eNews 13 February 2006

NICVA

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(1) Positive Steps one year on
(2) Policy Manifesto 2006 - what does the sector want?
(3) Moving forward to a better education
(4) All you wanted to know about ... human resources and finance
(5) Joining the dots
(6) Real Men
(7) Focus groups on alcohol and drugs strategy
(8) Boards made easy
(9) Exchange programme to developing countries
(10) EDACT Funding Information Seminar
(11) Tex Mex at Belfast Exposed
(12) Interchange at Linenhall Library

Pick of the Websites
Make Your Move - new jobs this week on communityni.org
Community NI Diary
Membership
Subscribe to eNews
Feedback
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(1) Positive Steps one year on

Due to the current postal strike in Belfast NICVA is asking all its members to complete this very short (literally two minutes!) online survey about the impact Positive Steps has had on your organisation.

Last week you may or may not have received - depending upon where you are based - a NICVA membership survey and a one page questionnaire about the impact you feel that Positive Steps has had since its publication in March 2005. In order to ensure that the recommendations outlined in Positive Steps are being met, NICVA is attempting to monitor the impact on the sector.

As is normally the case with this type of thing, deadlines are fast approaching so we would be very grateful if you could visit www.nicva.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/090206PosStepsSurvand complete the online survey. Alternatively you may print off and fax your completed Positive Steps Survey to NICVA on tel: 028 9087 7799, or return the completed Word version by email togordon.mccullough@nicva.org.

Don’t forget the members’ survey…

Also because of the postal strike, we have now extended the closing date for entry into the prize draw to win a laptop. All completed membership surveys will now be entered into the prize draw, so if you haven’t completed yours, please download and complete the Word version of the survey at www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/270106MemSurvey. You can then either fax it back or return it by email to gordon.mccullough@nicva.org.

If you have any queries about this survey or any aspect of NICVA's research please do not hesitate to contact Gordon McCullough on tel: 028 9087 7777.

(2) Policy Manifesto 2006 – what does the sector want?

The process of creating a third Policy Manifesto for the voluntary and community sector has begun. It will be published in the autumn and presented to policymakers. NICVA members are invited to sign up now to participate in the process. If government asked the voluntary and community sector tomorrow 'what do you want us to do?' what would we say? The NICVA Policy Manifesto is an attempt to answer that question.

NICVA, together with the sector, has already produced two manifestos, the last one in 2003. These were intended to influence the manifestos of the political parties in Northern Ireland and the development of the Executive's Programme for Government. They set out the policy priorities of the sector across a range of areas.

In the absence of devolution the document has been used to influence policymakers. Ideally the manifesto would be produced to coincide with elections, but this is difficult to predict at the moment, so the process to create the next manifesto will begin in 2006 as planned.

It’s a Manifesto for the sector, so your input is vital. This is an opportunity for the sector to publish a proactive set of priorities, already discussed and agreed, instead of constantly responding to government's agenda in consultations on topics not of our choosing.

Find out more at www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/080206PolManiTimetable.

(3) Moving forward to a better education

Government is proposing to end selection at the age of 11, but the grammar school lobby and its supporters are running a major campaign to keep the existing system. NICVA is organising an event to consider some of the arguments being put forward by supporters of selection at 10.00am on 23 February 2006.

You will get a chance to question experts in the field of education including Professor Tony Gallagher, head of the Graduate School of Education at Queen’s University.

Some reasons why you should care about the proposed education reform:

• One in five children leaves school without a single GCSE at grade C or above.
• Northern Ireland has the lowest qualified workforce in the UK.
• Northern Ireland has the highest level of economic inactivity in the UK.
• Selection works against the interests of people in disadvantaged areas. Grammar schools have always been dominated by middle class students, both Catholic and Protestant. Statistics for free school meals underline this segregation by class – eg 64.9% of students at Mount Gilbert are entitled to free school meals compared to 1.6 per cent at Methodist College.
• International research shows that students in non-selective systems perform better, on average, than those in selective systems.

If you would like to attend this important event, please contact Cathy Breslin on tel: 028 9087 7777 or email: cathy.breslin@nicva.org.

(4)All you wanted to know about ... human resources and finance

NICVA has organised its latest Members’ Information Day from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Thursday 6 April 2006. In response to members’ requests, the day will concentrate on human resources and finance issues such as recruitment and selection, managing staff, budgets, national insurance contributions and basic accounting procedures.

You can attend a whole day of human resource or finance workshops or one of each. Find out the latest information and join in question and answer sessions on the real issues that you deal with every day.

There is no charge to attend for NICVA members (2 places per organisation only). For non members the day costs £50.00. Extra delegate places for members are available at £30.00 per day.

To apply, please download and complete the booking form here and return to NICVA. Alternatively, you may contact Frances McAtamney on tel: 028 9087 7777, email: frances.mcatamney@nicva.org for more information.

(5) Joining the dots

This Sector Skills Council workshop for the voluntary and community sector takes place at NICVA from 10.30am to 3.30pm on 1 March 2006.

The workshop aims to:

- identify areas of the Justice Sector which are of relevance to the voluntary and community sector

- identify areas of common interest and overlap with other Sector Skills Councils

- explore the relevance and potential uses of National Occupational Standards

There will be an opportunity to discuss levels of engagement between Sector Skills Councils and the voluntary and community sector, and to identify opportunities for future joint working.

Please contact Karen Alderdice at Skills for Justice if you would like to attend on tel: 028 9025 8028.

(6) Real Men

Amnesty International, in association with the British Association of Social Workers, presents Real Men - involving men in ending violence against women on 3 April 2006 at NICVA, Belfast.

The conference will bring guest speakers from international organisations that have pioneered work involving men in campaigning, education and action to end the suffering caused by men’s violence against women. The guest speakers will share their experience in order to inspire and inform individuals, groups and agencies in Northern Ireland.

The conference will explore new possibilities for the involvement of men here in action to stop violence against women.

Please contact Patricia Campbell at Amnesty International, if you would like to attend on tel: 028 9064 3000, email: patricia.campbell@amnesty.org.uk.

(7)Focus groups on alcohol and drugs strategy

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has recently developed a new five year strategy aimed at reducing alcohol and drug related harm, and a number of themed regional focus group consultations will take place from 17 to 24 February 2006 at the Park Plaza Hotel, Belfast International Airport. The focus groups aim to gather feedback on the draft strategy, its aims, approach to reducing alcohol and drug-related harm in Northern Ireland and the desired outcomes.

There will also be two local focus groups in the Eastern Drugs and Alcohol Co-ordination Team (EDACT) office at Cromac Quay, Belfast on 22 February 2006 at 9.30am and 12.30pm. The local consultations will be an opportunity for those working in the Eastern Board area to identify whether the key priorities and outcomes in the strategy are appropriate and relevant for this area. EDACT will consider the feedback given at these events in its task of developing a local action plan to implement the strategy.

Other than restrictions on numbers per group, people are welcome to attend as many sessions as they wish.

To find out more, or if you are interested in attending any of the focus groups, please contact Lara McLarnon on tel: 028 9045 2222 or lara@total-consulting.co.uk by Friday 17 February 2006.

(8)Boards made easy

The Belfast Institute is offering Get On Board, an accredited programme designed to break down many of the barriers to public appointments in Northern Ireland. The programme aims to make the public appointments process more accessible to everyone in Northern Ireland and is targeted at individuals who are interested in, or currently hold, public appointments.

If you would like to apply or register your interest, please contact Roisin Shaw on tel: 028 9026 5471, email: rshaw@belfastinstitute.ac.uk. The closing date for completed applications is 3.00pm on Wednesday 22 February 2006.

(9)Exchange programme to developing countries

International Voluntary Service - NI invites applications for its Development Education Exchange Programme. This programme operates in many countries around the world including Africa, Asia and Latin America and allows applicants to experience life and work in developing countries. Participants work in several voluntary work camps alongside local volunteers during their two to three month stay, building classrooms and health clinics, planting trees, etc.

The programme gives participants an insight into development issues and allows them to integrate with differing cultures and help benefit communities in need. Participants should be over 21 with voluntary/community work experience and have an interest in development issues. They should also be available for a comprehensive preparation programme during March-May 2006.

IVS-NI is holding an information evening on 16 February 2006 at the IVS-NI office, VSB Building, 34 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Contact Colin on tel: 028 9023 8147 or email:colin@ivsni.orgif you would like to attend.

(10) EDACT Funding Information Seminar

EDACT will be holding a seminar on 20 March 2006 on how to apply for funding under its small grants scheme. This event is free of charge and will be held in Clifton House, 2 North Queen Street, Belfast from 9.00am to 12 noon. The scheme makes grants of up to £5,000 available for work in relation to drug and alcohol misuse.

If you would like to attend, please contact Marianne on tel: 028 9043 4248 or email: mireland@ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk. Please note that places are limited so please register early to avoid disappointment.

(11) Tex Mex at Belfast Exposed

Belfast Exposed gallery invites you to the opening of Crossings by Alex Webb at 7.00pm on 16 February 2006.

For the last twenty five years, Magnum photographer Alex Webb has documented the rich, diverse and contentious border between Mexico and the US. In this exhibition, his complex and poignant images capture the humour, pathos, paradox, and tragedy of life in a place of perpetual flux, transience and volatility.

The exhibition runs from 17 February to 31 March 2006. Contact the gallery on tel: 028 9023

(12) Interchange at Linenhall Library

Belfast’s Linenhall Library is seeking a temporary Chief Executive through the Interchange programme. Anyone interested in applying for the post under Interchange should contact Jim Magee at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure on tel: 028 9025 4240 or email:jim.magee@dcalni.gov.ukfor further details.

Pick of the Websites

Community NI

Community NI gets a makeover

Not ones to let things get stale; we’ve recently given the Community NI homepage a small facelift. The layout has been made clearer and gains some new features, with the most recently added events, jobs and volunteer opportunities listed to the right of the page. Why not add your own?

http://www.communityni.org/

Waddya think?

The homepage will also feature a fortnightly survey to let you share your views on a hot topic. The first survey is on the impact of Positive Steps.

http://www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/Surveys/page/surveyDetails/survey_key/142/

Respect

Maria McManus from Wheelworks shares her thoughts on how creativity can transform us and the world in which we live.

http://www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/080206Respect

NICVA

Register online for Policy Manifesto discussions

Influence the sector’s Policy Manifesto – register online now. http://www.nicva.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/080206PolManiTimetable

Online survey for Positive Steps research

Your feedback is wanted on the impact of Positive Steps – has it had any effect on your work?

http://www.nicva.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/090206PosStepsSurv

Briefing on draft Education Order

NICVA has produced a briefing paper on the proposals to reform education in Northern Ireland. Have your say before the consultation closes on 7 March 2006.

http://www.nicva.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/070206EducOrder

Make Your Move – new jobs this week on communityni.org

This section contains a random selection of the latest jobs from the Community NIwebsite.

Education/Studio Manager at Grand Opera House

Client Development Co-ordinator at Action Mental Health

Volunteer Resource Adviser at RNID

Community NI Diary

NICVA’s successful Community Diary now has a new home on the Community NI web portal.

Submit details of your upcoming events in Community NI’s Events Calendar using this link.

Membership

NICVA membership is open to all voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland.

To find out more contact Frances McAtamney on tel: 028 9087 7777, email: frances.mcatamney@nicva.org or visit www.nicva.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/NICVAmembership.

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