With a few days away from my desk this week I have been trying to catch up since my return!
On Wednesday at the Citadel there was maximum capacity for the BUSINESS KNOW HOW - BUSINESS ON BOARD event arranged by ACVO in conjunction with Business Know How and SCVO. My thanks go to my colleague Clare Trembleau, from the ACVO Executive Committee, for welcoming attendees on behalf of ACVO. Thanks also to SCVO for funding this event and to all our contributors especially Eric Munro, Director, Community Banking from RBS who travelled up from Edinburgh and Norman Esslemont who closed his shop for the morning to take part in a case study from VSA. I know how much time and effort Alison Chandler has put into this event and from what she and others have said it was all worthwhile. Alison is developing a programme, that with the assistance of the Royal Bank of Scotland, we will be able to roll out over the next few months. See the Business Know How website for details. Well done Alison!
Elsewhere you will see details of the 3RD SECTOR Showcaseon November 19th in the Town and County Hall. At this time, we have sold all exhibition places and also have a waiting list. This shows a cross section of the 3RD SECTOR and what it does for the public of Aberdeen.
A good number of our colleagues have been in touch to say that they will be visiting the Showcase on the day and we encourage all interested parties to attend. We are also having a Slideshow that will play all day on the big screen, if you wish to be part of this, please send a powerpoint slide to Michelle Duff and it will be included.
AND FINALLY .....as you may have seen in the local press Paul Hannan moves on from the Cyrenians today. Well done Paul for all your assistance over the years to me personally and more importantly to the 3RD SECTOR.
23rd October 2009
What a week! As most of you who have moved home or office will know this is one of the most stressful projects any of us will carry out. Those of you who know me, should know I am always up for a challenge, and having moved home and offices a good number of times, I have had lots of these challenges but this time as a member of the 3RD SECTOR it is even greater. However with the support of the good team here at ACVO we will be in our new offices at Greyfriars House on the 30th November 2009.
During the week I had an interesting and worthwhile conversation with Kath Beveridge and David Rodgers of Aberdeen City Council. Kath has recently returned to her own post and is back to ensure that Community Planning is working, in my opinion, as well or perhaps even better in Aberdeen, than anywhere in Scotland. David is new to this area of work but already we are discussing how much more the 3RD SECTOR and ACVO can participate in Community Planning as representatives of the sector.
With the move on the 30th November now being a large amount of work, our plans to have our Annual General Meeting on the 19th have changed. In order to allow members of ACVO to view the premises and see what we can and do provide, the AGM will now be held in January 2010 at Greyfriars House. More detail in the coming weeks.
On the 19th however, we are arranging, along with the Lord Lieutenant, who is Lord Provost Peter Stephen, and his Deputy Lieutenants, a 3rd SECTOR showcase within the Town and County Hall of the Town House. The showcase will allow organisations and groups from within the SECTOR to show what they do for the city and it's citizens. Invitations are being given to members of the Public Sector and the Private Sector to come along.
AND FINALLY....the 3RD SECTOR party at the Carmelite Hotel on 2nd December is now a sell out but for those who wish to celebrate Christmas in a traditional fashion you can come along to the 3RD SECTOR CHRISTMAS CAROL CELEBRATION at the Citadel on Thursday 3th December, 2009. Put it in your diary and we will tell you more in the next few editions.
16th October 2009
As most of you will now be aware, on the 30th November 2009 ACVO will start to operate from our new premises at Greyfriars House. Although we have only recently announced this, as you will appreciate over the last three months in the "lean and mean machine" that ACVO is, much work has needed to be done in relation to negotiations by me. As a result I have not been able to meet with as many of you as I would have wished however I am pleased that the staff all seem happy to be moving to our new site and those that we do business with, agree with us that the change will improve our communication and public image.
I am now at the stage of arranging the IT, decoration and removal amongst other things. It may well be, at a time of financial constraint I will be contacting you for some assistance in order that we can become even more able to support and represent those in the 3RD SECTOR. I am confident of such support !
As a result of our move, at short notice, we need to stop using our meeting/training rooms with effect from the 20th OCTOBER, 2009. Those of you who have booked either room after that date will be contacted as to alternative arrangements. Apologies for the short notice. Details of what will be available at Greyfriars will be circulated shortly.
Last Friday I was pleased to be at the theatre Foyer restaurant for the launch of GLOBAL XCHANGE in Aberdeen. You may have seen details in the press and we will be providing further information during their three month stay in Aberdeen. Immediately afterwards I visited the PILLAR open day and spoke with staff and clients there. Another worthwhile visit and event showing the value of the work done by Pillar.
On Wednesday I was with my Chairman, Gordon Kyle and a good number of others including the President of VSA, Lord Provost Peter Stephen for their Annual General Meeting at the Town and County Hall in the Town House, Aberdeen. Although a different type of organisation to ACVO and on a far larger scale, from all that was discussed at the meeting their successes are the people associated with their organisation whilst their challenges are no different to ours within ACVO and most 3RD SECTOR organisations.
AND FINALLY.... that evening I had the pleasure of attending at Pittodrie Stadium, on this occasion not to see the team, but to be part of the large group attending the AGM of the BREADMAKER. Donald Anderson, the Chief Executive and his committee provided the necessary and relevant information to those attending, before we were privileged to see the premiere of THE BREADMAKER DVD. There was then an excellent presentation by Carol, one of the apprentices. The evening made me, once again, realise why we are all part of the 3RD SECTOR. As I have told you all before the VOLUME and the VALUE of the sector is enormous.
9th October 2009
As avid readers will recall, I left you last week to be one of the judges of the photographs submitted for the competition "Be there. Be yourself", which is part of the national campaign to end stigma and discrimination around mental ill health. Over thirty photographs were submitted, for two age groups, and we as judges perused these not only from a photographic point of view but also in relation to the words that were associated to the images. My fellow judges and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time looking at the entries and came to decisions which will be announced later in the year. All of the photographs were of a very high standard and the judging team were impressed with the work that David Alexander and his colleagues had done "to make it all work". When we move into our new offices the photographs will be on display there for you to enjoy.
For two days of this week I and colleagues were attending the first national joint conference for CVS's and Volunteer Centres, "Inspiring Change" at Cumbernauld. The conference was divided into three day sessions of Volunteering and Communities, Partnership and Representation and Organisations and Enterprise. Many topics were covered and the information provided will be the subject of much consideration over the next few weeks and months.
AND FINALLY I attended my first meeting of the FAIRER SCOTLAND FUND last night. This very worthwhile process allows neighbourhoods and groups of special interest within the City, to make bids for specific projects. Some interesting applications
2nd October 2009
After three years at our present location - ACVO are moving. As many of you will know we have been in discussions for some months in relation to moving premises and on Monday 30 November, 2009 we will open the doors of our new offices at the East Wing, Ground Floor of Greyfriars House, Gallowgate, Aberdeen. Many of you may remember that the suite was occupied by Shelter for some time but for those not familiar with the location, the photograph and map link on the front page will be of benefit.
In my view the premises will provide members of ACVO with a more accessible location for them to carry out business with ACVO staff, will provide the many members of the public that we do business with, an easier location to carry out their business with us and provide staff all round better working conditions. As many of you will be aware, as part of the agreement between the Scottish Government, "The Aberdeen City Alliance", which is the senior group within the city in terms of Community Planning, VSA and ACVO, during the next few months the Volunteer Centre will merge with ACVO and a "single interface" will be created in Aberdeen. This will mean that the Volunteer Centre will also be based at Greyfriars House, but more of that in the future. We have still much work to do before we move but as I am able to tell you more, I will.
During my many years with Grampian Police, at various times in my service I had assistance from Doug Duthie, none more so however after he became the Chief Executive of The Aberdeen Safer Community Trust. I was pleased therefore on Wednesday to be present within the Board Room at Pittodrie Stadium when Doug said "Bye" to the Trust after his twelve years at the helm. Doug has always been a character and was on Wednesday when his family, friends and colleagues saw him receive gifts from the Trust and friends. Doug is well known in the City and North East Of Scotland wearing various hats but I am pleased that he is to continue supporting ACVO as Vice Chair after he has had a well earned holiday. WELL DONE DOUG.
AND FINALLY I am about to carry out judging of photographs in the "see me" anti-stigma campaign run by an alliance of five Scottish mental health organisations.
25th September 2009
Hectic week watching the Aberdeen Safer Community Trust presentation "THE TWITCHING CURTAIN" at the Lemon Tree on Monday, discussing with Jeannie Felsinger of GREC, our Executive Committee and other groups, a Blood Transfusion initiative for the 3rd SECTOR and
others next year and having the pleasure of attending the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce "Northern Star Business Awards 2009" at the Aberdeen Exhibition Centre, with colleagues from Scottish Business in the Community last night.
The highlight of the evening at the AECC and indeed my week, was to see the nomination as a finalist for the Sustainability award our colleagues from "The Breadmaker" Aberdeen. Although they did not win what an effort in such illustrious company.
AND FINALLY ACVO IS MOVING ...... WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!!!!! ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT WEEK
18th September 2009
WE NEVER CLOSE! Although in the past we have been unable to produce a weekly bulletin at
times, through the services of David Young a colleague of Michelle Duff,
who is currently enjoying a holiday, we are able to maintain "business as
usual" this week.
At the beginning of the week I was pleased to be able to spend some time
with Councillor John Stewart, the Leader of Aberdeen City Council. Until
recently John was the Chair of The Aberdeen City Alliance, commonly
referred to as TACA. This group is at the hub of community planning within the city and John was instrumental in bringing forward a number of changes whilst chair. Community Planning has been criticised in many circles and a number of changes will help it improve.
One of the most important changes will be the greater involvement by the 3rd SECTOR, and my colleagues and I in ACVO intend to ensure that this is the case. The first part of this work will be my colleague Pauline Gerrard clarifying many of the myths of Community Planning through this bulletin and carrying out "Lunch and Learn" briefings for members of the 3rd SECTOR. More information from Pauline in next week's bulletin.
I enjoyed the company of colleagues from the Private, Public and 3rd SECTORS on Tuesday within the Foyer Restaurant in Crown Street at a business seminar arranged by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.
The session was entitled "The Social Enterprise Sector - explained and in action" and those present enjoyed listening to Antonia Swinson on the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition as well as our own Ken Milroy, Edel Harris and Greg Rae. Much learned and much to think about for the future. If you are part of a Social Enterprise, are you part of the Aberdeen Social Enterprise Network? If not please contact me.
I then had the pleasure of visiting and touring the very excellent premises occupied by Inspire in The Beach Boulevard and meeting my opposite number there Catriona McPhee-Smith. Great premises and excellent work carried out there.
During the week I have also talked with my colleague Alan Young from Aberdeenshire in relation to the joint training initiative we have been considering, Jeannie Felsinger with regard to a project with the Blood Transfusion Service and Andrew Lawtie who is the new Chair of Grampian Society for the Blind. Andrew and I were discussing our respective organisations and a 3rd SECTOR day in November this year that you will not want to miss.
Within ACVO, David Young maintains the Aberdeen Health and Homeless Directory website (www.healthandhomeless.org) and circulates weekly e-mail updates and we have been discussing, following a user survey carried out by David, what more would benefit the users. We have been in discussions with the City Council and shortly hope to do more with the site.
AND FINALLY ... I am now going to a meeting of the TACA Executive Committee - remember, I mentioned it above - with a full folder of papers!!!!
11th September 2009
Last Saturday morning I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the Aberdeen Civic Forum at the Town House. The forum was set up to help communities within the city to have a say in Community Planning. It brings together representatives from each area of Aberdeen and from the various "communities of interest" such as women, older people, those with disabilities and various others.
The Forum meets in full session four times a year in the Council Chambers in order to identify or deal with issues of common concern and to ensure that the Community Plan and the Community Planning process are influenced by what the people of Aberdeen want.
Those attending are enthusiasts who represent the interests of the citizens of Aberdeen and they do so for our benefit. During the session however it was clear that we in the 3rd SECTOR are not as aware as we should be about Community Planning and the Community Plan. Indeed on Tuesday the same message came across when I and my colleague Pauline Gerard attended a meeting of the Social Enterprise Network in Aberdeen. It appeared to me, that the meeting was enjoyed by all present and there appeared to be a real interest in most of the issues discussed. One of the main discussions was again Community Planning and the lack of understanding and perhaps even interest in this matter. In order to assist with this lack of understanding ACVO are to arrange some "Lunch and Learn " sessions for members of 3rd SECTOR organisations. These sessions will be an hour long and will necessitate lunch to be eaten during the session in order that we can cover the material in the time. More to follow as to dates, locations and menus !
You may remember that last week I told you of a presentation I had listened to at a dinner with colleagues and members of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The presentation was given by Fiona Malcolm of the Scottish Government Third Sector Division and was entitled "Leadership and the Localism Agenda". Localism is about the government's wishes to deal with as many issues at the local level as possible and appears to me to be something that could benefit the people of Aberdeen generally and the 3rd SECTOR specifically. We will hear more in the next few months.
Earlier this year ACVO surveyed the voluntary sector with regard to first quarter funding by Aberdeen City Council. ACVO was aware of several organisations who have agreements with the City Council in place for funding 2009-2010, but who had not at that time received their 1st quarter funding.
We were concerned about the impact this had on the ability of organisations to pay their bills and we used the information from the survey (which revealed that the City Council had indeed paid some first quarter funding late) to lobby the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group to put this right. We hope that this situation has improved, but the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group has now asked us to complete a follow-up survey to see whether concerns still exist or that the issue has been resolved.
This information will be used to report to the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group on the 23rd of September. We therefore ask you to provide your information before 9.00am on Monday 21st of September. This will allow us time to analyse the results and put them into a presentable form. The survey will take only a few minutes and we will be grateful for your help.
4th September 2009
What a week! Last Friday, courtesy of Grampian Police and The Workshop Caterers, my colleagues and I enjoyed our first ACVO DEVELOPMENT DAY at the Community Conference Room at Nigg Police Office. The theme for the day was WHAT ARE WE DOING ? WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING ? and WHAT CAN WE DO ? There was much discussion about each, including some responses from you, as a result of my plea via this bulletin.
There will be many outcomes from the day but from my point of view the main benefit is, that as Team manager I now know my best formation and the strengths of my back line, midfield and forwards. With Doug Duthie, our Vice Chair also with us, I am even more aware of the support we have from our Chair Gordon Kyle and his team.
Following our work Alison Chandler is leading the review of our business plan, Pauline Gerrard is following up the research carried out by Kathryn Bell and documented as ‘Pathways to Prosperity’, which I told you of last week, whilst Sandy Mathers, who celebrated on Wednesday with colleagues his 5 years with ACVO, is preparing our volunteer strategy. We discussed the draft Communication Strategy prepared by Michelle Duff and heard from all staff as to their current work. You will hear more!
I met with Murray Leyes, Aberdeen City Council to discuss commissioning of services and how much more we in the 3rd SECTOR can and should give our views. We also spoke of the various services the 3rd SECTOR can provide for the Council and you will hear more about this from my colleague Pauline Gerrard.
The Samaritans are an organisation we are all aware of and may even have used at some time. Yesterday I met Victor Morgan, the Treasurer of the Samaritans of Aberdeen and District . Victor showed me round their premises in Dee Street which they are in the process of refurbishing. The lovely old building they occupy has been given a real "kiss of life" in order that the 45 volunteers they have, can carry out their very necessary but at times onerous duties in as comfortable a situation as possible. The work is not complete but the basement and ground floors are where they operate from while the upper two floors, when complete, may be available for another charity. Victor will keep us updated.
AND FINALLY last night I had dinner with a number of colleagues under the auspices of the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations. The main speaker was Fiona Malcolm of the Scottish Government Third Sector Division.
21st August 2009
The pace increases! The First Minister Alex Salmond and members of his cabinet visited Aberdeen for a Cabinet meeting and to take part in a series of "meet the people" events known as the NATIONAL CONVERSATION. The event took place at Elphinstone Hall, Aberdeen University and was attended by several hundred "locals".
Following presentations by Mr Salmond and his colleagues there was a question and answer session with a good number of questions posed covering a large range of subjects.
Pauline Gerrard, ACVO’s Liaison Officer (pictured right with John Swinney) and I attended to represent the 3rd SECTOR and Pauline asked what future there was for the sector.
The response from John Swinney, the Minister responsible, was positive and we will be following up the response with Mr Swinney and reporting back to you.
Discussions took place on Thursday with Mark Meiklejohn of the Scottish Government in relation to the 3rd SECTOR generally and aspects specifically. The main one of these was what the Government refers to as The Single Interface. In Aberdeen this means ACVO and our "supporting and representing" of the 3rd SECTOR will increase as a result.
I met with colleagues from the Aberdeen Volunteer Centre on Thursday in order to discuss the impending amalgamation of the Centre with ACVO and was excited by our discussions.
At this moment, 9.10am on Friday 21st August, I am in Edinburgh and shortly to meet colleagues from around the east of Scotland to discuss a large number of 3rd SECTOR issues. I will tell you more about these in future weeks.
AND FINALLY, next Friday will be the ACVO Development Day. With the support of Grampian Police and Alan Henderson of Workshop Caterers, Bucksburn. My colleagues and I will be meeting at the Nigg Police Office, Community Conference Room to discuss - What are we doing? What should we be doing? and What can we do ? A large part of the day should be your views so please let us know —please contact Michelle Duff with your issues on (01224) 686055 or e-mail her at mduff@acvo.org.uk
14th August 2009
The last week has seen me meet more of my colleagues from the networks of the Community Planning Partnership. Having attended the Children and Young People's Provider Forum and the Voluntary Sector Providers Forum I am becoming more aware of the various problems, the organisations represented at these meetings are having to deal with, on behalf of the citizens' of Aberdeen, with apparently far less resource.
I am currently working with my colleague Pauline Gerrard and others in regard to what more ACVO can do in relation to Social Enterprises and their network and the benefits of the Local Social Economy Partnership. I have spent time with Alison Chandler and Sandy Mathers of ACVO and colleagues from our sister organisations in Aberdeenshire, discussing training for the 3rd Sector and I can see some real benefits coming from these discussions.
And finally, Michelle Duff, the editor of this bulletin, has been putting together the opportunity for all within the 3rd Sector to enjoy a 3rd Sector Christmas Party, there has been a great response to doing an event jointly, so book fast, please click here for more information .
ACVO Development Day
ACVO are having a staff development day on Friday 28th August 2009. Some of you may be aware that ACVO’s lease on the Robertson Building on Whitemyres Avenue will run out in November, so we are currently looking for new premises. We are also discussing the potential of re-branding as well as looking at:
What are we doing?
What should we be doing?
What can we do?
Do you have any ideas you would like ACVO to discuss on the day? This is your opportunity to be represented. If you have any ideas, please contact Michelle Duff.
7th August 2009
How many of you are involved in an organisation or group, of "two or more people" or are aware of such a group and the outstanding contributions they make to their local communities?
What a job ! Two weeks at work and on holiday already !
During the week however I had the pleasure of attending at one of our Social Enterprise Partner's premises and once again had my eyes opened. On Monday evening along with my wife Hazel and friends I attended the Preview Evening at Rosies Cafe, 137 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen of the Turning Point Scotland service users art exhibition. As Patsy Telford, the Commercial Manager of Aberdeen Social Enterprises at TPS said in her invite to me, "the excellent art work that some of our service users produce in their spare time and in our craft workshop in Holburn Street, most of the work is framed in our own picture framing workshop, really shows all our skills in one go." Great art, great company, great evening.
On Thursday I had the privilege of representing you at the signing of the Aberdeen City Single Outcome Agreement within the Bruce Room at the Townhouse. A number of our community planning partners were at the event which was introduced by the Chair of The Aberdeen City Alliance, Lavina Massie. She signed the agreement on behalf of the Alliance whilst John Swinney, Member of the Scottish Parliament signed the agreement on behalf of the Scottish Government. More detail of the Alliance and the SOA process and document in a future CE's Comments Corner.
IAN PATERSON
Chief Executive
24th July 2009
As part of the selection process for my post of Chief Executive, I was required to give a ten minute presentation on "the challenges and opportunities for the THIRD SECTOR" at this time.
In my presentation I admitted to the panel, that although I thought as a result of my previous professional and personal lives I had a fair understanding of the size of the sector, it was not until I had carried out some research in preparation for my application that I fully appreciated the VOLUME and VALUE of the THIRD SECTOR.
I informed them that in my view the THIRD SECTOR was at a crossroads with one road leading to success and the other leading to a dead end. It was my opinion that there were three main challenges on the road to success and these were making people understand what the THIRD SECTOR is, how we can deal with the current economic climate and what role an organisation like the ABERDEEN COUNCIL OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS has on this road. The government have provided a definition of what the THIRD SECTOR means to them, but to me that definition does not make it clear enough that all groups referred to as "social, environmental, voluntary, community, charity, social enterprise, co-operatives and mutuals" of whatever size, can be considered and should be considered as the THIRD SECTOR.
My basic statement in relation to the economic climate was that, as we as individuals have to do, then we in ACVO will have to do, that is, deal with what we have to deal with as we have always done!
I reminded the panel, which included the Chairman of ACVO Gordon Kyle, of his words in the 2007/08 ACVO Annual Report as to the role of ACVO which were that "The Scottish Government have tasked us with the role of developing a thriving and connected THIRD SECTOR". I agree with these words and intend to "take up this challenge" on behalf of the members of ACVO.
During my first two weeks I have met or spoken to many of the important partners to ACVO, my Board and most, if not all of my staff. While that work will continue, the next important task is to speak with as many of YOU as possible. I will be doing this informally, in whatever way I can and to that end my contact details are below.
I am at present reviewing What we are doing, What we should be doing and What we can do. If you have views at this time in relation to any or all of these please let me know about them. Over the next few weeks however you will be given a more structured opportunity to give your views so that as we plan for 2010/2011 we can move forward together.
