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Main Content
The following content is the main page content.
Sector News
GuideStar UK merges into Directory of Social Change
The Directory of Social Change has taken the online charity database GuideStar UK under its wings, along with subsidiary trading company GuideStar Data Services.
The UK was the only country where GuideStar International owned the local body, and it will now be able to focus further on developing new GuideStar database services around the world. This does appear to be a good fit, given the slightly unstable history of GuideStar UK.
A volunteering manifesto
The latest sector body to issue a manifesto in the run up to the general election is Volunteering England. Entitled 'The Power of Volunteering'. (See earlier news item for other manifestos.)
Annual charity IT survey
The Charity Finance/Civil Society IT Survey for this year is now open for responses, to 22nd March. It aims to assess how the IT capabilities and budgets of charities are changing over time.
Results will be published online on http://www.civilsociety.co.uk, accessible to all respondents who provide an email address. on SurveyMonkey, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NFS7KPT.
Using information to take action
Ten Tactics for Turning Information into Action is an independent film that explores how rights advocates use information and digital technology to create positive change. It documents inspiring info-activism stories and uses the lessons to create advice for others.
A clearer analysis of lessons from the Obama campaign
A more considered (and relevant) analysis of Barrack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign than many earlier ones has been written by Duane Raymond on the Fairsay e-campaigning website. He starts off by explaining that its not just about effective use of technology.
'How to Campaign like Obama' at http://fairsay.com/blog/how-to-campaign-like-obama.
Volunteering around the London Olympics
Volunteering England has issued a policy briefing on 'Volunteering and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games'. It gives brief notes for volunteering organisations on the state-of-play in the development of national-level strategies, programmes and activities for volunteering at and around the 2012 Games. In pdf, 51KB.
Wider disclosure of charity expenses urged, but not compulsory
The independent expert group set up to look at the issue of expenses in the charity sector, following the uproar about the parliamentary system, has produced its final recommendations.
Making an impact with children and young people in trouble with the law
New Philanthropy Capital's latest report explores youth offending and highlights some of the innovative and promising ways that charities are helping young people to stay out of trouble. Aimed at charities and funders it highlights areas where investment could create the greatest impact.
Improving access and provision of sport and recreation facilities
An independent inquiry into sport and recreation facilities in the UK aims to come up with a range of recommendations to improve provision and access. Its definition of such facilities ranges from state-of-the-art lottery-funded facilities to canal towpaths and local bowls clubs.
Views wanted on Social Return on Investment technique
NCVO wants to collect a variety of views on Social Return on Investment (SROI), the technique that measures the social value of an organisation and converts it into pounds and pence.
Strengthening the Voice of the Black Minority Ethnic Third Sector
A major national survey of the Black Minority Ethnic Third Sector is under way. It will inform the creation of a wide suite of resources and directories to help collaboration for funding and delivery, policy work and work with mainstream organisations.
Complete 'Strengthening the Voice of the Black Minority Ethnic Third Sector' on SurveyMonkey by 30th April, via http://bit.ly/svpsurvey.
(Source: Voice4Change England E-Alert)
Skills that third sector apprenticeships should impart
Skills Third Sector is consulting on a framework which will set down the skills and knowledge that apprentices in third sector organisations should gain while training on the job, http://www.skills-thirdsector.org.uk/qualifications_training/apprenticeships.
Online survey responses by 28th April, with a chance of an Amazon token.
Call for tighter regulation of helplines
The recent headlines around the National Bullying Helpline has led to the Helplines Association (http://www.helplines.org.uk) to call for tighter regulation, as reported by Civil Society Media, http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/news/content/6149/.
Slow moves on the Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Third Sector reports that the new legal form for charities, the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, has been delayed again and is not now expected to be available until late 2010 or early 2011, http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/985397/.
Time to check new rateable valuations
New rateable values on all non-domestic properties, used as the basis for business rates, come in from 1st April. These values are calculated by the Valuation Office Agency, which is urging businesses to check their details are correct, at http://www.voa.gov.uk/valuation.
(Registered charities should of course be getting rate relief, but not always 100%)
Accounting for Heritage Assets
The new Financial Reporting Standard 30: Heritage Assets comes into effect for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st April 2010. Heritage assets are "those tangible assets with historical, artistic, scientific, technological, geophysical or environmental qualities that are held and maintained principally for their contribution to knowledge and culture".
Time off for religious holidays and observance
Sandy Adirondack's Legal Update (http://www.sandy-a.co.uk/employment.htm) points out that the autumn Employment Law Update from Bates Wells and Braithwaite has a good summary of the issues, law and good practice on managing time off for religious holidays and observance, http://www.bwbllp.com/Updates/Detail.aspx?Up
Official employer guidance on fit notes
Guidance for employers on the use of the 'fit notes' system, replacing sick notes from 6th April, has been published by the Department of Work and Pensions. There's a signpost page at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/fitnote/ (for GPs and employees as well as employers).
Charity of the Year Scotland
The Scottish Charity Awards recognise innovation and excellence in five categories: Community Action, Campaign of the Year, the Partnership Award, Charity Champion, and Charity of the Year. Deadline 9th April, http://www.scvo.org.uk/scvo/NewsAndEvents/ScottishCharityAwards.aspx.
Volunteer of the Year Wales
This year's Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards are open for nomination until 23rd April. The five categories are adult, young people (under 25 years), trustee, green volunteer and groups, http://www.wcva.org.uk/news/dsp_news.cfm?newsid=1443. (The official link http://www.wcva.org.uk/voy is currently on 2009.)
