Viewfinder 7

NICVA

Free

nicva_Viewfinder7_Oct071.pdf

Viewfinder5 found overwhelming support for the announcement of a smoking ban, but what has been the reality of such a ban. An important issue being examined in this questionnaire is attitudes in the sector towards devolution in Northern Ireland. Do you think the politicians are ready to move beyond their traditional stances of green and orange? And do you think devolution will make any difference to the voluntary and community sector?

This Viewfinder also assesses awareness of the new draft Code of Good Governance for the voluntary and community sector. Do you think it is a positive development for the voluntary and community sector? Or do you think it is something that will make little difference to the sector?

Highlights from the survey

Here are some of the highlights from the survey.

• Since the introduction of the smoking ban, 78.1% of respondents in the voluntary and community sector have created a smoke free policy for their organisation.
• Over three quarters (76.4%) of respondents feel that the transfer of power to the Northern Ireland Assembly where politicians will have to move beyond green and orange issues to deal with ‘real issues’ that affect society will be difficult.
• The vast majority of Viewfinder respondents believe the draft Code of Good Governance is a positive development, but almost three quarters of respondents feel they would need further support and guidance to assist them adhere to its principles.
• Partnership working is very common in the sector, with 81.8% of organisations which responded currently involved in some form of partnership working with other organisations.
• In recognition of the important role of partnership working in the sector almost two thirds of respondents would like more advice on due diligence.
• Just under half of respondents find strategic planning difficult (48.9%).

The results of the previous Viewfinder surveys are available on CommunityNI.

More information

The Viewfinder survey was circulated to NICVA full members at the beginning of the summer of 2007 and there was a 37.1% response rate (from 918 organisations) If you would like further information about the survey or how to include questions in future Viewfinders, contact

Leeann Brady
NICVA

t: 028 9087 7777
e: leeann.brady@nicva.org