Managing voluntary and community organisations
Project management
An introduction to project management for people working in voluntary and community organisations. The course is designed to help people who are completely new to project management and also people who are already managing projects but looking to acquire tools and techniques to help them manage more effectively. The main aim of the day is to help you plan, deliver, monitor and systematically evaluate your projects, in order to measure your success and maximise learning.
Pilot projects & feasibility studies
A course for those with responsibility for creating and managing pilot projects or feasibility studies. It will cover how to get established quickly and make the most from a limited amount of time, including identifying how to demonstrate success that might lead to a follow-on project. This course will be of particular benefit to any project workers or managers wanting to test or gain support for ideas or new projects
Managing change in groups and organisations
We all experience change in our lives but for many people it’s one of the most difficult things to adjust to. Many organisations and groups tend to react to change rather than approaching it proactively as a positive challenge. We will look at:
- how groups of people respond to change
- our role in supporting others with change
- thinking strategically about change we can control
- coping with change forced upon us by external factors.
- to manage change confidently and take others with you in the process.
Recruitment and selection
This course covers good practice in all aspects of recruitment and selection of paid staff and volunteers. This practical event is aimed at those in voluntary and community organisations who have little or no experience of selecting paid employees (and/or volunteers). It will focus on how to get the best from a candidate and will consider good equal opportunities practice at all stages including giving feedback to unsuccessful candidates at the end of the process.
Effective governance
Governance means the process by which a governing body ensures that an organisation is effectively and properly run. Governance is not about doing the work yourself; rather it is about making sure things are done.
The course will cover the responsibilities and boundaries of being on a board of trustees or management committee. Participants will explore their legal responsibilities and consider how they can reduce the risks that an organisation will get into difficulties. Part of the day will also be spent looking at sources of information and support that trustees will find useful.
Attracting and keeping new committee members
An active, supportive and responsible committee is essential for any voluntary and community group. This course will look at effective methods of recruiting new governance members and making our organisations attractive to people with the right skills and experience. Once recruited it’s important to keep new members and the course will look at tried and tested techniques to retain good people once you’ve got them.
Values, vision and mission
The three big concepts of values, vision and mission should sit at
the top of strategic management for all governance boards. Many
groups and organisations make assumptions that all agree these
concepts and so, focus on the detail, rather than taking time to
explore the fundamentals which form the basis for the work. This
course looks at helping organisations to develop a clear vision,
agree a mission and consider the underpinning values.
Strategic thinking
Trustees and directors have to learn to think strategically. It necessitates standing back from the day to day management and taking a longer term view of the world and potential problems to be faced. This practical course helps participants use tools and techniques to make strategic thinking less daunting.
Making meetings work for you
Meetings can be a time consuming and important part of our work. This course will look at the main meeting responsibilities (chair, secretary, treasurer). It will particularly focus on how, at a meeting, you can manage your nerves, make worthwhile contributions, listen effectively to others and keep useful notes. |
