Despite the sunshine outside, I spent the entire day working on the Herts CVS’s bid to host the LINks service.
Jackie’s hand has made a remarkably speedy recovery. So fast, that I am moved to wonder again if she isn’t just the most amazing person in the whole world. Or perhaps she just made rather a big fuss about nothing.
I finished drafting a LINks business plan just in time for Jackie and I to enjoy Midsomer Murders together.
Saturday, 26 July 2008
Today was a beautiful warm day and our first BBQ of the summer with friends Linda and Allan.
Friday, 25 July 2008
My plans for today were thrown into disarray by a minor domestic disaster: Jackie’s hairdryer exploded in her hand giving her a violent electric shock and a nasty burn on her hand and wrist. Her thumb and wrist were badly bruised and dramatically blackened. I was of course greatly caring and sympathetic - but utterly useless. We eventually decided that she would take herself off to a friendly nurse and if necessary to casualty while I would come to work to collect papers to work at home and nurse her through the rest of the day.
My first meeting was with my Chair Pam Handley who dispensed her usual sage advice and guidance with her usual great grace. After, I met briefly with Vanessa (Development and Training Officer) on our QA submission to NAVCA and with Andrew Waite of the Sunshine Children’s Centre. I had to cancel meetings with the Sunflower Centre and with Marv Renshaw on Community Arts.
I was back home by lunchtime to find Jackie’s wounds dressed but still very tender.
My first meeting was with my Chair Pam Handley who dispensed her usual sage advice and guidance with her usual great grace. After, I met briefly with Vanessa (Development and Training Officer) on our QA submission to NAVCA and with Andrew Waite of the Sunshine Children’s Centre. I had to cancel meetings with the Sunflower Centre and with Marv Renshaw on Community Arts.
I was back home by lunchtime to find Jackie’s wounds dressed but still very tender.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
When I have a trustees meeting, I like to keep the rest of the day free so I can prepare properly. It is not always possible and I spent this morning interviewing for the post of Support Worker for the BME Advocacy service.
For two part-time support workers the decision was very tough as we had four very good candidates.
At lunchtime, I walked across the road for the official hand-over ceremony for the new Watford Central Leisure Centre. This is a very impressive facility - and I do plan to swim there occasionally once it is fully open.
At WCVS’s trustees meeting we had a long discussion about future accommodation and whether or not we should take up a WBC invitation to consider (things are only in the earliest possible stages) a future move to the Holywell Community Centre. Some trustees had strong reservations and concerns but it was of course agreed – how could we refuse to consider?
After the meeting, I stayed on talking with individual trustees about our particular shared points of interest, which is always very helpful to me.
For two part-time support workers the decision was very tough as we had four very good candidates.
At lunchtime, I walked across the road for the official hand-over ceremony for the new Watford Central Leisure Centre. This is a very impressive facility - and I do plan to swim there occasionally once it is fully open.
At WCVS’s trustees meeting we had a long discussion about future accommodation and whether or not we should take up a WBC invitation to consider (things are only in the earliest possible stages) a future move to the Holywell Community Centre. Some trustees had strong reservations and concerns but it was of course agreed – how could we refuse to consider?
After the meeting, I stayed on talking with individual trustees about our particular shared points of interest, which is always very helpful to me.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
I hear great news from my friends in Bristol who have a new baby: Nathan. Congratulations to Ruth and Jane! Helen Price (our Volunteer Centre Co-ordinator) and I met with Roger Sands and Nicole Connors of V-involved, the youth volunteering programme.
The rest of the day I spent on our web-services and on preparations for tomorrow’s trustees meeting.
A sick rose
Ever since I first took up post in Watford I have been very impressed by what a lovely place it is, benefiting from a good community, approachable politicians, dedicated public servants, pretty good resources and many healthy voluntary groups. It is far from perfect of course, but far better than many other towns I have known.
But there was a worm in this particular rose: someone has been co-ordinating a sustained campaign against those I can broadly call "the political elite". This campaign has included: vandalism, graffiti, distributing libellous leaflets, posting pornography and making threats.
After Boris Johnson’s victory in the elections for London’s Mayor, we were contacted by Ian Oakley, the prospective parliamentary candidate for the local Tories. He wanted to meet me and learn more about the local voluntary sector. I don’t like the CVS being used for political campaigning. But we do live in a democracy and if any member of the public asked the same I would not refuse, so of course I agreed. The meeting was set for this coming Friday.
Today I learn that Ian Oakley has been arrested in connection with the police enquiry into the local hate campaign. He has resigned as a councillor in London and as Watford’s prospective candidate for the Tory Party. Of course everyone is innocent until proven guilty. But I will assume my meeting with him on Friday is now cancelled.
The rest of the day I spent on our web-services and on preparations for tomorrow’s trustees meeting.
A sick rose
Ever since I first took up post in Watford I have been very impressed by what a lovely place it is, benefiting from a good community, approachable politicians, dedicated public servants, pretty good resources and many healthy voluntary groups. It is far from perfect of course, but far better than many other towns I have known.
But there was a worm in this particular rose: someone has been co-ordinating a sustained campaign against those I can broadly call "the political elite". This campaign has included: vandalism, graffiti, distributing libellous leaflets, posting pornography and making threats.
After Boris Johnson’s victory in the elections for London’s Mayor, we were contacted by Ian Oakley, the prospective parliamentary candidate for the local Tories. He wanted to meet me and learn more about the local voluntary sector. I don’t like the CVS being used for political campaigning. But we do live in a democracy and if any member of the public asked the same I would not refuse, so of course I agreed. The meeting was set for this coming Friday.
Today I learn that Ian Oakley has been arrested in connection with the police enquiry into the local hate campaign. He has resigned as a councillor in London and as Watford’s prospective candidate for the Tory Party. Of course everyone is innocent until proven guilty. But I will assume my meeting with him on Friday is now cancelled.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
I went to Hatfield this morning to attend a HIC meeting. It is lovely to no longer have the responsibility for chairing – which role Ian Richardson now performs splendidly.
After the meeting, I enjoyed some very useful discussions, and then came home to work on the LINks tender.
After the meeting, I enjoyed some very useful discussions, and then came home to work on the LINks tender.
Monday, 21 July 2008
Returning home after a few days away, I am struck by the ancient appearance of Ken, our decrepit white cat: poor old Ken.
On a more positive note, our new chickens laid their first egg. We’re not sure which chicken it was as they both seem equally pleased with themself.
Our garden is looking at its very best and Jackie and I spent a wonderful day marvelling and relaxing.
In the evening I enjoyed Phil Beadle’s C4 documentary about adult literacy. He has the right amount of passion and indignation – but a little too much of the show seems to be about his angst rather than the journeys of his students.
On a more positive note, our new chickens laid their first egg. We’re not sure which chicken it was as they both seem equally pleased with themself.
Our garden is looking at its very best and Jackie and I spent a wonderful day marvelling and relaxing.
In the evening I enjoyed Phil Beadle’s C4 documentary about adult literacy. He has the right amount of passion and indignation – but a little too much of the show seems to be about his angst rather than the journeys of his students.
Sunday, 20 July 2008
We drove home from Sidmouth, taking a detour to Dorchester and then to Tolpuddle for the Martyrs’ festival.
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Jackie and I spent a day relaxing in Sidmouth - and along the beach to the west colelcting quartz.
Friday, 18 July 2008
Jackie and I rose very early and after five hours driving arrived at our hotel in Sidmouth. We had a good rummage around the Church and museum and in the evening enjoyed a drink with Jackie’s parents and Uncle and Aunt, which was great fun.
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Watford CVS is the head of a consortium of Herts CVSs bidding to host the Hertfordshire LINks service. This is taking up an awful lot of time, of course. This morning I visited Ann Jansz (my counterpart at Stevenage CVS but also a close neighbour in Welwyn Garden City) to talk about our bid. After this we both travelled to St. Albans for a meeting of Herts CVS where we discussed LINks, as well as the Funding Advisors’ network, volunteering, Basis, and the Children’s Trust Partnerships.
In Watford, I met with the acting Director of the Sunshine Children’s Centre and after dealing with more correspondence ahead of the second part of my summer holiday.
I arrived home to find Jackie in the midst of packing. I was not much use to the enterprise as I needed to read applications and shortlist for the post of Support Worker for our BME Advocacy Service. Jackie was very patient.
In Watford, I met with the acting Director of the Sunshine Children’s Centre and after dealing with more correspondence ahead of the second part of my summer holiday.
I arrived home to find Jackie in the midst of packing. I was not much use to the enterprise as I needed to read applications and shortlist for the post of Support Worker for our BME Advocacy Service. Jackie was very patient.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
This evening I travelled to Whitechapel for a trustees meeting at the Disability Law Service where things seem to be looking up – apart of course from the no-longer-new but still-ludicrous legal service contracts.
I started the day in Watford meeting my treasurer John Casstles to work through a final draft of our 2007-08 accounts. John asked several excellent questions and spotted one or two errors: he has an eagle eye for numbers and is proving invaluable to our cause.
In between these two meetings, I collated and dispatched papers for Watford CVS’s trustees meeting next week.
I started the day in Watford meeting my treasurer John Casstles to work through a final draft of our 2007-08 accounts. John asked several excellent questions and spotted one or two errors: he has an eagle eye for numbers and is proving invaluable to our cause.
In between these two meetings, I collated and dispatched papers for Watford CVS’s trustees meeting next week.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
After a brief visit to the office, I headed off to the Holywell Centre for a presentation from the Guidepost Trust and Watford Asian Community Care about their recent research on Asian women’s access to mental health services. The event was very good and I particularly enjoyed the Bollywood dancers.
Back at the office, I caught up on more correspondence including on two new local charities, establishing the new Watford Community Fund, the Watford Health Inequalities Fund, the Community Development network, community lunches, the BME advocacy service, our October Compact event, and mywatford.net.
Back at the office, I caught up on more correspondence including on two new local charities, establishing the new Watford Community Fund, the Watford Health Inequalities Fund, the Community Development network, community lunches, the BME advocacy service, our October Compact event, and mywatford.net.
Monday, 14 July 2008
Today was my first day back at work so I arrived early to check some e-mails and take stock of what I have in store for the remainder of the week.
By lunchtime I was in Finchley for Grow 08 - Barnet CVS's annual training event. I met the wonderful Sandra Fullerton of Barnet VSC and the sharp and mischievous Robin Charnley of Hertsmere CVS. I also had a very interesting discussion with Ted Hill and Tania Murrell (of Hillingdon Association of Voluntary Services), and with Futurebuilders, and with Michael Lassman of Equality Edge, and with Andrew Brown of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. In one afternoon in Finchley I learned more than I had done in an eight week course at Cambridge Regional College. I wonder if they’d all passed their PTLLs training course?
By lunchtime I was in Finchley for Grow 08 - Barnet CVS's annual training event. I met the wonderful Sandra Fullerton of Barnet VSC and the sharp and mischievous Robin Charnley of Hertsmere CVS. I also had a very interesting discussion with Ted Hill and Tania Murrell (of Hillingdon Association of Voluntary Services), and with Futurebuilders, and with Michael Lassman of Equality Edge, and with Andrew Brown of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. In one afternoon in Finchley I learned more than I had done in an eight week course at Cambridge Regional College. I wonder if they’d all passed their PTLLs training course?
Sunday, 13 July 2008
I rose early and went straight back to work.
I reached the nadir in the afternoon when I discovered that in one assignment, 30% of the marks relied on me identifying a plan to improve my communication skills. I suffered eight poorly planned sessions designed (if at all) for teenagers, and now I am expected to prove that I have learned how to become better at communicating!? I narrowly overcame the urge to tell them what I thought of their stupid course and their impertinent moronic assignments.
I am reminded that this is the same professional cult that says voluntary organisations can no longer deliver informal teaching unless their tutors have attended a five-day PTLLs training course. What a farce.
Anyway, I finished my assignments just in time to relax and enjoy a superb new episode of Midsomer Murders before bed: very calming.
I reached the nadir in the afternoon when I discovered that in one assignment, 30% of the marks relied on me identifying a plan to improve my communication skills. I suffered eight poorly planned sessions designed (if at all) for teenagers, and now I am expected to prove that I have learned how to become better at communicating!? I narrowly overcame the urge to tell them what I thought of their stupid course and their impertinent moronic assignments.
I am reminded that this is the same professional cult that says voluntary organisations can no longer deliver informal teaching unless their tutors have attended a five-day PTLLs training course. What a farce.
Anyway, I finished my assignments just in time to relax and enjoy a superb new episode of Midsomer Murders before bed: very calming.
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Since returning from Devon, I have been slightly concerned about how I will cope next week when I have a busy time returning to work and a Friday deadline to submit four assignments for the Institute of Leadership and Management course that I undertook over the spring at Cambridge Regional College.
After breakfast this morning, something made me double check the submission deadline and I discovered that the deadline was not Friday 18 July but Monday 14 July. “Oh Dear”, I thought. I should really have let it go: I didn’t enjoy the course and I was looking forward to the last few days off work. But I have already devoted hours to the course and (being stubborn to a fault) I determined to try and complete the course work over the weekend. Poor Jackie.
The rest of Saturday was a bit of a blur and I worked through to the wee small hours.
After breakfast this morning, something made me double check the submission deadline and I discovered that the deadline was not Friday 18 July but Monday 14 July. “Oh Dear”, I thought. I should really have let it go: I didn’t enjoy the course and I was looking forward to the last few days off work. But I have already devoted hours to the course and (being stubborn to a fault) I determined to try and complete the course work over the weekend. Poor Jackie.
The rest of Saturday was a bit of a blur and I worked through to the wee small hours.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Today we finally bought two chickens: crosses between Rhode Island Reds and Sussex Whites and extremely interesting creatures.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
After a welcome pub breakfast, we spent today at the Fleet Air Arm museum in Yeovilton as a way of remembering my Dad who died last year. They had a good display of a Swordfish and a model of one of the Merchant Aircraft Carriers he had served on during the War - he had been invited to attend the model’s installation.
The museum was very well organised with excellent attentive staff and a very smooth system to earn Gift Aid - we signed up as annual members of the museum.
Before returning home, there was just time for a tour of Salisbury cathedral. With its 400 ft tall spire it looks very impressive and is the only British mediaeval cathedral built entirely in one style: Early English. The cathedral is very attractive and houses one of the few remaining original copies of the Magna Carta.
Jackei and I arrived home in Welwyn Garden City at about 10:00.
The museum was very well organised with excellent attentive staff and a very smooth system to earn Gift Aid - we signed up as annual members of the museum.
Before returning home, there was just time for a tour of Salisbury cathedral. With its 400 ft tall spire it looks very impressive and is the only British mediaeval cathedral built entirely in one style: Early English. The cathedral is very attractive and houses one of the few remaining original copies of the Magna Carta.
Jackei and I arrived home in Welwyn Garden City at about 10:00.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
After yesterday’s exertions we slept very well. We rose this morning determined to repeat the experience. Driving to Lyme Regis I saw a sign “Visit Colyton - the rebel town”. Almost instinctively I turned off for Colyton. We found a delightful village with an excellent traditional market and some good shops (including a second-hand bookshop). The beautiful church houses one of the rare Vinegar Bibles where the word Vineyard is replaced (presumably by bored typesetters) with the word Vinegar. The church also has one of the distinctive short towers that are such a feature of Devon. The villagers earned their “rebel” title as staunch supporters of Monmouth’s Protestant rebellion against James II.
Back at Lyme Regis we headed straight out of town and spent the whole of a wonderful day enthusiastically fossiling and collected some prize specimens.
We finally dragged ourselves away at about 6:00 pm as we had to head off and find a hotel for the night. We headed to Yeovil tired and hungry but we could not find a hotel with vacancies. Then we passed a small country pub complete with Morris Dancers; they had good victuals and a bed for the night and we were very pleased: only our exhaustion prevented us joining in with the Morris Dancing.
Back at Lyme Regis we headed straight out of town and spent the whole of a wonderful day enthusiastically fossiling and collected some prize specimens.
We finally dragged ourselves away at about 6:00 pm as we had to head off and find a hotel for the night. We headed to Yeovil tired and hungry but we could not find a hotel with vacancies. Then we passed a small country pub complete with Morris Dancers; they had good victuals and a bed for the night and we were very pleased: only our exhaustion prevented us joining in with the Morris Dancing.
Monday, 7 July 2008
Jackie and I decided to walk along the Jurassic Coast at Lyme Regis. Just as we were about to set off on our walk, the heavens opened and the rain poured down. It was only then that I noticed we were next to a café advertising “Devon Cream Teas”.
Half an hour later, the sun was shining and we set off again walking. Five minutes later there was another downpour. This time the only shelter was an old-fashioned amusement arcade where we played the tuppeny machines with the moving shelves where Jackie won some dollies and shells and I won nothing.
Half an hour later we set off again and were soon striding purposefully with Lyne Regis at our backs. We suffered 2-3 more downpours with no shelter at all - but our enjoyment was as thorough as our soaking.
Half an hour later, the sun was shining and we set off again walking. Five minutes later there was another downpour. This time the only shelter was an old-fashioned amusement arcade where we played the tuppeny machines with the moving shelves where Jackie won some dollies and shells and I won nothing.
Half an hour later we set off again and were soon striding purposefully with Lyne Regis at our backs. We suffered 2-3 more downpours with no shelter at all - but our enjoyment was as thorough as our soaking.
Sunday, 6 July 2008
We rose at 4:00 this morning and took breakfast in Sidmouth on the south coast of Devon at about 10:00. In teh afternoon adn evening we relaxed with a walk around the beautiful Connaught Gardens - but a cloud burst rather took the edge off the visit.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
I spent today organising for our holiday tomorrow. I have got horribly confused about where we are going and I have told half of Watford that Jackie and I are going to Bideford. This is not true: we are going to Sidmouth. Most of the preparations I have left to the wonderful Jackie. This rather continued today as I before leaving on holiday I was determined to finish reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon - a marvellous book that I recommend highly to anyone who might be interested.
Friday, 4 July 2008
This morning I had my third meeting in two days about the new BME Advocacy Service. And for the second time the attendance was disappointing (several HCC people thought the meeting was to be held in Wheathampstead rather than Watford). We carried on regardless and made some excellent progress: but the top priority is to increase our case load.
Today, I circulated our draft 2007-08 accounts. As ever, our auditors have done a splendid job. Maria has also done brilliantly and it is good to have John Casstles on board as our Treasurer. In fact everything has gone very smoothly - except for one embarrassing oversight of mine on which my lips are sealed.
I today agreed with Andrea Allez from NAVCA that her quality “audit” visit to us will take place on 29 August. We still have a little more work to do!
Today, I circulated our draft 2007-08 accounts. As ever, our auditors have done a splendid job. Maria has also done brilliantly and it is good to have John Casstles on board as our Treasurer. In fact everything has gone very smoothly - except for one embarrassing oversight of mine on which my lips are sealed.
I today agreed with Andrea Allez from NAVCA that her quality “audit” visit to us will take place on 29 August. We still have a little more work to do!
Thursday, 3 July 2008
I started the day by visiting HCC’s brand new offices in Stevenage for a meeting with Multi Ethnic Curriculum Support Services. My journey was not helped by the fact that the offices have been awarded their own new postcode - which means that multimap.co.uk doesn’t yet know where it is and allocates the location randomly somewhere the other side of Stevenage, which made for an interesting journey and a delayed start. We were there to agree protocols for Hema’s work as our BME Advocate. Hema and I emphasised that our priority was to protect the Advocacy Service’s independence from schools and HCC, and this was readily agreed and Karin of MECSS agreed to prepare draft some protocols.
Back in Watford I met with Angelo and Maria to review launch plans for our big IT project: mywatford.net as the first training events are scheduled for 29 July. The technology is looking fabulous - but there are still some security problems and some design work and lots and lots of data entry required.
I also spoke with Andrew Burt of HCC about the county-wide conference we are putting together for 29 October with the theme: Public partnership and public law: creating the environment for a thriving third sector in Hertfordshire. This could be a great conference - but we need to secure a venue and start promoting the event!
In the evening I was in Hatfield for a meeting of the Advisory Board for the BME Advocacy Service. The panel comprises eleven people and we had received 2-3 apologies, so the turnout of only two was pretty disappointing - even allowing for the torrential rain at the scheduled start time. But we work with who’s there and one important lesson in life is that 99% of decisions are taken by people who actually turn up. One of our most important decisions was that next time we will meet during office hours rather than in the evening.
Big News
The Big News today was that the Hertfordshire Community Foundation learned that it had been successful in its bid to manage the Grassroots Grants programme in Hertfordshire. This is excellent news for Watford CVS as we shall soon have £30,000 to distribute in small grants to local groups. The only criteria are that groups have to have produced at least one annual report and to have annual turnover of less than £20k. This excludes a large number of groups, but we shall have to work hard to ensure that the money finds a welcoming and industrious home.
Back in Watford I met with Angelo and Maria to review launch plans for our big IT project: mywatford.net as the first training events are scheduled for 29 July. The technology is looking fabulous - but there are still some security problems and some design work and lots and lots of data entry required.
I also spoke with Andrew Burt of HCC about the county-wide conference we are putting together for 29 October with the theme: Public partnership and public law: creating the environment for a thriving third sector in Hertfordshire. This could be a great conference - but we need to secure a venue and start promoting the event!
In the evening I was in Hatfield for a meeting of the Advisory Board for the BME Advocacy Service. The panel comprises eleven people and we had received 2-3 apologies, so the turnout of only two was pretty disappointing - even allowing for the torrential rain at the scheduled start time. But we work with who’s there and one important lesson in life is that 99% of decisions are taken by people who actually turn up. One of our most important decisions was that next time we will meet during office hours rather than in the evening.
Big News
The Big News today was that the Hertfordshire Community Foundation learned that it had been successful in its bid to manage the Grassroots Grants programme in Hertfordshire. This is excellent news for Watford CVS as we shall soon have £30,000 to distribute in small grants to local groups. The only criteria are that groups have to have produced at least one annual report and to have annual turnover of less than £20k. This excludes a large number of groups, but we shall have to work hard to ensure that the money finds a welcoming and industrious home.
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Today was the launch of our new Community Development Network for Watford, as proposed in our (draft) Community Development Strategy. The intention is that this network will bring together those (in WCVS, Watford Borough Council and Watford Community Housing Trust) who are working in Community Development and act to:
· identify new or unmet needs;
· raise the profile of Community Development work;
· co-ordinate timetables and activities;
· exchange information;
· develop standards;
· share skills, learning and good practice;
· identify opportunities for collaboration;
· develop standards.
There was a good turnout. Alison Stainsby explained the current re-organisation taking place within Watford Borough Council (including the removal of her own post) and Alison Plant explained some of the training and development work that WCHT are undertaking. She also had to advise us that WCHT’s Director of Community Empowerment had left WCHT at short notice to take up another post. Two high profile changes at our first meeting!
For this first meeting of the network we were joined by Rachel Leggett of Inspire East who travelled all the way down from Norfolk. She gave an excellent presentation on the Community Development work of Inspire East and helped ensure that the launch was a success. We will meet again after the summer and try to get around to adopting some Terms of Reference.
· identify new or unmet needs;
· raise the profile of Community Development work;
· co-ordinate timetables and activities;
· exchange information;
· develop standards;
· share skills, learning and good practice;
· identify opportunities for collaboration;
· develop standards.
There was a good turnout. Alison Stainsby explained the current re-organisation taking place within Watford Borough Council (including the removal of her own post) and Alison Plant explained some of the training and development work that WCHT are undertaking. She also had to advise us that WCHT’s Director of Community Empowerment had left WCHT at short notice to take up another post. Two high profile changes at our first meeting!
For this first meeting of the network we were joined by Rachel Leggett of Inspire East who travelled all the way down from Norfolk. She gave an excellent presentation on the Community Development work of Inspire East and helped ensure that the launch was a success. We will meet again after the summer and try to get around to adopting some Terms of Reference.
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
At 8:30 this morning I met with Des (Youth Connexions Personal Advisor) at Bushey Hall School to complete an “observation” on his work with young people. I stayed until nearly 11:00 during which time only one of his three scheduled appointments turned up. This was dispiriting - but not unexpected at a time when many young people can think only of exams and summer holidays.
Back at WCVS, I talked with Helen about the future of the Volunteer Centre. The Centre is accredited as part of the national network and uses the Volunteer Centre branding which has some value. But overall, the benefits seem to be outweighed by the costs of administration and plain bureaucracy. In some instances, this bureaucracy even seems to deter people from volunteering. We need to find a way to cut through all this. There are a few fairly radical solutions, and I will consult my trustees, staff and members about these over the coming months.
I also had several discussions with colleagues in other Herts CVSs about our bid to host the Hertfordshire LINks contract.
Before leaving the office, I talked with Vanessa (as our H&S Officer) and Anne (as our Fire Officer) to review our safety snagging list.
Next, I responded to some legal and employment queries from some of our member organisations.
Quality Assurance
Vanessa and I also had a final talk through the draft quality assurance framework we are developing for Watford's voluntary sector. I stayed late and circulated for consultation a draft “Quality assurance framework for Watford’s voluntary sector”. The intention is that this will provide a comprehensive framework for our quality assurance work in Watford. It also provides a framework for other voluntary groups to use. There is also plenty there for our statutory partners to adopt as best practice.
Health Inequalities Fund
Before leaving the office, I also circulated inviations to workshops to discuss Watford's £10,000 Health Inequalities Fund. This is money set aside by the PCT for innovative work in Watford tackling smoking and promoting exercise for the over-45s. We are working with the PCT and WBC to try and ensure that voluntary groups collaborate on how to use the money rather than compete: the workshops of vooluntary and community groups are intended to produce a consensus on which projects will deliver the most benefit. We shall see.
Back at WCVS, I talked with Helen about the future of the Volunteer Centre. The Centre is accredited as part of the national network and uses the Volunteer Centre branding which has some value. But overall, the benefits seem to be outweighed by the costs of administration and plain bureaucracy. In some instances, this bureaucracy even seems to deter people from volunteering. We need to find a way to cut through all this. There are a few fairly radical solutions, and I will consult my trustees, staff and members about these over the coming months.
I also had several discussions with colleagues in other Herts CVSs about our bid to host the Hertfordshire LINks contract.
Before leaving the office, I talked with Vanessa (as our H&S Officer) and Anne (as our Fire Officer) to review our safety snagging list.
Next, I responded to some legal and employment queries from some of our member organisations.
Quality Assurance
Vanessa and I also had a final talk through the draft quality assurance framework we are developing for Watford's voluntary sector. I stayed late and circulated for consultation a draft “Quality assurance framework for Watford’s voluntary sector”. The intention is that this will provide a comprehensive framework for our quality assurance work in Watford. It also provides a framework for other voluntary groups to use. There is also plenty there for our statutory partners to adopt as best practice.
Health Inequalities Fund
Before leaving the office, I also circulated inviations to workshops to discuss Watford's £10,000 Health Inequalities Fund. This is money set aside by the PCT for innovative work in Watford tackling smoking and promoting exercise for the over-45s. We are working with the PCT and WBC to try and ensure that voluntary groups collaborate on how to use the money rather than compete: the workshops of vooluntary and community groups are intended to produce a consensus on which projects will deliver the most benefit. We shall see.
Monday, 30 June 2008
I arrived at the office early and around 8:00 am I had a telephone call from Jackie asking if I had her car keys in my pocket; under the circumstances she displayed remarkable self control.
Most of the morning I spent with Angelo (our IT chap) working on our IT launch and we spent teh afternoon talking with staff about the project launch etc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
