News

Consultations

Publications

Events

News

The impact of a recession

The worsening economic climate will create both challenges and opportunities for voluntary and community organisations.  NCVO has invited sector leaders and government representatives to a summit on 24 November to discuss the economic crisis and its impact on civil society. The summit will discuss the current financial climate, look at lessons from the last recession, and seek agreement on a way forward for voluntary and community organisations. The summit will be co-chaired by NCVO Chief Executive Stuart Etherington and Kevin Brennan, the new Minister for the Third Sector.

We are interested to hear what impact you think a recession will have on your organisation, how you plan to respond, and what support you would find helpful.  To share your views, or find out more about our work, email the policy team.  

Dormant Bank and Building Societies Bill: Remaining Stages

The remaining stages of the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill took place on 3 November. NCVO has produced a briefing. We are pleased that the Government has amended the Bill to include a review process to report on the operation of the scheme.  However, this review must look at how effective the scheme has been at getting financial institutions to participate.

If you would like to discuss our work in this area please email Louisa Darian or telephone 020 7520 2475.

End of music copyright exemptions for charities?

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is proposing to end the exemption that currently allows charities and other not-for-profit organisations to play music in public without paying royalties to record companies.

This would mean that charities that play music to entertain beneficiaries, for example, or even as background music in a community centre, would have to purchase a licence to cover broadcasting rights. NCVO has produced a response to this consultation.

For further information email Elizabeth Chamberlain.

NCVO's Fourth Charity Forecast Survey

NCVO's fourth charity forecast survey opens on 10 November. If you are a chief executive, director, chairman or trustee, join other leaders in the sector by taking this short survey and contribute to this vital quarterly planning tool.  All survey takers will receive a free copy of the final report and be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 NCVO voucher.

Further information is available on our website or you can email Charity Forecast Survey. The report is supported by Chantrey Vellacott DFK.

Communities in Control – Update

NCVO has now responded to the Ministry of Justice discussion paper: A National Framework for Citizen Engagement. You can read this response along with our other work on Communities in Control on our website.  

Big Lottery Fund funds research into participation

NCVO, the Institute for Volunteering Research and Involve have been awarded almost half a million pounds from the Big Lottery Fund for research into why people do or do not participate in community activities such as volunteering.  For more information see our website.

One Stop Shop for Cohesion

A new interactive website has been launched by the Institute of Community Cohesion (ICOCO) to offer advice and support on how to promote cohesion and integration.  The site includes toolkits, links and briefings on key issues.  The website is supported by DCLG. 

Consultations

Charitable Incorporated Organisations

After much delay the draft regulatory framework for Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is now available for consultation.  The draft secondary legislation and related documents are available on the OTS website .  The CIO will be a new legal form created specifically to meet the needs of charities that wish to benefit from incorporation and the limited liability this provides. 

NCVO has produced a briefing on the proposed rules and will be responding to the consultation. The briefing is available on our website.

For more information about NCVO’s work in this area, or to send your comments, please email Elizabeth Chamberlain.  The consultation ends on 10 December 2008.

Standing for Office: Time off entitlements

DCLG are currently consulting on ‘Standing for Office: time off entitlements’ - the Government wants to support an environment where more people can get involved in their community, and which encourages participation in third sector activity.  The consultation is considering how to support and encourage more people to take up trusteeship and other governance roles. 

NCVO will be responding to the consultation, and we are keen to hear your views.  If you would like to contribute please email Dhara Vyas or telephone 020 7520 2412.

English and Welsh charities operating in Scotland

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator is consulting on proposals to change reporting requirements.  This will have particular implications for cross-border charities with incomes under £25,000 or between £100,000 and £200,000 due to the different thresholds operating in Scotland.

For more details see the full proposals and consultation questions.  The OSCR has also revised its Guidance on Registration Cross-Border Charities.

If you would like to discuss the proposals or send your comments, please email Elizabeth Chamberlain.

Compact Voice Consultation

Compact Voice is conducting a survey on the future of the Compact, which is now in its tenth year. The consultation is open until 10 November and further information is available from the Compact Voice website. The consultation is available on our website.

Publications

Voluntary Sector Strategic Analysis 2008

Voluntary Sector Strategic Analysis 2008 gives you an insider's view on the trends and forces that could shape the future of the voluntary and community sector for the year to come. Access indepth analysis on issues ranging from the economy to national politics as well as have the chance to read the views of key analytical thinkers.  For more information and to buy a copy please see our website.

Events

NCVO Political Conference 2008 - Meeting new challenges in the political climate

Date: 27 November 2008, 9.30am - 4.45pm

Venue: DBERR, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET

The NCVO 2008 Political Conference will focus on building the political intelligence of voluntary and community organisations and helping them to prepare for new challenges in the political cycle. Keynote speakers include the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, former Home Secretary and Chair of the Labour Party's Manifesto group on the voluntary sector and the Rt Hon Francis Maude MP, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office. 

For further information and to book online visit our website.

NCVO Policy Forum Christmas Event

Date: Wednesday 3 December, from 6pm
Venue: Corney and Barrow Winebar, Broadgate, London, EC2M 2QS

The Policy Forum Christmas Event on 3 December will celebrate the re-launch of the Policy Forum and give members an opportunity to meet and network with each other over a glass of wine. If you would like to come along please email Nicola Gilbert or telephone 020 7520 2465.

X and Y? The implications of a changing workforce for the VCS

Date: Tuesday 18 November 2008
Venue: NCVO, Regent’s Wharf, 8 All Saint’s Street, London, N1 9RL

An NCVO Third Sector Foresight seminar on the changing face of workforce and what this means for the voluntary and community sector. How can your organisation make best use of the developments in workforce?   Two key speakers, Jo Causon (Chartered Management Institute) and Richard Worsley (Tomorrow Project) will participate in small group discussions on the future of the paid workforce and the VCS.  For further information see our website.

NCVO Fundraising Conference

Date: 19 November 2008
Venue: London 

NCVO’s first ever Fundraising Conference will give you a broad picture of the key elements involved in successful fundraising. The conference will take you through the fundraising journey, ending with a success story for inspiration. With networking opportunities and interactive workshops, you will get top tips to apply to your own organisation’s fundraising.  For more information and to book a place see our website or email Matt Gilfeather or telephone 020 7520 3160.

Bridging the Learning Divide

Date: 24 November 2008, 3.00 until 4.30pm
Venue: The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, County Hall, London.

This free seminar is the fifth in a series on ‘bridging’ social capital organised by NCVO and the Carnegie UK Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society . It will explore how education institutions can work with others to promote cohesion and social inclusion. Full details are available on our website.

Alive and Kicking: Creating Successful Strategies

Date: 11 December 2008
Venue: London. 

If you’re responsible for strategic decisions within your organisation, this will be an inspiring, hands-on day.  You’ll have the opportunity to get your organisation fit for the future, arm yourself with tips and planning tools and discover new ideas to revitalise your strategy.

For further information see our website.

Training for Leaders Part 1

Date: Tuesday 16 December
Venue : Metropole Hotel , King Street, Leeds LS1 2HQ

NCVO Third Sector Foresight are running training for Chief Executives and Chairs of VCOs in strategic analysis of drivers (external trends and forces).  The training will aim to help leaders make their organisation more sustainable and risk aware. For more information see our website.     

Community Research: Getting Started, Moving On 

Islington Central Library, 10 November 2008 (1pm – 4.30pm)

The Association for Research in the Voluntary and Community Sector (ARVAC) in partnership with Islington Voluntary Action Council (IVAC) is hosting a half day seminar on community research. The seminar includes a re-launch of ARVAC’s toolkit ‘Getting Started’ and a number of practical workshops.  For more information email Louisa Hernandez.