Training & Events
Training Programme
Summer 2010
Welcome to the Summer Training Programme from Dorset Community Action – our calendar of training courses for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations across Dorset.
Feature Courses
Skilling Up for Stronger Voices
The skilling up for stronger voices training programme was developed by NAVCA to support and develop the skills and understanding of local third sector representatives in effective partnership working. It is best described in three themes:- partnership skills, people skills and practical skills.
The course is split into five half-day units, which are designed for anyone whose work, or volunteering, involves them in being a voice for others, influencing decisions, building partnerships and promoting the voluntary and community sector. Look out for ‘Skilling Up’ within the programme to find out more about these courses.
Also, look out for Village and Community Halls which mark events specifically for the trustees and volunteers of local Village and Community Halls. For more information on the aims, objectives and content of these events please visit the members’ area of our new village and community halls networking website at www.dorsethalls.net
July
Fundraising Skills Workshop
Date: Monday 12th July
Venue: Digby Hall, Hound St., Sherborne DT9 3JL
Time: 1.45 – 4.30 pm
Also
Date: Thursday 15th July
Venue: Woodmead Halls, Woodmead Rd., Lyme Regis DT7 3PG
Time: 1.45 – 4.30 pm
Would you like to increase your confidence in making effective fundraising bids? This FREE workshop is for members of small/medium sized voluntary or community groups who would like to build on their bid-making skills. Discover the ‘Six Secrets of Successful Fundraising’, then carry out a bid comparison exercise as a Funder! Places are limited to 12 per workshop.
Charity Builder: “Getting your HR right”
Date: Tuesday 13th July
Venue: Dorset Advocacy, Paceycombe Way, Poundbury, Dorchester
Time: 2.00 – 4.00
This course will help you to use Charity Builder – a free online tool to guide you through key areas such as Human Resources and Health and Safety. It actually helps you produce documents such as contracts, policies and job descriptions and because the content is written by lawyers you’ll be kept up to date with any changes in legislation.
Village and Community Halls
Counting the Cost
Date: Tuesday 20th July
Venue: To be advised
Time:
Charge: Affiliated halls one delegate free. Non-affiliated halls and extra delegates £10 each
“It is easier to save a pound than raise a pound.” With that in mind this event is going to explore some issues around reducing costs in village and community halls. We have invited two speakers to come and talk. One will introduce a bulk purchasing scheme for products and services that halls commonly use which may enable them to save money on their outgoings by combining the purchasing power of Dorset’s halls. We also have a speaker on insurance matters; an area where a large part of a hall’s finances are spent. We also want to take the opportunity to explore whether we can launch some form of ‘Benchmark’ scheme where participating halls can compare costs (and may be other factors) to the standard cost across other halls. This promises to be a very interesting and useful session for all trustees, especially those with a particular interest in their hall’s accounts.
Running a community group
Date: Wednesday 21st July
Venue: Community Room, Town Clerks Office Church Lane, Blandford Forum
Time: 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm
If you are on a committee for a local community group then this introductory course is for you. The course will cover the basics of
• Your organisation’s structure
• Effective meetings
• Policies you need
• Managing money
• Where to go for help and information
‘Skilling Up’ Local Democracy and Partnerships
Date: Friday 30th July
Venue: The Salt House, West Bay, Bridport
Time: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Brief overview of local council structures, outlining the role of Dorset Strategic Partnership and opportunities to engage with it. Introduction to Local Area Agreements and exploring how to have a positive influence within this framework
August
Running a community group
Date: Tuesday 10th August
Venue: Regent Centre, Christchurch
Time: 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Details as for 21st July
September
Understanding and using an Outcomes focus (provisional course)
Date: 2nd and 16th September
Venue: History Centre Dorchester
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm both days
How much do you know about the effects of your organisation’s work? Would you like to know more about outcomes? Are your funders asking about outcomes monitoring? This two day course developed by the Charities Evaluation Service will help you: learn how to assess your effectiveness, learn about what works, to improve your services, increase morale for staff and users by showing that change is happening and demonstrate to funders that you are making a difference. As this course is part of a National Outcomes Programme, we do ask candidates to commit to attending both training days and do a small take away task between the two days. To find out more about this course call Georgina Morgan on 01305 216415.
Running a community group
Date: Thursday 9th September
Venue: Frank Reynolds Centre, Dorchester Rd, Weymouth
Time: 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Details as for 21st July
Village and Community Halls
“Trusted and Valued”
Date: Tuesday 21st September
Venue: To be advised
Time: 12.00 for 12.45 pm start, the event will finish by 5.00 pm
Charge: Affiliated halls one delegate free. Non-affiliated halls and extra delegates £10 each
Hall trustees are volunteers who give their time and skills for free for the benefit of their hall, or more significantly, for the benefit of their community and the groups from within their community who use their halls. It is right, therefore, that we should try and give those willing volunteers as much support as we can. In this session we will try to dispel some common myths that haunt hall committees, try and provide some ideas on how to have effective meetings, and encourage the sharing of some tips for good practice. The Village and Community Halls Adviser, Peter Orchard, is teaming up with his predecessor Lois Rose to present an afternoon of interactive activities to tackle some of the day to day issues that halls face.
Getting Your ICT hardware right
Date: Wednesday 22nd September
Venue: DCA, Community House, Bridport Rd, Dorchester
Time: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Do you need your ICT to be versatile? Need to access information and files from anywhere? Steve Marriott will be demonstrating the benefits of the Thin Client system for voluntary and community groups.
‘Skilling Up’ Roles and Responsibilities of Representatives
Date: Friday 24th September
Venue: Bow Room, The Exchange, Sturminster Newton.
Time: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Exploring the role and key responsibilities of representatives within a local context. Considering the strengths and weaknesses of local representation
Getting Your ICT hardware right
Date: Wednesday 29th September
Venue: DCA, Community House, Bridport Rd, Dorchester
Time: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Details as for 21st September
To Download a booking form for these courses please click here for Word version
Report on Strictly Commissioning Event 13 November 2009 and Action Plan - Click Here to view
