Membership Renewal is due on 1st April. Please look out for the new membership forms with the next mailing of SNIPPETS due on 28th February 2009

Working it out – A major one day international conference – 4th March 2009

This conference is relevant for all those involved in workforce education, training and the development and planning of services across education, health, social work, residential care, fostering, play, youth services, family support services, early years, out of school care, leisure, recreation and the arts.

For further information or to book on line go to www.childreninscotland.org.uk/wio

NEWS FROM COMPANIES HOUSE - Changes to the accounts late filing penalties for companies

To encourage company directors to file their annual accounts on time, from 1st February 2009 new late filing penalties will be applied.

What changes are being introduced?

All penalties will be increased to take account of inflation between 1992 and 2007
A faster rate of increase in penalties for companies that file more than one month late.
A doubling of the penalty for any company which files late having also filed late in the previous year.
To find out more visit the Late Filing Penalties page on the Companies House website at http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/companiesAct/ca_lateFilingPenalties.shtml

“MARCH FORWARD” - PERTH & KINROSS CVS/VC

VOLUNTARY & COMMUNITY SECTOR CONFERENCE 2009

Salutation Hotel, Perth - Friday 6 March 2009

Conference workshops include:

Doing Business with The Council - 2009 Update: Alan Nairn, Head of Shared Services, Perth & Kinross Council ¨

Writing an Effective Funding Application: Jo Habib, Director, Funder Finder ¨

For a Greater Tomorrow – The Relationship Between Government and Volunteering: Gary Malone, Manager, Volunteer Centre Angus ¨

The National Dialogue on Volunteering: Volunteer Development Scotland ¨

For further information and a booking form contact Sue

Have Your Say - Are you part of the voluntary sector that represents one or more of these groups: older people, ethnic minorities, LGBT groups, women, disabled people, religious/faith groups (the equality groups).

• Are you interested in ensuring that services meet the needs of these groups or individuals?
• Do you have ideas on how that can be done?
• Are you frustrated that statutory organisations don’t listen to you?

If yes, then come along to an event that does precisely that – listens to you and learns from your ideas?

Date 4 March 2009
Start time 12.00 noon – 4.00 pm (registration from 11.30am)
Location The Vine Venue,
131 Garvock Hill
Dunfermline
Fife
KY11 4JU

There is no charge for the event but places are limited so booking is essential

Event purpose:

• Identifying channels and frequency of engagement
• Identifying issues and concerns to improve service provision
• Setting up a regular dialogue with statutory organisations

For more details or to register interest, please
Email – enquiry.equalities@fife.gov.uk.
Telephone - 08451 555 555 ex 441242/ 442814
Text - Event to 07521750602
Or write to:
Equality and Diversity Team
Performance and Organisation Support
Fife Council
Fife House
North Street
Glenrothes, Fife KY7 5LT

OSCR – Small Charity Accounts Comparative Study – available on line at http://www.oscr.org.uk/Publications.aspx. The study includes an examination of the accounts of over 250 small charities establishing a benchmark in 2007 against which a comparative examination has been made in 2008

Gift Aid Toolkit for Charities

A CD Toolkit to help charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) boost their income through Gift Aid has been launched by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The Toolkit contains clear, basic guidance, templates, an interactive claim form and other materials to help charities and CASCs get started with Gift Aid and use Gift Aid in different fundraising situations. The Toolkit complements the updated and improved guidance on the HMRC website.

The new Toolkit can be obtained by calling HMRC Charities on 08453 020 203 or e-mailing charities@hmrc.gov.uk

CVS Fife is involved in a pilot project which aims to help voluntary organisations develop initiatives which increase skills and knowledge around food and health and promote access to affordable healthy food for people in Fife.

In order to help us identify those organisations that are already involved in or may be interested in delivering initiatives around food and health, we ask that you help us by giving us a few minutes of your time to complete our short survey if you feel that your organisation fits this profile.

As part of the project, we hope to be able to offer free REHIS training on Food and Health and Food Hygiene. Priority for these free courses will be given to those organisations that are identified through their participation in this survey.

We would be grateful if you could complete this on line no later than Friday 6th February.

The link to the survey is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sVxozffstDA0z7vj2JZeLw_3d_3d

2 day course: Safer Practice, Managing Conflict

26th & 27th March 2009

Rural Business Centre, Elmwood, Cupar, Fife

By the end of the course participants will be able to:

• Identify and describe how they would deal with unsafe practice situations
• Explain the reasons behind their decisions
• Explain how these impact upon clients, self, colleagues and agency
• Apply practical techniques for safer practice
• Demonstrate knowledge of key social care and Health and Safety legislation
• Identify signs of conflict and violence and how these can escalate
• Identify practical strategies for dealing with conflict and violence, including “breakaway” techniques
• Identify and assess own strengths and weaknesses in relation to conflict and aggression

Cost: £125 per person

Time: 9.30 – 16.30

Hospitality: Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Travel and overnight accommodation can be arranged, if required

Fife Employment Access Trust are delivering "Stress Awareness at Work" twice this year, March and August, and "Mental Health at Work" - a 1-day course aimed at managers in April and November. Places are already limited for the April course, so if you would like to attend please get in touch as soon as possible.

Our full training programme for 2009 is also now available to view at http://www.journeytowork.co.uk/index.asp?page=training, along with our booking form. For more information about the courses, or to reserve a place, contact the FEAT office on 01592 749880.

Fit for Purpose Training - THE NEXT CHAPTER

Charity Law - 29 April 2009 - Course Outline

Managing Money - 27 May 2009 - Course Outline

All courses run from 10 am to 1pm at cost £25 per person. For a booking form or further information please contact Sue