VolResource Newsletter 358

11. Checklist for computer workstations
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The Health and Safety Executive has produced a VDU checklist for safety reps, which should be of use to anyone doing checks on computer screens and the rest of the 'human interface' An eight page pdf, 269KB, at http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/campaigns/vduchecklist.pdf.

12. Delays to record checks possible
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A work-to-rule by staff at the Criminal Records Bureau is likely to create further delays for criminal record checks on job candidates, reports
People Management magazine. Around 450 workers at the CRB in Liverpool start this action this week. However, CRB says that it does not expect the action to "have any significant impact on its ability to deliver its service to its customers" (http://www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=5142).

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21. How green is your workplace
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A new survey for Every Action Counts is a follow up to one carried out in early 2007, to see how voluntary and community organisations are shaping up in addressing the green agenda. All those replying will be in with a chance in a prize draw. Respond by 28th November,
http://www.groundwork-surveys.org.uk/eacgreenquestionnaire.

22. Review of Compact's Black and Minority Ethnic Code
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Consultation by the Commission for the Compact on how equalities and race relations issues are woven into future Compact documentation is now underway, following the publication of an extensive legal analysis of the Compact's Black and Minority Ethnic Code and related legislation. A number of workshops around England in November will discuss the issues.
See Compact web site.

23. Standards for sector development workers
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A set of national occupational standards for development workers who support voluntary and community groups and organisations is being created. The SKiLD learning project at NAVCA has already developed a competency framework. UK-wide consultation events start in December, with the online version live from 2nd December. See Workforce Hub, http://www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/DisplayPage.asp?pageid=12836.

31. Economic and banking issues hit third sector
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There's been a large amount of material published over the last week or so on the impact of the economic crisis on charities, and in particular the collapse of Icelandic banks. Although much of this is repetitive, it is difficult to boil down to a succinct piece. If you are concerned, we suggest following up the links given.

Bank deposit compensation - the coverage of 'retail depositors' includes incorporated charities (or other voluntary organisations) which have two or more of the following: £6.5 million or less turnover; £3.26 million or less balance sheet total; or 50 or less employees. It also includes unincorporated associations with assets of £1.4 million or less. This scheme currently guarantees £50,000 per licensed banking institution. See Charity Commission's guidance at http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/news/fincomp.asp and also the specific notes on Icelandic banks at http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/news/ice.asp. Scottish regulator OSCR's statement at http://www.oscr.org.uk/NewsItem.aspx?ID=7fd3d110-7895-4c5c-a647-c25dfbf40395.

Many of the umbrella bodies across the UK are asking for input from organisations in their networks on what impact recent financial events are making to their operations. On a nation basis: Northern Ireland, Wales http://www.wcva.org.uk/news/dsp_news.cfm?newsid=1186, Scotland http://www.scvo.org.uk/scvo/Home/Home.aspx, Icelandic Bank Crisis joint statement from NCVO, Charities Aid Foundation, Charity Finance Directors' Group and ACEVO (chief executives) http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=11010.

CFDG has written to the Chancellor to express concern over the rules of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which only covers charities that are limited companies if they also meet the small companies rules.
Read as pdf (30KB). Latest news on the FSCS at http://www.fscs.org.uk/consumer/Latest_News/.

The Charity Commission has also recently published a survey showing that charities are being squeezed by both an increase in demand for their services and increased costs, with 4 in 10 charities (38%) reporting that they have been hit by the economic downturn of the last year. http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/crunch.asp.

NCVO is convening an emergency summit in November of umbrella organisations and relevant official bodies to try to reach consensus on a way forward for voluntary groups. Plaza Publishing news alert, http://www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2303.

32. Third sector should provide same pay as public sector providers
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Plaza Publishing news alert reports that the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is lobbying for third sector providers of public services to get the same wages and conditions as public sector providers. SCVO has launched a petition in cooperation with the trade unions to urge the Scottish Government to agree a national framework for public service contracts between the Scottish government, purchasers and providers. News item at http://www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2304.

33. Officially explaining charity accounts to the public
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The Charity Commission is to produce guidance for the public on reading charity accounts to tackle possible misunderstandings, following the launch of the new easy-to-read format of the online register. Speaking at Parliament's public administration select committee hearing on the Charity Commission's recent work, chief executive Andrew Hind said "We are very conscious about explaining to the public that you can't just look at the figures without understanding the background to a charity." The Commission is also to consider using the online register to highlight charities that are "overwhelmingly funded from one source" which could indicate 'captive charities' being used as a mouthpiece for commercial lobbyists. As reported by Plaza Publishing news alert, http://www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2300.

34. Official sector role in reducing reoffending
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The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has published 'Working with the third sector to reduce reoffending' based on the feedback from a public consultation held with voluntary organisations earlier this year. It sets out principles for NOMS' work with the third sector to reduce reoffending and protect the public and can be downloaded (pdf, 690KB) from http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/third-sector-effective-partnerships.pdf. This supports the Ministry of Justice third sector strategy published in June, in pdf (365KB) at http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/third-sector-strategy.pdf, and will also connect with Baroness Neuberger's review of volunteering across the criminal justice system.

35. Progress on funds from dormant bank accounts
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The Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill is now making its way through the House of Commons (second reading 6th October, and in committee this week, 14th to 16th October). The legislation would provide the legal and administrative framework for distributing assets from dormant cash accounts. See NCVO's comments on issues still to be addressed at http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/policy/index.asp?id=2896#dormant_bank_2nd_reading, or the official progress page.

36. Anomaly for small charities operating across borders
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Third Sector magazine has highlighted that under the new cross-border regulation proposals (see newsletter 356), all registered English and Welsh charities that operate in Scotland will have to submit annual accounts to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator even if they are not required (due to size) to file them with the Charity Commission. News item at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/852087/ (registration required), OSCR consultation at http://www.oscr.org.uk/OpenConsultations.stm.

37. Recognition for clear online reporting
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This year's Charities Online Accounts Awards are open for entries, which recognises charities with the most accessible and transparent online accounts. Entries of accounts with year end 2007 or 2008 must be submitted by 28th November. Supported by Charities Aid Foundation and the Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales, see http://www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=11271.

38. Grants to help increase benefits, reduce tax
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Bids are invited for a share of over two million pounds funding from HM Revenue and Customs, to help vulnerable people reduce debt and get the right benefits and tax, for example by helping to increase take-up of tax credits. Voluntary and community organisations, charities, social enterprises, mutuals and co-operatives can apply, deadline 12th November. News item at http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=380965&
NewsAreaID=2, or go direct to HMRC Grant in Aid funding guidance at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vcs/guidance0809.htm.

PDF note: to be able to read pdf files, download Adobe Reader from http://www.adobe.co.uk/products/acrobat/readstep2.html, for accessibility matters see http://access.adobe.com. Or for an alternative, try
Foxit Reader.

51. Volunteering as the heart of the NHS
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A 'JoePublic' blog item on The Guardian: "The health service relies on volunteers, who between them carry out more than 100 different roles", http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2008/oct/09/nhs.
volunteering.

52. Volunteer Tourism journal
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The Journal of International Volunteer Tourism and Social Development will be a peer-reviewed, transdisciplinary and transnational social science journal with a special emphasis on volunteer tourism. See call for papers. (Source: VSSN list)

53. Assessing organisational health online
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An online benchmarking tool for charities and social enterprises is being launched today (16th October). It has been tested with social enterprises across Yorkshire, and can be used anonymously to measure the cost-effectiveness and strength of finance and governance functions, according to Third Sector (http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/851443/). Do let us know what you think of it, if you check it out at http://www.theacidtest.co.uk.

We accept limited 'paid for' job ads: a guaranteed web site spot and trailing, plus basic details here. See http://www.volresource.org.uk/jobs/1.htm for opportunities/details.

** Newly listed: Trust Fundraiser, The Back-Up Trust; Children's workforce development officer, Community Action Southwark.