I was eager to make the most of my first chance this week to do some work in the office and so arrived at 7:00 am.
I spent some time with the organisers of Hertsmere’s Com.Unity Choir who want to explore setting up a similar open community-based choir in Watford. Such a choir could be a catalyst for some great community development work across Watford so I spent plenty of time with them offering as much encouragement and advice as I could.
Other than this pleasant interlude, I had a fairly strenuous day regaining control of my workload. It was a bit of a battle but by the end of the day (8:30 pm), I had read 150 previously unread e-mails, dealt with 100 read-but-not-yet-actioned e-mails and sent 70 of my own e-mails. I am far from being a technophobe but I abhor the tyranny of e-mail. Looking back on the day and reflecting, I can barely remember what a single e-mail was about.
Having just checked I can see that there was actually some genuine purpose and value in my day’s correspondence. I arranged to work with Watford Borough Council on their new Directory of Council and Community Services, advised four local groups on legal and employment and development matters, advised two potential donors on groups they might like to support, made some arrangements for our January networking lunch on Mental Health, and so on and so on. In fact, I flatter myself that I had rather an effective day.
I suppose my point is that it doesn’t feel like real work and it doesn’t feel like real communication.
During the day, I also wrote 700 words for the next issues of Herts CVS News. My theme was the benefits of good communication and networking. The irony of this was lost on me at the time.
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
I went to NCVO via St Pancras this morning to see the new(-ish) statue The Meeting Place which is stunning.
At NCVO our PQASSO group met again and we went through the materials. There were some useful discussions and it is always useful to talk with other practitioners about how they approach things. The others on the course came from a wide range of groups and all were charming and erudite. I was (almost) sorry to say good-bye at the end of the day.
In the evening, I reviewed my Watford CVS workload. Tomorrow is my first day in the office this week. I can anticipate a backlog of about 200 unread e-mails. When I left on Friday I already had 133 e-mails bearing little red “to do” flags. I also have a list of 21 tasks that I simply must complete asap (most of which I have been postponing for several weeks). Added to this, I have four meetings scheduled for tomorrow (including one in the evening) and I need to speak with several members of WCVS staff. What are my chances of making progress on all this tomorrow? Are all my meetings really necessary?
In the evening, I completed Robert Harris's book Selling Hitler on the remarkable events of the early 1980s when Stern magazine and The Sunday Times paid vast sums to publish diaries supposedly written by Adolf Hitler. Why was anyone so interested? People have a worryingly large capacity for stupidity and gullibility. The failures of corporate management sparked a series of events that ultimately produced the Code of Governance.
At NCVO our PQASSO group met again and we went through the materials. There were some useful discussions and it is always useful to talk with other practitioners about how they approach things. The others on the course came from a wide range of groups and all were charming and erudite. I was (almost) sorry to say good-bye at the end of the day.
In the evening, I reviewed my Watford CVS workload. Tomorrow is my first day in the office this week. I can anticipate a backlog of about 200 unread e-mails. When I left on Friday I already had 133 e-mails bearing little red “to do” flags. I also have a list of 21 tasks that I simply must complete asap (most of which I have been postponing for several weeks). Added to this, I have four meetings scheduled for tomorrow (including one in the evening) and I need to speak with several members of WCVS staff. What are my chances of making progress on all this tomorrow? Are all my meetings really necessary?
In the evening, I completed Robert Harris's book Selling Hitler on the remarkable events of the early 1980s when Stern magazine and The Sunday Times paid vast sums to publish diaries supposedly written by Adolf Hitler. Why was anyone so interested? People have a worryingly large capacity for stupidity and gullibility. The failures of corporate management sparked a series of events that ultimately produced the Code of Governance.
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
PQASSO
Today (and tomorrow) I am with Vanessa (our Training and Development Officer) attending a PQASSO training course at the NCVO in London.
On arrival, I was pleasantly surprised to bump into Laura Cronshaw (of St Albans CVS) attending the same course, our trainer was fine and PQASSO is a good QA system.
But truly neither myself or Vanessa wanted to be there as we both know PQASSO pretty well and have been working with it for a number of years. However, PQASSO is the property of the Charities Evaluation Service and neither Vanessa or I can be licenced by CES to support groups through the PQASSO process unless we have attended CES’s three day PQASSO Mentor programme. At a cost, or course. And guess what? We can’t attend the three day PQASSO Mentor programme unless we have already completed CES’s two day programme Implementing PQASSO. At a cost, of course.
I think this is what is known as a sustainable income stream.
Today (and tomorrow) I am with Vanessa (our Training and Development Officer) attending a PQASSO training course at the NCVO in London.
On arrival, I was pleasantly surprised to bump into Laura Cronshaw (of St Albans CVS) attending the same course, our trainer was fine and PQASSO is a good QA system.
But truly neither myself or Vanessa wanted to be there as we both know PQASSO pretty well and have been working with it for a number of years. However, PQASSO is the property of the Charities Evaluation Service and neither Vanessa or I can be licenced by CES to support groups through the PQASSO process unless we have attended CES’s three day PQASSO Mentor programme. At a cost, or course. And guess what? We can’t attend the three day PQASSO Mentor programme unless we have already completed CES’s two day programme Implementing PQASSO. At a cost, of course.
I think this is what is known as a sustainable income stream.
Monday, 26 November 2007
I spent a morning at home working on an accommodation strategy for Watford’s voluntary sector. I am having trouble separating this from the Community Development Strategy on which I have also started work: are they one strategy or two?
In the afternoon, I travelled to Hertford to meet with Andrew Burt of HCC and Jacquie Hime of N Herts CVS to discuss the future of the Herts Compact Group. Jacquie and I are joint chairs of the Working Group which has a meeting scheduled for mid-December. I have been worried for some time that nationally the whole Compact agenda is drifting aimless towards the rocks. Jacquie, Andrew and I met to try and agree a way forward in Hertfordshire.
Andrew argued that Compact should be re-aligned to the LSPs and to the new LAA2 agenda - and particularly to the new targets for local authorities: a thriving Third Sector, more volunteering, community engagement and so on. Jacquie took to the idea almost immediately. My brain works a little more slowly and had to clunk through several “what if” scenarios before I finally accepted that Andrew’s proposal was indeed the best way forward.
Having convinced us both of the wisdom of his vision for Compact, Andrew then told us that he might not be at the December Compact meeting as he is scheduled to have his wisdom teeth removed that day. Lovely.
In the afternoon, I travelled to Hertford to meet with Andrew Burt of HCC and Jacquie Hime of N Herts CVS to discuss the future of the Herts Compact Group. Jacquie and I are joint chairs of the Working Group which has a meeting scheduled for mid-December. I have been worried for some time that nationally the whole Compact agenda is drifting aimless towards the rocks. Jacquie, Andrew and I met to try and agree a way forward in Hertfordshire.
Andrew argued that Compact should be re-aligned to the LSPs and to the new LAA2 agenda - and particularly to the new targets for local authorities: a thriving Third Sector, more volunteering, community engagement and so on. Jacquie took to the idea almost immediately. My brain works a little more slowly and had to clunk through several “what if” scenarios before I finally accepted that Andrew’s proposal was indeed the best way forward.
Having convinced us both of the wisdom of his vision for Compact, Andrew then told us that he might not be at the December Compact meeting as he is scheduled to have his wisdom teeth removed that day. Lovely.
Sunday, 25 November 2007
A relaxing day at home. In the afternoon, Jackie and I went for a walk together. I lasted less than a mile and then shuffled off home. Jackie powered off around WGC and must have covered at least three miles. I suspect she is in secret training for the Olympics.
Meanwhile, I completed The Shadow of Elisa Lynch by Sian Rees, the story of an Irishwoman’s relationship with a Paraguayan dictator and tyrant. Interesting stuff, but like so many modern books it would have benefited from a more assertive sub-editor.
Meanwhile, I completed The Shadow of Elisa Lynch by Sian Rees, the story of an Irishwoman’s relationship with a Paraguayan dictator and tyrant. Interesting stuff, but like so many modern books it would have benefited from a more assertive sub-editor.
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Jackie and I collected our grand-daughter after breakfast and drove up to Ampthill to attend the opening of the new wing of the Agate House Cheshire Home. My sister is one of the first residents moving into the rooms now complying with the latest standards. Bethany of course wowed everyone.
On the homeward journey, we returned Bethany to one of her other grand-dads in Baldock. Grand-dad Tarlok was his usual self. His Mum barely seems to have aged since I first met her in the 1970s. And Amerjit was so grown up - he was in his mid-teens last time I saw him and now suddenly he’s forty.
On the homeward journey, we returned Bethany to one of her other grand-dads in Baldock. Grand-dad Tarlok was his usual self. His Mum barely seems to have aged since I first met her in the 1970s. And Amerjit was so grown up - he was in his mid-teens last time I saw him and now suddenly he’s forty.
Friday, 23 November 2007
Another day of catching up and correspondence. I completed another funding bid, started preparing thoughts for our next Trustees’ meeting, and met with Helen on volunteering, Maria on networking lunches, Vanessa on Training, Anne on Fundraising, and our Connexions Team.
IT and Communications
I also reviewed the IT and Communications paper I’d drafted for the HIC. Several recent studies have shown that the voluntary sector is lagging behind other sectors in the use of IT. Our findings certainly confirm this. We also found little enthusiasm for a voluntary sector agency delivering IT services, and that the sector's communication systems are simply not “fit for purpose”.
The question then is how can this state of affairs be changed? How can the value of effective ICT be demonstrated? How can HIC demonstrate its leadership? How can the ICT environment be transformed?
What I proposed was creating a communication and information centre for Hertfordshire’s voluntary sector. This centre could include contact details of all groups, offer opportunities for groups to create e-mail addresses and websites, provide access to support services, house discussion groups, and offer individuals the chance to subscribe to a range of information streams.
Revisiting the proposals today, I was pretty confident that they are the best opportunity we have of securing a "step change" in ICT.
IT and Communications
I also reviewed the IT and Communications paper I’d drafted for the HIC. Several recent studies have shown that the voluntary sector is lagging behind other sectors in the use of IT. Our findings certainly confirm this. We also found little enthusiasm for a voluntary sector agency delivering IT services, and that the sector's communication systems are simply not “fit for purpose”.
The question then is how can this state of affairs be changed? How can the value of effective ICT be demonstrated? How can HIC demonstrate its leadership? How can the ICT environment be transformed?
What I proposed was creating a communication and information centre for Hertfordshire’s voluntary sector. This centre could include contact details of all groups, offer opportunities for groups to create e-mail addresses and websites, provide access to support services, house discussion groups, and offer individuals the chance to subscribe to a range of information streams.
Revisiting the proposals today, I was pretty confident that they are the best opportunity we have of securing a "step change" in ICT.
Thursday, 22 November 2007
I spent the morning catching up with people at the office and dealing with the correspondence that has accumulated since last week.
At lunchtime, I was joined by David Fitzpatrick of the Hertfordshire Community Foundation. He has been involved in some of the discussions about possible futures for Watford’s five Community Centres and he wanted to see some of the Centres for himself. We paid flying visits to the Holywell and Meriden Centres and then had a talk through options for the various sites.
By the time I left the office, I had cleared the backlog of 200+ unread e-mails. But I had 133 e-mails bearing little red flags to remind me that the mails needed a reply or some other action.
At lunchtime, I was joined by David Fitzpatrick of the Hertfordshire Community Foundation. He has been involved in some of the discussions about possible futures for Watford’s five Community Centres and he wanted to see some of the Centres for himself. We paid flying visits to the Holywell and Meriden Centres and then had a talk through options for the various sites.
By the time I left the office, I had cleared the backlog of 200+ unread e-mails. But I had 133 e-mails bearing little red flags to remind me that the mails needed a reply or some other action.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
One last day away from the office
Today I spent in Letchworth reviewing all ten plans that have been prepared to support the Development Plan for voluntary sector support in Hertfordshire. These were:
Today I spent in Letchworth reviewing all ten plans that have been prepared to support the Development Plan for voluntary sector support in Hertfordshire. These were:
- my own two on Training and on IT and Communications;
- Funding Advice from the Funding Advisors’ network;
- Sustainable Funding and Raising the Profile from David Fitzpatrick of the Hertfordshire Community Foundation;
- Supporting Small Groups from Ian Richardson of East Herts and Broxbourne CVS;
- Sustainability from Kate Belinis at Herts CDA;
- Equalities from Moreen Pascal late of MENTER;
- Volunteering from Julie Street of Volunteering Herts;
- and Quality Assurance and Developing the Consortium from Steph.
I was very impressed that we had all managed to complete something. I think we were all impressed. All need some work. Some of them need quite a bit of work. But all lay out a clear direction.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
I spent another day out of the office, this time at the CDX conference in Newport Pagnell - a surprisingly pleasant little town. I went to get a good solid framework for a Community Development strategy for Watford and I came away with plenty of good ideas and some very useful models and tools.
Monday, 19 November 2007
I spent a useful day at the Stakeholder Engagement conference put on in Hatfield by the Hertfordshire Community Foundation. There was a pretty good turnout of about 70, including many of the usual suspects but also some new faces - and I was pleased to see Sharifa Chaudrey of Watford’s Multi Cultural Community Centre. I enjoyed talking to quite a few people about Watford and Hertfordshire matters, including Steph (of HIC - to whom I gave the IT project proposal), David of Barnet CVS, Bina of MENTER and Kate Belinis of the Herts Community Development Association.
Sunday, 18 November, 2007
Somehow I had set the clock back two hours and the alarm went off at 6:00 am. By the time Jackie and I realised, we had already run a bath, had a cup of tea and made breakfast. How popular was I? Fortunately she loves me enough to forgive.
I spent the entire day working on the IT project proposal for HIC. I already had lots of notes and a brief outline, and much supporting information from Paul Ruskin (regional IT champion) and Angelo Gibertoni (our IT consultant). So in theory I simply had to put everything together. I didn’t even notice that it was snowing until Jackie returned from her evening walk looking like an Antarctic explorer.
It was a long day, but I finished in time for a nice cup of tea and a Telegraph crossword before bed.
Amazingly, my tooth-ache of the past six weeks seems to have very nearly disappeared. Perhaps my last (painful) visit to the Dentist served some purpose after all.
Recent reading (I know you're interested)
I read Boris Starling’s murder mystery Visibility. Not very challenging but perfectly well written and interestingly set in 1950’s smog-bound London. Then I read Stuart Maconie’s Cider with Roadies which was everything you’d expect from the title and the author.
I spent the entire day working on the IT project proposal for HIC. I already had lots of notes and a brief outline, and much supporting information from Paul Ruskin (regional IT champion) and Angelo Gibertoni (our IT consultant). So in theory I simply had to put everything together. I didn’t even notice that it was snowing until Jackie returned from her evening walk looking like an Antarctic explorer.
It was a long day, but I finished in time for a nice cup of tea and a Telegraph crossword before bed.
Amazingly, my tooth-ache of the past six weeks seems to have very nearly disappeared. Perhaps my last (painful) visit to the Dentist served some purpose after all.
Recent reading (I know you're interested)
I read Boris Starling’s murder mystery Visibility. Not very challenging but perfectly well written and interestingly set in 1950’s smog-bound London. Then I read Stuart Maconie’s Cider with Roadies which was everything you’d expect from the title and the author.
Friday, 16 November 2007
I travelled to Watford and my working day began with news that we had been successful in our tender to HCC to provide an advocacy service. Strategically, it is good for CVS’s to be leading the way on voluntary sector delivery of public services. And the advocacy scheme will fit well alongside our existing Connexions services. But this morning I had other things on my mind.
Foremost in my mind was the is the afternoon deadline for submission of two strategies to HIC: one on meeting voluntary sector training needs in Hertfordshire, and the other on delivering a step change in the sector’s engagement with IT.
I had already completed a first draft of the training proposal. It wasn’t perfect and there were a few omissions (of SKILd, TPAS and the possible new Skills Development Agency for the voluntary sector) but I was pretty pleased with it. Shortly after 3:00 I had knocked this into a final version and forwarded it to Steph - HIC’s development worker who is having to co-ordinate all this.
Steph and I then agreed that I could deliver up the IT proposal on Monday.
Back home, Jackie had been to the hospital to be fitted with a heart monitor to record her palpitations. Poor thing. We tried to sustain an interest in BBC's annual Children In Need evening.
Foremost in my mind was the is the afternoon deadline for submission of two strategies to HIC: one on meeting voluntary sector training needs in Hertfordshire, and the other on delivering a step change in the sector’s engagement with IT.
I had already completed a first draft of the training proposal. It wasn’t perfect and there were a few omissions (of SKILd, TPAS and the possible new Skills Development Agency for the voluntary sector) but I was pretty pleased with it. Shortly after 3:00 I had knocked this into a final version and forwarded it to Steph - HIC’s development worker who is having to co-ordinate all this.
Steph and I then agreed that I could deliver up the IT proposal on Monday.
Back home, Jackie had been to the hospital to be fitted with a heart monitor to record her palpitations. Poor thing. We tried to sustain an interest in BBC's annual Children In Need evening.
Saturday, 17 November 2007
To distract Jackie from her beastly heart monitor, we went on a trip and thereby we spent the better part of the day in traffic jams.
We were on a mission as Ken (our decrepit cat) has been looking worse and worse. A few weeks ago he lost his last tooth and could no longer manage his cat biscuits: he stopped eating the biscuits so we stopped giving them to him. His health deteriorated fast: his coat became dishevelled, he mews constantly, he uses the catflap like a tortoise with bad sunburn, and he has done other things it is best not to write about in a blog that might (who knows?) be read by younger people.
I thought we should take him to the vet. Jackie wanted to spoil him a little. So we bought him some new special biscuits, and some special cat milk, and some special fresh catnip. I suspect we both thought of this as mere palliative care.
But after a bowl of his special cat milk, a plate of his special 11+ cat biscuits, and a good snort of fresh catnip, Ken perked up instantly: his coat became sleek and glossy, his nose glistened and he seemed playful and happy. It’s a miracle.
I have a terrible horrible ghastly feeling that we have been slowly starving him these last few weeks.
At 3:00 pm, Jackie was finally able to remove her heart monitor. She had worn it for 24-hours without experiencing any palpitations - despite a stressful day stuck in traffic jams and despite my two separate attempts to frighten her. Immediately we returned the monitor to the hospital and sat down for a cup of (caffeine free) tea, she had three successive “waves” of palpitations only a few minutes apart.
We were on a mission as Ken (our decrepit cat) has been looking worse and worse. A few weeks ago he lost his last tooth and could no longer manage his cat biscuits: he stopped eating the biscuits so we stopped giving them to him. His health deteriorated fast: his coat became dishevelled, he mews constantly, he uses the catflap like a tortoise with bad sunburn, and he has done other things it is best not to write about in a blog that might (who knows?) be read by younger people.
I thought we should take him to the vet. Jackie wanted to spoil him a little. So we bought him some new special biscuits, and some special cat milk, and some special fresh catnip. I suspect we both thought of this as mere palliative care.
But after a bowl of his special cat milk, a plate of his special 11+ cat biscuits, and a good snort of fresh catnip, Ken perked up instantly: his coat became sleek and glossy, his nose glistened and he seemed playful and happy. It’s a miracle.
I have a terrible horrible ghastly feeling that we have been slowly starving him these last few weeks.
At 3:00 pm, Jackie was finally able to remove her heart monitor. She had worn it for 24-hours without experiencing any palpitations - despite a stressful day stuck in traffic jams and despite my two separate attempts to frighten her. Immediately we returned the monitor to the hospital and sat down for a cup of (caffeine free) tea, she had three successive “waves” of palpitations only a few minutes apart.
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Presenting apologies
Today, I was meant to be at a meeting of the Herts CVS group in Stevenage. But last night I called Ian Richardson (saintly Chair of Herts CVS group) to present my apologies. We had a good talk through the Herts CVS agenda, and about the respective roles of CVS and HIC, and I told him about my discussions with Laura of St Albans and he wished me luck with the project plans. It’s good to talk.
Tomorrow, I am meant to be at a meeting of the Disability Law Service in London. I had forewarned the Linda (the DLS CEO) that I might not be able to attend. Today I called Linda again to confirm this.
I spent a long long day at home working on the ICT strategy for the Hertfordshire Infrastructure Consortium - broken only for an hour in the afternoon to watch a bit of the Titchfield Thunderbolt and an hour in the evening to watch the final episode of the gorgeous Autumnwatch with my sublime wife Jackie.
Today, I was meant to be at a meeting of the Herts CVS group in Stevenage. But last night I called Ian Richardson (saintly Chair of Herts CVS group) to present my apologies. We had a good talk through the Herts CVS agenda, and about the respective roles of CVS and HIC, and I told him about my discussions with Laura of St Albans and he wished me luck with the project plans. It’s good to talk.
Tomorrow, I am meant to be at a meeting of the Disability Law Service in London. I had forewarned the Linda (the DLS CEO) that I might not be able to attend. Today I called Linda again to confirm this.
I spent a long long day at home working on the ICT strategy for the Hertfordshire Infrastructure Consortium - broken only for an hour in the afternoon to watch a bit of the Titchfield Thunderbolt and an hour in the evening to watch the final episode of the gorgeous Autumnwatch with my sublime wife Jackie.
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Between toothache and the HIC Training Strategy, I had rather a disturbed night last night.
This morning I was back in the office attending a series of meetings. First I met with Marv Renshaw to discuss Inspiral Arts and the Scenery Store. Then I met with Mike Smith (new CEO at the New Hope Trust) who seems a thoroughly decent sort of chap. Among other things, we discussed the possibility of setting up an informal CEO network in Watford.
Later still I met with Kim Bloomfield of WBC for our half-yearly monitoring meeting, and then again with Marv Renshaw.
Within and around all this I continued to work on the HIC training strategy. Finally at about 7:00 I was able to mail a draft to a few select colleagues for comments. A bit unfair of me as it only allows 36 hours for people to respond, but then we are working to tight deadlines.
This morning I was back in the office attending a series of meetings. First I met with Marv Renshaw to discuss Inspiral Arts and the Scenery Store. Then I met with Mike Smith (new CEO at the New Hope Trust) who seems a thoroughly decent sort of chap. Among other things, we discussed the possibility of setting up an informal CEO network in Watford.
Later still I met with Kim Bloomfield of WBC for our half-yearly monitoring meeting, and then again with Marv Renshaw.
Within and around all this I continued to work on the HIC training strategy. Finally at about 7:00 I was able to mail a draft to a few select colleagues for comments. A bit unfair of me as it only allows 36 hours for people to respond, but then we are working to tight deadlines.
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
A strange and occasionally distressing day
Everything began pleasantly enough: I arrived at the office, cleared my correspondence and then had a very very helpful meeting with Laura Cronshaw. Laura is my counterpart from St Albans CVS adn she had some very good points to make about Training, ICT and the HIC / CVS relationship. Perhaps the most useful aspect of the current strategic planning exercise for HIC is that it is forcing us to think very clearly about boundaries and parameters etc. Not before time.
At lunchtime, I sped from the office for my dental appointment. After a brief discussion with my Dentist, we agreed on extraction. I am quite vain about still having all my teeth, but this one doesn’t appear to have any function as there is no corresponding tooth above it. After several weeks of nagging pain, I was finally to get my tooth sorted out. Hurrah!
After four attempts to administer pain-killing injections (surely enough to numb an elephant) and after three painful attempts to extract the tooth, my kindly dentist retreated in some distress. But not as much distress as me. I cannot describe the pain or relive the experience. Not even for you, dear reader. I understand I need to be referred elsewhere for an extraction under general anaesthetic but I am not sure whether this is because my dentist can’t give injections, because I have an immunity to local anaesthetic, or because I am a big baby.
By mid-afternoon I was back home, diverting myself by working on the HIC Training Strategy.
Everything began pleasantly enough: I arrived at the office, cleared my correspondence and then had a very very helpful meeting with Laura Cronshaw. Laura is my counterpart from St Albans CVS adn she had some very good points to make about Training, ICT and the HIC / CVS relationship. Perhaps the most useful aspect of the current strategic planning exercise for HIC is that it is forcing us to think very clearly about boundaries and parameters etc. Not before time.
At lunchtime, I sped from the office for my dental appointment. After a brief discussion with my Dentist, we agreed on extraction. I am quite vain about still having all my teeth, but this one doesn’t appear to have any function as there is no corresponding tooth above it. After several weeks of nagging pain, I was finally to get my tooth sorted out. Hurrah!
After four attempts to administer pain-killing injections (surely enough to numb an elephant) and after three painful attempts to extract the tooth, my kindly dentist retreated in some distress. But not as much distress as me. I cannot describe the pain or relive the experience. Not even for you, dear reader. I understand I need to be referred elsewhere for an extraction under general anaesthetic but I am not sure whether this is because my dentist can’t give injections, because I have an immunity to local anaesthetic, or because I am a big baby.
By mid-afternoon I was back home, diverting myself by working on the HIC Training Strategy.
Monday, 12 November 2007
I spent a long busy day at home working on HIC’s strategic planning process: it will be a frantic few days heading toward Friday’s deadline!
Sunday, 11 November 2007
A very sombre Remembrance Sunday. Last night, Jackie and I watched on television Ian Hislop’s history of war memorials and tonight we enjoyed Jeremy Paxman’s biography of Wilfred Owen. All very moving.
Saturday, 10 November 2007
All over Watford this morning, voluntary groups opened their post and thought: "Complementary? Is he a fool?" Ho hum.
After some work on HIC projects, Jackie and I took a break to go to our local community museum (the delightful Mill Green Museum in Hatfield) and then into Hatfield to do some shopping and visit the library.
Trying to be helpful
After our shopping, we found a very distressed man sitting on a low wall. He wouldn’t speak or raise his head, but I could tell he was about our age and he was coughing up blood which I know is not a good sign. After Jackie and I failed to rouse him, I called the emergency services and within about four minutes a Paramedic had arrived. She parked right next to the chap and started checking his vital signs and trying to establish communication with him.
Almost immediately an assertive (possibly aggressive) lady driver asked the Paramedic to move her emergency car as she was blocking the traffic: “I’m not being insensitive but I’ve got to get somewhere”. The Paramedic said she was on an emergency call and would move her car in a few minutes. She then decided the chap needed hospital treatment and called for an Ambulance. But she still couldn’t establish communication and I suggested that perhaps her patient didn’t speak English. She was armed with a phrasebook and soon worked out that her patient was Russian.
Jackie then returned from the library to say that the library staff had told her that they knew him and that he “regularly did drink and drugs”. The Ambulance had now arrived and one of their team decided to pop into the library to ask if they knew the chap's name as this could help speed up treatment etc.
Things then happened very fast. The next thing I remember, the lady in the library was arguing with the Ambulance man saying she couldn’t tell him anything about the man because of "the Data Protection Act" - this same lady had just happily told Jackie that the man “regularly did drink and drugs”.
Meanwhile, the assertive (possibly aggressive) lady driver was becoming more strident and was asking the Paramedic why she couldn’t move her car and did she want her to move the car for her?
And the patient was now face down on the pavement refusing to be moved. Another member of the Ambulance crew (having already established that the patient understood no English) stood over the man saying: “This might be ok in your own country, but not here, alright? Do you want me to call the Police to arrest you?”
Jackie and I decided it was time to leave. I am usually at my most dangerous when trying to be helpful.
Once home, I worked like fury on the IT and Training strategies. Of course we are still consulting with other HIC members and with front-line organisations, but I have enough background now at least to get the bare bones of the strategies sketched out.
After some work on HIC projects, Jackie and I took a break to go to our local community museum (the delightful Mill Green Museum in Hatfield) and then into Hatfield to do some shopping and visit the library.
Trying to be helpful
After our shopping, we found a very distressed man sitting on a low wall. He wouldn’t speak or raise his head, but I could tell he was about our age and he was coughing up blood which I know is not a good sign. After Jackie and I failed to rouse him, I called the emergency services and within about four minutes a Paramedic had arrived. She parked right next to the chap and started checking his vital signs and trying to establish communication with him.
Almost immediately an assertive (possibly aggressive) lady driver asked the Paramedic to move her emergency car as she was blocking the traffic: “I’m not being insensitive but I’ve got to get somewhere”. The Paramedic said she was on an emergency call and would move her car in a few minutes. She then decided the chap needed hospital treatment and called for an Ambulance. But she still couldn’t establish communication and I suggested that perhaps her patient didn’t speak English. She was armed with a phrasebook and soon worked out that her patient was Russian.
Jackie then returned from the library to say that the library staff had told her that they knew him and that he “regularly did drink and drugs”. The Ambulance had now arrived and one of their team decided to pop into the library to ask if they knew the chap's name as this could help speed up treatment etc.
Things then happened very fast. The next thing I remember, the lady in the library was arguing with the Ambulance man saying she couldn’t tell him anything about the man because of "the Data Protection Act" - this same lady had just happily told Jackie that the man “regularly did drink and drugs”.
Meanwhile, the assertive (possibly aggressive) lady driver was becoming more strident and was asking the Paramedic why she couldn’t move her car and did she want her to move the car for her?
And the patient was now face down on the pavement refusing to be moved. Another member of the Ambulance crew (having already established that the patient understood no English) stood over the man saying: “This might be ok in your own country, but not here, alright? Do you want me to call the Police to arrest you?”
Jackie and I decided it was time to leave. I am usually at my most dangerous when trying to be helpful.
Once home, I worked like fury on the IT and Training strategies. Of course we are still consulting with other HIC members and with front-line organisations, but I have enough background now at least to get the bare bones of the strategies sketched out.
Friday, 9 November 2009
I worked for an hour or two this morning on some correspondence and then headed off to a meeting on the new Integrated Youth Support Service for Hertfordshire. Pleasingly, this meeting was held at Breaks Youth Club in Hatfield, a place I last visited to play 5-a-side football when I was about 14.
The meeting was attended by about 100 youth works from across the County. The plans seem reasonably well thought out: within each of the county’s Districts and Boroughs, staff from all the disparate youth agencies will join together to create a single integrated local youth service. What could be more obviously sensible?
Apart from logistical issues, my only concerns were that young people don’t recognise local government boundaries (why should they?) and that creating a monolithic youth structure will tend to the further weakening of ties with voluntary sector projects, and the stiffling of local voluntary initiatives.
When I arrived back in Watford, Maria was just taking the 400 letters to the Post Office for onward dispatch. I had a meeting with our Connexions staff.
After the meeting, Maria reminded me that I still needed to write the letter to accompany the Community Directory’s distribution to local councillors and council officers. To do this, I naturally opened last night’s letter as a template and I was startled and shocked to read the first line of the letter: “Please find enclosed your complementary copy of Watford’s 2008 Community Directory.” Complementary? I thought. Complementary??!! Oh dear. And 400 copies of this latter have just been handed over to the Post Office? I felt so ashamed.
When I arrived home, Jackie had already completed her nightly walk. I have stopped accompanying her adn consequently I have remained large and slothful while Jackie is looking absolutely gorgeous. Later in the night, Jackie and I drove to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage where she had her heart palpitations explored. Needless to say, her heart behaved impeccably throughout the monitoring.
Later still, I finished reading Christian England Volume 1. This was an extremely interesting book, intertwining England’s military, political and theological history. It was hard work but very worthwhile. I wish I could retain all this lovely historical knowledge, but it almost immediately gets crowded out by new acronyms, government policy announcements and so on.
The meeting was attended by about 100 youth works from across the County. The plans seem reasonably well thought out: within each of the county’s Districts and Boroughs, staff from all the disparate youth agencies will join together to create a single integrated local youth service. What could be more obviously sensible?
Apart from logistical issues, my only concerns were that young people don’t recognise local government boundaries (why should they?) and that creating a monolithic youth structure will tend to the further weakening of ties with voluntary sector projects, and the stiffling of local voluntary initiatives.
When I arrived back in Watford, Maria was just taking the 400 letters to the Post Office for onward dispatch. I had a meeting with our Connexions staff.
After the meeting, Maria reminded me that I still needed to write the letter to accompany the Community Directory’s distribution to local councillors and council officers. To do this, I naturally opened last night’s letter as a template and I was startled and shocked to read the first line of the letter: “Please find enclosed your complementary copy of Watford’s 2008 Community Directory.” Complementary? I thought. Complementary??!! Oh dear. And 400 copies of this latter have just been handed over to the Post Office? I felt so ashamed.
When I arrived home, Jackie had already completed her nightly walk. I have stopped accompanying her adn consequently I have remained large and slothful while Jackie is looking absolutely gorgeous. Later in the night, Jackie and I drove to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage where she had her heart palpitations explored. Needless to say, her heart behaved impeccably throughout the monitoring.
Later still, I finished reading Christian England Volume 1. This was an extremely interesting book, intertwining England’s military, political and theological history. It was hard work but very worthwhile. I wish I could retain all this lovely historical knowledge, but it almost immediately gets crowded out by new acronyms, government policy announcements and so on.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
I had some interesting discussions this morning. First, I confirmed with Mir Ejaz and Marv Renshaw that they would attend our next trustees meeting. Then I took a call from a small local charity that needed help with a delicate legal matter involving mental health, the DDA, homelessness and tenancy. All very complex. Needless to say, the charity involved aren’t CVS members.
In the afternoon I met with Sarah Elliott, the new development worker for the new Hertfordshire VCS Training Consortium. Also present were Mary Green (my serene counterpart from Three Rivers CVS) and Vanessa Levy (our own Development and Training Officer). We had a very helpful talk about possible future scenarios for the training consortium. At present, the consortium is a compromise between the LSC’s willingness to fund the creation of a county-wide third sector consortium to deliver training to the public, and the voluntary sector’s aspiration to find funding to meet its own training needs.
After this, I worked on the IT and Training strategies for the HIC development plan. Later, as I was leaving the office, Maria reminded me that I needed to draft out a letter to accompany Watford's 2008 Community Directory being mailed tomorrow to 400 voluntary organisations. Between gritted teeth I turned my computer back on and pounded out a letter, leaving Maria to supervise the printing.
In the afternoon I met with Sarah Elliott, the new development worker for the new Hertfordshire VCS Training Consortium. Also present were Mary Green (my serene counterpart from Three Rivers CVS) and Vanessa Levy (our own Development and Training Officer). We had a very helpful talk about possible future scenarios for the training consortium. At present, the consortium is a compromise between the LSC’s willingness to fund the creation of a county-wide third sector consortium to deliver training to the public, and the voluntary sector’s aspiration to find funding to meet its own training needs.
After this, I worked on the IT and Training strategies for the HIC development plan. Later, as I was leaving the office, Maria reminded me that I needed to draft out a letter to accompany Watford's 2008 Community Directory being mailed tomorrow to 400 voluntary organisations. Between gritted teeth I turned my computer back on and pounded out a letter, leaving Maria to supervise the printing.
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Happy Birthday Dear Blog
Appropriately for my Blog’s first birthday, this evening our Executive Committee met and we were able to welcome two new trustees: the very experienced John Casstles and the very smart Lesley Billy. Both are excellent additions to the trustee team at WCVS.
As he is to take over as treasurer, I spent part of the afternoon with John discussing WCVS finances and systems. The evening meeting went well. Our chairwoman Pam maintained her record of supplying me with the perfect word that hovers just beyond my grasp. The trustees confirmed Helen as the full-time Volunteer Centre Co-ordinator. It was agreed to invite two potential new trustees to the next meeting with a view to possible co-option (Mir Ejaz of the Muslim Community Project and Marv Renshaw of Inspiral Arts). John Casstles was confirmed as Treasurer. The financial report was received. Dates were set for future meetings. And my draft Complaints Procedure was referred back for further work.
In the night, I was woken yet again by my nagging tooth ache. I fear another trip to the dentist is necessary. In the middle of the night, I sat up reading. Aged Ken was there, our decrepit white cat. He really does now look and seem pretty feeble; each morning I half expect to find him as stiff as a board with his four paws in the air. He probably fears the same about me.
Appropriately for my Blog’s first birthday, this evening our Executive Committee met and we were able to welcome two new trustees: the very experienced John Casstles and the very smart Lesley Billy. Both are excellent additions to the trustee team at WCVS.
As he is to take over as treasurer, I spent part of the afternoon with John discussing WCVS finances and systems. The evening meeting went well. Our chairwoman Pam maintained her record of supplying me with the perfect word that hovers just beyond my grasp. The trustees confirmed Helen as the full-time Volunteer Centre Co-ordinator. It was agreed to invite two potential new trustees to the next meeting with a view to possible co-option (Mir Ejaz of the Muslim Community Project and Marv Renshaw of Inspiral Arts). John Casstles was confirmed as Treasurer. The financial report was received. Dates were set for future meetings. And my draft Complaints Procedure was referred back for further work.
In the night, I was woken yet again by my nagging tooth ache. I fear another trip to the dentist is necessary. In the middle of the night, I sat up reading. Aged Ken was there, our decrepit white cat. He really does now look and seem pretty feeble; each morning I half expect to find him as stiff as a board with his four paws in the air. He probably fears the same about me.
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
After yesterday’s excellent WOW meeting, this morning started with a meeting of Watford CVS’s accommodation working group. The last few meetings have promised great things and this morning we took another important step forward.
After the meeting I had expected to attend a meeting of the Watford LSP but instead I drove to Wheathamstead. There, I attended a selection panel for a tender we had submitted to Herts County Council to provide a county-wide advocacy and support service to children who have experienced racist discrimination or racist bullying.
The process was very thorough and there were elements of the process I enjoyed. But toward the end, it seemed that more and more expectations were being placed on the contract without any additional resourcing.
Could we undertake to provide cover if the recruited worker is absent through illness? We’ll do our best. Could we guarantee it? No, we couldn’t I admitted.
Could we undertake to provide interpreters for the service? No, we couldn’t. Why couldn’t we?
Could we ensure that every parent in Hertfordshire is aware of the service – including those with no children currently at school? No, we couldn’t. Why couldn’t we?
Could we also address the problem of children who simply aren’t attending school? Isn’t this another whole big area?
These people are expected to deliver the best possible deal for HCC and its ratepayers, so I forgive them.
But it was a bit disconcerting. At one point, I thought the mood needed lightening and I made a joke about poor people being more racist than the educated middle classes. In the circumstances, this was foolish; far from lightening the mood I noticed several faces becoming distinctly thunderous.
It was a valuable learning exercise and I wait with interest to learn the outcome of the tender process. The advocacy service is of course very important and very serious. But the contract will have an almost entirely neutral impact on WCVS: it would be nice to extend our range of expertise and our funding base, but the contract is not highly profitable and it certainly has the potential to create new demands on our resources. I hope it doesn't sound flippant to say that I won't be losing any sleep over the outcome.
After the meeting I had expected to attend a meeting of the Watford LSP but instead I drove to Wheathamstead. There, I attended a selection panel for a tender we had submitted to Herts County Council to provide a county-wide advocacy and support service to children who have experienced racist discrimination or racist bullying.
The process was very thorough and there were elements of the process I enjoyed. But toward the end, it seemed that more and more expectations were being placed on the contract without any additional resourcing.
Could we undertake to provide cover if the recruited worker is absent through illness? We’ll do our best. Could we guarantee it? No, we couldn’t I admitted.
Could we undertake to provide interpreters for the service? No, we couldn’t. Why couldn’t we?
Could we ensure that every parent in Hertfordshire is aware of the service – including those with no children currently at school? No, we couldn’t. Why couldn’t we?
Could we also address the problem of children who simply aren’t attending school? Isn’t this another whole big area?
These people are expected to deliver the best possible deal for HCC and its ratepayers, so I forgive them.
But it was a bit disconcerting. At one point, I thought the mood needed lightening and I made a joke about poor people being more racist than the educated middle classes. In the circumstances, this was foolish; far from lightening the mood I noticed several faces becoming distinctly thunderous.
It was a valuable learning exercise and I wait with interest to learn the outcome of the tender process. The advocacy service is of course very important and very serious. But the contract will have an almost entirely neutral impact on WCVS: it would be nice to extend our range of expertise and our funding base, but the contract is not highly profitable and it certainly has the potential to create new demands on our resources. I hope it doesn't sound flippant to say that I won't be losing any sleep over the outcome.
Monday, 5 November 2007
This morning we finalised the publicity materials for the 9 February Hertfordshire Trustee Conference. The brochure looks pretty good (thanks to Sha-Lee) and there is an impressive list of workshops and speakers (thanks to Vanessa). I hope the speakers are all as good as they look on paper. My big anxiety is that the conference will get swamped with professional advisors (like me) rather than actual real-life trustees (like me, too). It’s a complex form of anxiety.
And I heard from the Charity Evaluation Service that I had finally been accepted onto their forthcoming PQASSO training. I also did more work on some HIC project specifications, and prepared myself for tomorrow’s selection panel for the HCC Advocacy tender we submitted. If anyone can make sense of the jargon in this paragraph, they have my deepest sympathy.
WOW!
At 3:00, we had a planning meeting of the Watford One World forum. Seventeen people attended and Vanessa brilliantly led us through the session.
We reached some key agreements. Our agreed vision is - Watford: a successful community that values togetherness and celebrates diversity. What a lovely thought.
Our mission is to influence social change and promote community cohesion with one voice, to make a positive difference for the wider community. A little awkward admittedly, but I’ve seen far worse.
The best outcome from the meeting was the goodwill and solidarity that flowed from everyone present.
After the meeting, there was a meal at a local tapas restaurant. Even the good feeling wasn’t enough to overcome my nagging toothache and I returned early to the office to clear some more paperwork, eventually leaving about 8:00.
And I heard from the Charity Evaluation Service that I had finally been accepted onto their forthcoming PQASSO training. I also did more work on some HIC project specifications, and prepared myself for tomorrow’s selection panel for the HCC Advocacy tender we submitted. If anyone can make sense of the jargon in this paragraph, they have my deepest sympathy.
WOW!
At 3:00, we had a planning meeting of the Watford One World forum. Seventeen people attended and Vanessa brilliantly led us through the session.
We reached some key agreements. Our agreed vision is - Watford: a successful community that values togetherness and celebrates diversity. What a lovely thought.
Our mission is to influence social change and promote community cohesion with one voice, to make a positive difference for the wider community. A little awkward admittedly, but I’ve seen far worse.
The best outcome from the meeting was the goodwill and solidarity that flowed from everyone present.
After the meeting, there was a meal at a local tapas restaurant. Even the good feeling wasn’t enough to overcome my nagging toothache and I returned early to the office to clear some more paperwork, eventually leaving about 8:00.
Sunday, 4 November 2007
What Jackie and I needed yesterday at B&Q was a broom and a rake. This morning we went back there and bought a new broom, but none of their rakes were to our liking so we will keep the one we have (even though a third of it is missing). We spent a productive day in the garden planting spring bulbs, raking and weeding the lawn, and turning over the compost heap. Simple pleasures.
Saturday, 3 November 2007
Yesterday’s visit to the dentist proved inconclusive and I endured another disturbed night.
Jackie and I spent the day shopping – groceries for the household, scarves for Jackie, dental supplies for me. At one point we arrived at B&Q but neither of us could remember why we were there – we walked aimlessly up and down the aisles a few times and then left feeling rather embarrassed.
In the evening, we drove to the Watford Palace Theatre for the one and only performance of 200 Years. This is a piece written by Watford’s African Caribbean Writers’ group to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. The writing was, I think, quite brilliantly pieced together by Director Gbolahan Obisesan and performed with energy and passion by a troupe of five actors. Much credit to all concerned.
Jackie and I spent the day shopping – groceries for the household, scarves for Jackie, dental supplies for me. At one point we arrived at B&Q but neither of us could remember why we were there – we walked aimlessly up and down the aisles a few times and then left feeling rather embarrassed.
In the evening, we drove to the Watford Palace Theatre for the one and only performance of 200 Years. This is a piece written by Watford’s African Caribbean Writers’ group to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. The writing was, I think, quite brilliantly pieced together by Director Gbolahan Obisesan and performed with energy and passion by a troupe of five actors. Much credit to all concerned.
Friday, 2 November 2007
One doesn’t like to complain, but for the past ten days I have been suffering with toothache. It hasn’t been very painful but it has been incessant and it has certainly been sufficiently painful to keep me awake at night. This morning, I finally got to visit the dentist.
My dental practice is staffed by a pleasingly international mixture of Danes and Sri Lankans. This morning I saw the Dane. He replaced a filling but warned me it is “on the nerve” and that if the pain persists I will need root canal treatment. He also gave me a humiliating lecture on how to brush my teeth. I use a large toothbrush with hard bristles and I brush with vigorous manly strokes. Apparently this is all wrong. I need to use a small toothbrush with soft bristles and to brush using little girly curlicues. Or all my teeth will drop out. At least he refrained from specifying that I need to use a pink toothbrush.
Back at the office, I finally circulated the final Value and Volume report into Hertfordshire's voluntary and community sector. What a weight that is off my shoulders!
In the evening, Jackie and I visited my Mum, who has recently returned from a trip to Lake Garda.
My dental practice is staffed by a pleasingly international mixture of Danes and Sri Lankans. This morning I saw the Dane. He replaced a filling but warned me it is “on the nerve” and that if the pain persists I will need root canal treatment. He also gave me a humiliating lecture on how to brush my teeth. I use a large toothbrush with hard bristles and I brush with vigorous manly strokes. Apparently this is all wrong. I need to use a small toothbrush with soft bristles and to brush using little girly curlicues. Or all my teeth will drop out. At least he refrained from specifying that I need to use a pink toothbrush.
Back at the office, I finally circulated the final Value and Volume report into Hertfordshire's voluntary and community sector. What a weight that is off my shoulders!
In the evening, Jackie and I visited my Mum, who has recently returned from a trip to Lake Garda.
Thursday, 1 November 2007
After last night’s exertions, I arrived at work about 10:00 am. I discovered that I had omitted to spellcheck at least one of the papers I finished and mailed late last night and it’s riddled with typing errors. I can’t bring myself to check the other papers.
I returned a call from Althea MacLean OBE who is one of my trustees, ex-Chair of WCVS, and one of the Jewels in the Crown of local voluntarism. She was concerned about developments at the Holywell Community Centre, where the African Caribbean Association is expecting to relocate shortly. Watford Borough Council is hoping that local community groups will take over the management of the Centre. This is a laudable aim of course but the transition is painful. The Indian Association are also involved in the Holywell Centre and also have concerns. Althea and I took a trip down to the Centre and she talked me through proposals for the allocation of rooms. Clearly there are difficulties.
While there, the African Caribbean Association’s luncheon club is meeting and Althea and I joined them for a very tasty lunch.
Later, I checked through the minutes of several recent meetings, met with WCVS staff to review our fundraising targets for the year, and with Louise Jones of Connexions to discuss progress on our Connexions contract.
I returned a call from Althea MacLean OBE who is one of my trustees, ex-Chair of WCVS, and one of the Jewels in the Crown of local voluntarism. She was concerned about developments at the Holywell Community Centre, where the African Caribbean Association is expecting to relocate shortly. Watford Borough Council is hoping that local community groups will take over the management of the Centre. This is a laudable aim of course but the transition is painful. The Indian Association are also involved in the Holywell Centre and also have concerns. Althea and I took a trip down to the Centre and she talked me through proposals for the allocation of rooms. Clearly there are difficulties.
While there, the African Caribbean Association’s luncheon club is meeting and Althea and I joined them for a very tasty lunch.
Later, I checked through the minutes of several recent meetings, met with WCVS staff to review our fundraising targets for the year, and with Louise Jones of Connexions to discuss progress on our Connexions contract.
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Another long day. I arrived at the office just as the 9:00 pips were sounding which gave me a rather childish pleasure. And there was a little flurry of e-mails following up discussions begun at yesterday’s HIC meeting.
Community networking
At lunchtime, Maria and I travelled to the North Watford Mosque to discuss arrangements for the 3 December community networking lunch. This was my first visit to the Mosque and I found it extremely interesting.
This is the largest purpose-built mosque in Hertfordshire and bears some resemblance to a defensive fort or at least to a stockade. The mosque is surrounded by a tall security fence and a significant proportion of the windows have been shattered - I gave up counting when I reached thirty.
According to the National Audit Office, Watford has a good level of social cohesion, with a high percentage of people believing that people of different backgrounds get on well: the broken windows at the North Watford Mosque tell a different story. What does it say about us as a community, that one of our major faith groups has to meet and worship behind a security fence under a state of siege?
Maria and I were there to promote networking as a way of breaking down barriers and improving communications. Having been the victims of so much violence and vandalism, the Muslim community well understand the need for improved networking and communication. Far from being cowed, or apologetic, or aggressive, the Muslim community leaders we met with were eager to share and communicate with the wider community. I was reminded of Martin Luther’s supposed summary to the Diet of Worms: “Here I stand, I can do no other”.
Maria and I returned to the office by mid-afternoon, having made good progress on arrangements for 3 December. Now we must start promoting the event!
Some jobs jobbed
But meanwhile, I had some major jobs to get out of the way. Maria had prepared a final draft of our October newsletter, and I had to proof this, and then distribute it to our 550-strong mailing list.
I took a short time out to try and implement the e-bulletin format prepared for us by the inestimable Steph at HIC. The format is fine, but it is designed for shorter more regular newsletters, and at present we do not have the systems in place to support this. So meanwhile we will circulate our newsletter as a pdf document.
Three months ago when we last used this mailing list, we found that more than 80 of the 550 e-mail addresses were no longer in use. So I needed to refresh our list. And as we are still waiting for the go-ahead for new software, this had to be done manually. And I also had to add to the list around 40 changed or new e-mail addresses. It was quite late before I finally dispatched the newsletter.
Then I had to prepare and send out papers for next week’s trustees meeting. Although a lot was already prepared (agenda, financial figures, complaints policy), several other papers still had to be written. By the time I had done these, it was really quite late. My timing wasn’t helped by several software failures and crashes - oh for some new hardware! The papers were e-mailed out around midnight.
Then I had to get out papers for the Accommodation working group meeting. This took perhaps another hour.
After a fourteen hour day, I finally left the office at 1:00 in the morning. Aren’t there laws about this sort of thing? Anyway, I actually felt pretty good having ticked off so many tasks, and it was a wonderful cold and foggy Halloween night for the drive home.
Community networking
At lunchtime, Maria and I travelled to the North Watford Mosque to discuss arrangements for the 3 December community networking lunch. This was my first visit to the Mosque and I found it extremely interesting.
This is the largest purpose-built mosque in Hertfordshire and bears some resemblance to a defensive fort or at least to a stockade. The mosque is surrounded by a tall security fence and a significant proportion of the windows have been shattered - I gave up counting when I reached thirty.
According to the National Audit Office, Watford has a good level of social cohesion, with a high percentage of people believing that people of different backgrounds get on well: the broken windows at the North Watford Mosque tell a different story. What does it say about us as a community, that one of our major faith groups has to meet and worship behind a security fence under a state of siege?
Maria and I were there to promote networking as a way of breaking down barriers and improving communications. Having been the victims of so much violence and vandalism, the Muslim community well understand the need for improved networking and communication. Far from being cowed, or apologetic, or aggressive, the Muslim community leaders we met with were eager to share and communicate with the wider community. I was reminded of Martin Luther’s supposed summary to the Diet of Worms: “Here I stand, I can do no other”.
Maria and I returned to the office by mid-afternoon, having made good progress on arrangements for 3 December. Now we must start promoting the event!
Some jobs jobbed
But meanwhile, I had some major jobs to get out of the way. Maria had prepared a final draft of our October newsletter, and I had to proof this, and then distribute it to our 550-strong mailing list.
I took a short time out to try and implement the e-bulletin format prepared for us by the inestimable Steph at HIC. The format is fine, but it is designed for shorter more regular newsletters, and at present we do not have the systems in place to support this. So meanwhile we will circulate our newsletter as a pdf document.
Three months ago when we last used this mailing list, we found that more than 80 of the 550 e-mail addresses were no longer in use. So I needed to refresh our list. And as we are still waiting for the go-ahead for new software, this had to be done manually. And I also had to add to the list around 40 changed or new e-mail addresses. It was quite late before I finally dispatched the newsletter.
Then I had to prepare and send out papers for next week’s trustees meeting. Although a lot was already prepared (agenda, financial figures, complaints policy), several other papers still had to be written. By the time I had done these, it was really quite late. My timing wasn’t helped by several software failures and crashes - oh for some new hardware! The papers were e-mailed out around midnight.
Then I had to get out papers for the Accommodation working group meeting. This took perhaps another hour.
After a fourteen hour day, I finally left the office at 1:00 in the morning. Aren’t there laws about this sort of thing? Anyway, I actually felt pretty good having ticked off so many tasks, and it was a wonderful cold and foggy Halloween night for the drive home.
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