After the long bank holiday weekend taking refuge from the rain, I spent today working from home pulling together our second stage bid for BASIS funding. At last I feel like I'm making progress on this. Just as well as the deadline is looming.
I also managed to prepare comments on draft 7 of Every Child Matters in Watford - the strategic plan of the local Children's Partnership.
Monday, 28 May 2007
A bank holiday. And the storms promised for yesterday finally arrived this morning – big booming winds and heavy rains. We popped out for some supplies but otherwise spent the day taking refuge and I spent a productive few hours sorting through my in-tray.
On Friday, I finished reading Wingless Victory – the story of a RAF pilot (Wing Commander Basil Embry – later Air Marshal Sir Basil Embry KCB, KBE, DSO, DFC, AFC) shot down days before the Dunkirk evacuation and whose escape back to England included witnessing the German Victory Parade in Paris.
Today, hiding from the rain, I finished Sap Rising by AA Gill. This was rather less edifying and contained possibly the most unnecessary and harrowing scenes I’ve ever read. But I persevered and there were also some interesting passages and many that made me laugh. Imagine Puck of Pook Hill re-written by Tom Sharp as bestial pornography: is this what modern literature is like?
On Friday, I finished reading Wingless Victory – the story of a RAF pilot (Wing Commander Basil Embry – later Air Marshal Sir Basil Embry KCB, KBE, DSO, DFC, AFC) shot down days before the Dunkirk evacuation and whose escape back to England included witnessing the German Victory Parade in Paris.
Today, hiding from the rain, I finished Sap Rising by AA Gill. This was rather less edifying and contained possibly the most unnecessary and harrowing scenes I’ve ever read. But I persevered and there were also some interesting passages and many that made me laugh. Imagine Puck of Pook Hill re-written by Tom Sharp as bestial pornography: is this what modern literature is like?
Sunday, 27 May 2007
Another quiet and relaxing day. Jackie and I had planned to spend the day at a music festival in Welwyn Garden City. But although we were spared the storms and torrents premised by the forecasters, it did rain steadily throughout the day and we decided against venturing out.
Instead, I read through the applications received for the Finance and Administration Officer post, ranked them against the person specification and arrived at a draft shortlist. I’ll have to wait until next week to see if the rest of the selection panel agree with me.
Instead, I read through the applications received for the Finance and Administration Officer post, ranked them against the person specification and arrived at a draft shortlist. I’ll have to wait until next week to see if the rest of the selection panel agree with me.
Saturday, 26 May 2007
According to the Meteorological Office, this was to be the only half-decent day of the Bank Holiday weekend so we spent the day laying in supplies. While Jackie went on some other domestic errand, I started going around Asda alone. More from curiosity than from any lofty ideal, I decided to base my shopping decisions on broadly ethical considerations: what was healthy food, what was good for the environment, what was politically sound etc.
What a nightmare! Fair Trade bananas from the Windward Islands seemed a good decision, but surely flying bananas across the Atlantic can’t be good for global warming. Organic tomatoes from Spain or Fair Trade tomatoes from Africa? And what does “organic” mean anyway? I was really not very good at it all. I suspect that we have all got too used to having “everything all the time”. Heaven help us when the oil runs out. Or when the seas rise.
When Jackie caught up with me at the check-outs. She was not impressed: Why have we paid £1.29 for two peppers? No, I’ll rephrase that: have we won the Lottery?
What a nightmare! Fair Trade bananas from the Windward Islands seemed a good decision, but surely flying bananas across the Atlantic can’t be good for global warming. Organic tomatoes from Spain or Fair Trade tomatoes from Africa? And what does “organic” mean anyway? I was really not very good at it all. I suspect that we have all got too used to having “everything all the time”. Heaven help us when the oil runs out. Or when the seas rise.
When Jackie caught up with me at the check-outs. She was not impressed: Why have we paid £1.29 for two peppers? No, I’ll rephrase that: have we won the Lottery?
Friday, 25 May 2007
Today started with one of my regular supervision meetings with Pam Handley, my Chair of trustees. Pam is an exemplary trustee possessing a wonderful mixture of technical knowledge, local political nous, and strategic awareness. I look forward to these meetings but I fear I am not yet extracting maximum benefit from them – perhaps I need to prepare more?
The deadline passed for receiving applications for the vacant post here of Finance and Administration Officer. The first time this was advertised (in The Guardian national paper) we had just two applications. We re-advertised in the Watford Observer and at the local Job Centre, and we had a further thirteen applications. Of these, two had simply sent in their CV with no covering note. I am by no means sure that these are even intended as applications for the post, but in any event they really aren't admissible. Another applicant completed the application form with a name and address, but against every other questions had then written “will discuss at interview”. I don’t think so. So we were left with twelve valid applications (including the two from the first round). I will read through these over the weekend.
In the evening I had a long chat on the telephone with Mum who had just returned from a day out with one of the local history societies.
The deadline passed for receiving applications for the vacant post here of Finance and Administration Officer. The first time this was advertised (in The Guardian national paper) we had just two applications. We re-advertised in the Watford Observer and at the local Job Centre, and we had a further thirteen applications. Of these, two had simply sent in their CV with no covering note. I am by no means sure that these are even intended as applications for the post, but in any event they really aren't admissible. Another applicant completed the application form with a name and address, but against every other questions had then written “will discuss at interview”. I don’t think so. So we were left with twelve valid applications (including the two from the first round). I will read through these over the weekend.
In the evening I had a long chat on the telephone with Mum who had just returned from a day out with one of the local history societies.
Thursday, 24 May 2007
The journey to Watford took an exasperating two hours, leaving me barely time to get to a meeting of a project steering group I’d been invited to join. The project is run jointly by the Guidepost Trust and Watford Asian Community Care and is looking at mental health services for women from south Asia. This is not a field of which I have much knowledge, but I have plenty of experience of project management and I was able to make some useful contributions.
From this meeting, I headed off to Hitchin for a meeting with the Big Lottery’s East of England representative to talk about the second stage of the BASIS programme. Although Watford CVS did well from the first stage, everyone recognises that it was fraught with difficulties. The only people attending form Hertfordshire were myself, Jacquie Hime (from North Herts CVS) and Steph Gallagher (the HIC development worker) and we all stressed that the two key needs were to focus money on core services and to avoid a competitive bidding round. I think our points were well taken.
Of course, the natural thing would be to ask the Herts Infrastructure Consortium to distribute the money. We’ll see: the Big Lottery will soon have a more formal consultation period and decisions on stage two will be announced later this year.
After this meeting, there were further talks about the HIC strategic plan and then I managed to arrive home by five. Jackie and I celebrated my early return by taking a brisk walk through the local woods.
From this meeting, I headed off to Hitchin for a meeting with the Big Lottery’s East of England representative to talk about the second stage of the BASIS programme. Although Watford CVS did well from the first stage, everyone recognises that it was fraught with difficulties. The only people attending form Hertfordshire were myself, Jacquie Hime (from North Herts CVS) and Steph Gallagher (the HIC development worker) and we all stressed that the two key needs were to focus money on core services and to avoid a competitive bidding round. I think our points were well taken.
Of course, the natural thing would be to ask the Herts Infrastructure Consortium to distribute the money. We’ll see: the Big Lottery will soon have a more formal consultation period and decisions on stage two will be announced later this year.
After this meeting, there were further talks about the HIC strategic plan and then I managed to arrive home by five. Jackie and I celebrated my early return by taking a brisk walk through the local woods.
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
I had a very busy day on communications - organising meetings, talking with staff, responding to e-mails, chasing contacts, etc.
I feel like I achieved a lot, but it was all very bitty ...
I feel like I achieved a lot, but it was all very bitty ...
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
I enjoyed a quiet morning catching up on e-mail and reviewing my calendar to make sure I can have some time free to concentrate on preparations for our Audit and our second stage bid to the Big Lottery Fund’s Basis programme.
One Watford
In the afternoon, we were hosting a meeting of the One Watford Local Strategic Partnership. In the morning, I spent time making sure we had available a laptop with internet access so that the new One Watford website could be demonstrated.
There were several apologies for the meeting and this resulted in a subtle change to the dynamics of the group. The meeting just seemed to step up a gear in terms of its engagement with the issues: there was more enthusiasm, more commitment, and things were more relaxed. Perhaps it is unkind of me to attribute this to the change in personnel; it could just as well have been the change in the venue, the coming of spring, or some other unnoticed environmental phenomenon. But it was a good meeting.
Helen (our Volunteer Centre co-ordinator) and I also presented a new paper on volunteering and the LAA targets. Helen was again excellent, the paper was well-received, and there was a very positive response to our specific requests for help. There was also positive news about the Health Campus and the redevelopment of the Town Centre. And Jenny Tomley (head of Watford’s John Lewis store) brought forward a proposal for promoting civic pride in Watford.
All very good stuff. A distinctive Watford approach to things is emerging and is becoming more familiar and more easy. There is a (still slight) buzz of excitement as things do seem to be coming together. I think that Mayor Dorothy Thornhill knows this too, although she will also know there’s a whole lot more work to do yet.
After the One Watford meeting, I had a quick talk with Chris Pearson of West Herts College about the local voluntary sector’s training needs. We agreed to talk further.
Then I hurried off home, dropping off en route to get cheques signed by my smart and welcoming vice chair Althea McLean OBE.
At home, Jackie and I enjoyed a cup of tea together and then shunned the delights of the gym to have a brisk walk. All very invigorating.
Reading
At the weekend, I completed Great Adventures and Explorations: from the earliest times to the present as told by the explorers themselves. Not the sexiest book title ever, the writings were collected together in the 1950s by renown arctic explorer Vilhjarmur Stefansson who added his own extensive notes and glossaries. Quite exhilarating.
Since the weekend, I have re-read another minor epic: The Story of Mary Jones and Her Bible (a poor Methodist Welsh girl in the 1790s and her struggle to own her own Bible). I have a beautiful 1891 edition and I wanted one final read before parting with it.
One Watford
In the afternoon, we were hosting a meeting of the One Watford Local Strategic Partnership. In the morning, I spent time making sure we had available a laptop with internet access so that the new One Watford website could be demonstrated.
There were several apologies for the meeting and this resulted in a subtle change to the dynamics of the group. The meeting just seemed to step up a gear in terms of its engagement with the issues: there was more enthusiasm, more commitment, and things were more relaxed. Perhaps it is unkind of me to attribute this to the change in personnel; it could just as well have been the change in the venue, the coming of spring, or some other unnoticed environmental phenomenon. But it was a good meeting.
Helen (our Volunteer Centre co-ordinator) and I also presented a new paper on volunteering and the LAA targets. Helen was again excellent, the paper was well-received, and there was a very positive response to our specific requests for help. There was also positive news about the Health Campus and the redevelopment of the Town Centre. And Jenny Tomley (head of Watford’s John Lewis store) brought forward a proposal for promoting civic pride in Watford.
All very good stuff. A distinctive Watford approach to things is emerging and is becoming more familiar and more easy. There is a (still slight) buzz of excitement as things do seem to be coming together. I think that Mayor Dorothy Thornhill knows this too, although she will also know there’s a whole lot more work to do yet.
After the One Watford meeting, I had a quick talk with Chris Pearson of West Herts College about the local voluntary sector’s training needs. We agreed to talk further.
Then I hurried off home, dropping off en route to get cheques signed by my smart and welcoming vice chair Althea McLean OBE.
At home, Jackie and I enjoyed a cup of tea together and then shunned the delights of the gym to have a brisk walk. All very invigorating.
Reading
At the weekend, I completed Great Adventures and Explorations: from the earliest times to the present as told by the explorers themselves. Not the sexiest book title ever, the writings were collected together in the 1950s by renown arctic explorer Vilhjarmur Stefansson who added his own extensive notes and glossaries. Quite exhilarating.
Since the weekend, I have re-read another minor epic: The Story of Mary Jones and Her Bible (a poor Methodist Welsh girl in the 1790s and her struggle to own her own Bible). I have a beautiful 1891 edition and I wanted one final read before parting with it.
Monday, 21 May 2007
Investors in People?
The whole of this morning was devoted to a meeting with Len Simkin, our Investors in People advisor. We are getting very close to submitting our application for IiP status, and this was a final meeting to check through the requirements of the standard.
I then worked on the Hertfordshire Infrastructure Consortium strategic plan, and on the Herts CVS strategic plan. And then had some discussions over the new Watford One World forum and associated matters.
At some point I had an angry telephone call from the people who came to see me on Friday about registering a new Charity. They didn't like the advice I gave and hadn't followed it, but they still very much wanted more advice on how to raise funds. And quickly. They weren't amused when I explained that we couldn't accommodate them. Then they arrived at the office causing more disruption. Ho hum.
The whole of this morning was devoted to a meeting with Len Simkin, our Investors in People advisor. We are getting very close to submitting our application for IiP status, and this was a final meeting to check through the requirements of the standard.
I then worked on the Hertfordshire Infrastructure Consortium strategic plan, and on the Herts CVS strategic plan. And then had some discussions over the new Watford One World forum and associated matters.
At some point I had an angry telephone call from the people who came to see me on Friday about registering a new Charity. They didn't like the advice I gave and hadn't followed it, but they still very much wanted more advice on how to raise funds. And quickly. They weren't amused when I explained that we couldn't accommodate them. Then they arrived at the office causing more disruption. Ho hum.
Sunday, 20 May 2007
A long long day working in the garden, crowned by a BBQ with Rhiannon and her family and then a very early night. There is a world of difference between speciality sausages (Lincolnshire, venison) and novelty sausages (pork and peach, grapefruit and squirrel).
Saturday, 19 May 2007
Jackie and I had agreed to spend a long lazy day at home doing absolutely nothing. However, late in the morning Jackie realised that we didn’t have quite enough linen and cotton in our house and this meant an urgent shopping trip to Watford to remedy the problem.
On the return drive, on the A405, we saw scores of grey rabbits alongside scores of other creatures. We agreed that these other creatures looked exactly like chocolate-coloured guinea pigs, but I suppose they could just as well have been chocolate-coloured rabbits with scrawny fur and invisible ears.
In the evening we were too tired to accept an invitation out for a meal. Instead, we watched a BBC 4 programme about Jimi Hendrix. I enjoy a great many musicians and writers and entertainers; and there is lots and lots of good music around today - possibly the best crop of British musicians for decades. But Jimi Hendrix is one of only a very few musicians ever who have made me stop in my tracks with jaw open and think: “how on earth does that happen?”
The only person who produces the same effect on me now is Derren Brown.
And Jackie, of course.
On the return drive, on the A405, we saw scores of grey rabbits alongside scores of other creatures. We agreed that these other creatures looked exactly like chocolate-coloured guinea pigs, but I suppose they could just as well have been chocolate-coloured rabbits with scrawny fur and invisible ears.
In the evening we were too tired to accept an invitation out for a meal. Instead, we watched a BBC 4 programme about Jimi Hendrix. I enjoy a great many musicians and writers and entertainers; and there is lots and lots of good music around today - possibly the best crop of British musicians for decades. But Jimi Hendrix is one of only a very few musicians ever who have made me stop in my tracks with jaw open and think: “how on earth does that happen?”
The only person who produces the same effect on me now is Derren Brown.
And Jackie, of course.
Friday, 18 May 2007
This morning I had one meeting with an established local group looking to register as a charity. Sometimes, groups emerge naturally from activities that people undertake and then at some stage it becomes necessary or helpful to formalise things. And then the group exceeds the Charity Commission's registration threshold and so has to register with the Charity Commission. This is the natural order of things.
Then I had another meeting with some people who want to set up a new charity. Of course there are situations where the natural order has to be circumvented in some way. But it concerns me when people want to register a new charity to work with vulnerable people when they have no work experience in that area, no clear idea of what activities they want to undertake and have no clear purpose or goal in mind. But they very much want advice on how to raise funds. I gave what advice I could, and hope it is followed.
Mostly I devoted the day to getting our accounts up to date as it’s now six weeks since Sue left and three weeks since Priti left.
I finally left the office around 7:00 pm, looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend at home with Jackie.
Then I had another meeting with some people who want to set up a new charity. Of course there are situations where the natural order has to be circumvented in some way. But it concerns me when people want to register a new charity to work with vulnerable people when they have no work experience in that area, no clear idea of what activities they want to undertake and have no clear purpose or goal in mind. But they very much want advice on how to raise funds. I gave what advice I could, and hope it is followed.
Mostly I devoted the day to getting our accounts up to date as it’s now six weeks since Sue left and three weeks since Priti left.
I finally left the office around 7:00 pm, looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend at home with Jackie.
Thursday, 17 May 2007
This morning, I was at a Herts CVS meeting in St Albans to discuss the Herts CVS Strategic Plan. I think we managed to turn a potential rout into, not perhaps a triumph but at least a minor victory. More work is of course needed, but I do feel that the end is now in sight – largely thanks to the efforts of several of my colleagues (thanks Ann, Robin, Laura and Ian) and doubtless others whose contributions I am less familiar with.
In the afternoon, Jacquie Hime and I drove to Hitchin to discuss the strategic plan for the Herts Infrastructure Consortium. During the journey north we saw a beautiful roe deer cross the road before us. We also managed very expeditious discussions on Herts Compact, IT and the future of Volbase. Once at Hitchin, we were joined by Steph and talked through the requirements and vision of Capacitybuilders. After two or three months of apparent upheaval, things are beginning to fall into place a little.
I arrived home in time to enjoy a few hours with Jackie and grand-daughter Bethany.
In the afternoon, Jacquie Hime and I drove to Hitchin to discuss the strategic plan for the Herts Infrastructure Consortium. During the journey north we saw a beautiful roe deer cross the road before us. We also managed very expeditious discussions on Herts Compact, IT and the future of Volbase. Once at Hitchin, we were joined by Steph and talked through the requirements and vision of Capacitybuilders. After two or three months of apparent upheaval, things are beginning to fall into place a little.
I arrived home in time to enjoy a few hours with Jackie and grand-daughter Bethany.
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Over the past few months, so much effort has gone into preparing for tonight’s meeting, so everything today was secondary to the launch of the Watford One World forum.
During the day, I chased up people to attend, I also talked to several groups about WCVS’s new membership arrangements, received a dozen or so e-mails back re: yesterday’s e-mailed newsletter, wrote to the One Watford LSP group with a paper on volunteering, wrote to WCVS with proposals on marketing, struggled and failed to sort out some technical problems in the Gents’ loo, and finalised arrangements for a briefing of WBC staff next month.
Did I really do all that today? Before the Lord Mayor’s Show?
The evening began very well. I was delighted to see Althea McLean OBE (one of my trustees) attending and also very pleased at the turnout from the Muslim Community Project and from elsewhere.
We were also joined by some people form Norwich and Norfolk Race Equality Council who have been commissioned by East of England CRE to prepare a report on setting up a new race equality organisation in Hertfordshire. Inevitably this stimulated interest and the short report stretched to nearly 40 minutes before I (from the chair) managed to move the meeting on without ruffling too many feathers.
But from that moment on, the meeting went absolutely swimmingly. There were lively discussions and my proposals suffered several amendment. But the changes were needed and this just went to show that people were engaged and gully committed to the new forum. There wasn’t a single note of discord. Vanessa (our Development and Training Officer) was magnificent and Althea’s experience proved invaluable.
Elections were held and officers are now taking up their posts. I have high hopes for this group playing a positive and high-profile role in Watford.
After the meeting, everyone was on a bit of a high and took time to disperse. I took the opportunity to talk with Latif Khan from the Muslim Community Project about the possibility of a voluntary sector event focused on building a better understanding with Islam. I hope to report more in this later.
During the day, I chased up people to attend, I also talked to several groups about WCVS’s new membership arrangements, received a dozen or so e-mails back re: yesterday’s e-mailed newsletter, wrote to the One Watford LSP group with a paper on volunteering, wrote to WCVS with proposals on marketing, struggled and failed to sort out some technical problems in the Gents’ loo, and finalised arrangements for a briefing of WBC staff next month.
Did I really do all that today? Before the Lord Mayor’s Show?
The evening began very well. I was delighted to see Althea McLean OBE (one of my trustees) attending and also very pleased at the turnout from the Muslim Community Project and from elsewhere.
We were also joined by some people form Norwich and Norfolk Race Equality Council who have been commissioned by East of England CRE to prepare a report on setting up a new race equality organisation in Hertfordshire. Inevitably this stimulated interest and the short report stretched to nearly 40 minutes before I (from the chair) managed to move the meeting on without ruffling too many feathers.
But from that moment on, the meeting went absolutely swimmingly. There were lively discussions and my proposals suffered several amendment. But the changes were needed and this just went to show that people were engaged and gully committed to the new forum. There wasn’t a single note of discord. Vanessa (our Development and Training Officer) was magnificent and Althea’s experience proved invaluable.
Elections were held and officers are now taking up their posts. I have high hopes for this group playing a positive and high-profile role in Watford.
After the meeting, everyone was on a bit of a high and took time to disperse. I took the opportunity to talk with Latif Khan from the Muslim Community Project about the possibility of a voluntary sector event focused on building a better understanding with Islam. I hope to report more in this later.
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Today I finalised and circulated the WCVS newsletter, minutes of the recent Trustees’ meeting, and papers for tomorrow’s inaugural meeting of the Watford One World forum. Written down like that, it doesn’t seem much.
Monday, 14 May 2007
I spent the best part of today preparing WCVS’s new e-mail newsletter. WCVS has been published irregularly, but without a break, since 1974. This is issue 127 and the first to be distributed electronically. Issue 126 had 24 pages and lots of pictures etc. This has been stripped right down to just four pages, there are no pictures and lots of cross references to material on the internet.
Other issues during the day included finalising the payroll run, preparing a note for trustees on source of advice and information, responding to several queries about charitable status, and discussing Compact issues with Andrew Burt at HCC.
Over the past six months, HCC has changed the way it funds HomeStart, the family support charity. I have read and re-read the paperwork on this. The best possible spin that can be put on it is that HCC have made errors before, during and after their review of funding. The end result was a decision taken without warning and behind closed doors.
HCC have rightly won several awards for their Compact work, and Andrew Burt is a great and genuine champion for the Compact. But one or more of his colleagues seems to have taken their eye off the Compact ball. Sometimes things just go awry.
All this helps illustrate the need ultimately for the Compact to have some teeth. I hear much talk of reliance on Public Law, and perhaps this will provide a solution.
Other issues during the day included finalising the payroll run, preparing a note for trustees on source of advice and information, responding to several queries about charitable status, and discussing Compact issues with Andrew Burt at HCC.
Over the past six months, HCC has changed the way it funds HomeStart, the family support charity. I have read and re-read the paperwork on this. The best possible spin that can be put on it is that HCC have made errors before, during and after their review of funding. The end result was a decision taken without warning and behind closed doors.
HCC have rightly won several awards for their Compact work, and Andrew Burt is a great and genuine champion for the Compact. But one or more of his colleagues seems to have taken their eye off the Compact ball. Sometimes things just go awry.
All this helps illustrate the need ultimately for the Compact to have some teeth. I hear much talk of reliance on Public Law, and perhaps this will provide a solution.
Sunday, 13 May 2007
This was supposed to be a quite day at home up catching up on things. But I also drove to Letchworth to pick up some free (and much needed) book-shelves and delivered them to WCVS in Watford. Bobby came with me to provide some extra muscle.
In the evening, I began planning the next few weeks of work. There are some serious deadlines approaching fast and the next 4-6 weeks are going to be very busy indeed.
In the evening, I began planning the next few weeks of work. There are some serious deadlines approaching fast and the next 4-6 weeks are going to be very busy indeed.
Saturday, 12 May 2007
I went to see the first serious match at the new Wembley Stadium: Stevenage Borough against Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Trophy final. A thrilling game with Stevenage emerging as 3-2 winners. Excellent stuff.
Friday, 11 May 2007
I worked on our SLA with Watford Borough Council, and then travelled to Stevenage where I met with Chiltern Accountancy, a new county-wide charity offering accountancy and bookkeeping services to the voluntary sector. I wanted to see how they could add depth and value to the services we offer our members in Watford.
After this, I travelled even further afield to Chesterford in Essex for a meeting of the Trustees Together group. This is an important regional group trying to co-ordinate and improve the support provided to trustees across the East of England. For example, we are looking to use training materials developed in Suffolk to help establish a trustee support network in Watford – possibly in parallel with a similar initative in South Bedfordshire.
After this, I travelled even further afield to Chesterford in Essex for a meeting of the Trustees Together group. This is an important regional group trying to co-ordinate and improve the support provided to trustees across the East of England. For example, we are looking to use training materials developed in Suffolk to help establish a trustee support network in Watford – possibly in parallel with a similar initative in South Bedfordshire.
Thursday, 10 May 2007
The morning was devoted to preparations for the afternoon’s meeting of the Watford Voluntary Sector Alliance. This is an established forum for local voluntary groups but it seems to be losing its way.
This afternoon, a dozen people attended to discuss volunteering and the LAA target to increase the number of volunteers in Watford. Helen (our Volunteer Centre co-ordinator) was superb and really seems to be hitting top form. But there were difficulties.
The problem was that about half of those present were keenly interested in the topic. The other half weren’t, but attended the meeting to "network" and to keep people informed about the activities of their own group. So those present were split into two equal camps with competing expectations about what the meeting was to achieve. Everyone was very polite and patient, but this simply cannot go on.
After the VSA meeting I had a series of discussions about what we can do to re-focus and reinvigorate the VSA forum. There were some interesting ideas on which I will soon consult.
This afternoon, a dozen people attended to discuss volunteering and the LAA target to increase the number of volunteers in Watford. Helen (our Volunteer Centre co-ordinator) was superb and really seems to be hitting top form. But there were difficulties.
The problem was that about half of those present were keenly interested in the topic. The other half weren’t, but attended the meeting to "network" and to keep people informed about the activities of their own group. So those present were split into two equal camps with competing expectations about what the meeting was to achieve. Everyone was very polite and patient, but this simply cannot go on.
After the VSA meeting I had a series of discussions about what we can do to re-focus and reinvigorate the VSA forum. There were some interesting ideas on which I will soon consult.
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
This morning’s re-entry to the office was quite painless. I spent most of the morning with Helen talking through Watford’s voluntering targets and preparing for tomorrow’s meeting of the local Voluntary Sector Alliance. We also drafted a paper for next week’s One Watford meeting.
I had arranged other representation for this morning’s meeting of the Herts BME Partnership, and I had sent my apologies to the Sunflower Board in order to attend a meeting to discuss Community Development with Sarah Pinnock and Kathryn Robson of WBC and consultants from Community Matters. This turned out to be an excellent choice as the meeting was very useful and we made great progress, also discussing accommodation issues and the specific needs of groups in West Watford.
Leaving the meeting, I encountered heavy rain - the first time I have been wetted for several months, and not an unpleasant experience. I left the office shortly after 6:00 keen to rest.
I had arranged other representation for this morning’s meeting of the Herts BME Partnership, and I had sent my apologies to the Sunflower Board in order to attend a meeting to discuss Community Development with Sarah Pinnock and Kathryn Robson of WBC and consultants from Community Matters. This turned out to be an excellent choice as the meeting was very useful and we made great progress, also discussing accommodation issues and the specific needs of groups in West Watford.
Leaving the meeting, I encountered heavy rain - the first time I have been wetted for several months, and not an unpleasant experience. I left the office shortly after 6:00 keen to rest.
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Another day of annual leave.
In the morning, Jackie and I spent 45 minutes at the gym. My first time. All very curious. I don't think I will run at the Olympics after all.
I spent the rest of the day in the garden failing to construct a pergola from 2.4 metre lengths of wood. Jackie spent the day successfully finishing off her latest Magnus Opus: a magnificent 64 square foot hand-sewn quilt.
The day finished perfectly with a new episode of Midsomer Murder which I watched while reading through CVS correspondence and papers: tomorrow it’s back to work.
In the morning, Jackie and I spent 45 minutes at the gym. My first time. All very curious. I don't think I will run at the Olympics after all.
I spent the rest of the day in the garden failing to construct a pergola from 2.4 metre lengths of wood. Jackie spent the day successfully finishing off her latest Magnus Opus: a magnificent 64 square foot hand-sewn quilt.
The day finished perfectly with a new episode of Midsomer Murder which I watched while reading through CVS correspondence and papers: tomorrow it’s back to work.
Monday, 7 May 2007
Whiel on an errand in Watford, I popped into the office and spent an hour or so catchign up on some e-mails - paving the way for a smooth re-entry to the world of work on Wednesday. Otherwise, I spend a relaxing bank holiday devoted to the garden.
Sunday, 6 May 2007
I spent the day with my Mum going through yet more of my Dad’s papers: much of it fascinating, some of it very funny, and all of it very moving.
Saturday, 5 May 2007
A relaxing day at home with the family - and a not-so-relaxing trip to the shops waiting 90 minutes for Welwyn's John Lewis store to find a lamp they had told us was ready for collection.
Friday, 4 May 2007
Annual leave and Jackie’s birthday trip to Kew Gardens (via Watford's Hobbycraft store and Market). All wonderful.
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Jackie's birthday
It was Jackie’s birthday so she enjoyed breakfast in bed and expressed girlish delight with her cards and gifts. We had both booked the afternoon off work to attend the gym together.
At work, I spent the first part of the day meeting with Chris Leicester from the firm that developed Vol-base. We discussed WCVS implementation plans and the need to integrate Vol-base properly within an overall IT strategy for WCVS and the local voluntary sector.
After these helpful discussions, I agreed minutes for recent meetings of HIC and Herts Compact Group, and then we had a brief staff meeting to keep everyone up-to-date with agreements at last night’s trustees’ meeting.
I left the office at lunchtime and headed home. Jackie and I never made it to the gym.
It was Jackie’s birthday so she enjoyed breakfast in bed and expressed girlish delight with her cards and gifts. We had both booked the afternoon off work to attend the gym together.
At work, I spent the first part of the day meeting with Chris Leicester from the firm that developed Vol-base. We discussed WCVS implementation plans and the need to integrate Vol-base properly within an overall IT strategy for WCVS and the local voluntary sector.
After these helpful discussions, I agreed minutes for recent meetings of HIC and Herts Compact Group, and then we had a brief staff meeting to keep everyone up-to-date with agreements at last night’s trustees’ meeting.
I left the office at lunchtime and headed home. Jackie and I never made it to the gym.
Wednesday, 2 May 2007
Another day of organising meetings: getting Watford representation to the Herts BMW Partnership meeting, organising Watford representation at a new Herts Training Consortium for the voluntary sector, following up actions agreed at the recent meeting on Hate Crime, agreeing to attend a 9 May meeting with Community Matters on a Community Development strategy for Watford, and sending my apologies for the Sunflower Board meeting on that same day.
There was an interesting e-mail exchange between Herts CVS chief officers highlighting how much variation there is on vcs representation on Local Strategic Partnerships.
In the evening, there was a meeting of our trustees. I received a few last minute apologies and for a moment I feared that the meeting might be inquorate, but this fear was soon dispelled.
As ever, Pam conducted the meeting in an efficient and businesslike manner. My budget proposals were reviewed and agreed with a minor amendment. The meeting also agreed a policy on staffing and remuneration, and an amendment to the Memorandum and Articles of Association to be proposed to our September AGM.
Vanessa (our Development and Training Officer) attended the meeting and introduced a paper on Risk Assessment. This was welcomed and Pam suggested a fuller discussion at the next trustees' meeting.
Discussions among the trustees also highlighted that many Watford voluntary groups are currently facing accommodation problems or changes. Helpfully, it was agreed that future WCVS trustee meetings should include a standing item to exchange information about our member groups. This will help maintain an outward focus for trustee meetings.
After the trustees meeting, I sent some quick follow-up e-mails and left the office about 10:00 pm.
There was an interesting e-mail exchange between Herts CVS chief officers highlighting how much variation there is on vcs representation on Local Strategic Partnerships.
In the evening, there was a meeting of our trustees. I received a few last minute apologies and for a moment I feared that the meeting might be inquorate, but this fear was soon dispelled.
As ever, Pam conducted the meeting in an efficient and businesslike manner. My budget proposals were reviewed and agreed with a minor amendment. The meeting also agreed a policy on staffing and remuneration, and an amendment to the Memorandum and Articles of Association to be proposed to our September AGM.
Vanessa (our Development and Training Officer) attended the meeting and introduced a paper on Risk Assessment. This was welcomed and Pam suggested a fuller discussion at the next trustees' meeting.
Discussions among the trustees also highlighted that many Watford voluntary groups are currently facing accommodation problems or changes. Helpfully, it was agreed that future WCVS trustee meetings should include a standing item to exchange information about our member groups. This will help maintain an outward focus for trustee meetings.
After the trustees meeting, I sent some quick follow-up e-mails and left the office about 10:00 pm.
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
I arrived early this morning to fix on the walls the artwork that has been kindly leant by the Guideposts Trust. All of the art has been produced by the Trust's users, and all of it is wonderful. I was very pleased, and so was everyone else who saw the pictures.
Shortly after 9:00, Mary Green (my “opposite number” in neighbouring Three Rivers CVS) arrived and we had a useful talk with Vanessa about the future of our joint training programme.
Meanwhile, in partnership with Angelo our ICT contractor, I sent 2,000 e-mails to voluntary groups across Hertfordshire asking them to visit a website and update their contact details etc. A pleasingly large number had already started to amend their details when I disappeared into the HIC meeting at 10:00.
HIC
This morning’s HIC meeting went well. Jacquie and I made our proposals for how to push this work forward, and after discussion these were accepted. There was also a useful update on VCS relations to Hertfordshire’s Local Area Agreement.
All in all, the meeting was very business-like and purposeful and (most importantly) ended sharp at 12:00.
Herts CVS
In the afternoon, the Herts CVS group of chief officers met to consider a strategic plan. This is a seriously difficult undertaking, and Ian Richardson from Broxbourne has done a wonderful job pulling everything together.
There are three key facts we are still slightly struggling with.
First, Hertfordshire is a two tier authority and CVSs are funded locally by Districts and Boroughs, not by the County. Funding levels vary: some CVSs receive £100k in core funding and others receive nothing. Local groups broadly receive the level of support that their District has paid for.
Secondly, Hertfordshire County Council is funding the Herts CVS Group to provide strategic leadership for the voluntary sector in Hertfordshire. This has been interpreted (in part) as securing a minimum level of infrastructure support across the County. But with no significant new resources.
Thirdly, in trying to reconcile these two fact, the Herts CVS Group has to recognise that it is not an executive agency: it has no powers and cannot take “decisions” except unanimously - and even then each CVS is an independent charity and its trustees may or may not accept the conclusions reached collectively by Chief Officers.
Somewhere within all these irreconcilables, the Herts CVS Group of Chief Officers must still adopt a plan demonstrating its Strategic Leadership of the county's voluntary sector. I think this is a work in progress.
Home at last
After a frantic, but productive, day, I arrived home about 8:00 pm. Jackie and I watched a programme about the Large Hadron Collider – the huge circular tunnel beneath Switzerland and France. I was occasionally distracted by Aged Ken (our hopeless toothless old cat) cavorting on the carpet like a young kitten to play with a catnip mouse. Poor old Ken. Will there ever be a Grand Theory of Everything?
Shortly after 9:00, Mary Green (my “opposite number” in neighbouring Three Rivers CVS) arrived and we had a useful talk with Vanessa about the future of our joint training programme.
Meanwhile, in partnership with Angelo our ICT contractor, I sent 2,000 e-mails to voluntary groups across Hertfordshire asking them to visit a website and update their contact details etc. A pleasingly large number had already started to amend their details when I disappeared into the HIC meeting at 10:00.
HIC
This morning’s HIC meeting went well. Jacquie and I made our proposals for how to push this work forward, and after discussion these were accepted. There was also a useful update on VCS relations to Hertfordshire’s Local Area Agreement.
All in all, the meeting was very business-like and purposeful and (most importantly) ended sharp at 12:00.
Herts CVS
In the afternoon, the Herts CVS group of chief officers met to consider a strategic plan. This is a seriously difficult undertaking, and Ian Richardson from Broxbourne has done a wonderful job pulling everything together.
There are three key facts we are still slightly struggling with.
First, Hertfordshire is a two tier authority and CVSs are funded locally by Districts and Boroughs, not by the County. Funding levels vary: some CVSs receive £100k in core funding and others receive nothing. Local groups broadly receive the level of support that their District has paid for.
Secondly, Hertfordshire County Council is funding the Herts CVS Group to provide strategic leadership for the voluntary sector in Hertfordshire. This has been interpreted (in part) as securing a minimum level of infrastructure support across the County. But with no significant new resources.
Thirdly, in trying to reconcile these two fact, the Herts CVS Group has to recognise that it is not an executive agency: it has no powers and cannot take “decisions” except unanimously - and even then each CVS is an independent charity and its trustees may or may not accept the conclusions reached collectively by Chief Officers.
Somewhere within all these irreconcilables, the Herts CVS Group of Chief Officers must still adopt a plan demonstrating its Strategic Leadership of the county's voluntary sector. I think this is a work in progress.
Home at last
After a frantic, but productive, day, I arrived home about 8:00 pm. Jackie and I watched a programme about the Large Hadron Collider – the huge circular tunnel beneath Switzerland and France. I was occasionally distracted by Aged Ken (our hopeless toothless old cat) cavorting on the carpet like a young kitten to play with a catnip mouse. Poor old Ken. Will there ever be a Grand Theory of Everything?
Monday, 30 April 2007
Today I prepared the final e-mail we will shortly send to 2,000-odd charities across Hertfordshire as part of the Value and Volumes study. So many irritating technical problems!
I also spent time preparing for Tuesday's two big meetings: Herts Infrastructure Consortium (HIC) in the morning and Herts CVS in the afternoon.
Both are important generally for the VCS in Hertfordshire, and particularly for Watford CVS.
HIC is a Consortium of all organisations that support voluntary groups in Hertfordshire. It is, I suppose, an umbrella group for umbrella groups and this makes it a dangerous thing. Every county in England has such a Consortium and each has been allocated money to review its operations and write a develop plan. Simple? No.
HIC is pretty well-run, and certainly seems to be healthier and more inclusive than many other Consortia I’ve seen. But there are Big Questions that need to be asked - and to which we must find answers.
Is membership of HIC right? Almost certainly not – some changes seem inevitable. Is the structure of HIC right? Ditto. Do the various members of HIC work effectively together to provide an integrated and thought-through service to voluntary groups? No, not even slightly. Individually or collectively, do we actually do any good? We like to think so. Does anyone else think so? Er, probably not. How do we demonstrate our impact? Er...? Does anyone else even know HIC exists? Ummmm …
Before leaving the office, as Chair of HIC I talked through these issues (again) with Jacquie Hime of North Herts CVS.
Back at home, Jackie and I enjoyed a short programme about H H Munro (better known as Saki). The programme was good, but it also annoyed me by failing to distinguish between fact and supposition - and there’s little that annoys me more.
I also spent time preparing for Tuesday's two big meetings: Herts Infrastructure Consortium (HIC) in the morning and Herts CVS in the afternoon.
Both are important generally for the VCS in Hertfordshire, and particularly for Watford CVS.
HIC is a Consortium of all organisations that support voluntary groups in Hertfordshire. It is, I suppose, an umbrella group for umbrella groups and this makes it a dangerous thing. Every county in England has such a Consortium and each has been allocated money to review its operations and write a develop plan. Simple? No.
HIC is pretty well-run, and certainly seems to be healthier and more inclusive than many other Consortia I’ve seen. But there are Big Questions that need to be asked - and to which we must find answers.
Is membership of HIC right? Almost certainly not – some changes seem inevitable. Is the structure of HIC right? Ditto. Do the various members of HIC work effectively together to provide an integrated and thought-through service to voluntary groups? No, not even slightly. Individually or collectively, do we actually do any good? We like to think so. Does anyone else think so? Er, probably not. How do we demonstrate our impact? Er...? Does anyone else even know HIC exists? Ummmm …
Before leaving the office, as Chair of HIC I talked through these issues (again) with Jacquie Hime of North Herts CVS.
Back at home, Jackie and I enjoyed a short programme about H H Munro (better known as Saki). The programme was good, but it also annoyed me by failing to distinguish between fact and supposition - and there’s little that annoys me more.
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