Evaluation Support Scotland

Evaluation is about working out what difference you are making through your services or activities. This can often seem to be a complicated process! However, Evaluation Support Scotland can help!

Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS) works with voluntary organisations and funders so they can measure the impact of their work. We provide practical support and access to resources and tools. We take action to build evaluation and learning into funding and policy-making processes.

The ESS website contains a large number of resources about aspects of evaluation; these include a series of ESS Support Guides and a range of publications from other organisations.

ESS offers a range of training courses that run throughout the year, each of which can be booked online, by following the links below:

What are my Outcomes – next date 3 September 2009
Collecting Information to report on outcomes – next date 18 September 2009
Using Visual Approaches to evaluate your project – next date 1 October 2009

We are also able to offer a limited amount of one to one evaluation support for organisations requiring it, most frequently for people who have already attended one of our training courses.

If you would like to subscribe to the ESS quarterly e-newsletter and hear what ESS have been up to, please email info@evaluationsupportscotland.org.uk with the word 'subscribe' in the subject line.

COME AND MEET THE EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION LEGAL TEAM

Dunfermline - Vine Venue - 20th August 2009

The Equality and Human Rights Commission champions equality and human rights for all, working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society.

The Commission’s Scotland Legal Team is visiting the above location, hosting a lunch and afternoon Information Session. You will have the opportunity to find out more about the Commission, discuss how we can work together and let us know what issues are most significant to you and your service users.

Who should come: The event is for advice giving organisations, as well as frontline representatives of voluntary, community and educational organisations who give advice or assistance directly to the public. If unsure whether this would be relevant to your work, feel free to contact us to discuss.

Agenda: A confirmed agenda will be sent out closer to the time. We would also like to hear your suggestions on the equality issues most relevant to you. Email or phone us with your thoughts.

Booking a place: This event is FREE. However, spaces are limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Please email roadshow@equalityhumanrights.com if you wish to attend and we will send a booking form.

ATTENTION COMMUNITY GROUPS AND SCHOOLS

http://www.eon-uk.com/about/2654.aspx
This fund supports projects which reduce the amount of energy used by a community organisation or result in the production of energy from an alternative source. Community groups and schools can apply. Up to £20k or 90% of costs. Next deadline 16 October.

Scottish Disability Golf Partnership

Alloa Golf Club Schawpark, Sauchie, FK10 3AX, Friday 10 July, 12:00

The SDGP and its supporters have received an invitation to play golf at the above courses.

To enter, please contact VONEF for entry form and full information.

Single entry, covering golf and a post-golf meal, is only £20 per person per match or a special duel entry price, is only £30 per person. Coaches and supporters can play for the same entry fee, and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

THE UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE - FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LEGISLATION

The University of Strathclyde is undertaking a three-year study looking at the extent to which campaign groups and voluntary organisations in Scotland make use of Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation.

FOI could be a valuable tool for many voluntary organisations, but to date the Scottish Information Commissioner has reported surprisingly low rates of appeals (4%) to his office from the sector. To help understand some of the barriers encountered by voluntary organisations seeking information from public authorities, Strathclyde University is conducting this short survey and would like to find out your views.

Voluntary organisations of all shapes and sizes are invited to take part, regardless of whether or not they have previously requested information.

Please click here http://tinyurl.com/strathclyde-survey to go to the survey.

For more information, please contact Kate Spence: kate.spence@strath.ac.uk or 0141 946 3481 / 07920263917.

A Celebration of Fife's Outdoors! - AUGUST 1st to AUGUST 9th 2009

http://www.fifeoutdooraccessfestival.co.uk/

This is a great opportunity to see what Fife has on offer to keep you active at work and home, on your own and with family and friends or just to help you try something new.

All of the events are free and booking is by phone or on line for many of the events and activities.

At work when it’s happening?

Here are a couple of suggestions to create your own outdoor access festival……………….

Try organising a team building event using one of the events/activities

Take time to organise a group walk before, during or after the working day in your own area or using one of the festival activities

Cycle to work

Develop a physical activity competition i.e. using pedometers, football, space hoppers…. The ideas are endless.

Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland - Surgery Tour 2009 - As part of its ongoing commitment to investing in the Scottish community, Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland holds a series of surgeries throughout Scotland for local recognised charities. The surgery is an opportunity for you to have one-to-onne session with one of our Assessors, and to discuss how to go abut ptting an application to the Foundation.

If you wish to attend one of the surgeries detailed below, please call 0870 902 1201

The full list of Surgery 09 Tour dates can be found on our website.

Village SOS

An exciting rural initiative from the BIG Lottery Fund and the BBC, challenging villages across the UK to come up with brilliant ideas for brand new businesses.

Does your village have a bright idea?
Six successful enterprises will share up to £3 million and will work closely with a Village Champion to get their businesses up and running.

Summary
Village SOS is an exciting new initiative from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and the BBC. It is searching for six UK villages with a great business idea and six enterprising individuals to act as Village Champions and help them achieve their ambitions.

Together they will create a brand new venture that will bring new life and energy to the village with funding of between £100,000 and £400,000 from BIG.

The journey of the six successful villages and their Village Champions will be filmed for a major prime time BBC One series in winter 2010.

Bringing new life to UK villages
We are inviting villages across the UK to apply to BIG with ideas for successful enterprises that will help revive their communities, create new jobs and improve the quality of life of local people.

BIG and the BBC believe that villages are often sitting on a range of untapped potential that, with the strength of the community behind them, could be turned into thriving businesses.

Village SOS also aims to make an impact beyond the funded villages through a major learning campaign, which will help other villages use the learning and enthusiasm to take a bold step towards starting a new business that will regenerate their own communities.

Can my village apply?
If you live in a rural village with fewer than 3,000 people and have an idea for a new business that could bring energy and life back to your community, then Village SOS could be for you.

Your village on TV
The BBC will be documenting the journey of the six villages and their Village Champions for a major prime time series for BBC One in winter 2010. The programmes will follow the new enterprises from start-up to trading.

What to do next
Find out more about the programme in the questions and answers section.

Contact
If you have any questions about the programme and whether you are eligible, ring the BIG helpline on 0844 88 88 677 or email us at: general.enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk

Funding Roadshow Events - Revised Date
Do you have an idea for a project or initiative in your local community? Are you an established organisation looking to branch out into new activities? Are you looking for information or advice about applying for project funding?

If you’ve answered Yes to any of the questions above, then the Funding Roadshows could be for you. The roadshows will be taking place across a range of dates and locations in Fife from May through to September and will be staffed by representatives from Fife Council’s Funding & Monitoring Team, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Fife Environmental Trust and the Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS Fife and VONEF).

The dates/locations are as follows:
Wednesday 5 August, Volunteer Centre Fife, Kirkcaldy, 4 – 6pm
Wednesday 2 September, Rothes halls, Glenrothes, 2 – 4pm
The sessions will be run on a drop-in basis; however, to give us an idea of potential numbers, please contact CVS Fife or VONEF if you’re planning to attend.

Contact: Elizabeth Kirk
Phone: 01592567001
Email: elizabeth.kirk@cvsfife.org

New fundraising guidance - 26 June 2009

OSCR has published its guidance on compliance with the Charities and Benevolent Fundraising (Scotland) Regulations 2009. The Regulations have been keenly awaited by the sector and take effect from 1st July 2009.

The Regulations specify how fundraisers must operate in their dealings with charities and the donating public. OSCR's guidance has been produced jointly with the Institute of Fundraising Scotland and hard copies are to be issued to IOFS members as well as to Scottish members of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association and Fundraising Standards Board.

Read the Charities and Benevolent Fundraising (Scotland) Regulations 2009 here.

Read OSCR's guidance here.

OSCR's Chief Executive, Jane Ryder, said: ‘We welcome the new Regulations, which reinforce the existing work of fundraising bodies such as the Fundraising Standards Board and the Institute of Fundraising Scotland. Our guidance will provide a useful reference to encourage compliance with the requirements of the Regulations and encourage public confidence.'

‘Fundraising' is a wide term covering a range of activities, of which the Regulations cover a part. The Scottish Government is expected to produce further regulations in the future regarding public benevolent collections.

Issued by OSCR, The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Quadrant House, 9 Riverside Drive, Dundee DD1 4NY. For further information contact Mark Simpson or Morag Stewart on 01382 220446 or email communications@oscr.org.uk

Scottish Arts Council Capital Grants Scheme 2009/10

Funding available to help create opportunities for people to participate in the arts - for the purchase of new equipment or minor building works. Priority groups are people living in deprived communities, people living in rural communities, the over 65's, BME's and the disabled community.

Grants of £10 000 - £100 000 available, up to 75% of eligible costs . Deadline for applications is 21 August 2009 - Decisions taken 30 October 2009.
www.scottisharts.org.uk

Effective Listening Workshop

September 7th, 10am- 4pm in Perth - £70 (individuals & voluntary sector); £95 (commercial & statutory sector)

Effective listening is essential for understanding. This course is suitable for managers, HR and anyone working in the caring or service professions.

How to listen so that others feel understood
How to make others receptive to suggestions
How to enable others to explore their options and develop their own solutions
“ Working at a stimulating pace ... the course was well delivered”

David Ritchie, Perth Academy

COSCA Counselling Skills, Module One

October 19th, 20th, 27th, November 3rd, 10th and 24th 2009 in Dundee

A stimulating, experiential certificate course, developing your counselling skills and self awareness. Awareded 40 SCQF credits at Level 7 by Napier University.

“The course not only allows me to do my job as a Manager with a new zest and better understanding of my staff but more importantly a better understanding of myself. I was able to not only to use my new learning almost immediately in my workplace but also in my home life as well.”

Mike Boyle, Communications Centre Manager, SEPA

“I came here to get new confidence and learn new skills. The course has definitely served its purpose for me”

Lorraine Crosby, Admin & Information Co-ordinator, Women's Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre, Dundee

Booking forms for both courses are attached. If you would like further information or to speak to one of our trainers, please call us on 01738 562005.

Rowan Consultancy
2nd Floor
4 Kinnoull Street
Perth
PH1 5EN
01738 562005
www.rowan-consultancy.co.uk