Chief Executive's Comments

Ian Paterson, ACVO Chief Executive

5th March 2010

Many of you over the last few weeks and months will have been concerned in relation to the future of The 3rd Sector generally and your organisation specifically,  as the effects of the recession impact on the financial position of Aberdeen City Council.

As many of you will recollect, when the Council started to look at how it could make the savings required of it for 2010/11 it identified over £300,000 of voluntary organisation grants as part of “the cuts”.

At that time my then Chairman, Gordon Kyle, and I started lobbying and making representations to elected members and officials of the City Council.

Others of you did likewise and those much criticised representatives of the City Council have shown that they were listening to the Aberdeen community! As a result, over two thirds of the finance involved as part of the “the cuts” has been restored in some way,  albeit new processes for the future have or will be put in place for the payment of monies .

Since that time and as part of us working with the Council, one of my colleagues has contacted all of the organisations, whether they are receiving grants or not,  to offer the assistance of ACVO in relation to fundraising or governance. If you have not taken up that offer please do so.

AND FINALLY….. nearly half of the appointments that are available at the Blood Donation Session at the Citadel on the 11th March 2010 have been taken up. Please help us to help others by volunteering to give blood. I understand there are various discussions that can take place about the giving of blood but the most important point in all of these, surely, is that donating blood CAN SAVE LIVES ! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE book an appointment on (01224) 812459.

26th February 2010

Along with my colleague Pauline Gerrard last Friday evening I attended at the AECC for the annual GLOBAL ROCK competition arranged by Grampian Police and the Be your Best Foundation. Thirteen academies from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire served us with a fantastic evening of music, drama and dance with Westhill Academy winning the overall award for the evening.

I was really pleased to be at the event, see the standard of those taking part and be able to appreciate the months of work that needs to be done by students, staff and parents to achieve the standard and yet enjoy themselves.  

During the week a number of you may have been contacted by ACVO to tell you whether your funding from Aberdeen Council is to continue or not. We are working with the Council to ensure that those who are not to receive funding or are changing from grant funding to service level arrangements are fully aware of what can be done and by whom. More detail next week.

AND FINALLY……. Have you booked a session at the BLOOD DONOR EVENT on 11th March 2010 ? Please do.  

19th February 2010

As I am off for a couple of days this week to celebrate a SPECIAL birthday for my wife, I have only a few notes for you.

I need to ask you to diary the Blood Donor Session on the 11th March 2010 at the Citadel, full details are available on our website. I was pleased to attend the 80th Birthday celebrations of The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service at The Scottish Parliament last Thursday.

The reception was hosted by Christine Grahame MSP and had three hundred interested colleagues attending. Whilst there I learned of the extremely valuable work carried out by the Service, not only in relation to emergencies, but also in relation to cancer treatment.  “Every minute of every day, someone in Scotland is receiving blood as part of a life-saving or life-enhancing treatment. To meet that demand, we have to collect 5,000 donations every week from people like you.”

AND FINALLY…….I hope to see a good number of you on Friday evening  at the AECC for the annual GLOBAL ROCK  EVENT. Cool man!!!!

12th February 2010

As someone who often complains about colleagues from various organisations, including partners, not being willing to attend meetings and events in “far flung” Aberdeen, this week is different in two ways.

At the ACVO Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 10th February 2010,  my colleague Margaret Wilson the CVS Networks Development Office from SCVO came up from Edinburgh for our AGM. Well done Margaret, someone else that takes her job to heart.

Having been invited to attend the 80th birthday celebrations of the Blood Transfusion Service at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Thursday evening, it would in my mind be wrong not to attend there,  so in a few minutes I’m off to Edinburgh. Give you more detail next week.  

We have a new recruit working with us - Stephen Watson,  who is an RGU placement student working with ACVO’s Communications Officer, Michelle Duff, for six weeks. Stephen has been with us now for two weeks although it seems much longer. He settled very quickly and has proved of real benefit to ACVO and more importantly to Michelle.  

On Monday evening along with Pauline Gerrard I attended the Inaugural Annual Reception of the Aberdeen Students’ Forum. The ASF was formed in 2009 to represent the 60,000 students living and studying in Aberdeen. It is a confederation of the four local Students’ Associations in Aberdeen and is affiliated to the National Union of Students. With an estimated £185 million going to the Aberdeen economy from this sector,  £95,000 being raised in the city for charities and a huge potential for volunteering, as ACVO move toward becoming THE SINGLE INTERFACE within Aberdeen it is vital that we keep in touch with our hosts.

The same evening along with Pauline, Michelle, Stephen and our colleague Rod McDermid from the Volunteer Centre I attended the Fishermen’s Mission Annual Quiz Night at the Ashvale Restaurant on Great Western Road. As well as having a great evening with the other hundred people attending from a variety of organisations, P.R.I.S.M. (the ACVO team), were joint first  until the “tie breaker”,  where even with Rod’s great knowledge of 60’s music, we were beaten. A prize for the person who can decide why we were called P.R.I.S.M. !

AND FINALLY……… remember about the Blood Donation event on the 11th March 2010 between 2.00 – 4.00pm and 5.15pm – 8.00pm, the Blood Transfusion Service with the support of ACVO, GREC and the Quantum Foundation, will an be holding a Voluntary Sector Blood Donation Drive at the Aberdeen Citadel in the Castlegate, Aberdeen. 

5th February 2010

During the last few weeks, my colleagues and I from ACVO have been very involved in discussions with organisations which are grant funded by Aberdeen City Council. The various representatives from the Council have endeavoured to work with us and the clients concerned to produce solutions which will allow the continuation of the services provided and yet ensure the Council is able to work within their budget. The decisions as to these proposals will be made at a meeting of the Council next Thursday (11th) so I intend to update you with as much detail as I can next week.   

On Wednesday, I attended The Aberdeen City Alliance meeting which saw one of the best attendances of the group I have seen for some time. The cross section of organisations represented showed the value of the Community Planning process and that it is representative of the City.  

On the domestic front, the excellent  SEE ME photography exhibition is now in place within our reception area and you must  come along to see the photographs and read the stories detailed  with each. All are worthwhile of a mention but the overall winning photograph and associated words, submitted by MICHELLE JONES and entitled  “IT BREAKS MY HEART TO SEE YOU CRY”  will break you heart  and make you smile!  

We are preparing ourselves for our EFQM assessment with Sandy Mathers taking the lead and for the consultation over our three year Business Plan which  Alison Chandler is co-ordinating. 

AND FINALLY….. if you intend to come along to our AGM at Greyfriars House at 4pm on Wednesday  10th February,  please let Sarah Irvine at 686058  know.  Additionally, ACVO were also asked to develop the Aberdeen City Alcohol and Drugs Partnership website, this has been launched today so please take a look.

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29th January 2010

A very busy week in terms of meetings which should result in benefits to the 3RD SECTOR. I will update you about these issues over the next few weeks.

Earlier in the week I was invited to be part of the consultation process with regard to the CITY SQUARE proposals for Union Terrace Gardens. I am of the firm view we need to make better use of the  Gardens and that the proposals I listened to are worthy of further consideration. However I have also listened to a presentation in relation to the Peacock proposals and see the merit in them also. Please take part in the consultation by visiting the Compare the Square web site at and if you are willing, copy your thoughts to us at ACVO. 

AND FINALLY...... as I type I am being told some of the good news in relation to Council decisions about grants within the sector. For those who have been successful in gaining funding I think we all now need to look ahead and plan a more business like year in order that we do not return to the same  position at the end of the next financial year. ACVO is there to develop, support and represent, why not ask us to help you in these ways?

22nd January 2010

During my years in the Public Sector, for a good number of those years, I found that the best way of getting things done was by working together with others. In more recent years we have referred to this as PARTNERSHIP and this is the way most people think they are doing business.

When I came to work within the 3RD SECTOR I was sure that there would more real PARTNERSHIP working and I was right, albeit there was room for improvement. This week has shown some improvement but has also shown how much more could be done and how much more benefit there could be for all.

Whether you like it or not Aberdeen City Council have found themselves between a rock and a hard place in relation to resolving their budget issues and many within our sector have felt or fear the worst as a result. Prior to this round of budget considerations ACVO generally, were trying to get our 150 members and the 200 plus clients we dealt with last year to appreciate the difficulties in relation to grant funding. Alison Chandler in particular, either through some of her formal discussions, workshops or during informal meetings and discussions has been trying to show how organisations need to review their funding and how much time this may take.

The other side of this difficulty is with those that fund and since my first few weeks with ACVO I have been meeting with colleagues from Council, Health and various other partners to try to ensure they understand our difficulties. It is clear that within the next few years they will be unable to provide all of the services they currently do and clearly they are hopeful we within the 3RD SECTOR can take some of these on and I think we can. Before doing so however we need to ensure the processes to do so are in place and are actual and not simply detailed in a document, often referred to but not actually adhered to.

This week I and my colleagues have been involved in various meetings which show that we are now complying with the hopes and wishes of those that we represent and meet with from the 3RD SECTOR.

On Monday Alison Chandler, Sandy Mathers and I met with a colleague from the City Council to discuss the situation of two member organisations. The basis of these discussions was the acceptance that the Council cannot continue to provide the same funding or indeed any funding in some cases, for all of the organisations currently being provided with finance. However in moving from grant funding to Service Level Agreements or some other such agreement, the Council must accept that if they withdraw support from all of the groups that they have identified and/or are considering, the 3RD SECTOR will be unable to take up some of the slack that has been caused due to the current financial situation. If a sensible timescale is applied many of the problems can be resolved.

The ethos of our discussions is contained within a draft document now with the Council and which we hope will be the subject of discussions at Director level. I know that those involved would like the pace to be faster but if we can get agreement as to the process I think that will greatly assist.

Having met with Fred McBride, Director of Social Care and Wellbeing and one of his senior colleagues the previous week I know that they are also keen to resolve this situation as soon as possible.

During the week I and Pauline Gerrard met with colleagues from the Social Enterprise Network in order to strengthen their relationship with ACVO and to try to have them pass their views to the Community Planning process within Aberdeen via ACVO. I also met with colleagues in The Aberdeen City Alliance Executive Group to discuss how we can have a set of common priorities for the City and we will be producing in March a document which details them.

Yesterday Pauline, Sandy and a colleague from Aberdeen City Council met with nearly thirty representatives of the sector to consider and discuss the Council's draft Commissioning Strategy. I understand the meeting went well and to me this is a practical example of how ACVO can work with the sector and the Council. Further details next week.

During the week I visited Sarah Dickinson at home in Stonehaven. She is looking well although the arm injured in the accident is still causing her pain. She and her family have a very organised routine which allows her to be in Glasgow most of the week with her son Sam. He is progressing well and is now taking part in some fairly arduous sessions in a wheelchair. Sam and the family are to be admired for their spirit.

AND FINALLY......if you have any ideas for "actions designed to tackle local priorities and improve the quality of life for those living and working in Aberdeen" why not contact Elaine Sinclair of Aberdeen City Council. She is co-ordinating such issues before working with her colleagues Ruth Morris, Alan Mulvie and Patricia Frazer to produce Community Plans for each neighbourhood in the City.

Please respond directly to Elaine at Aberdeen City Council, Education, Culture & Sport at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Conference Way, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB23 8AQ or call her on (01224) 814526 or by e-mail at esinclair@aberdeencity.gov.uk

15th January 2010

As some of you may recall, late in 2008 my predecessor, along with members of the Board of ACVO and a select few interested individuals issued a consultation to consider and create a representation and communication structure for the sector, this I believe was agreed early in 2009.

This was only the initial stages of a process which has been continued by our Liaison Officer, Pauline Gerrard, throughout 2009. ACVO had been tasked to review the Compact which was created in 2005 to support the development of relations with the third sector and community planning partners detailing expectations of each other and how partnership working may become  a reality to benefit the city of Aberdeen.

Through informal conversations with some ACVO members, the third sector fora and others in the sector, Pauline discovered that there are many individuals and organisations in the third sector who very much want to see purposeful partnerships develop. The sector is also ready and willing to begin working collectively as a community, in order to be recognised and valued for the contribution they make to the City and it’s people.

For this reason, since my arrival at ACVO, I have been encouraging the development of the Voice of the Sector. It is crucial that ACVO listen to the sector, hear the challenges they face, to better understand the sector’s needs and offer the appropriate support. This will enable ACVO, as well as developing and supporting 3RD SECTOR organisations, to genuinely represent the sector. I also hope that armed with this information as well as addressing ongoing issues that a more strategic approach to the sector’s needs could be taken, addressed and solutions reached through purposeful dialogue with our partners.

So how will this happen?  Our plan is to bring the sector’s issues and concerns to my attention via the various forums that exist and also via ACVO members. These will be considered at a 3RD SECTOR ACTION GROUP prior to being passed by appropriate channels, to The Aberdeen City Alliance, Challenge Forums, council officials, council committees or perhaps to Government level.

We also want to raise your awareness of the valuable work that has begun to establish robust engagement processes initially with the local authority. I will update you as these are agreed and implemented. In the meantime we need your help to answer some questions to inform our thinking regarding the updating of the Compact. In order to gather your views we have devised a very brief survey monkey which we will distribute in the near future.  It will be even more important in the next few years that the 3RD SECTOR is co-ordinated and well organised, for with the financial changes that we have seen and will see the VOLUME and VALUE of the sector will be even more recognised and in my view even more called upon. HELP US TO HELP YOU.      

AND FINALLY ….. over the last few weeks I have been involved in discussions with partners in relation to how we can further develop the HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS website. During these discussions, which were based on the responses from a users’ survey it has been made even clearer to me the value of the site and updates provided.  Over three hundred people received the document and most of them are housing professionals. In their valuable responses to the survey they made it clear that the site and updates were one of, or perhaps even, “the” most valuable reference they had as professionals.  All of this and more is testament to the work carried out by ACVO’S David Young and I am disappointed that after nearly four years he is now moving on. I have been impressed with the standard of work that David has carried out for ACVO and the numerous clients it serves. On the other hand I am pleased for David  as he will be working for RGU in a post that will allow him to develop his skills and knowledge further and yet make use of the experience gained while at ACVO. All the best David and thanks for your assistance, both from those at ACVO and all it’s clients you have assisted.

With David away, Michelle will require to keep an eye on a number of other issues for a short while, so please be kind to her!

8th January 2010

As we all drag ourselves back to work, whether due to the weather or just that post festive season down, let me WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR 2010. Last year was difficult for society worldwide, the Aberdeen public in general and the 3RD SECTOR specifically. I would like to think it may be better this year and I am hoping it will be.

We have all settled at Greyfriars House albeit we have a few odds and ends to tidy up yet. The meeting rooms are now available for use and if you wish to arrange this you should contact Sarah Irvine on our new main number of (01224) 686058. ACVO is there to help it's members in the first instance but we do not turn non-members away, without seeing what we can do. If you are reading this and are not part of a member organisation why not give me a phone on (01224) 686050 and see if I can convince you of the benefits of ACVO membership.

Our next task is to arrange for the move of the Aberdeen Volunteer Centre to Greyfriars House. Over the next few weeks I will give you the details.

As most of you are aware, in the few weeks immediately before the Festive Season, the City Council had to make various recommendations in relation to the £25 million savings it needs to make in 2010/11. Part of these savings include 3RD SECTOR organisations and over the last few weeks I and my colleagues have been in various discussions with ACVO members, Elected Members and senior officials of the City Council  in order to see what can be done in relation to these recommendations. The Council is in a difficult position having carried out £60 million savings in previous years but they and us need to face these realities.

At this time we have arranged meetings with Council colleagues to see if we in ACVO can be part of the discussions in relation to the establishment of a Service Level Agreements structure to replace the Grants structure. If you are a member of ACVO and you wish to sit down to discuss your position,  please contact us and we will spend some time with you, as we are already doing with others. If you are not members but would still benefit from meeting with us, please contact us. There is always someone or some other organisation that is worse off, I can assure you.

AND FINALLY....... many of you will have met Sarah Dickinson, who is the Development Officer for the Civic Forum of the Aberdeen City Community Planning Partnership but is an employee of ACVO. In the week before Christmas, Sarah and her family were involved in a serious road accident on the A90. As a result of the accident, Sarah's 17 year old son Sam, who had just been told he had gained a place at University, was seriously injured and Sarah damaged her shoulder quite badly.  In the family's view, had it not been for the actions of a paramedic, who happened to be passing, the consequences for Sam could have been even more severe.

Sam damaged his spine and required emergency treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he was cared for until he was transferred by air to a specialist unit in a Glasgow Hospital, where he is presently. I have spoken with Sarah and my colleague Pauline Gerrard is acting as a liaison officer with her in order that we in ACVO can do all that we can for them. Her husband James and her younger son Andrew are "having to bothy" while Sarah spends as much time in Glasgow with Sam. They have a close and large circle of friends and family who are all pulling their weight to do what they can.  Some of Sam's friends from school have put together a facebook page (which now has 978 members) which you can go to if you wish to be kept updated. The update yesterday indicates "Some more positive developments to report"

So, at a time when most of us have some pretty serious issues to consider, lets all appreciate the scale and impact of others things.  

18th December 2009

HOWEVER, my main reason for writing today, is to thank you all for reading and commenting, whether formally or informally, on the work of ACVO and it's staff during the last year. In my six months as Chief Executive I have learned much of the value and volume of the 3RD SECTOR and have seen a number of areas that we could all be working together at,  better. It has been a difficult year for all of us and no doubt it will be the same in 2010.  Always look at the top of the mountain!!!!

AND FINALLY...... a happy festive season to you all.    

As ACVO's involvement with Aberdeen Council and the partners in The Aberdeen City Alliance increases, so the opportunities to represent the interests of the 3RD SECTOR in Aberdeen also increase.

And finally....... we are in! Same e-mail address, same phone numbers. Come along and see us in our new home!   

3rd December 2009

An early blog this week, so that we can all get our boxes packed on Friday for our move on Monday! After all the months of preparation Monday cannot come too soon. For us it will provide a base closer to many of our day-to-day contacts but more importantly for the members of ACVO and the many colleagues and contacts, Greyfriars House will provide a more central and convenient  venue for us all to carry out business.  

As we had hoped to be in our new offices a week earlier, I had invited my colleagues of the Scottish CVS Eastern Network to Aberdeen for our quarterly meeting. These colleagues had not been up to Aberdeen for some time and I am pleased they are to be here on Friday. One of our partners, the Aberdeen Arts Centre, will be the venue for the meeting and if I have been able to organise my office by a week on Friday, I will update you on some of the matters raised and discussed at the meeting.

Before applying for my current post I saw ACVO as a large family within the 3RD SECTOR and during my four months here I have been trying to perpetuate this image. The 3RD SECTOR Showcase gave many sector colleagues an opportunity to tell others of what they do. Last night was the family party with over one hundred 3RD SECTOR "family members" and friends enjoying each other's company within the Carmelite Hotel. It was really pleasing to see the cross section of 3RD SECTOR organisations, both large and small, which attended the event but even more pleasing to hear the comments last night and read the e-mails this morning, as to how much everyone enjoyed themselves.  I must thank, on behalf of all that attended, Michelle Duff for all her and Sarah Irvine's hard work, which made the event the success it was.  I now realise what "Meesh" does all day!

A real thank you to Roadrunner Disco, the Carmelite Hotel and all those organisations and individuals who donated prizes for the raffles. As you will see from page 3, our special guest "Sandy Claus" came all the way from the south to distribute gifts to all of the "boys and girls" who had behaved during the year!

This evening we will be enjoying our Christmas Carol Celebration at the Citadel and as I type I hear the voices being tuned in the offices around me. Whatever your faith or belief why not join us this evening (7pm) to enjoy the spirit of Christmas. After the service a mince pie and drink for all attending.  It's not too late to change your mind, join us at the Citadel.

Yesterday afternoon along with my colleague Pauline Gerrard I attended a meeting of the Social Enterprise Network. A good number of the most well known social enterprises were represented and we all listened with interest as Geoff Pearson of the Third Sector Division of the Scottish Government provided us with the Government's view of the 3RD SECTOR generally and Social Enterprises specifically. The group has agreed to carry out some work and then meet again. Catch up by viewing their website and in the coming weeks in our E-Bulletin.

AND FINALLY....... to all of my colleagues, executive committee members, ACVO members and partners from other organisations a BIG THANK YOU for your patience, assistance and understanding during the last few months of property circulars, draft leases, IT contracts and everything else associated with moving office. This move will ensure a better service to our membership and ensure the many improvements we have spoken of, can now be implemented. 

27th November 2009

Before I recall some of the week's events, I have some "good news and some bad news" on the domestic front. The bad news is that we will not be moving to Greyfriars House on Monday 30th November after all, but the good news is that WE WILL BE MOVING on MONDAY 7th DECEMBER 2009. As a result of some administrative difficulties we are not able to move until this date so on Friday 4th and Monday 7th December although we will be open for business it will be on a limited basis. If you have difficulty in getting a response from us on our normal numbers or by e-mail on those days please do not hesitate to contact us on 0778 9892 639.

With all that is going on in relation to finance at this time, we have had more than the usual requests for assistance from both Sandy Mathers and Alison Chandler. We are endeavouring to answer all the requests but with the move it may slow us down in terms of response, for a few days. Within the next week or so I and colleagues from ACVO will be invited to a briefing in relation to the Aberdeen City Council budget. Obviously this may affect a good number of you and as soon as I am able to pass on this information, whatever it is, I will do.

During the week I attended a meeting of the Aberdeen Civic Forum where a debate was taking place as to the future of Union Terrace Gardens. If you have been following this story via the media you will know that at this time there are two proposals for future use of the area. The Forum saw and listened to presentations in relation to both proposals and were advised that a formal consultation period will be carried out from January 2010. If you are interested, take part in the consultation.

On Wednesday at The Aberdeen City Alliance (TACA), the theme for the meeting was health. Heather Kelman, NHS Grampian General Manager for the Aberdeen Community Health Partnership area briefed those present and provided details of the consultation, that I have mentioned here previously, as to priorities for health in Aberdeen over the next few years. 

Yesterday I was with colleagues from GREC and the Blood Transfusion Service planning a donor day at the Citadel on the 11th March, 2010 for any of you, particularly members of ethnic minority groups, who wish to become donors. In the new year I will provide further details but at this time I am looking for a reader/s who has had the experience of a blood transfusion, whether as a result of an accident or following child birth, to assist us. If you are able to help please contact me.

I had hoped to be able to publish the winning photographs this week from the SEE ME photographic competition I mentioned in last weeks Comments, however with all that has been ongoing this will have to wait for another edition.

AND FINALLY........ following a very successful 3RD SECTOR showcase I want ALL of you to come along to the Christmas Carol Celebration at the Citadel next Thursday (3rd December). Whatever your faith you can enjoy an evening to celebrate Christmas, singing the well known carols many of us have  grown up with and learned to love and being with colleagues from all of the 3RD SECTOR organisations and groups ACVO deals with.  For many this has been a difficult year, however you should take time out to celebrate what you can when you can and this is the opportunity.     

20th November 2009

In order to keep my readership figures up, this week I am going to run through the week in reverse! At lunchtime today I will be attending the ‘SEE ME’ photographic competition award ceremony. Some of you may remember that I and a number of colleagues were judges in the competition, arranged by David Alexander, Health Improvement Officer - Mental Health with NHS Grampian and his team a few weeks ago. The excellent standard made judging really difficult however I and my fellow judges were unanimous in our decision making. Details of the winners in next week's edition.

In a small team like ACVO we all rely on our colleagues and none more so than at yesterday's 3RD SECTOR Showcase in the Town and County Hall. The main object of the day was to bring together a cross section of organisations within our sector in order to show the value and volume of all that is done by 3RD SECTOR organisations within the City. Lord Provost Peter Stephen, wearing his hat as Lord Lieutenant, and a number of his Deputy Lieutenants were keen to promote The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service often referred to as the MBE for volunteer groups,  and  the Sector generally within the city. We worked with them to attract more than thirty 3RD SECTOR exhibitors and as you will read elsewhere, what a great day.  It is important that we learn for future events of this nature and so you must give us your views. At this time I am more than pleased with the support from our own sector and the public sector but would like to have seen more partners from the private sector. We will need to work harder to ensure their attendance.  Words of praise sent to me, any criticisms to the event organiser Michelle Duff!!!!  When we were setting up for the Showcase at about 7.30am, Michelle had a few concerns about a couple of issues I did not.  Her preparation, her flexibility to accommodate late changes and the overall professional manner of the event were all compliments to her and her team. Having set the standard however, she will need to maintain it with the other ACVO events we have planned for next year!  Well done Michelle ….now ….. what about the party and the Christmas Carol Celebration??  

During the Showcase, ACVO launched it's support for the ‘Equality Across The Board’ window stickers as part of the Diversity and Equality Fortnight of Events. More and more of us are supporting Diversity and Equality and so we must show this by using the stickers.

Getting It Right For Every Child or GIRFEC as it is known to many, is a key national and local priority for the Council, Police, Health, Children's Reporter and the 3RD SECTOR. It is an approach to how these organisations and others "must now resource the effort to redesign and refocus services to deliver a truly child and family centred approach". Families with difficulties want one point of access, one plan and one lead professional to support them but as no one agency can deliver GIRFEC, the success of the approach depends on joint leadership and commitment starting at the most senior level to drive the changes required. On Monday I was one of the "leaders" who spoke at the opening of one of the regular joint GIRFEC courses and to me this will be the most important course those attending will be on, for some time.   

During the week I also attended a briefing carried out by some of my ex colleagues at Grampian  Police in relation to a restructure of Aberdeen Division. Following work done by a team in 2004 the city now operates as one Division with a greater community focus. The changes planned  will increase the number of Community Areas led by Inspectors to 13 albeit still based on the agreed neighbourhoods. These changes will come into effect in January 2010 and should ensure greater ownership of areas by Police staff. We have a part to play, as I have agreed that ACVO will speak with organisations in the areas and arrange for contact with the respective Inspectors so that they and their staff are more fully aware of the 3RD SECTOR involvement in their areas.

AND FINALLY........ having recently returned from maternity leave we are sorry to lose Sushma Shetty from the ACVO team. Sushma worked  with us  for four years in different support roles  but is now moving to Glasgow with her husband and son. I have told her to expect more rain but she is still going! Thanks for your support of ACVO and it's members Sushma, we wish you all the best.

Please remember to enter the Christmas Carol Celebration in you diary on 3rd December—R.S.V.P. to Michelle Duff. 

13th November 2009

Having been a member of the Joint Alcohol and Drugs Action Team previously, wearing a different hat, I was pleased to attend  the renamed Aberdeen City Alcohol and Drugs Partnership meeting last Monday.  The partnership is part of the Community Planning process within the city and appears to have a sensible cross section of representatives. A large agenda was dealt with at the meeting and as the weeks progress I will come back to some of these issues, however the Performance Report identified that substantial progress is being made in various areas.

The number of people referred for drug treatment in the second quarter of this financial year, was 187 which unfortunately is approximately the same as for each of the last nine quarters. However the number of people waiting for drug treatment services in Aberdeen City has reduced from 799 in the first quarter of 2007 to 96 in the last quarter while the number of people waiting for NHS drug treatment in the city has also reduced from 757 to 79. Work has still to be done but real  progress is being made.  

ACVO has over 150 members and this year, so far,  has supported a further 200 other individuals or groups. Following our move to Greyfriars House, we will be surveying our members and contacts to see what we do that you like, what we should improve on and what further we can be doing for you. The initial stages of this work is a review that my colleagues Michelle Duff and David Young have done in relation to their services. This review has resulted in a greater appreciation of the work they do and the services we offer. We are endeavouring to carry out more work for you so please discuss any requirements you may have in relation to website design and associated matters with them.

I found some space in my diary to visit my colleagues from SCVO in Edinburgh to discuss the reporting arrangements we have with them. They in turn report to the Scottish Government in relation to the CVS situation throughout Scotland. Alison Chandler and I are trying to link this performance model into what we produce currently, as Governance and Issue Reports,  on a monthly basis for our Executive Committee. This may appear a little technical but we need to have transparency and accountability, even in a small organisation like ACVO.

On Wednesday I attended and spoke at the launch of Aberdeen City Council's Single Equality Scheme as part of the Diversity and Equality Fortnight. Those of us who have been working for some years may remember the days when women who were to be married,  had to leave their jobs, of words and  comments that nowadays are accepted as racist or sexist and of how difficult it was for anyone with a disability to get about. The strands of different policies have been bound together to form the Scheme and to me it sets the standard the Council and it's partners need to adhere to. We need to work to this  standard.

Sandy Mathers, colleagues from Aberdeenshire and I are now involved in discussions about applying the EFQM process to the organisation and what we do. We will need your help and will be speaking to you about this in the new year.

During the week I also attended a meeting of the Aberdeen Works Challenge Forum. This group works together to identify areas that need support in terms of employment and the figures begin to show some success.

You will all be aware of the 3RD SECTOR Showcase on Thursday within the Town and County Hall which we have organised in conjunction with the Lord Provost. If you are able, come along and see the volume and value of the 3RD SECTOR.  There are no tickets left for the 3RD SECTOR Christmas party at the Carmelite Hotel on the 2nd December but please come along and celebrate Christmas at the Carol Celebration in the Citadel on the 3rd December. As a result of a "late call off" we are now looking for a piano player, so if you are able to come along for an hour or so, please contact either Michelle Duff or myself.  

AND FINALLY.... there are still places available for our course on the 18th November "Introduction to fundraising and the good governance that makes it possible", at Grampian Fire and Rescue Service  Headquarters in North  Anderson Drive. The course lasts from 10am until 4pm and only costs £10. At this time of financial strain such a course is a necessity in my view.

Last night I was with over a hundred people at the Drugs Remembrance Service at Gilcomston South Church. The service was ecumenical and allowed all present to remember and reflect on  loved ones that have been lost to drugs. I was very pleased to be with them, but it was one of the most difficult events I have carried out on your behalf.

6th November 2009

For those with access to my diary,  due to the few appointments,  they may well  think I have had an easier week this week  than in the past few months. However as the pace increases toward our change of premises,  the work involved in bringing the Volunteer Centre together with ACVO  becomes a reality and we look toward to our 3RD SECTOR Showcase on  the 19th November, our ’Third Sector and Friends’ Christmas Masquerade Ball on the 2nd December and the Christmas Carol Celebration at the Citadel on the 3rd December they must realise this has not been so.

A main event for me this week has been my attendance, on your behalf, at the Aberdeen Community Health Partnership Committee on Wednesday. The Committee is a challenge forum within the Community Planning Process in Aberdeen and links the work of NHS Grampian and it's partners. At the meeting Heather Kelman of NHS Grampian presented to our group, as part of their consultation on the proposed key priorities for the next three years.  On many occasions we question the value of such an exercise but in my view, having been involved in them on a number of occasions, such exercises allow us and other members of the public a real opportunity to express our views and assist our colleagues in health circles and beyond to decide which of the many problems they face, on our behalf,  should be priorities.

Heather and a colleague carried out a simple but effective presentation and circulated the consultation document on the Grampian Health Plan that the presentation was based on, to allow those present to return their views to NHS Grampian.  The consultation period is mid October to mid December 2009 and I will be responding both in terms of my membership of the CHP and following any comments from you.  I urge you to be part of the exercise but if you would prefer to respond to me I will then encompass such comments, if I can, in a response from those in the 3RD SECTOR that we represent and support. 

AND FINALLY..... at this time we are carrying out a review of our members and contacts. To continue your membership of ACVO is not only of value to your organisation but also to the dozens of other groups and/or individuals who wish to assist in the volume and value the 3RD SECTOR provides to Aberdeen specifically and society generally. In the new year we will be surveying our membership and contacts to find out what they wish ACVO to do in order that the service we provide is closest to the needs of you.