Summer 2010 Engage

Let’s face the music

As the sounds of the World Cup vuvuzelas drift into memory, it’s still clear that few things in life bring as much pleasure as music. In this summer issue we explore ways that lives can be enhanced by this powerful tool.
 
Left-wing Icon Billy Bragg talks to us about his long history of mixing pop and politics and explains that expressing yourself through music can be a lifeline for some of those who have been forgotten by mainstream society.

We then take a closer look at how music, in all of its different forms, can help some of the most vulnerable people in our society find their voice.

Music has always gone hand in hand with issues and campaigning, we explore the opportunities the summer festival season presents to raise awareness of your campaigns.

There are extremely tough times ahead for the voluntary sector but, in the words of the Irving Berlin classic:
“There maybe trouble ahead, but while there’s moonlight and music and love and romance, let’s face the music and dance.”

CONTENTS

UPFRONT

05 COMMENT Making your case is crucial, says NCVO chief executive Sir Stuart Etherington

06 THE FRONT LINE News, learning and advice from NCVO

11 FORWARD THINKING Ex-minister Jonathan Aitken offers some optimism about the coalition government

13 OPINION Ex-minister Jonathan Aitken offers some optimism about the coalition government

FEATURES

14 INTERVIEW Talking prisons, politics and some personal history with musician Billy Bragg

18 AWARENESS IDEAS Making the most of the music festival season

22 SECTOR STORIES How music projects give voice to the most vulnerable

26 CAMPAIGN TACTICS Six ways to boost your campaign charisma

28 VOLUNTEERS The economic case for harnessing the power of volunteers

32 SECTOR INSIGHT Set extraordinary events in motion at a social media surgery

BE ENGAGED

34 FEEDBACK Current views and responses from Engage readers

35 ASK THE EXPERTS Using net tools can help boost your recruitment catch

36 LEGAL BRIEF Revealing the recent regulation changes related to agency hires

37 COMMISSION VIEW Andrew Hind takes his lead from a silver surfer

39 WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT How to end the tyranny of information overload

40 EVENTS Key events, conferences, meetings and training

41 RESOURCES The latest books, publications, websites and more

42 SPOTLIGHT The Foundation for Credit Counselling (Consumer Credit Counselling Service)