7.30pm

 - More information

* * *

Henley Management College @ National Convention 2007

9-11 July 2007 - Hilton London Metropole

3 days of intensive management training for sector leaders.

 - More information

* * *

Third Sector Leadership Centre Conference

Date: 15 May 2007 - Venue: Vinopolis, No 1 Bank End, London SE1 9BU

Time: 9am-8pm (total event time, including both conference and evening reception)

- More information

Posted by Michael at 09:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This just in from the Social Enterprise Coalition:
 

Enterprising Solutions Awards
"Applications are already starting to come in for the 2007 Enterprising Solutions Awards, which offers social enterprises a chance to win over £10,000, free SEC membership and gain valuable publicity."
Social enterprises are encouraged to apply online no later than June 1 at: www.enterprisingsolutions.org

Centre for Social Justice
"THE CSJ awards are open to small social enterprise and VCS groups that tackle poverty in the UK. Winners of the awards will receive a cash prize of £5,000."
The awards ceremony will take place on 11 July 2007 hosted by JP Morgan Asset Management in London.
The deadline for applications is the 25 April 2007: 
www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/default.asp?pageRef=39 

New Media Awards
"The New Statesman, New Media awards 2007 highlight UK new media projects that benefit society, government or democracy. Nominations for the awards are now open in seven categories: Contribution to civic society, Modernising government, Elected representative, Education, Information and openness, Advocacy and Young Innovator."
www.newstatesman.com/nma/nma2007/

If you want to get useful stuff like this straight from the Social Enterprise Coalition - then sign up for their useful newsletter (that covers much more than the above) then simply register on their site.

Perhaps of further interest - from the SEC:

SMITH INSTITUTE LAUNCH SOCIAL ENTERPRISE REPORT

"The Smith Institute has produced a publication examining how barriers to the growth and development of the social enterprise sector could be overcome. The independent think-tank worked with the Social Enterprise Coalition and others, to produce 'Social Enterprise Futures'.

The publication features a foreword by SEC's chief executive, Jonathan Bland, and essays from social entrepreneurs." To view the report, click here.

Posted by Michael at 03:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Second Life continues to generate debate and I have to admit that I usually dismiss on-line efforts that come across a bit too gimmicky, but maybe it is indeed worth a 2nd look. Just came across a video outlining what the respected US non-profit TechSoup is doing there and it is beginning to look like there might be more to it - specifically opportunities for collaboration and learning - see for yourself:

 

Once in the near future, with some spare time on my hands, I do indeed think I'll drop by and have a closer look. If you're interested in the depths of the Second Life platform then you might find this article from IBM DeveloperWorks of interest - Hacking Second Life. Maybe also apt to mention in good footnote fashion that the video was shown on dogoodertv - one of the flurry of new You-Tube-esque services popping up all over the place. And whilst we're on that subject - http://www.teachertube.com/.

Posted by Michael at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I have been meaning to write something about the importance of understanding users - even for the smallest charity/not-for-profit or social enterprise. And then in came an entry from a chap called Tom Smith who writes on what he calls 'the OTHER blog'. Whilst I'm not entirely sure what the first one is, this is a useful one nevertheless... Here's the item in question (so short so I have taken the liberty of quoting it in entirety):

All in one screen - of course, start exploring the many options available in the left-hand column you'll probably lose at least one afternoon without noticing but you'll learn a lot about your users in return. But for day-to-day facts on performance and reach, the main 'snapshot' page has it all.

Posted by Michael at 08:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The long-standing top resource for people interested in the field of volunteer management has been the UKVPM (UK Volunteer Programme Managers) mailing list - run through the Yahoo Groups infrastructure and moderated by leaders in the field including Rob Jackson, the director of volunteering development at Volunteer England.

    "UKVPMs mission is to increase the scope, scale and quality of
    both voluntary activity and the management of volunteers":
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKVPMs

There is also a OZ counterpart called... OZVPMs. They incidentally have a site with lots of useful resources including the book featured on the right (which is currently being revised but it has been promised that the new version will also be available free of charge).

Now, last but not least, for England & Wales there is a more formal working group being established and expected to launch in June. Here's what they are setting out to do (taken from a UKVPM posting):

    "The initial services will include
    - enabling peer support networks across England, and work with existing
    networks
    - providing a members' skills register that members can access and use
    - establishing a policy group that will respond to issues that affect
    volunteer managers and campaign on behalf of volunteer managers
    - setting up a calendar of training events for Volunteer managers
    - setting up a list of accreditation courses
    - providing a library of useful resources - good practice, toolkits and
    research
    - providing links to useful sites
    - providing information on venues to hold meetings, events and
    conferences with feedback"

If you want to be kept up-to-date on that and other VPM developments, sign up to the group (you can then also search the extensive archive which links to many a useful resource).

In Scotland there is already a similar setup: http://www.savm.org.uk/

Posted by Michael at 06:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)