Active in the Community: Conference Programme Tues 9th October

Tuesday 9th October

10.00 am

Key Note Address

When The Going Gets Tough!

Speaker: Steve McDermott

Those involved at the coal face of the NI Community Sector should be justifiably proud of the huge amount of excellent work which has been done in community development over the past 10 – 15 years. However, recent times have proved challenging for many groups – not least of all in their financial security.

In this Key Note address, Steve McDermott will address a number of issues which engulf us when ‘the going gets tough’. In particular, how to motivate ourselves and co-workers and re-establish focus in our organisation’s work.

Steve's presentations not only make people think but also laugh. In over twenty years as a professional speaker he has talked to thousands of people about how they can be more successful in life and business. It's his unique style - half business guru, half stand-up comedian - which has made him one of Europe's busiest and most sought after speakers. If you enjoy having fun then you'll love Steve's approach. This down to earth Yorkshire man is an inspiration to his audiences and his simple straight forward ideas really do work.

Twelve O’Clock Presentations:

12.00 - Legal Issues Arising When Organisations Work Collaboratively

Speaker: Jenny Ebbage - Edwards & Co. (Solicitors)

Jenny will look at the legal issues which arise when organisations work collaboratively, including:

• Establishing the basis for joint working on a project - formal or informal
• Legal issues for the board of the organisations in working collaboratively - legal duties, acting in the interests of the organisations, the benefits of collaborative working, mitigating risks
• Structures - group structures, affiliated or federal structures, coalition structures, joint ventures and consortium
• Types of agreements that can be used to work collaboratively - protocols, MOU, heads of agreement, contract service level agreements, joint venture agreement, consortia

12.00 - Responding to Sexual Health, Drugs and Alcohol Related Issues in Your Community

Speaker: Jonny Mitchell (ACET NI)

ACET NI is a health education and training agency working with young people and adults across the Province, and overseas in Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa, on the challenging issues of Sexual Health, Drugs and Alcohol. ACET has experience and insight to offer which will help you engage with these issues in your community. This seminar will give you an overview of the training courses and programmes ACET has to offer and how you can access these services for the young people and adults you are working with in your local projects. All ACET training courses and programmes have been accredited by the Open College Network. www.acet-ni.com

12.00 - Make It Pay To Work!

Speaker: Marie Marin, Chief Executive Officer, Employers For Childcare Charitable Group

Employers For Childcare offers services to the community ‘to help parents get back into work and to stay in work’.

• The Family Benefits Advisory Service has given advice and information to over 10,000 people on issues including social security benefits, tax credits, Childcare Vouchers, free school meals and free pre-school places.
• The new Approved Home Childcare service offers parents a childcare solution; affordable childcare in the family’s own home, available 24/7 and only paying for the hours needed.

Find out how your group can avail of the services/resources offered by Employers For Childcare Charitable Group.

Vision Seminar 1

2.00 pm - Positive Partnerships for Practical Change

Speaker: Debra Green (ROC)

Debra Green, National Director of ROC, will highlight the opportunities and benefits which arise when statutory agencies and community groups work together in Partnership.

ROC is a national charity founded in 2004 with over 50 projects throughout the UK. The charity’s main aim is to bring about community transformation by creating strategic partnerships which open up opportunities for crime and disorder reduction and improved community cohesion. This partnership approach has seen crime and anti-social behaviour fall and fresh hope brought to some of the most deprived and challenging areas of the UK, urban and rural alike.

ROC brings together community groups, churches, the police, the fire service, local authorities and voluntary agencies to encourage them to work together in positive partnerships for practical ‘on the ground’ change. As a result, statutory agencies have improved access to the support of community/church groups, and thousands of volunteers are enabled to better serve the needs of their community.

Two O’Clock Presentations

2.00 - Marketing On A Shoestring - For Community Sector Groups

Speaker: Nick Hutchinson - BNL Productions

An overview of using Facebook, Google, eMarketing and Apps to promote your group/organisation. With a brief foray into bigger-budget ideas including websites, promotional films and YouTube.

2.00 - Family Mediation in Your Community

Speaker: Family Mediation NI

Family Mediation NI (FMNI) offers professional mediation services to parents or couples to discuss  and negotiate all issues associated with separation/divorce: arrangements for children, financial matters, child support and maintenance etc. FMNI offer another option of dispute resolution rather than the adversarial legal route. You are invited to attend this seminar to hear how your group can partner with FMNI to assist those in need in your community.

FMNI also provides a family mediation training course approved by the College of Mediators London.

2.00 - An Intergenerational Approach
Speaker: Vicki Titterington – Linking Generations NI
This presentation will focus on the benefits of an intergenerational approach at community, organisational and policy level: covering the key elements of intergenerational work, good practice guidelines and examples of successful initiatives in Northern Ireland. The work and achievements of Linking Generations Northern Ireland will be highlighted as an expert organisation when seeking advice and support in this field.

Vision Seminar 2

3.30 pm - The Opportunities of Social Enterprise

Speaker: Jonathan McAlpin (UCIT)

Jonathan McAlpin will present on the vital role played by Social Enterprise in empowering communities and helping them become more productive. With reference to a number of case studies from across Ni Jonathan will look at the pro’s and con’s of adopting the Social Enterprise model.

Jonathan is Director of Operations for the Ulster Community Investment Trust. He has executive responsibility for the management of a £17 million capital investment fund, which UCIT uses to support civil society organisations with loans that seek a financial and social return.

This is the latest role in a career that Jonathan has dedicated to working with social enterprises and SMEs. Before joining UCIT, he was a consultant with Venture International providing management consultancy services to community organisations and social enterprises, which followed his previous work with the West Belfast Development Trust, where he provided advice and financial support to assist start-up and expanding SMEs.

Three-Thirty Presentations

3.30 - Accounts, Assurance and Good Governance Under the New Charities Act (NI)

Speaker: Conor Dolan ACA

The implementation of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 will bring with it increased scrutiny on charities. Management and Trustees of charities should give consideration to matters such as:

• The preparation and presentation of their accounts in ‘SORP’ format;
• The content of their trustees report;
• The level of assurance necessary, i.e. independent examination or full audit;
• Tax and VAT issues;
• Good governance procedures; and
• Implementing an adequate control environment.

This seminar aims to bring you up to date on these matters and the challenges they will create for NI charities. Conor Dolan delivers lectures on charity specific matters and is an audit partner with Finegan Gibson, an accountancy firm specialising in not for profits. Conor will be on hand to provide analysis of the above matters and answer questions.

3.30 - The Diversity of Learning  

Open College Network NI

This seminar will explore OCN NI’s commitment to supporting learning for everyone. It will highlight our work with organisations and individuals to produce learning and development programmes customised to meet their needs. We will spotlight individual learner’s stories to demonstrate how working together will enhance learner engagement, increase participation and encourage progression.   

3.30 - What Is Sport For Development?

Speaker: Brenda Kelly - NI Manager Sported.

Sport for development is more than just sport. Sport can be used to achieve a positive social outcome for young people. Sport need not be just an end in itself, it can be used as a vehicle to make a positive impact on the lives of young people and communities.

Brenda Kelly will outline the work of Sported. in Northern Ireland and illustrate how the groups they support work towards at least one of 5 specific outcomes:

• Building stronger communities
• Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour
• Removing barriers to regular participation in sport for marginalised groups
• Developing young people by providing them with skills for the workplace and life
• Providing education in health and well being