Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Charities Bill: what do NCVO want?

As the sector's leading membership organisation, it's worth relecting on the following statement by NCVO which sets out what they want from the Charities Bill -

A universal public benefit test: All organisations that are charities should be required to demonstrate public benefit, both when they register as charities and on an on-going basis. At the moment some categories of charities - those for the relief of poverty; the advancement of religion and the advancement of education - may be presumed to benefit the public, but all others must provide evidence that they provide such benefit. Removing this presumption in favour of some charities would not only create a level playing field for all, it would also make the legal position simpler and clearer and establish in the public’s mind a clear relationship between charity and public benefit.

A non-statutory definition of public benefit: The definition of public benefit should be based on case law, not defined on the face of the Bill. This will ensure that the new system is flexible enough to accommodate the diversity of the sector and robust enough to safeguard its independence. It will ensure that political interests do not influence the way public benefit is defined.

A modern, independent regulator: The role of the Charity Commission should be clarified, with a clearer distinction between its regulatory role and its wider advice-giving functions.

An independent appeals process: There should be a mechanism for keeping the Commission’s decisions under review other than through the High Court, which is expensive and time-consuming and beyond the means of most charities. It should enable organisations that are unhappy with decisions of the Charity Commission to appeal against those decisions. And there must be scope for the law to evolve through the review and development of case law, so that it continues to reflect contemporary needs and aspirations. If necessary public funding should be made available to allow this to happen in the form of a ‘suitors fund’.

Does the Bill meet these aims?

Yes, to a large extent it does:

o there is a new, updated list of charitable purposes;
o there is a clear link between charitable status and public benefit;
o there will no longer be any presumption of public benefit in favour of certain charities; and
o there will be an independent Charity Appeal Tribunal.

These are all measures that the sector has been calling for and we welcome their inclusion in the Bill. However, because existing case law on public benefit is very weak, particularly in relation to charities that charge high fees, there is still a need to strengthen the public benefit test.

Therefore we believe the Bill should be amended to enable the Charity Commission to take account of the impact of fees or charges when considering questions of public benefit.

NCVO

Monday, September 26, 2005

Charity Law Reform: FAQ no. 1

With the Charities Bill set to be passed during this parliament, we begin today with a series of questions that are already being asked at charitytraining.com workshops -

What has been the process so far?

Efforts to reform this out of date legislation have been led by the voluntary sector from the beginning. The Deakin Commission, established by NCVO in 1996 to develop a vision for the future of the voluntary and community sector, outlined the need for reform of charity law. NCVO then set up a working group to develop recommendations for reform in consultation with charities, academics and charity lawyers. The findings were published in the NCVO 2001 report, For the Public Benefit?

Later that year the Government announced a review of the sector’s legal and regulatory framework. This led to the publication of Private Action, Public Benefit in 2002, which included detailed proposals for reforming charity law, similar to those put forward by NCVO. The consultation process demonstrated widespread support for these proposals, both from within the sector and outside. The Government accepted almost all of them and they now form the basis of the current Bill.

In May 2004 the Government published a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament. The Committee took oral and written evidence from charities, charity lawyers and others and recommended a number of practical ways that the Bill could be improved in light of this evidence. Again, many of these recommendations have been taken up by Government and we now have a better Bill as a consequence.

The Bill was introduced into the House of Lords in December 2004 but failed to complete its passage through Parliament before a general election was called. However it was one of the first Bills to be reintroduced into the new Parliament. It received its first reading on 18th May 2005 (the day after the Queen’s Speech) and its second reading on 7th June.

Discussion of the imminent Charities Bill and what it means to the voluntary sector takes place during the Leadership and Management unit of the BTEC Professional Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management available through charitytraining.com

For more details go to http://www.charitytraining.com

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Why do we need a charities bill?

One of the questions we're often asked at the moment, especially when running Leadership and Management courses, is 'Why do we need a Charities Bill'?

Having failed to become law before the General Election in May, the Charities Bill has now returned to Parliament. It received its first reading in the House of Lords on Wednesday 18 May 2005 - the day after the Queen’s Speech - and was given its second reading on 7 June 2005. The new Bill is the same as the Bill that was lost when the General Election was called, incorporating all those Government amendments tabled for the Report Stage (which was never reached).

So why do we need a Bill? We need a Charities Bill to provide a modern and effective legal framework for charities; to clarify what charity means in law; and to enhance public trust and confidence both in the concept of charity and charities themselves, particularly amongst the young.

The basis for existing charity law goes back to the preamble to a (now repealed) Act of Elizabeth I, over 400 years ago, and the current list of charitable purposes was last updated in the nineteenth century. Research shows that there is a gap between what people think is, or should be charitable and what is charitable in law according to this list. We need to narrow this gap if we are to retain public trust and confidence in charity.

The current law is also complex and inconsistent, with different categories of charity being treated differently in law. Again this makes it hard for the public to understand what charity is and why some organisations deserve to have this special status.

For further information about the content and progress of the Charities Bill, visit the Charity Commission web site http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Fit for the Future Conference Basildon

Tony Gibbs, Founder and Principal of charitytraining.com spoke today at the Fit for the Future conference at Basildon, organised by the Basildon and Billericay CVS.

Tony presented a session on Charities Legislation with the focus on the upcoming Charities Bill and SORP 2005.

Friday, September 23, 2005

Answers to questions about legislation


There's so much legislation in the UK for employers to consider, that organisations of any size in all sectors will find this new training tool incredibly valuable.




A CD rom with upto date legislation as well as practical hints and tips for staff and managers alike is now available.

For a free online demo of 'An Introduction to Diversity and Equality' just go to http://www.equalitysolutions.org

Thursday, September 22, 2005

BTEC update - Grimsby

Another new group of learners begin their studies to achieve the BTEC Professional Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management today. Managers from various organisations throughout North East Lincolnshire are among the first charity professionals in the UK to study for this new qualification which is accredited by Edexcel.

A wide range of organisations are represented including The Prince's Trust, Age Concern, Sure-Start Cloverleaf, Crosby Employment, North East Lincs Credit Union, Citizens Advice Bureau, Shaw Trust and Crossroads.

For further details about this qualification please go to http://www.charitytraining.com

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

UK Trustee Board diversity

Charities are recognising the importance of diversity in their trustee boards but figures from the NCVO Almanac show there is still work to be done.

71% of trustees are over 45 despite the fact that a significant portion of charity beneficiaries are children and young people.

4.8% of charity trustees are from ethnic minority groups compared with 7.8% of the population.

Source: Third Sector 2005

For more information about how to adopt an inclusive approach in your organisation please go to http://www.equalitysolutions.org

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

New qualification to support your personal development

BTEC Professional Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management

Funding available with the support of our in-house funding team - ask for details




Study for a recognised qualification while working full-time

Enrol anywhere in the UK and work at your own pace

Find out how to integrate theory with the practical outcomes you need

Combine the learning styles that match your needs (study weekends, workshops, distance learning, workbooks, and one-to-one support)

Payment options include credit or debit card, invoice, or instalments

This new qualification is available exclusively through charitytraining.com and has been designed to meet the personal development needs of charity professionals throughout UK.

Register on a distance learning basis or this course can be delivered on a flexible basis within your own organisation subject to a minimum number of 8 people taking part.

For full details of this new course please visit our web site http://www.charitytraining.com

Monday, September 19, 2005

Fundraising Tip of The Week

When looking at building a donor base, remember that when you rent a mailing list it is for "one time use" only. Do not be caught mailing a list twice, even by accident. List owners go to great lengths to detect unauthorised use and may immediately take legal action not to mention blacklist you and your organisation in the industry.

Get a Free Guide to Direct Mail Fundraising -
Visit: http://www.drfgroup.co.uk

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Feedback from delegates

Evaluation forms completed by delegates attending workshops and courses delivered by charitytraining.com always give us consistently high ratings for the quality of training and overall learning experience. Here are just a few of the supplementary comments made by delegates who attended training workshops facilitated by us during the past week -

"Didn't know what to expect but I really enjoyed the day and have found it all very valuable."

"I shall use much of what I've learnt in my day-to-day role especially in my handling of people and teams."

"Thank you - I really enjoyed the day and am really pleased that I attended!"

"Very relaxed and friendly presentation."

"Good to involve everyone - lots of participation!"

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Making A Difference workshop













Trustees and staff of Northamptonshire Childminding Association today enjoyed a workshop facilitated by Tony Gibbs in Northampton called 'Making a Difference'. The themes of the day included strategic planning as well as coaching and mentoring hints and tips.

Evaluation forms for the event rated the quality of training and overall learning experience between 8 - 9 out 10.

Comments included - "I shall use much of the workshop in my day to day practice, especially in my handling of groups/teams... Thank you. I really enjoyed the day and am really pleased that I attended."

Friday, September 16, 2005

Get set for Super Saturdays!

charitytraining.com today announce a partnership with Cass Business School situated in the Barbican, the City of London, that will enable learners studying for the BTEC Professional Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management to attend a series of Super Saturday Masterclasses at Cass during 2006.

Each Masterclass will deal with a different charity management topic that forms part of the BTEC course and enable learners on the charitytraining.com distance learning programme to network with sector specialists in charity finance, grantmaking, fundraising and strategic planning.

Full details of the Super Saturday Masterclass programme will be published soon at http://www.charitytraining.com

Thursday, September 15, 2005

BTEC update

A new group of learners begin their studies to achieve the BTEC Professional Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management today.

Managers at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association in Peterborough are among the first charity professionals in the UK to study for this new qualification which is accredited by Edexcel.

For further details about this qualification please go to http://www.charitytraining.com

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

More definitions of success...

Following yesterday's post, here are some more recommendations from successful people

… take a firm stand on customer credit from day one. A customer who doesn’t pay you on time is worse than no customer, and once you let him or her get away with late payment they’ll always do it!

… use a customer complaint as a chance to improve service and convert the unhappy customer into a raving fan of the business.

… recruit attitude and teach function. When looking for a new staff member, an enthusiastic and positive attitude is much more important than job experience. You can teach someone how to do a job, but you can’t teach them attitude!

Tony Gibbs
Founder and Principal charitytraining.com

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

What is your definition of being successful?

Some of these suggestions come from mega-successful entrepreneurs, some are from my work with successful people in various organisations, and others are provided by the Added Value Network. You’ll find in this list that there is at least one great idea with the potential to dramatically improve your life and help you achieve your success – it all depends on what you do with it!Successful people…

… know the lifetime value of a customer and see each one as a long term purchaser. They don’t just go for today’s transaction.

… don’t burn bridges! When parting company with a previous employer, staff member, customer, supplier, bank manager, they leave the door open to be able to do business again in the future.

… don’t change banks just to save a bit on charges. When they find a good manager they build a relationship and stay with it, being open and honest and working as a team.

… don’t get behind with tax returns, VAT payments and other tax related matters.

Tony Gibbs
Founder and Principal charitytraining.com

Monday, September 12, 2005

Motivating Checklist - again!

Here are some more suggestions for motivational behaviours and ideas that you can use to build up your own motivating checklist for motivating the people you work with.

Think about what you can do to motivate those you work with and try out a new behaviour or idea each week. For example -

1. Do you show those you work with that you trust them and give them the freedom to get on, or do you constrain them with unnecessary controls?

2. Is the overall performance of each individual reviewed on a regular basis in a face-to-face discussion?

3. How do you show that you respect the people you work with? For example, if someone comes in to your office, do you move away from your computer keyboard and turn to face them or carry on working while talking? Do you keep looking at your watch or a clock on the wall when a member of your team is talking to you? If you return to the office and have a list of people to call back, who do you call first? Your customers or your staff?

Try them out. A different behaviour a day makes a difference to how people feel and how well motivated they are!

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Funding available for new qualification

UK based charity managers interested in studying for the new BTEC Professional Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management could be eligible for financial support to carry out their studies.

charitytraining.com have an in-house funding team who will work on your behalf to identify and apply for funding for you - subject to a small returnable fee.

In other words, a lack of budget need no longer mean that you are not able to take part in a personal development programme.

For further details go to http://www.charitytraining.com

Saturday, September 10, 2005

New diversity training tool

Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, was the setting for the launch earlier this week of a new diversity training tool, the 'Introduction to Equality and Diversity' CD rom designed and produced by Equality Solutions of Barnsley.

To try out an online demo version of this great new training tool just go to http://www.equalitysolutions.org


Photograph shows the directors of Equality Solutions from left to right: Sharon Brown, Jill Morton and Tony Gibbs (Tony is also the Founder and Principal of charitytraining.com)

Think about it...

... If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.

.... What you think is what you get.

... The definition of effective communication is not what you say but what the other person hears.

Friday, September 09, 2005

The power of three

There’s an NLP pre-supposition that defines effective communication as not what you say, but what the other person hears (or reads).

It’s something that I often need to remind myself about and has been brought home to me very recently by two astute people I work with, Bente and Jill. I’d like to share this brief story with you as you may find it helpful too – or not! – and then I’ll sum up the lessons I learnt at the end:

Bente and I were talking about my web site recently and she cleverly used the praise sandwich on me – “You know Tony, I really like your web site, and I think if you make it a bit more direct, you can still use those fabulous photographs.”

This led us to talk about the fact that there’s a lot of description and features (eg bullet points) on the site about what I can do for clients, all illustrated in a creative manner using fabulous photos of bumble bees drinking honey as well as enchanting woodland pix, but not much of the text is translated into the benefits for each individual client. We also talked about the importance of allowing a client the opportunity to ‘buy’ rather than being ‘sold to’, all of which kept bringing us back to the need to focus on benefits rather than just features. In other words, to ensure that a sales message is direct but most of all allows the prospective client the time and opportunity ‘they need’ to decide whether or not they want to buy from you.

Jill and I were also talking the other day about web sites and in particular the establishment of a new one which goes live early in 2005. We were talking about this new web site and I, as usual, started going off on flights of fancy when Jill reminded me that the best web sites are the ones that make it easy for the user to navigate their way round as well as ensuring that any links are clear and unambiguous. In other words, keep it simple and visitors will use your site.

So, what lessons did I take from my associates? I’d sum it up as the power of three –

Step one: When considering what you’re going to say, concentrate on the benefits and not the statements or features (what’s in it for the other person? Try out your proposition by putting yourself in their shoes and/or look at what you’re saying through their eyes); sell the sizzle and not the sausage (great photographs may grab the attention, but does it set out what they are looking for?); above all, make what you’re saying relevant to the other person (after all, if they’re going to buy rather than be sold to, isn’t it about them rather than you?).

Step two: Think about the communication method as much as the content and so for example remember the old acronym, AIDA – get the other person’s Attention, grab their Interest, create Desire, and finally make it clear how they can take Action. Especially important when thinking about web sites - I shall remember Jill’s point about ease of use being just as important as content.

Step three: If you’re working on your own, it’s all too easy to forget that you may not get it right all the time! By having the benefit of at least two other people (and it could be two different people depending on the topic) then you will always benefit from the power of three! It worked for me and so I’ll be spending some of my Christmas break working on my web sites! Thanks, Bente! Thanks, Jill!

Thursday, September 08, 2005

More reasons why some people are much, much, more successful than others

Here is the second in a list of suggestions that come from mega-successful entrepreneurs, some are from my work with successful people, and others are provided by the Added Value Network.

You’ll find in this list or another that there is at least one great idea with the potential to dramatically improve your life and help you achieve your success – it all depends on what you do with it!

Successful people…

… ask their staff for ideas. If you’re the boss, never forget that you used to have good ideas before you were the boss!

… plan their escape! They know that if the organisation always depends on them being there that they will hold back its growth potential.

… rely on systems as well as people. If the organisation is only as great as its people, what happens if some of them leave or you want more of them?

… don’t try and do everything in-house. It’s easier to be good at a few things and to outsource things that you can’t do superbly.

… know that if you have a great idea, the world won’t beat a path to your door! With any invention or service, you may only be 1% of the way there, but it doesn’t mean that you can do everything else yourself such as sales and marketing, distribution, training, book-keeping etc.
Don’t waste years believing that you are the best at everything when you can achieve far more by bringing in others with more specialist skills than you possess.

… know that being the cheapest is usually a poor strategy. If you gain custom by being the lowest price then you’ll lose them when they can find it cheaper somewhere else!

Tony Gibbs
Founder and Principal of charitytraining.com

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Two Words: Make Your Choice

Will you ‘make’ time for your goals in life, or just ‘find’ the time? Two words to think about - 'find' and 'make.'

The myth is that you will eventually 'find' more time. At an unknown time in the future you will miraculously have hours and hours of free time with which to pursue your goals. Sorry, but this is not going to happen. Unless you want to wait until retirement to enjoy the fruits of success.

You have to 'make' time for your goals.

And while I know it may seem like now just isn't the right time, believe me when I say that going after your goals is something that should never be put off. The minute you make the first move you'll realise that now is in fact the perfect time to begin. The little things will consume the whole of your life if you let them. And that is simply no way to live.

The people who achieve their goals are just as busy as you are; they have 24 hours a day just like you do. The difference is in how you use those hours each day. If you're already on the path to succeeding then you know this to be true.

So you have to make a choice. Are you going to spend your life trying to 'find' more time or are you going to 'make' time for your goals and get what you want? The choice should be an obvious one…

Tony Gibbs, Founder and Principal of charitytraining.com

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Motivating Checklist

I’m also often asked by managers if there are any ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ for motivating people, and so here is the first in a list of suggestions for motivational behaviours and ideas that you can use to build up your own motivating checklist.

Think about what you can do to motivate those you work with and try out a new behaviour or idea each week –

‘Have you agreed with each member of your team his/her main targets and continuing responsibilities, together with agreed standards of performance, so that you can both recognise achievements on a regular basis?’

It's simple and can make a real difference to how a team member feels about their motivation to know they are working to achieve agreed targets and at agreed standards.

Tony Gibbs
Founder and Principal of charitytraining.com

Monday, September 05, 2005

Reasons why some people are much more successful than others

What do we mean by ‘successful’?

Everyone has their own definition. It could be making lots of money, being a successful fundraiser, building a valuable business, becoming famous, making a difference to people, enjoying life, having more security, more holidays, more time with the family, or a combination of some or all of these.

What is your definition?

Some people may want a combination of three things to define being ‘successful’ at work – for example, making more money (for themselves or their organisation), having more fun (or less hassle), spending less time at work and having a more time to enjoy life.

My proposal is that your own strategy for success should be based on what you want for your life and how your work will enable you to achieve those goals. Here is the first in a list of suggestions that will help.

Some of these suggestions come from mega-successful entrepreneurs, some are from my work with successful people in business and the voluntary sector, and others are provided by the Added Value Network.

You’ll find in this list or another that there is at least one great idea with the potential to dramatically improve your life and help you achieve your success – it all depends on what you do with it!

Successful people…

… set goals. In writing. And remind themselves every morning. Research shows that this can make you over 30 times as likely to succeed.… start with the end (or outcome) in mind. When they started their business, they had a clear vision of what it would be like when their plans reached fruition.

… use the 80:20 principle. They direct their efforts and energy to the 20% of things that make an 80% difference.

… give their customers what they want instead of just supplying what they know how to supply.

… find out what their customers hate and make sure it never, ever, happens!

… find out what turns their customers on and make sure it happens every time.

… know where their customers come from by asking, recording and analysing every enquiry.

… aren’t scared to ask their customers what they think of them.

Tony Gibbs, Founder and Principal of charitytraining.com

Sunday, September 04, 2005

The 3 Key Principles of Positive Relationships

I recently had the great pleasure of working with a fundraising team and after introducing the team to the power of using NLP techniques, I was asked if I had any further advice for anyone in a negotiating or management role.

This was one of the easier questions I was asked that day, as I always have a supply of postcards with me entitled ‘The 3 Key Principles of Positive Relationships’, and have tried to conduct my professional life with these principles in mind for many years. It works for me and so I shared those principles with the team and include them here too –

Principle 1: Maintain or enhance the self-esteem of others at all times.
Principle 2: Listen and respond with empathy.
Principle 3: Ask for help in solving issues and offer suggestions if necessary.

I hope these principles inspire you as much as they inspire me!

Tony Gibbs
Founder and Principal of charitytraining.com

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Time management is a myth

Following on from yesterday's blog, Paul Lemberg argues that 'time management is a myth'. See what you think -

To get an idea of just how silly it is, you have to realise that the very concept of time was invented by people who didn’t have enough of it. When pre-historic man needed more food, he said to his cave mates, “Let’s go get food.” When they had bagged a saber tooth or a wooly mammoth, they came home. Simple.

As life became somewhat more complicated, people started to say things like, “Meet me at the second tree by the river at daybreak.” As transactions among men (and women) increased in frequency and complexity, that system too became inadequate. There were too many appointments to keep so time was invented to manage all the goings on.

And right after that came the world’s most overused phrase:“I don’t have enough time.” What is the answer to this age-old cry?

You can’t manage time. You can only choose what you do with it.

This may seem trivial and obvious – I assure you it is not; I know that because of the sheer numbers of people who haven’t done it. Figure out what is really important right now, and do those things. And only those things.Think about it. You have a limited amount of time each day, week, and so on.

You can use that time for things that matter and make a difference, or you can fill it up with trivia. That’s a very basic choice.

You already know what is important – things which will make a significant difference to your business, in the short term and the long term. You don’t have to answer the phone just because it’s ringing. You don’t have to respond just because you’ve received an email. You don’t have to have a conversation now just because someone enters your office. Do what matters.

Skip or delegate everything else. Attend to your priorities. Everything else can slide.

If you spent your entire day working on the most important thing on your plate, would that have been a day well spent? Even if you didn’t complete the task? Of course it would. On the other hand, if you squandered the day on unimportant squeaky wheels, that would be a wasted day. Use a prioritisation system.

The breakthrough comes in spending your time on only those things that help you achieve your objectives.

Paul Lemberg is a Business coach and growth strategist.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Two Words: Make Your Choice

Will you ‘make’ time for your goals in life, or just ‘find’ the time?

Two words to think about - 'find' and 'make.'

The myth is that you will eventually 'find' more time. At an unknown time in the future you will miraculously have hours and hours of free time with which to pursue your goals. Sorry, but this is not going to happen. Unless you want to wait until retirement to enjoy the fruits of success.

You have to 'make' time for your goals.

And while I know it may seem like now just isn't the right time, believe me when I say that going after your goals is something that should never be put off. The minute you make the first move you'll realise that now is in fact the perfect time to begin. The little things will consume the whole of your life if you let them.

And that is simply no way to live.

The people who achieve their goals are just as busy as you are; they have 24 hours a day just like you do. The difference is in how you use those hours each day.

If you're already on the path to succeeding then you know this to be true. So you have to make a choice. Are you going to spend your life trying to 'find' more time or are you going to 'make' time for your goals and get what you want?

The choice should be an obvious one…

Tony Gibbs
Founder and Principal of charitytraining.com

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Improving team briefing communications

Effective team briefings are an important component of internal communications, but as we all know the most important details can sometimes get lost during the session. It was recently reported by Melcrum Publishing that one of the reasons that communications delivered at team briefings do not always ‘stick’ is because the originator did not take into account the medium being used.

Bill Quirke at Melcrum said, ‘If you’re going to talk about it, then everything you produce for a team briefing should be written for it to be said and not read. But team briefings are often prepared on the basis that what is written down will simply be read out word for word. Think about whether or not a different presentation (and delivery) is needed. Let’s face it, when you’re listening to someone talking to you, you only take it a certain amount of information, but if you’re reading something, you have the chance to take the whole thing in.

The point is that a team briefing should be a chance for people to talk through things together and ensure their understanding, and not just be read to. After all, the team are just as capable themselves of taking something away and reading it.’

In summary, when talking to your team at a team briefing, try and keep your language clear and free of management-speak.

Also think about the use of key phrases that will help you get your point across as well as highlighting what might be in a follow-up written briefing for team members to take away with them.