Why I’m an ACEVO member...

“ I have been amazed at ACEVO’s level
of access and influence in creating
constructive dialogue and development
with a wide range of decision makers.
Rob Owen, CEO
St Giles Trust
”
Your ACEVO membership can connect you with
policy-makers and key decision-makers in government.
Read our weekly Leader to Leader enewsletters delivered to
your inbox and visit the ACEVO website for regular updates.

ASSOCIATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS
www.acevo.org.uk/login membership@acevo.org.uk 020 7280 4960

ACEVO network spring 2011 3

Contents Spring2011
10

32 22
Cover Stories In brief 21
32 Dragon Donations 4 Trustee’s Welcome 24 Big Decisions in Big Society
Find out what makes What risks are attached to your
James Caan invest in 6 News organisational decisions? Zurich’s
charities. Paul Emery highlights the importance
10 ACEVO Members’ News of risk assessments.
35 Loan Financing 13 Me and My Chair 25 Drawing on all Resources?
Loan application CEO Crispin Truman on what make Erin McFeely, ACEVO’s Head of
mistakes can cost. Sue his relationship strong with Chair Regional Development introduces
Peters from The Social Loyd Grossman. ACEVO and ippr north’s joint
Investment Business free publication.
gives tips for success.
27 How to Thrive as an NGO in China
36 Charity Investments What are the challenges of being
an NGO in an emerging economy?
John Kelly from CCLA
on how investments
could be affected by
13 Clare Pearson from DLA Piper
LLP explains.

the economy. 17 Leadership Team RIP? 28 Collaboration for Social Enterprises
David Fielding offers advice on Consultant Jon Huggett on the
37 Cash Management restructuring your leadership team. similarities between social enterprise
What’s your role in your collaboration and Jazz.
organisation’s money 18 Member Tried & Tested
management? Hugh ACEVO Consulting, WorkLife Support 29 Closing Down your Organisation
Biddell has some pointers. and Special Interest Groups. An issue many third sector CEOs are
facing. Read Davina Goodchild’s three
19 Better Monitoring & Evaluation key tips.
In Depth Liam Cranley on what is required to
effectively evaluate your organisation. 31 Community Outsourcing
An interesting business model that
14 Prove your Worth 20 The NHS and Third Sector many charities could benefit from
Matilda Macduff on Alison Ryan on how third sector leaders says Ian Agnew.
ACEVO and NPC’s can improve relations with the NHS.
new performance 40 Ready for the Pension Reform?
measurement framework. 21 Big Society Adventure Foster Denovo’s Ian Bird on what you
Volunteering England’s Sukhvinder need to know.
38 Engaging Kaur-Stubbs says adventure is needed
Employees for Big Society to succeed. 41 Closing the Perception Gap
James Huckle on ensuring the public
Employee engagement
22 Confessions of a CEO understands the charity sector.
is more important than Julie Bentley, CEO, FPA under the
ever claims Nita Clarke. Confessions spotlight. 42 Time Out

4 ACEVO network spring 2011

Trustee’s Welcome
The Challenge of Funding

here is not one CEO in priorities and understanding Having seen a reduction in

T the sector that does
not appreciate the
scale of the funding
your cash drivers.

It is also evident that many
‘traditional’ funding streams
it is important to recognise
that new sources continue to
challenges we face. With CEOs are spending more time emerge. Sue Peters from the
contract funding than usual communicating Social Investment Business
at a local and national level priorities internally to ensure gives some timely advice on
being reduced and private everyone is working together. what makes a successful
incomes under pressure At times like this it is easy for loan application (page 35).
from pay freezes, rising each department to retrench Understanding these new
costs and redundancy it does and focus on their own work, sources of funding and
not matter how your charity I see it as a critical part of my considering their
is funded – future income role to ensure everyone is appropriateness to the work
streams are more uncertain working together and sharing of the organisation could help
than they ever have been. as much as possible. provide a more robust
funding platform for the
The Chief Executive’s The monitoring of funding bids future.
leadership and decision in the pipeline, and cash flow
making skills will be put to forecasting, has taken on an And for those lucky charities
the test more than ever. added importance for obvious with reserves to invest there
reasons. I find that this along is the added challenge of
Third sector CEOs are an with the monitoring of our inflation proofing them! On
optimistic bunch – I think it ‘efficiency tracker’ which sets page 36, John Kelly sets out
must be an essential out the actions and future his thoughts on what he
competence for the role. I impacts of our cost reduction thinks the current economic
have found it interesting measures provides valuable climate could mean for third
when chatting to peers in the reassurance to our Board at sector organisations with
sector to hear about how they a time when tensions between investments.
are responding to the the board and executive can
challenges we face. Much start to emerge. This is So all-in-all a challenging
time is being spent reviewing evidenced by the increase in time, but one where there
and reflecting on priorities. It calls to ACEVO’s CEO in Crisis are new opportunities
is especially important that helpline during recent months. emerging and an even
during this period we all stronger network of peer
ensure we are not distracted It has been encouraging to support seems to be
by anything that does not see an even greater willingness emerging. Let’s keep talking
contribute to these and we amongst CEOs to explore ways in Third sector to each other!
only spend our funders’ which we can collaborate. Whilst CEOs are an
money in those areas that it is clear funders are keen to Mark Lever is Chief
will make the biggest encourage this for service
optimistic bunch Executive of The National
difference to the lives of delivery, it has also been useful – I think it must Autistic Society and an
those we support. Hugh to bring senior management be an essential ACEVO trustee.
Biddell’s article on page 37 teams together from other Contact Mark via email
provides advice on managing organisations to share ideas competence Mark.Lever@nas.org.uk
your organisation’s money around the solutions to common for the role. or connect with him on
effectively by setting problems. LinkedIn.


Editor’s Intro News Spring2011
In Brief

Once the preserve Finance and
of the private
Metrics Mania Funding Issue
Results. Return on investment. Performance
sector, now measurement. Metrics. Buzzwords yes, but
everyone that essential if we are to prove the value of our work There are four features in this issue
and that of our organisations. Once the preserve of network that focus on finance
funds or donates of the private sector, now everyone that funds or and funding. Share this issue of
wants to know donates wants to know what results to expect; network with your finance director
what results to what the outcomes will be; how much of a return and all those involved in finance in
we will make or how performance will be your organisation.
expect; what the measured. All of this while supporting our
outcomes will be; beneficiaries: the main reason many of us decided
to work in the sector. It certainly is tough! This
how much of a quarter’s network has three articles that discuss
return we the issue of results and metrics in different ways. Congratulations to
will make… ACEVO has begun working with charity consultancy
NPC on creating a framework that will help ACEVO Honoured Members
and other infrastructure organisations measure A CBE was awarded to Janet Vitmayer
impact. Matilda Macduff talks through the process of Horniman Museum and Gardens,
so far on page 14. Many of you will be aware that and Margaret Humphreys founder
the ImpACT Coalition is hosted at ACEVO. On page of the Child Migrants Trust. Gerald
19, Liam Cranley, Head of ImpACT reinforces the Oppenheim former director of the
significance of performance measurement whilst
Big Lottery Fund and Steve Wyler
ensuring that the right metric is being measured.
James Caan, BBC Dragon, entrepreneur and major of the Development Trust Association
donor talks about the results he hopes to achieve were honoured with an OBE. Mark
when he donates to charity on page 32. Law of Barca-Leeds received
an MBE, along with Elizabeth
Also in this issue of network, we find out what Lisgo of Age Concern Somerset,
would it be like for a leader to make the tough Martin Kinsella of P3, and Grahame
decision of putting up the ‘Closed’ sign. We asked Pickering of the Great North Air
CEO, Davina Goodchild to tell us her story. On page Ambulance Service. ACEVO
29, she highlights three areas that other leaders CEO Stephen Bubb was also
in similar situations should consider. knighted.
Back to the issue of performance measurement.
How does network perform as a member benefit?
Complete the readership survey and tell us
www.acevo.org.uk/readersurvey
Find a service
Agnes Jumah, Editor
to match your needs
Editorial team: ACEVO has relationships
Matt Boyle, Eleanor Doherty, Katherine Hudson, Agnes Jumah and Natalie Law. with a number of corporate partners,
who provide quality services and
ACEVO is the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations. We connect, develop
supplies to members. If you’re in need
represent and support the third sector's leaders. We have nearly 2000 members and
have been providing support and advice to our members for over 20 years. To find out more about of a recruitment consultant, solicitor
becoming a member, please contact us on 020 7280 4960 or visit www.acevo.org.uk/membership or companies that can reduce your
network is a quarterly publication for chief executives, senior management and all those interested in utility bills or office rent visit the
leadership in the third sector. It is available on a controlled basis to members of ACEVO and is available ACEVO Corporate Directory.
to other readers on subscription. network accepts no responsibility for the loss or damage, however
caused, to any material submitted for publication. Editorial opinions expressed in the magazine are
not necessarily those of ACEVO. Go to www.acevo.org.uk/
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior consent of ACEVO. corporatedirectory
Subscription UK: 1 year - £40


Need a consultant to help manage strategic change in your
organisation? Read about ACEVO Consulting on page 18.

Want free
resources that can
help your organisation
Launch of the Commission survive the cuts? Visit Voluntary
Leadership www.cutswatch.org.uk Sector Cuts
on Big Society Website
Survey
Update A joint initiative with a
number of organisations,
Launched at the end of last
year, ACEVO’s Commission
Pay Survey the Voluntary Sector Cuts
website maps voluntary

Baker Tilly, one of the UK's
on Big Society held its first
meeting in early January.
2011/12 – groups experiencing
reductions in public sector
leading providers of accounting
and business services and Chaired by Lib Dem peer Lord
Respondents funding, and allows the third
sector to collaborate and
ACEVO launched the
Leadership Survey 2011 in
Rennard, the Commission is
putting together a civil society
receive a share their knowledge of
impending cuts.
March. The survey asked
respondents about different
response to Big Society. The
Commission members have
free copy If you’re involved in a
areas including third sector been looking at what the The ACEVO Pay Survey is voluntary or community
funding, board member concept means to civil society the largest of its kind group which has been told
skills, strategic planning groups. They’ve also sought to focusing on third sector CEO its statutory funding will be
and performance pull the debate onto a more and senior manager salaries. reduced, you can be part of
measurement. Baker Tilly and practical ground, thinking Last year nearly 1,000 this work by sharing your
ACEVO will also be hosting free about what measures could CEOs and chairs participated story. Add your knowledge
seminars across the UK in help build a bigger society, helping us build a broad of cuts to the site -
June to disseminate the survey as well as what continues to picture of senior management www.voluntarysectorcuts.org.uk
results. Register your interest block it. Meetings will team remuneration in the
in attending and find out more continue over the coming third sector. The more
about the survey via the ACEVO months, with a report due members that take part the
website www.acevo.org.uk/ soon. more comprehensive the
leadershipsurvey2011 report. This year the
report will produced in
For further information on Mergers, partnership with Attenti.
governance resources such Partnerships & There will be fewer
as consultancy or the ACEVO Collaborations questions in the hope that
Governance Review Service, The July issue of network will more members can take part.
contact Orli Gorenski Head feature articles on mergers, New Deputy
of Business Development on partnershipsandcollaborations. All respondents that
Orli.Gorenski@acevo.org.uk If you would like to contribute complete the questionnaire Events Manager
Visit an article contact Agnes will receive a free electronic
www.acevo.org.uk/governance Jumah, Head of Marketing via copy of the report. Visit the Samantha Black is ACEVO’s
to see our publications that agnes.jumah@acevo.org.uk ACEVO website in May and new Deputy Events Manager.
provide governance support with details of what you would complete the survey to Having recently completed an
such as Your Chair and Board. like to cover. If you would like receive your free copy– Events Management Diploma,
to access advice or support on www.acevo.org.uk/paysurvey Samantha joins ACEVO from
mergers, visit the ACEVO Business Link where she
website For hard copies of the worked within the public
Social networker?
www.acevo.org.uk/partnerships questionnaire or for more sector to provide business
Join ACEVO
members on Here you will find information information please contact support to London’s SMEs.
LinkedIn and follow on many free and discounted Matt Boyle on 020 7280 4970. Samantha has also spent time
us on Twitter. ACEVO resources including Read from Pay Survey working as a volunteer in the
See page 42 the publication A Guide to sponsor Attenti’s Director criminal justice system in the
Mergers for Third Sector CEOs. David Fielding on page 17. UK, America and Thailand.


News Spring2011
Read about ACEVO’s latest free publication
Drawing on all Resources on page 25.

15 June – Learning with Leaders
Dates for your diary – Robert Peston, BBC Business Correspondent

03 June – ACEVO Future Leaders Summit Fancy lunch and a talk with the most
How good is your senior management team at knowledgeable business
communicating with you? Our Future Leaders correspondent in the country?
Summit will provide practical support for future ACEVO’s Learning with Leaders
leaders and senior managers helping them to develop Series will give you the opportunity to
John Low communication skills important at director level. Robert Peston meet Robert and discuss the changing
This conference for third sector directors will cover: business environment. Book now at www.acevo.org.uk/lwl

· Upward management – How to positively influence your manager 23 June – ACEVO CEO Summit
· Communication skills – Successful communication with the
CEO, the board and others in the senior management team If you’re a third sector leader and you can only attend one event
· Influencing skills – Positively influencing potential employees this year, make sure it’s the ACEVO CEO Summit. Hear from:
· Networking skills – Developing networking skills and making
the most of networking opportunities · Richard Hawkes, CEO, Scope
· Emma-Jane Cross, CEO, Beatbullying
Speakers include John Low, Chief Executive, Charities Aid · Henny Braund, CEO, Anthony Nolan
Foundation; Miles Templeman, Director General, IoD; David Fielding · Ciaran Devane, CEO, Macmillan
MBE, Director, Attenti; Ira Koretsky, The Chief Storyteller. Book now at · John Cridland, Director General, CBI
www.acevofutureleaders.org.uk and follow us on Twitter #flsummit. · Nita Clarke, Director, IPA
· Rod Wilkes, CEO, CIM
13-14 June - Third Sector Digital
Communications and Social Media Convention

Are you a digital CEO? Your organisational
strategy needs to include how to get the most
out of efficient digital resources and
communications. This two day conference will
Jon Snow Henny Braund Ciaran Devane Rod Wilkes
bring together 50 engaging and inspiring
speakers like Channel 4’s Jon Snow and best-selling co-author of Speakers will be covering key topics that third sector leaders
‘The Networked Non Profit’, Allison Fine. The convention will cover will need to focus on in the coming months such as cross
innovation, developments, best practice and strategy in digital sector partnerships; managing strategic change; employee
communications and social media. Over 300 delegates are expected engagement; innovation and marketing. There will also be
with a choice of 40 presentation and how to workshops. Visit opportunities throughout the day to meet and network with
www.thirdsectorsocialmedia.com ACEVO members receive a £50 other leaders in the sector. Visit www.ceosummit.org.uk for
discount. Add promo code ‘ACEVO50’ when booking. more information and follow us on Twitter #ceosummit.

ACEVO Board Elections
In our January elections, ACEVO welcomed back four previous directors, and one new addition to the Board. Welcomed back were Cliff
Allum of Skillshare International, Tom Flood of BTCV, Diana Kingdon of Greenoak Housing Association and Priscilla Nkwenti of Black
Health Agency. Mark Lever of the National Autistic Society is our new addition to the Board.
Mark Lever is CEO of the National Autistic Society (NAS), a charity which champions the rights of people affected by autism,
their parents and carers. It provides a range of information, advice and advocacy services and support including residential
services and six autism schools. A qualified chartered accountant and MBA graduate of Cranfield, Mark joined NAS after thirteen
years with WRVS, rising from Director of Training to CEO in 2002. Mark has been a member of ACEVO for six years. For further
information about our board, visit the ACEVO website www.acevo.org.uk/acevoboard Read Mark’s Trustee’s Welcome on page 4.


Want to improve your income? Then engage
your employees. Read page 38.

New ACEVO developing this

Publications understanding, and New Members
examines successful case
ACEVO has launched a studies involving a range Here are some of our newest members. To find the
number of new and free of approaches including details any of these new members, go to the Membership
publications over the mentoring, pro bono project area of the website and log in. In the left-hand navigation,
last few months. Two support and trusteeships. click Contact a Member to find a member.
are highlighted below. Download your free copy at
www.acevo.org.uk/publications Steve Scown - Dimensions
For more publications or call 020 7280 4960. Nuhu Salihu - Village Aid
and free downloads visit
Gary Hardman - St Anne's Community Services
the ACEVO website If you would like more info
www.acevo.org.uk/ or have suggestions on Ben Clacy - ITSMF UK
publications. what our future publications Lucy Nickson - Helen's Trust
should cover please Charlotte Weinberg - Safe Ground
contact the ACEVO Solo - Age UK Leeds
Pushing at membership team at
membership@acevo.org.uk
Gary Millner - pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group)
Open Doors Peter Corbett - Thomas Pocklington Trust
Colin Norman - EPP CIC
Michelle McIntosh Little - Head For Business
ACEVO Pensions
David Pastor - Claire House Children's Hospice
Survey 2010/11 Paul Parker - Religious Society of Friends
Sally Shire - Consortium for Street Children
Neil Leitch - Pre-school Learning Alliance
Peter Sandiford - After Adoption
Jon Siddall - Landaid Charitable Trust
Amanda Foister - Longridge
Karen Weaver - Harrogate & Areas CVS
Heather Sim - The City Of London Migraine Clinic
Ann Stacey - Skills For Care
There has never been a better
time to find ways in which to Rakesh Garala - Skills For Care
increase collaboration
between the voluntary, private
and public sectors. By The ACEVO Pensions Survey
developing cross sector has been written to help third
relationships, the voluntary sector organisations
sector can make its voice understand the upcoming
heard more effectively. changes in legislation.
Included in the report is a On the Box
Launched at the ACEVO guide to the 2012 Pension
Philanthropy Conference, this Reform with useful and
‘how-to’ guide offers advice practical tips on how to start
on how to successfully ‘open preparing your organisation
doors’ with leaders in the now.
public and private sectors. Quite a few ACEVO members made appearances on TV
‘Pushing at Open Doors’ looks Read more about the results championing their causes… Don Shenker from Alcohol
at the role of cross sector of the survey on page 40. Concern…Srabani Sen from Contact a Family and ACEVO
learning relationships in board member…Rob Owen from St Giles Trust.


ACEVO Members’ News
25 ACEVO members’ organisations have been
placed in The Times list of 100 best places
to work in the Public and Charity Sector...

Members run ’Best Places to Work’
The organisations of 25 ACEVO Rob Owen St Giles Trust 4
members won a place in The Emma Saysell St David’s Foundation Hospice 9
Times list of 100 Best Places to Steve Woodford The Foundation 10
Work. Foundation and Community Nicki Youern YOU 12
Links, both Leeds-based charities Jim Gardner Kent Union 19
came 10th and 38th respectively in Christine Allen Forum Housing Association 21
the league table based on staff Susan Bickerton Norcare 27
surveys. Foundation helps those Brett Wigdortz Teach First 32
with drug and alcohol problems Tegryn Jones Keep Wales Tidy 34
and the homeless. Its CEO’s ‘sound Jon Woolmore Community Links 38
Rob Owen, St Giles trust moral principles’ extend internally
Simon Morris Jewish Care 42
(according to 85% of the staff). One of the staff benefits that
Caroline Ward Mayday Trust 43
contributed to Community Links’ high score is a £300 bonus for
James Catford Bible Society 47
completing a year-long qualification.
Mark Molden Care for the Family 48
At 27 was Norcare, which provides homes for vulnerable people
Conrad Watkins Cyrenians Cymru 62
such as those with drug or mental health problems. Working to
Nicholas Young British Red Cross 64
resolve drug and mental health issues may not be everybody’s
‘dream job’, but 64% of Norcare’s employees believe it is. Robert Jones Sussex Oakleaf 68
In at number 62 is Cyrenians Cymru, who help vulnerable, Alma Caldwell Age UK North Tyneside 71
disadvantaged and homeless people. Bob Reitemeier The Children's Society 73
ACEVO member Rob Owen runs the highest ranking organisation: Rob Noble The Leadership Trust Foundation 77
St Giles Trust, which reached a very impressive number 4! 85% of David Bull UNICEF UK 81
staff believe the organisation is ‘driven by more than profit’, and are Mark Goldring Mencap 85
‘excited about where it is going’. For all ACEVO members and their Stuart Rigg Advance Housing & Support 91
organisations that appeared in the Times list see the table on the DebbieBrannigan Swanswell 93
right. Congratulations to all members! Jan Barlow The Fire Fighters Charity 99

Norcare Adapts Services drew widespread acclaim from the media for highlighting a cause
that had little representation, and with an increasing number of
Norcare is a leading housing and support organisation committed veterans returning to the UK and unemployment at an all-time
to providing holistic support to vulnerable groups in the north-east, high across the country, is likely to become increasingly important
with services ranging from debt support to counselling and medical in the future.
advice. Headed by CEO Susan Bickerton (an ACEVO member for five
years) since 2007, Norcare has built a reputation for helping those 2011 has already been a busy year for Norcare: in January Norcare
trapped by addiction, domestic violence or mental illness both launched its leadership management programme to develop the
physically and mentally. Norcare is well known for providing role of managers across the organisation, and in February, Norcare
personalised, individual care that goes beyond basic housing needs. launched its Active Client Employment programme, offering
Norcare clients training in the housing and support sector in order
Recently Norcare teamed up with Futurebuilders and the British to promote full time employment. Norcare is currently operating a
Legion to provide a housing centre for veterans, the first of its kind number of support groups for non-residents, giving further
in the north-east. The centre is a renovated four-storey Victorian individualised care to groups of 6-8 beneficiaries who will receive
house which has helped hundreds of veterans by providing thesameservicesasresidents.Norcarehopetosetupotherveterans’
accommodation and ensuring their wellbeing upon leaving. The centres in the north east. Susan Bickerton said: “The third sector is
centre assists veterans by providing employment advice, financial facing challenging times. This makes it all the more important that
management and career guidance for people who have had to we hone our services to perfectly match the needs of our clients.
rapidly adjust to completely different lives. The Veteran Centre The Norcare Veterans’ Centre is a perfect example of this.”


Actionfor In the two months since its
launch the site has already
ChildrenLet raised over £100K and has

DonorsMake successfully funded five of its
projects. With this initial
Decisions success Action for Children
are making the microsite a
permanent part of its funding
structure.

Action for Children has been
working to improve the lives
of vulnerable children and
young people in the UK for
over 140 years. CEO Clare
Tickell has been an ACEVO
member for more than six
years. If you would like to find
out more about this or any

Launched in February, My
part of Action for Children’s
work, you can contact Clare
Small mandate, meaning most of
their constituents voted
Action for Children is the new
donating system from Action
through the ACEVO website.
Simply click Membership on
Change Big against them. The
Alternative Vote (AV) aims
for Children. What makes www.acevo.org.uk and log in. Difference? to change this as all
this new system different is In the left-hand navigation, candidates will have to aim
its ability to allow the donor click Contact a Member to The national referendum to get 50% of the vote.
to decide how their money is find Clare and send her a on 05 May will be the first This means that MPs
spent in three quick and easy message. chance UK voters have had will have to reach out to
steps: Choose where, Choose to decide how their MPs get every corner of their
how and See how. and stay elected. constituency, rather than
relying on their core
Donors can either choose Katie Ghose, CEO of the supporters to stay in power.
specific projects that they are Electoral Reform
interested in or projects that Society says: ‘The Electoral Katie continued: ‘Millions
are at work in their local Reform Society has been of people in this country
community. Like an online fighting for fairer votes in already use AV, including
search engine or directory, New BTCV Chair Westminster for over 100 charities, unions and
the microsite allows users to Rita Clifton has been appointed years. On 05 May we hope to business. Politicians
enter their postcode and find as the new Chair of BTCV, the finally see our current themselves use it to elect
projects in their local area. social enterprise group. Clifton system - First-Past-the- their leaders, their officials
Each project has specific is UK Chair of Interbrand, the Post, replaced with a better and their candidates.
descriptions and further brand consultancy and system which gives voters
information about how it’s President of the MRS. In the more power and forces all ‘The Alternative Vote is a
funding is spent. Once a past, she has also been CEO at MPs to work harder at small, sensible change that
project has been fully funded Interbrand and Vice Chair at listening and responding to will make a big difference.
all donors will receive an Saatchi & Saatchi. Clifton said: their electorate’s concerns'. It will make MPs work
update from the project “I am delighted to be joining harder to get elected and
demonstrating how their BTCV at this very important and ‘At the last election First- give voters more of a say. If
money was spent and the challenging time. BTCV CEO Past-the-Post allowed two- we don’t pull our politicians
difference made to the lives Tom Flood is an ACEVO member thirds of MPs to win their into line now, we may never
of local children. and trustee. seats with a minority get another chance’.

2011 will be a testing year for many third
sector leaders. The ACEVO CEO Summit will Surviving and Thriving –
examine the leadership and management
challenges in the sector and will provide you Actions for a
with practical ideas and information on how to:
• Manage complex changes within your organisation Third Sector Leader
• Develop new strategies to survive the changing
environment whilst delivering for beneficiaries 23 June 2011, 09:15 – 16:30
• Keep employees and volunteers engaged and motivated London
Attend the conference and hear from experienced
leaders in the voluntary, public and private sectors
providing advice and thoughts on developments Standard Price: £201* /£273
within the sector. Speakers include: ACEVO Member Price: £135* /£165
Richard Hawkes, CEO of Scope on how Scope will be Corporate Price: £243*/£273
led to success through its 60th year.
*Early Bird Prices for bookings
John Cridland, Director General of CBI on the positive outcomes of
made before 20 May 2011
private and third sector collaborations and how cross sector partnerships
can create capacity in both sectors.

Conference Highlights
Book before
• Employee engagement – How CEOs can lead employees through 20 May for
restructures and financial challenges keeping staff motivated early bird
• Innovation – How to create a culture of innovation to support discounts
organisational sustainability
• Cross sector partnerships – Working productively with other sectors
• Networking – The ACEVO CEO Summit will provide the space for you
as a third sector leader to network and openly share your
experiences, ideas and concerns with your peers.

How to Book
Call 020 7280 4962,
email events@acevo.org.uk or
visit www.ceosummit.org.uk

A SSOCI ATI ON OF CHIEF EXECUTI VE S O F VOLUNTARY O RGANI S ATI ON S
events@acevo.org.uk • www.acevo.org.uk • 020 7280 4962

Supported by Media partners


Me and My Chair

Crispin Truman, CEO at The Churches Conservation Trust on his strong relationship with his celebrity
Chair Loyd Grossman OBE.

o say that the Chair-Chief special of thanking volunteers,

T Executive relationship is
important in a charity is
an understatement. Mutual
staff and donors and adding
weight and sparkle to Trust
events. The Chair’s job is about
trust, understanding and being a big part of the public
cooperation between these two face.
people is only the starting point It’s also of course to lead and
for a successful and sustainable look after the Board of Trustees
organisation. and know enough about the
business to be able to support
A shared sense of the vision and the Chief Executive on the critical
of how the two roles interact is issues.
also indispensable. For all the
job descriptions, procedures and What makes it work?
terms of reference in the world, Good housekeeping
nothing can replace an intuitive including regular catch-ups;
sense of how you work together phone conversations on
and what you need to lead or important issues; doing a
defer to each other on. It’s an art road to Damascus’ conversion on double-act on key external
more than a science and without this issue some years ago. All networking. It can help to have
it you’re going nowhere. trustees at CCT are asked to give one or two areas of particular
My Chair is Loyd Grossman according to their means: Loyd expertise where we do some
OBE: businessman, cultural himself played a lead role in hands-on work together – with
sector leader and journalist. setting up our Development Loyd and I, it tends to be the
Loyd is a rare combination of (fundraising) Board and our new major donor fundraising,
both a public figure who has major donor strategy. Government liaison and of
helped raise our profile, and an As a chief executive I think it course, Board planning.
engaged and effective Chair who really helps to have experience The Chief Executive needs
is interested in the workings of of being a chair, or at least a to make sure that the
the Trust and knows where the trustee, oneself. As former chair relationship works – by
line is drawn between of the London Cycling Campaign, responding constructively,
trusteeship and management. I know what it feels like to be a providing the support and
He is appointed by the volunteer with little time to get information a Chair needs
Archbishops’ and the Prime into the detail but a big and running the organisation
Minister’s Appointments As a chief responsibility for the well. Problems occur when
Secretaries, but came to the organisation’s direction and there’s a vacuum, so keeping all
Trust - as I did - through
executive I success. Having put yourself in a those balls well up in the air is
advertisement and interview. think it really chair’s shoes you have a much one sure-fire way to keep your
Loyd is also a donor: helps to have better sense of what they need Chair happy.
something which I think is from their Chief Executive in What a good Chair does in return
nowadays a crucial part of the experience of order to do their job. is to resist coming up with ten
role of Board Chair, in any charity being a chair, For Loyd, that job is about bright ideas before breakfast,
which is asking individuals to getting out there and engaging none of which support the
give their own money to support
or at least a with the public, the press, agreed strategic aims. Not that
its work. As trustee of other trustee, oneself. politicians, and funders. It’s that has ever happened to me of
charities myself, I underwent a about making something really course.


Proving Your Worth

New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) is helping ACEVO to measure its impact. Matilda Macduff from NPC
explains the stages of this interesting process.

easuring impact is knowledge through online Linking activities to

M challenging for any
charity. But for an
infrastructure organisation
resources including its guide
to analysing charities,
The Little Blue Book. It also
vision
A theory of change is a
graphic representation of the
like ACEVO, with nearly offers a tailored consultancy steps required to reach a
2,000 members heading up service which, amongst final, long-term goal—often
charities of all shapes and other things, helps presented as a series of
sizes, it can be a particularly organisations to measure slides with lots of arrows.
hard nut to crack. How does and communicate the Like a map, it lays out a route
ACEVO go about assessing impact they create. to achieving a major aim in
the difference it makes small, manageable steps,
through its work? Defining a vision linking day-to-day activities
One of the difficulties all to overall vision.
ACEVO plays an important organisations face in
role in the third sector, measuring and articulating Rather than starting with
through the support and their impact is the need to what an organisation is
resources it brings to define their vision very already doing and trying to
charities, and by providing a clearly. This is challenging link this to what it hopes to
voice for organisations in the enough for organisations achieve, a theory of change
wider world. But ACEVO has delivering direct services. begins with the charity’s
found it difficult at times to It is even harder for an vision. It identifies the
find a way to demonstrate the organisation like ACEVO outcomes required to realise
impact it creates. which is achieving its aims via that vision, and the activities
another tier of organisations. or interventions leading to
In these belt-tightening those outcomes. There may
times, charities need to be ACEVO’s vision is for a be many outcomes that come
able to make a good case for thriving third sector. Like together to realise a vision,
funding to a range of many infrastructure and they must all be
audiences. At the same time, organisations, its aims refer considered.
there are also internal to the sector as a whole. But
motivations for looking to what does a thriving third Working out a theory of
improve the way a charity sector look like? How can change takes time and effort,
measures its impact. one measure something as and relies on staff
wide-ranging as whether ACEVO’s vision engagement. Without clear
With this in mind, ACEVO the sector has improved or is for a thriving input from the staff who carry
enlisted the help of charity not? And if the sector does out an organisation’s
consultancy and think tank improve, how can it be third sector. activities, it is hard to build up
New Philanthropy Capital attributed to ACEVO? Like many a realistic picture of what an
(NPC) last year. NPC has ten organisation is doing.
years of experience of To begin to answer these
infrastructure
analysing charities and kinds of questions, NPC organisations, The value of a theory
assessing the impact they are facilitated a workshop with its aims refer of change
making. It has developed a a group of staff from ACEVO. For NPC, creating a theory of
robust methodology based on The aim of this workshop to the sector as change is the starting point
the hundreds of organisations was to map ACEVO’s ‘theory a whole. for measuring impact.
it has worked with, sharing its of change’. Mapping a theory of change

ACEVO network winter 2011 15

also helps an organisation to on the second stage: creating
come up with a narrative the tools to enable ACEVO to ACEVO’s Director of
about its work, helping to capture the data needed to Strategy, Seb Elsworth
establish a causal measure its impact. This
relationship between its framework will be piloted by “We know through
activities and positive change ACEVO in the spring and after anecdotes and feedback
by showing how certain that will be made available to how successful our work
outcomes follow on from its other organisations. has been, both in terms of
work. It can also inform supporting our members
strategic decisions: by Both NPC and ACEVO are and influencing policy, but
breaking down vision and keen to encourage more we recognise that we need a more systematic way of proving
outcomes into day-to-day charities to go public with their this success to strategic funders, partners and members.
activities, an organisation can approaches to measurement. Improving our impact measurement will also help us to
compare activities in its understand ourselves better and know what works and what
theory of change to the doesn’t. We are working with NPC to ensure that we are
activities it is currently doing.
Theory measuring the right things.
We also wanted to make sure that the results of this
If the two don’t match up, it is project would benefit the sector more widely and so we are
likely that it is not achieving
what it hopes to. By refining
of what? making the framework available to others. We hope that
the framework can help advocacy and membership
its strategy to reflect the organisations to prove their worth to potential funders at
activities drawn out by the Theories of change have a time when there is pressure to stand out.”
theory of change, the their roots in the work of
organisation can ensure that the evaluation Angela Kail, one
it is doing what it set out to as community, and have of NPC’s Senior Consultants
effectively as possible. become increasingly
popular in the last five “Using a theory of change allows
Producing a theory of change years. Some people use organisations to capture all the steps
can be particularly useful for the term interchangeably involved in an organisation’s work and
advocacy and membership with “logic models”, every outcome that’s achieved, and
organisations like ACEVO, although it differs from see how they link together. It’s only
which can find it challenging these models because it once we can see how impact is
to communicate what they do. shows a causal pathway created, that we can decide what are the most important
By mapping out activities in and requires a clear things to measure.
relation to an overall aim, articulation of underlying All too often charities are thinking about measurement in
organisations can assumptions which can isolation. Where organisations are making steps forward
demonstrate just how much be tested and measured. with impact measurement we think it is vital that they share
work they carry out in order For a range of resources, what they have learnt. By supporting each other in this way,
to achieve each outcome. tips and tools, visit charities can get better at communicating the value of what they do”.
www.theoryofchange.org
What’s next for NPC the website which is the For more information about the project, contact Seb
and ACEVO? result of a collaboration Elsworth at ACEVO, or Angela Kail at New Philanthropy
The first stage of the project, between the Aspen Capital or visit www.acevo.org.uk/impactframework
developing the theory of Institute and To find out more about NPC’s consulting services, visit
change is complete, and NPC ActKnowledge. www.philanthropycapital.org
and ACEVO are now working

The Journey to
Becoming a CEO
03 June 2011, 09:15 – 16:30, London
Standard Price: £185* /£215 Book before
ACEVO Member Price: £102* /£132 03 May for
early bird
Corporate Price: £193*/£223
discounts
*Early Bird Prices for bookings made before 03 May 2011

How good is your senior management team at communicating with you?
Our Future Leaders Summit will provide practical support for future
leaders and senior managers helping them to develop communication skills
important at director level. The focus of this summit will be on results-driven
communication between senior management teams, the CEO and board members.
It will also focus on developing the upward management skills of third sector directors.
Whether new or experienced directors, this conference will help delegates develop the
right communication skills.
Delegates will also hear candid accounts from high profile third sector leaders and
entrepreneurs on how they have built their careers, overcoming the challenges they have
faced through effectively communicating.
This conference for third sector directors will cover:
• Upward management – How to positively influence your manager
• Communication skills – Successful communication with the CEO, the board and others
in the senior management team
• Social skills – Using a practical toolkit to apply social and emotional intelligence
• Networking skills – Developing networking skills and making the
most of networking opportunities
How to Book
Call 020 7280 4962, email events@acevo.org.uk or
visit www.acevofutureleaders.org.uk
A S S O C I AT I O N O F C H I E F E X E C U T I V E S O F VO L U N TA RY O R G A N I S AT I O N S
events@acevo.org.uk • www.acevo.org.uk • 020 7280 4962
Hosted by Supported by Media partners


Leadership Team RIP?

Downsizing doesn’t have to mean the death of your leadership team. David Fielding, Director at attenti offers
advice on how to restructure and refocus your leadership team making it fighting fit for the future.

uminaries such as them’; ‘They are not that bad at don’t see them as part of the

L Clinton, Obama, Blair,
Cameron and even Bubb,
have all told us that we should
the job’; ‘They will really
struggle to get another job’ or
‘We might end up in a tribunal’
future say so: deep down
people want to know where
they stand; and they need to
‘never miss the opportunity can be heartfelt but are not hear it direct.
of a good crisis’. legitimate reasons for not
taking action. Don’t just rely on an interview.
In the growth years, many We know that validity increases,
charities were in expansion attenti is backed by private the more data you take into
mode; the business case to add equity guru, media personality account when making selection
new skills and experience and Chair of the Big Issue, decisions. So get independent
through a higher senior head James Caan. His mantra is that support and ensure you use
count was compelling. The he invests in leadership teams, other assessment tools such as
argument to give people a seat not the organisation. Getting the scenario interviews or
at the top table irresistible. right top team is absolutely psychometrics, giving honest
These were the good years and crucial to tackle the challenges feedback. The information
the sector ended up with large ahead. Tinkering at the margins gained will be invaluable for
and strong leadership teams. won’t do. Having helped a variety future team development and
of organisations do this over the also of great value to those who
Performance management was past 18 months our advice find themselves back on the job
an activity everyone signed up would be as follows. market.
to, but in reality was a lower
priority. Sir Clive Woodward, not Ensure you and your trustees When decisions are made, act
always known for his soft side, are on the same page about the on them swiftly. Allow people
observed that giving a player the future and what needs to be the dignity of communicating
England Captaincy was done. Reshaping the team is a the outcome to their peers and
wonderful but taking it away was critical leadership task; don’t team first, however long drawn
simply awful. This rings true for delegate this to HR or legal out notice periods are self-
many of us. advisors. defeating. This kind of overall
approach reduces the worry
Having had over a decade of Get the numbers and the of tribunals as people are
growth, it’s not surprising that forecasting right. Be clear about far less likely to go down
chairs and chief executives are how you want your top team to that route.
now struggling to get to grips operate in the future. Use
with reducing the head count behavioural competencies Finally, give as much personal
and refocusing their top team. rather than simple job tasks or support as you can. An old
There are lots of different Ensure you and job functions to help with mentor of mine used to say ‘Pipe
euphemisms for this: your trustees evaluations. them ashore rather than make
transforming, restructuring, them walk plank’.
reconfiguring, downsizing,
are on the same Consultation has a place - be
rightsizing - the list goes on. It’s page about the open and transparent about David Fielding MBE leads the
always sensitive because we are future and the process but don’t waste Not for Profit recruitment
dealing with people and having a effort trying to get practice at attenti and is one of
direct impact on their careers what needs to consensus. Have honest, the UK’s leading head-hunters.
and livelihoods. Statements be done. face-to-face conversations He is a trustee for Equinox Care
such as ‘The staff really like with everyone affected. If you and a special advisor to ACEVO.


Member Tried & Tested

Your membership gives you access to valuable resources. Read
about some member benefits and feedback from your peers.

ACEVO Worklife Support
Employee Assistance Programme
With the public spending cuts hitting the third sector it is
inevitable that your employees may feel the strain, both at
work and at home.

Do you need to implement three managers had no ACEVO works in partnership with Worklife Support to
strategic change? Could a hesitation in appointing this provide a support service for members and their staff
consultant help you manage worthy consultant. The task was through the Employee Assistance Programme. This service
transition within your carried out in an excellent not only helps progressive organisations to satisfy their
organisation? manner, giving sound, well duty of care to employees but also to reduce costs and
Contracting a consultant to work reasoned advice as well as limits business risk by resolving potential problems
with your organisation can be a implementation support. promptly and constructively.
difficult and daunting task. How More recently we have needed ACEVO Member David Blackburn, Director of HR &
can the right consultant be further work in relation Business Support at Shepherds Bush Housing Group
appointed? The consultancy to our regional structures and has said of the service:
service team at ACEVO appointed this consultant once
understands these challenges again.” Cats Protection “Our EAP has helped us to maintain both a low turnover
and will provide you with a “This consultant did a wide- and low sickness absence levels in some of the most
confidential, efficient and free ranging management review at challenging times.”
service to assist you in choosing Victim Support and gained wide
the right consultant for your respect there, both by the CEO The ACEVO Worklife Support EAP gives employees and
organisation. We will find out and trustees who had their families’ unlimited 24-hour telephone access to a
what your needs are and provide commissioned the work, and team of specialist advisors and counselors to help resolve
you with a shortlist of qualified also by the managers who had to a wide range of personal or work-related issues from
consultants to choose from. Read carry forward the implementation. professional guidance and counseling, to financial and
what some ACEVO members This led to an invitation back to legal information and advice.
have said about the consultants do other pieces of work.” For further details email info@worklifesupport.com
from our list. Victim Support or call 0845 873 5680.
“At Cats Protection we
tendered for consultancy work For more information on
for our senior management ACEVO Consulting, call Orli
structure review and the panel of Gorenski on 020 7280 4976.

Special Interest Groups
SIGs are an opportunity for those from a specific sector or with a
particular area of interest share experiences and develop solutions
to problems within their remit. Each group is chaired by an ACEVO
member and supported by staff from ACEVO. Each SIG has meetings
throughout the year where members of the SIG can get togetherto
talkaboutthelatestissues,policyandlegislativechanges.

These free meetings are open to all ACEVO Full and Associate
Members. A list of SIGs and meeting dates for 2011 can be found
on the website. Visit www.acevo.org.uk/specialinterestgroups


Better Monitoring and Evaluation

Liam Cranley, Head of ImpACT at the ACEVO hosted ImpACT Coalition drives home the importance of
knowing what to measure.

t’s a daunting task to begin situation. These evaluation researchers to ask service

I measuring the
effectiveness of your
organisation’s work, both in
methods give funders the false
impression that they are
collecting the right
users what really matters to
them, WRVS found that some
participants in the meals on
relation to knowing what to information, and it hampers wheels programme did not eat
measure and what you might our ability to conduct effective the meals they received, yet
discover. The key to success is monitoring and evaluation. We they continued to participate,
the involvement of funders often fail to learn and therefore because the human contact
and service users. Exploring fail to apply any learning left them feeling less isolated.
the factors that lead to poor because we lack the right data WRVS still measure the
performance in current and motivation to do so. number of meals delivered,
monitoring and evaluation Ultimately, it’s our service but their monitoring and
practice offers some users that are affected. evaluation is now geared
supporting evidence. We are often guilty of towards measuring softer
In recent years, some committing the same error outcomes, such as reduced
funders (they will remain when it comes to our isolation and increased
unnamed!) have designed relationship with stakeholders. confidence.
monitoring and evaluation If we develop indicators and There are numerous
systems in isolation, away outcomes in consultation with pressures on both funders and
from the projects and services our funders, we can be a little service deliverers, which make
they fund, and have then too convinced of our own for an imperfect relationship
passed these evaluations wisdom. There’s a temptation when it comes to monitoring and
systems down to service to second guess what is evaluating services. However,
deliverers to complete. As a important to our service users, both parties ultimately strive to
result, these systems feel rather than just asking them. achieve the same goal: a better
more like an imposition, rather We’re the experts, right? This standard of living for the people
than a vital check of how our approach can lead to vital they support. Rather than
projects and services are information being overlooked, entrenching old notions of what
performing. At best we can feel and it can have a knock-on counts as success, we need to
demotivated; it can feel like a effect on the services we There are recognise that effective
chore, and at worst, we feel provide. WRVS’s project to numerous monitoring and evaluation is
frustration at being asked to capture what is important dependent on the involvement
measure the wrong things. illustrates this point perfectly. pressures on of both funders and service
Without entering into a Until two years ago WRVS both funders and users.
discussion to create a system measured the effectiveness of
that works for funders, service its work largely by measuring
service deliverers, New Philanthropy Capital has
deliverers, and service users numbers, for example, how which make for released a new publication
alike, we tend to jump through many meals on wheels were an imperfect which will explore what
hoops, half-heartedly delivered on target. The senior funders can do to help
completing the monitoring and management team took the relationship when charities conduct monitoring
evaluation reports we inherit. bold decision to ask the it comes to and evaluation and
Of course, this keeps the question ‘so what?’ They demonstrate impact more
funders happy, which wanted to know what
monitoring and effectively. Helping Grantees
subsequently keeps funding difference their services evaluating Focus on Impact is available
rolling in. But let’s take a actually made to service users’ services. to download free at
longer term view of the lives. After commissioning www.philanthropycapital.org


Improving NHS and Third Sector Relations

Alison Ryan, Chief Executive of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust asks whether and how the third sector
can improve relations with the NHS.

or the 25 years I have aim is to commission the right it for the NHS to engage with

F worked in the third
sector, improving
relations with the NHS has been
services – as defined by patient
experience - for patients in the
right place, at the right time and
us? Do we subsume
organisational differences in
order to provide a coherent
an unfulfilled aspiration for the to decommission services narrative to the NHS? Do we
sector. In late 2009 the which do not provide this, thus work to strengthen our local
Department of Health funded reducing the cost base of the infrastructure bodies so they
through both ACEVO and NHS NHS by the equivalent of £25bn can perform that function or do
Southwest, a project to identify by 2014. we ignore them? Do our
actions that could improve QIPP matters, more entrepreneurial and
relations. perhaps than any other NHS competitive spirits identify
As a longstanding ACEVO initiative at the moment, market opportunities and go for
member and also a Non- because there are imperatives them regardless of what
Executive Director at NHS about reducing NHS greater gains could be got by
Southwest I led the working expenditure which will survive co-operation? Can we be
party of regional NHS, third any politically inspired changes trusted? Should QIPP identify
sector infrastructure and in structure, and it will be decommissioning of ‘popular
delivery organisations tasked around for at least another four but actually unnecessary’
with this challenge. We met in years. QIPP plans will inform all facilities to explain the rationale
summer 2010 – just as the commissioning – no matter to our constituents or will we,
extent of the NHS reforms was who is doing it - and thus the knees a-jerk, attack “the cuts”?
becoming apparent, immediately flows of NHS funds into our Can we be trusted with plans
rendering our task nigh sector. QIPP workstreams which are half formed? Do we
impossible. In response we cover all aspects of healthcare know when we are lobbying and
focused our thinking on and is happening in every when we are contributing ideas
identifying relatively simple locality at PCT level. QIPP gives for the greater good?
transactional changes which the third sector an unrivalled As became apparent in our
might survive the hiatus, and opportunity to influence NHS In response we working party, to the NHS the
indeed give both sectors a planning to improve services answer to many of these
better chance of success in the and create a richer more focused our questions appears to be ‘No’.
turmoil. responsive health economy in thinking to Our working party evidenced an
It is not possible to set out which the sector’s unique roles all-round enthusiasm for the
all the findings in this space so in user empowerment, user
identifying input of the sector to QIPP
I’ll outline the leadership and centred service design and relatively simple planning but these significant
behavioural challenges we holistic working can flourish. transactional barriers stand in the way of
identified – the challenges With its insights into what making it happen. A lot of them
where we as third sector makes a real difference to changes which are barriers of our own making
leaders could make a difference. patients, its capacity to provide might survive the – it is up to us whether we
alternative and often more cost dismantle them.
QIPP – the only certain effective services and the degree
hiatus, and
game in town to which it is trusted by patients, indeed give both What can the third sector do to
QIPP (Quality Innovation the third sector should be well sectors a better improve relations with the
Productivity and Prevention) is integrated into this planning – NHS? Contact the ACEVO Policy
the NHS savings-through- but it rarely is. chance of success Team or start a discussion on
improving-quality-and- Do we have ourselves to in the turmoil. the ACEVO LinkedIn group
productivity programme. The blame? How easy do we make www.linkedin.com


A Big Society Adventure

The Big Society agenda, in part, focuses on a more local view with responsibilities moving from the State to
communities. Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs, Chair of Volunteering England thinks this could be a welcome adventure.

uring the ‘70s there develop in a way that has elderly neighbours, challenges

D was a TV programme
called Nai Zindagi Naya
Jeevan. Translated it means
stifled individuals’ desire and
ability to share, care and
appreciate others. The sense
school exclusions or has had to
ask for planning permission,
will know how obtuse the rules
new way and new life. For of adventure that unified post- can be. Government is
those of us that migrated war Britons and addressing the most absurd
from our Commonwealth Commonwealth migrants has regulations. Despite this, our
villages to inner city Britain, been eroded. Re-imagining procedures remain complex.
it was indeed a huge leap of how we live and work will Many employers are beginning
faith, a big adventure. reunite us and help revive our to realise the value of
concern for each other. volunteering their professional
My Punjabi family found itself skills; it is common practice in
in Handsworth, living cheek- The pressure on public the legal profession. There is
by-jowl with Caribbeans and budgets, encourages ample scope for architects,
Pakistanis. With limited reconfiguration of front-line accountants, surveyors,
resources but a determination provision. Instead of marketers and IT people to
to do well, we looked out for replicating pre-determined provide pro-bono support.
each other. When our models of delivery, voluntary
neighbour Mack returned from groups and volunteers can But it’s not just about sharing
Jamaica in ill-health, we put work with authorities and local skills. Too much is regulated
him up for as long as he companies to co-design what and from too high a level.
needed. When the local shop works for them. In any Individual judgement and
became vacant, we clubbed neighbourhood, there will be discretion becomes exempted.
together to set up a place many groups doing their Other parts of Europe
where we could buy and sell utmost to serve residents. demonstrate that at a local
our specialist spices and Why not co-locate and share level, people and their
vegetables. When we were costs? Better still, could we Instead of communities can be trusted to
joined by Hindus exiled from bear to give up premises and do more for themselves. In
Uganda, we helped them just set up a community desk replicating northern Holland and parts of
convert a derelict house into a in the lobby of a supermarket? pre-determined Denmark, road signs and even
temple. This was Big Society. The administrative headache traffic lights have been
of running a small voluntary
models of removed to encourage
Many readers will recount organisation can too easily delivery, pedestrians and drivers to be
similar stories of their distract from the provision of voluntary more mindful of each other.
nurturing communities and core services. Furthermore, Guess what? The number of
there are countless examples technological advances have groups and accidents dropped
of areas where such diminished the need for volunteers can dramatically. The welcome
engagement prevails. face-to-face servicing. For contraction of the State
However, the core values of a those who remain digitally
work with provides an opportunity to
big society - reciprocation, excluded, a friendly and authorities and establish new ways of living
respect and responsibility – are accessible figure near the local companies and working. Restoring a
only intermittently exposed. front door of an Iceland or sense of adventure will help
Poverty, exclusion, wealth and Aldi, could provide valuable to co-design liberate the core values of
fear have produced a more signposting. what works reciprocation, respect and
atomised society. We have also responsibility and establish a
allowed the State to grow and Any local group that helps
for them. more pervasive Big Society.

Network Spring 2011

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Network Spring 2011