16th December 2011

Apologies to all for my “blog” last week, but in particular to our colleagues at Aberdeen Social Enterprise Network (ASEN). In my haste to rush off to our Team exercise, Christmas lunch in other words, my cutting and pasting was not as proficient as it should have been.

For many in the Third Sector this is a busy time of year.  Many colleagues will be tested in terms of their commitment to family, their organisation and the Sector as a whole.

Most of us are proud to be members of the Third Sector and more particularly at this time when our resources are called upon most. Well done to you all throughout the Sector!

What a great few weeks it has been for the Sector with media coverage showing a huge amount of the work that goes on over the Festive Season arranged by or for the Third Sector. The coverage is of course only the tip of the iceberg and although it has been another difficult year for the Sector and most within it, I have been very pleased to how the Sector ploughs on whatever.

It has been another extremely busy ACVO week with our Carol Concert on Wednesday (pictures below) and our “Meet the Team” yesterday. At the third of our Carol Concerts  we virtually filled the Citadel with a real mix of partners and Sector colleagues and the general public. There is more coverage elsewhere, but from my point of view a really entertaining and thought provoking evening with thanks to all who took part and as ever to Michelle Duff for arranging it all.  For those of you who follow ‘ACVO and Aberdeen Volunteer Centre’ on facebook, all of the photographs from the Carol Concert are on display.

Last night was your chance to meet us in less formal circumstances and again I am pleased to say there was a real mix of friends, partners from other Sectors and colleagues from the Third Sector. I realise that most people came to see my lovely grand daughter, Niamh !!! but whatever I was really pleased to see you all there.

AND FINALLY….. a special birthday for ACVO next year (15 years), watch this space.

9th December 2011

With Christmas at ACVO having started today with the purchase of our tree, the ACVO staff event tomorrow and our ’Meet You’ next Thursday (15th December 2011, 4-7pm) it is difficult to ensure that all the day to day work continues, but continue it must.

I have just returned from the Social Enterprise Forum meeting held by Aberdeen Social  Enterprise Network at Turning Point’s premises in Holburn Street. It was really pleasing to be there and hear the various issues raised by that forum. David Fryer at ACVO will continue to work with them in order that we can support them and in order that we can provide spread the word of the work that they do and of the work they would like to do.

AND FINALLY... Over a hundred people have registered to attend our Carol Concert next Wednesday (14th December 2011) from 5pm at the Citadel, but always room for more.  RSVP for catering purposes to Michelle Duff.

2nd December 2011

As most of you will know by now, I am convinced that if we use Community Planning as we should, the community  planning for the community, will benefit the community. Although ACVO’S role is to “Develop, support and represent” the Third Sector, the Sector through the estimated 4000 organisations operating within Aberdeen not only represents itself but also informally the community.

If we are to accept this role more and if we are to accept this role on a formal basis at ACVO, we need to ensure that partners in Community Planning, including our Sector,  are aware of it’s structures and processes and how it can assist all operationally.

On Tuesday evening I attended an event for one of the most developed arms of operational community planning in the city. Bearing in mind the number of Third Sector organisations which provide children’s services or are involved in children’s services it is vital that the work of the Integrated Children’s Services Partnership is as well known as we can make it.

The partnership has been in existence for some time and operates through the Partnership group chaired by Fred McBride, Director of Social Care and Wellbeing for the City Council and through the ICSP Management Team currently chaired by Annette Bruton, the Director of Education, Culture and Sport again with the City Council.

These groups have membership from various aspects of our community in Aberdeen and are there to ensure that we do work together. Over the last year much of the work carried out by both groups has been in relation to the compilation of a plan for all involved in Children’s Services and on Tuesday the plan was launched.

A good number of you will have heard me say before that “ a plan with no action is a dream but action with no plan is a nightmare!” and hence my particular support for the ICSP Plan for 2011 – 2015. The document is obviously relevant to those involved in Children’s Services but also to the community as a whole and certain elements specifically. It is now up to all of us to ensure ACTIONS support the plan !

AND FINALLY….. Two dates for your diaries.  How many of you have still to dairy the ACVO Carol Concert on Wednesday 14th December 2011 from 5pm at the Citadel?  Come along to sing some carols and listen to the performances from Music 4 U and Granite City Chorus and enjoy a hot drink and mincepie with us,  We have had an excellent response to this but still have plenty of room for more.  RSVP to Michelle Duff at mduff@acvo.org.uk

Also, ACVO would like to invite you to meet the team on Thursday 15th December 2011, 4pm—7pm at ACVO’s Offices at Greyfriars House, Gallowgate, Aberdeen.  Come along and enjoy a glass of wine and  nibbles.  RSVP to enquiries@acvo.org.uk

25th November 2011

Only one issue today! As many of you are aware over the last few months a number of Third Sector organisations have applied successfully for funding from the Change Fund and last week I welcomed Jane Russell and David Fryer to their new posts in ACVO.

Jane in particular has a responsibility to consider some of the tasks that public sector organisations carry out to help prevent older people requiring assistance from them and which could be carried out by a THIRD SECTOR organisation.

In the weeks ahead Jane and David will be looking for help from you and/or your organisation. You can contact them at jrussell@acvo.org.uk and/or dfryer@acvo.org.uk

AND FINALLY……I hope there were not too many sore heads after all the work that was carried out by the Sector in supporting Children in Need Day. Well done to you all.

18th November 2011

As most of you will be aware I am a real supporter of Community Planning, even when I have to explain to colleagues and partners that it is the community planning for the community. There are a good number of practical examples of Community Planning and the information below is an excellent example of working together where all those doing so can get some real benefit.

The North East Joint Development Group (NEJDG) is a  partnership group comprising of Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, Grampian Police, NHS Grampian, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeenshire CVS Training Initiative and ACVO.

The aims of the Group are to network in order to share resources and learn together in order to build skills to support community planning initiatives.

The following are examples of the training initiatives that have been developed:

• The Joint Mentor Scheme for Managers
• Critical Skills for Critical Times based on leadership, coaching and change management
• Collaborating for Outcomes Programme – a leadership development initiative endorsed by the Scottish Government Improvement Service

In January and February 2012, a collaborative Supervisory Skills Programme for first line managers will take place and ACVO, on behalf of the THIRD SECTOR, were delighted to take up two places on each course.

Also in 2012 will be a second Collaborating for Outcomes Programme;  Critical Skills events and further development of a Joint Workshadow Scheme.

Any future learning and development opportunities will be posted within our E-Bulletin.

As you will read elsewhere, we have been joined at ACVO by Jane Russell and David Fryer, both of whom will be well known to a number of you for various reasons. Welcome to them both and more to follow about them and from them in the weeks to come.

AND FINALLY…… all the best to all of you who will be carrying out some role or other in the Children in Need day today. I continue to be amazed at the volume and value of the Third Sector generally, but even more so during this hugely worthwhile day.   

11th November 2011

I have just returned from another session of ‘ACVO asks – ask ACVO’ consultation event. On this occasion following a programme of consultation by Clive Matthews, the NHS Grampian management trainee currently seconded to ACVO, in relation to the “The Aberdeen Agreement”.

The agreement embraces a vision for the City in which all sectors work together towards a shared goal of improving the quality of life for all Aberdeen’s citizens and communities. It also provides, within community planning, a mechanism for other partnerships or initiatives to develop, identify solutions and achieve outcomes through collaborating with the Third Sector.

With fifty or so colleagues, partners and interested individuals we considered what Community Planning is, following the changes made within the last few months, what values should underpin an updated compact or Aberdeen Agreement, what commitments those attending would like to see by Community Planning partners and their own organisations and what support is needed for the Aberdeen Agreement. If we are to work together as a family we need to know the parameters that the family will work to in order that when there are disputes and difficulties we know how to resolve these. There has been much work done as a result of the CP process but much more can be and must be done under this banner in order to avoid the duplication that we can no longer afford in terms of resource generally.

For this part of the process there were contributions from those attending and we will include them along with the material we have already gathered. The draft agreement will then be circulated before it is passed to Community Planning Aberdeen for “agreement of the Agreement”. If you have views about the agreement generally or the questions we were considering earlier that I have referred to in the paragraph above please contact Clive at research@acvo.org.uk.

28th October 2011

Many thanks to all who attended our ” ACVO asks – ask ACVO” and Annual General Meeting at the Aberdeen Arts Centre yesterday.

Even for those of you who have been members, partners and colleagues of ACVO for some time it appears that you were not aware of all the work that is now done by the organisation. With all of the rooms in use by the Business Units of ACVO and staff there to help and advise, it seemed that the day was worthwhile  for us the THIRD SECTOR and others.

Any comments in relation to the morning and afternoon sessions, good and bad to us at enquiries@acvo.org.uk

During our Annual General Meeting our Treasurer Gordon Edwards was pleased to announce after three difficult years  a surplus for 2010 – 11, albeit as we are all aware things are still not clear about next year. What’s new there then you may be saying! We proposed a new membership structure, in order to provide more of what the Sector wants and you will be hearing more of this over the next few weeks.

Following the formal part of the meeting we were able to tell the capacity audience in the Arts Centre Café more in relation to Aberdeen Impact. This system was established from the surplus of Celebrate Aberdeen 2011 and will allow organisations in need, to gain advice and assistance if not from ACVO from others with knowledge and experience.

As I have told you all before, in having to attend a good number of meetings, there are some where I am really able to feel part of the THIRD SECTOR and with the colleagues and friends at yesterday’s meeting that was very much the case. Once again many thanks to all who attended.

AND FINALLY …. Michelle Duff and Sarah McGarva from the Communications Business Unit at ACVO will be volunteering  “on the phones” at the Northsound Cash for Kids live charity auction this weekend. I hope you will all be listening and BIDDING! The auction runs over Saturday and Sunday, October 29th  and 30th and will be broadcast simultaneously on Northsound 1 at 96.9FM and Northsound 2 at 1035MW. Well done ladies.  See page 5 for more details about the auction.

21st October 2011

I am not sure how many of you are aware that the Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations, or ACVO as we are more lovingly referred to, is a charity and a company limited by guarantee. Our purposes are to develop, support and represent the THIRD SECTOR within the City of Aberdeen. As such we require to comply with our own Memorandum of Association as well the requirements placed on charities and companies by the law of the land.

Part of these requirements will be complied with at our Annual General Meeting on Thursday 27th October, 2011 at the Aberdeen Arts Centre in King Street, Aberdeen.

You will see formal notification of the business of the meeting on our website at http://www.acvo.org.uk/AGMOct2011.html

Those able to attend are asked to inform Claire Conroy that they will be attending in order that we can ensure the catering arrangements for the light lunch being served are sufficient.

The AGM session will commence at 12 noon with the meeting proper at 12.30pm. Following the official part of the meeting we will advise you of the current situation in relation to Celebrate Aberdeen 2011 and 2012, Aberdeen Impact and our new membership scheme. It is vital that ACVO members are present at the official part of the meeting but the information session will provide guidance in relation to the issues I have detailed.

In the sessions between 10am and noon and 2pm and 4pm, ACVO staff will be present at various parts of the Arts Centre to tell you what we are currently doing in order to “develop, support and represent the THIRD SECTOR “ and more importantly to allow us to ask you if that is what you think we should be doing. You will also have the opportunity to ask us questions in relation to what we are doing, what we should be doing and what you would like us to do.

Hope to see as many of you there as possible. Remember  ACVO Asks ... Ask ACVO.

AND FINALLY……. remember I am attending at the Scottish Parliament next week to give evidence in relation to preventative spend and other approaches and initiatives that can contribute to an improvement in the delivery of local government services as well as a reduction in budgets.  Any thoughts to me on (01224) 686050 or e-mail ipaterson@acvo.org.uk.

14th October 2011

When  I attend the numerous meetings and events  on behalf of the Third Sector that relate to Community Planning. I am afraid to say that  often,  like many  colleagues and partners I think, I  forget why we are there and who will be impacted by what we say and do. This is particularly the case in relation to the various meetings of the Alcohol and Drug Partnership and last night that was brought home to me with real force.

In the Kirk of St. Nicholas on Union Street, where Aberdonians have been worshipping together for over 1000 years, I sat with the  friends and families of those who have lost their lives as a result of drugs. The Remembrance Service allowed a coming together of a good number of people who have lost a loved one and suffered as a result. They were able to light a candle in remembrance whilst the names of those who have died were read out, worship together and hear a message of hope for the future.

The message of hope was delivered by Sandy Kelman of the ADP who told those present that with the hard work that has gone on over the last few years and in 2011 in particular, there is now virtually no waiting list for those requiring treatment, of  the new system involving Naloxone which can help to save lives following overdoses and of  the research that is now being carried out into overdoses. He made it clear he understood that this news would not help those, whose names had been read out, nor indeed perhaps  the friends and families together at the service but may reduce the number of people having to suffer  in the future. Well done to all who arranged the evening but in particular to those family and friends who had the personal courage to attend to remember a friend or loved one.

Readers from last week will remember my request for views and comments that I can take to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 26th October, to give evidence to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee. The Committee will be considering the Scottish Government’s Spending Review of 2011 and draft budget for 2012-13. In particular they would like to hear evidence from the THIRD SECTOR on preventative spend and other approaches and initiatives that can contribute in the delivery of local government services as well as a reduction in budgets. Please send any further views to me at ipaterson@acvo.org.uk

Some of you may already have bought items of equipment and furniture from the City Council as a result of their move from St. Nicholas House to Marischal College and on the 22nd and 23rd October that opportunity will be extended to you again. However, if you are a bargain hunter and you attend at St. Nicholas House between 9am-3pm on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th October, 2011 you will be allowed to select from the  items still available, at no cost.

Having visited the now virtually empty building I can confirm that there is still a vast number of items of office furniture and equipment including window blinds. If you are interested in attending you will be met in the hall of St. Nicholas House and shown where the items are. If you wish to obtain, you should bring with you markers and paper to identify which items you want. Assistance will be provided to move the items from the building on to Broad Street and if you are unable to collect that day you have until Friday afternoon  to return to collect. If you want blinds I referred to, you will require to take them off the walls. If you need any further information please contact Claire Conroy.

AND FINALLY…..don’t forget our AGM on Thursday 27th October 2011 at the Aberdeen Arts Centre.  AND FINALLY FINALLY…..    We recently experienced problems with our server but we are back up and running.  If you sent us any e-mails on Friday, Monday or Tuesday, could you re-send these items to us please.

30th September 2011

I was a little disappointed on Wednesday evening when at the Volunteering in Aberdeen and Beyond, Volunteering Information Evening at the Aberdeen City Council Chambers there were a good number of organisations who benefit greatly from volunteering present, some particularly interesting and informative presentations and yet a poor response from potential volunteers. The evening was arranged under the auspices of European Year of Volunteering by a number of partners and it was anticipated that with the assistance of schools there would be a good number of potential volunteers from the students of the city present, however that was not the case.

It may well be the venue was not ideal or it could be the times did not suit potential attendees however the event was of benefit to those who attended and following comments as to the issues I have detailed or any others, in my view those arranging should consider a similar event again, later in the year. Over 44,000 people volunteer in the city and there are over 800 volunteering opportunities  available at this time in Aberdeen.

Although we await formal confirmation, the Change Fund will be continuing next year with perhaps, additional funding. A different process will be operating and within the next few weeks with partners I will be sitting down to discuss how the new system will operate. As this develops we will pass this information out in order that we can achieve the aims of the Fund.

As I mentioned previously “ACVO asks….ask ACVO” will take place on Thursday 27th October, 2011. The event will allow colleagues, partners and all interested in the THIRD SECTOR within the city to come along to the Aberdeen Arts Centre in King Street to see what ACVO does, see how it provides the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface and see what it can do for you and your organisation.

During the morning and afternoon session between 10am and noon and 2pm and 4pm you will be able to see some of the websites created and managed by the Communications Team, hear more about the work of the Network Co-ordinator who uses the details of the mapped THIRD SECTOR organisations to help the community of Aberdeen and obtain guidance and assistance how to ensure your Board is operating to it’s full potential as well as being provided with information about  a good number of other relevant and essential services ACVO can provide.

In the lunchtime session between noon and 2pm, the ACVO Annual General Meeting will be held during which, as well as the business of the organisation you will hear about how you can benefit from a new bursary scheme, the news of the Celebrate Aberdeen DAY 2012 and of our new membership scheme.

AND FINALLY…. remember the date for the Carol Concert at the Citadel, 14 December 2011.   RSVP to Michelle Duff at mduff@acvo.org.uk to attend.

23rd September 2011

A fortnight ago, Mike Melvin and I attended the 25th Birthday Party of Drugs Action in their premises in Hadden Street. Mike and I both thought we had a fair understanding of the numerous problems that such an organisation had to deal with but as we toured the premises and spoke with Senga MacDonald and her staff about the numerous projects that Drugs Action manages, we realised that our knowledge was far less than we had thought and the benefit from being there on that Friday evening was far greater. With work from various agencies in the city, under the banner of the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, targets are now being achieved that were originally set for 2013, commissioning of new services, following a consultation event at the Cowdray Hall some weeks back, soon to be carried out and finance soon to be available from the ADP for small projects, it is pleasing to see how well partnership can work.

However, as always seems to be the case with our Sector, soon to be held commissioning can cause concern with those agencies who presently carry out services as to whether they will gain further contracts and more importantly give worries to dedicated staff as to whether such contracts will allow continued employment for them.

A sub group of the ADP will be meeting shortly to consider the actions which need to support the recently launched Drugs Strategy and these will require involvement from organisations in both the Public Sector and THIRD SECTOR.

On Tuesday along with Michelle Duff, I visited Cathy Simpson and her team at Aberdeen Foyer for their Open Day and again did I have my eyes opened! Many thanks to her and the team.

We welcomed the National Forum on Older Volunteering in Scotland to Greyfriars House yesterday and were pleased to tell them about a number of things happening in the city but in particular about the progress being made as a result of the Change Fund. Earlier today I met with my colleague Norma Howley and Aileen Reid of the North East Joint Public Sector Development Team which last year arranged a Collaborating for Outcomes Course for senior managers within the City, including two from our Sector. This year there are to be a number of events which Sector members will be able to access and Norma will tell you more of them in the coming weeks.

Later today, I will meet with the team who are arranging the 2011 Carol Concert so I hope you all have it in your diary—14th December at 5.30pm at the Citadel.  RSVP to mduff@acvo.org.uk

AND FINALLY…..an invitation to a Volunteering Information Evening at the Aberdeen City Council Chambers on Wednesday 28th September between 5pm and 8pm. AND FINALLY FINALLY  remember about ACVO asks, ask ACVO on 27th October 2011 !             

16th September 2011

Although you may not be aware of the process that directs my BLOG, how much space I am allowed, as in all respectable publications, is dictated by the EDITOR, Michelle Duff, and this week with the wealth of other material I am severely restricted!

During the last two weeks I have been meeting with a number of THIRD SECTOR colleagues for various meetings and I must say such meetings restores faith. The Sector continues to identify work that needs to be done, how it can be funded and who can assist in providing further assistance.

I must say these discussions have been welcomed by me and they have provided me with a great deal of information as to what is ongoing and how ACVO can “develop, support and represent” the THIRD SECTOR more. To that end please diary “ACVO ASKS – ASK ACVO” on Thursday 27th October, 2011.  

Along with Aberdeen City Council, we are also pleased to be hosting the National Forum on Older Volunteering in Scotland on Thursday 22nd September, 11am—1pm at our offices at Greyfriars House.  The Theme is ‘50+ Volunteering and Wellbeing in the European Year of Volunteering’.   If you wish to attend, please e-mail Bryan.Bannerman@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

And finally…… our new Support and Development Lead, Norma Howley returns from her annual leave on Monday and we now look forward to her really getting her teeth into her new role.

2nd September 2011

On Monday, along with ACVO colleagues, I visited the John Lewis Community Room which they are now making available to the THIRD SECTOR and community groups. An excellent facility with teas and coffees as well as all the usual equipment in such rooms, FREE!  Well done John Lewis.

During the rest of the week I attended the Integrated Children Services Partnership meeting, the inaugural meeting of the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce THIRD SECTOR network meeting, the first meeting to establish the NHS Grampian and THIRD SECTOR Partners Health and Care Framework an Aberdeen City Council  Education, Culture and Sport Stakeholders’ Event, a very productive meeting of Business Know How, a meeting of a sub group of Aberdeen Works to discuss the Flexible Fund, a Fairer Scotland Fund Board meeting and was pleased to be invited to the formal opening of the VSA Crosby House.

Over the course of the next few weeks I will provide further information in relation to most, if not all of these, but I am pleased that the THIRD SECTOR is more in the thoughts than ever of partners.

26th August 2011

Although I am not able to give exact details, I am pleased that a number of applications from THIRD SECTOR organisations have now been approved by the Change Fund and the applicants advised accordingly.

Changes in process have been discussed and as these are agreed I will ensure you are all advised.

A number of you may be aware of the Aberdeen City Voice, the panel organised under Community Planning Aberdeen.

The questions are submitted by partners at least three times a year and allow the views of nearly a thousand citizens to be considered as decisions are made that may affect the City. The October questionnaire may be the largest ever and covers a fair selection of subjects. I will arrange for further details to be provided in order that you are able to consider its usage in the future.

You will see our new ACVO E-Bulletin Guidelines put together by Michelle Duff, our Communications Officer and I am keen that you familiarise yourselves with these. We do not want to restrict the use of the E-Bulletin, in fact the exact opposite, but we do need all to work to these guidelines. In due course when we have put together the views received as part of the E-Bulletin review we will involve you in any changes proposed.

AND FINALLY.. Congratulations to Friends of Duthie Park for securing the funding to restore the park to its former glory. It is this voluntary active citizenship that truly shapes Aberdeen. They were sharing the good news and details of the plans at the Park on Sunday. A particular thanks for encouraging ‘ Spike the Cactus’ to volunteer again to bring fun to the park for families across the city and visitors alike. He has been sorely missed, it was great to watch him interacting again with the young people.

19th August 2011

During the last two years of communicating with you all, I have realised that although I am a Community Planning enthusiast a number of you are not.

Part of this in my view is still due to a lack of understanding as to what Community Planning is and more importantly what benefits it can have for all.

This week has seen the start of a new structure for Community Planning within Aberdeen.  As some of you will recollect following evidence gathering, a report was prepared with various recommendations. A number of these were agreed with and implemented and as a result The Aberdeen City Alliance (TACA) is no more. The first meeting of a more flexible and dynamic process was held last Monday in the form of the Community Planning Aberdeen Board. It will meet every two months and deal with many of the day to day issues whilst the larger group that forms Community Planning Aberdeen will meet at least twice a year and deal with strategic issues that could affect all of the community of Aberdeen. Much more to follow.

From a practical point of view Fairer Scotland Funding, the Change Fund, ADP finance and a good number of other sources of finance are all available as a result of Community Planning and if we in ACVO are able to source funding we are endeavouring to employ a colleague who will assist Alison Chandler, ACVO’s Funding and Business Planning Officer identify what other monies are available to the THIRD SECTOR. For those of you waiting for further information from the Change Fund, I have been advised that the method of payment to successful applicants has now been established and funds will be available shortly.

At the Aberdeen Works meeting on Tuesday those attending were pleased to hear some of the data which confirms the better news about employment in Aberdeen generally although there are always issues that need addressing and this group, a great example of Community Planning, are addressing these issues.

As many of you will recollect the main objectives of ACVO is to Develop, Support and Represent the THIRD SECTOR and at present one of the main ways that this is done is via the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface. To assist us carry out these duties this week we have been joined by Norma Howley who is our Support and Development Lead. I have worked with Norma before and  I know that her appointment will be of benefit to ACVO and the THIRD SECTOR. Welcome Norma.

AND FINALLY......although the ACVO E-Bulletin and these comments are always a team effort, a particular word of thanks to the team for last weeks updates. As I was on annual leave I had only been able to provide minimal information for the    E-Bulletin. Team to the rescue however !

5th August 2011

One of the things I find that can help in difficult times is the chance of a break with my family and once again with a break behind me this has helped, so look out ACVO colleagues!  

Following the ACVO Development Day with Board and Staff we look forward to a number of tasks to be slotted into the ACVO Business Plan and some of these may affect you. Over the next few months, as I said last week, we will consult with you. Many of you have already given your views in the consultation on the E-Bulletin but more views are sought. 

AND FINALLY..... please see the details of our Carol Service in the Local Events section. Yes it is that time !

29th July 2011

In order to ensure I could carry out some of my financial duties here at ACVO, I decided to split my holidays. Having had a week, I came back for a couple of weeks before going off again.  Not a good idea!

As many of you will be aware ACVO provides the THIRD SECTOR Interface within Aberdeen and as part of these duties I attended a meeting yesterday with partners where the topic for consideration was Community Resilience Scoping.

In the middle of summer we may forget the last two difficult winters in the North East in general and Aberdeen specifically, but others haven’t. With Aberdeen Journals considering a similar campaign to last year’s when through the Evening Express they raised the awareness of what can be done for neighbours, particularly those less able, the Scottish Government is identifying a week in October when they will highlight nationally what the population could be doing to “Get Ready for Winter”.  Within Grampian, colleagues have agreed more can be done to prepare for and deal with the difficult situations many of us have had to deal with in 2009/10 and 2010/11.

A number of organisations from the Public Sector, who normally gather together under the banner of the Grampian Strategic Co-ordinating Group, to deal with what most of us think of as emergencies, are looking ahead to see what we can all do to prepare for “winter”. Whether you agree Community is the THIRD SECTOR or the THIRD SECTOR is community, whilst ACVO have been mapping the nearly 4000 THIRD SECTOR organisations within Aberdeen, it is very clear a good number of things that are done day to day for some, could be of real value if they were extended to others, particularly the less able, during the difficult winter weather we now anticipate.

It may be other tasks would need to be considered and it may be that a good number of our Sector could carry out these as was the case  when flooding struck Huntly and Stonehaven. I and a colleague from Aberdeenshire are of the view we in the Sector could be of more help, not simply in the manner organisations like the Red Cross and WRVS currently assist , but in many others where less skills are required but the outcomes would be of real value to Aberdeen and the North East.

Over the next few weeks plans will be finalised and I have asked that we be kept up to date with these, in order that we can try to co-ordinate some assistance, if need be. Watch this space.

AND FINALLY….. how many times have you been looking for a meeting room and you cannot access one easily or for a reasonable rate. You should all be aware that ACVO does have two rooms which it can provide if you contact our office, but more are always needed. If you need a room why not consider the rooms which John Lewis in George Street are now making available to “community groups”. If you need information please contact  Pamela_calder@johnlewis.co.uk.        

AND FINALLY FINALLY... We had a small celebration for Sarah McGarva, our Communications Assistant for being in post for one year.  

22nd July 2011

As most of you will know, within ACVO, I am a “jack of all trades and master of none” and I know my colleagues here will agree to that.

In having to carry out a great number of tasks, most of which are really interesting, I rely on many to give me a little and often be patient. That has been very much the case over the last few weeks, particularly in relation to the Change Fund.

Many of you will recollect me confirming that there is still money available from the Fund, albeit for some specific areas of work. A system is currently being put in place in relation to the provision of finance to those whose applications have been agreed to and relative to how the Fund will continue. As I am told more I will pass this on to you.

In April we launched our Business Plan and we are now trying to relate the work we carry out, to the plan.

In order that we can look forward, on Monday, all ACVO Staff and our Board of Directors are carrying out a Development Day which will mean the office will be open from 9am until 12.30pm only. Following the day we will be reviewing what we are doing and what else we should be doing. Later in the year we will be carrying out a similar exercise with the Sector which will allow YOU to tell us what more we should be doing in order that we can “Develop, support and represent the THIRD SECTOR”.

AND FINALLY……the football season resumes tomorrow !!!!      

AND FINALLY FINALLY..... If you regularly read the E-bulletin and want to shape its future, please complete our online survey.

8th July 2011

I must say that when I attended the ACVO Fayre last year I had to carry out the “formal” review of why we were organising such an event or was it just that it was my first and I was not entirely clear what such an event achieved? Whatever, it was agreed that a similar event, albeit titled ‘Insight Aberdeen’ would take place this year and it was a great success.

I must say a thank you to Michelle Duff and Sarah McGarva, who were responsible for organising the Fayre and a thank you to all of my ACVO colleagues, including my Chair, Doug Duthie for their help on the day. Most importantly however I must thank all those THIRD SECTOR organisations and staff, whether voluntary or paid who were present. There was a real family atmosphere and that was only enhanced by the visit of the Lord Provost Peter Stephen, who spent nearly an hour and a half touring and speaking to the organisations. Well done all.

On Monday I was involved in a meeting at Peterhead with David Mundell MP and colleagues from THIRD SECTOR and Public Sector organisations “to explore the Big Society in Scotland”. Many of you may have heard me say or read my view that in Scotland and particularly Aberdeen we do not need the imposition of such a structure and indeed in my view we already have “The Big Jigsaw” which is slowly being put together!  The UK government want to give community empowerment, with councils and neighbourhoods having more power to take decisions, the opening up of public services enabling charities, social enterprises and other organisations the opportunity  to compete to offer high quality services and social action with people playing a more active part in society.

Following our general discussions in relation to these laudable objectives we then discussed some of the specifics the government have detailed in various documents. They wish to train “a new generation of community organisers and support the creation of neighbourhood groups across the UK, especially in the most deprived areas”, take a range of measures ” to encourage volunteering and involvement in social action, including launching a national ‘Big Society Day’, encourage charitable giving and philanthropy and introduce a National Citizen Service for 16 year olds.  It is also their intention to “support the creation and expansion of mutuals, co-operatives, charities and social enterprises and support these groups to have much greater involvement in the running of public services.” They also wish to establish a Big Society Bank “which will provide new finance for neighbourhood groups, charities, social enterprises and other nongovernmental bodies”.  

Most if not all of these would be of value to the THIRD SECTOR but I have concerns that this may be duplication in terms of some of the work the Scottish Government have put in place and at a time when public money is short, it seems insensible to do so. However ACVO will endeavour to continue in dialogue and report back to you.

Whilst I am on the subject of public money can I advise readers that although  some are saying that Change Fund monies were spent before they were released, that is not the case. At our first meeting, if all the applications had been approved, which they were not, there would still have been several hundreds of thousands of pounds left. As I explained last week another meeting has now been set for next  Wednesday so if you think you can complete your application quickly you may still be successful.

Change Plan Strategic Document and Change Plan Implementation Plan

For those of you that are regular readers, as Aberdeen Journals provided  good coverage of the Enterprise Awards winners I mentioned last week, I have not included them again. However, once again, well done to all but particularly THIRD SECTOR winners.

AND FINALLY…… speaking about winners, what about the 4,100 women, including our own Michelle Duff, who ran in the Race for Life at the Beach last Sunday! Well done you all, once again the VALUE AND VOLUME of the THIRD SECTOR.      

1st July 2011

With the Insight Aberdeen Third Sector and Volunteering Fayre at the Music Hall all day tomorrow (10am—3pm), and a number of jobs to be done for the event today,  I have been tasked by Michelle Duff to be brief in my comments today!

Last night I was pleased to attend the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise evening at the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel. What a great evening in terms of meeting with colleagues and partners from the Private and Public Sectors. All the winners details will be provided next week but for the moment well done Befriend a Child and Glencraft, champions of the THIRD SECTOR and winners on the evening !

AND FINALLY……INSIGHT ABERDEEN FAYRE, MUSIC HALL, SATURDAY  10am to 3pm. See you there.  

17th June 2011

As you may already be aware from seeing the excellent coverage in the newspapers and on television, this Wednesday I attended and presented at the official launch of the Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) Drug Strategy for 2011-2021 at The Citadel.

The 10 year plan was unveiled to nearly 170 delegates consisting of a good mix of service users, family members, professionals and members of the public.  I was delighted to find out that 55 organisations were represented on the day.

Thanks to everyone at the ADP and to Michelle Duff at ACVO for helping to organise the event and make it the success that it was.  If you want to be kept informed of any issues, please request to be added to the ADP mailing list by contacting Michelle at mduff@acvo.org.uk.

So, what’s next? We are now looking forward to getting an insight into what the THIRD SECTOR  does for the community on a daily basis at the Insight Aberdeen: Third Sector and Volunteering Fayre at the Music Hall on Saturday 2nd July 2011 from 10am to 3pm.

Please make the effort to come along and see some of the value and volume delivered by the Sector, get the date in your diary.  Along with 50 third sector organisations showcasing their services and offering volunteering opportunities there will be performances on the Music Hall stage on the hour.  There will be two musical performances from Aberdeen Youth Choir and Music in Motion and a hip hop dance performance organised by Multi ethnic Aberdeen Limited (MeAL).

Music in Motion, which is coordinated by Music 4 U and incorporates Singing Hands Youth, will be combining singing and sign language to give a performance and Aberdeen Youth Choir will be getting people’s toes tapping and performing a selection of well known songs from the musical Annie, including “Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow”.

AND FINALLY .... ACVO and Aberdeen Volunteer Centre now have a facebook page.  You can follow us and read about all the latest news and events through this additional communication tool.  Search for ‘ACVO and Aberdeen Volunteer Centre’ and ‘like’ the page.

AND FINALLY FINALLY .... thanks again to all who helped in any way at Celebrate Aberdeen.  It was a brilliant day, and I hope you have seen the news coverage.  More news and photos available next week.  

10th June 2011

I know that a great number of you will be “out on the town” tomorrow taking part in or enjoying the spectacle of Celebrate Aberdeen and I am particularly pleased that such a large number of THIRD SECTOR organisations have decided to show the City what our Sector does for them. However as most of you should know by now,  although we are part of the Celebrate Aberdeen machine, the success that I anticipate comes as a result of an initial idea from Morven Mackenzie of McKenzie PR.

 Friends and colleagues of Morven and their “friends and colleagues” have taken  on board the arrangements of perhaps the largest parade of this nature for some years in the City and it is essential that I on behalf of ACVO and the THIRD SECTOR give a huge thank you to all those businesses and organisations who have provided something and/or foregone earning money from different fee paying projects in order to deliver this event. 

A  brand has been created, a website built, facebook and twitter set up, a PR campaign developed, 130 THIRD SECTOR  organisations signed up, multiple sponsors found, a massive amount of banners and flags produced, a lorry arranged for the day and many other things, some of which we may not want to mention,  all in five months!!  If all the in kind support were added up it would come to many many thousands of pounds. 

To name some specifics, EQ Design developed a brand without charging and designed the leaflets - that alone would be worth £5-10k. Red Evolution built and carried out the huge amount of time on maintenance – worth approximately £5-10k.  Eyecandy have cut their prices right back for the 130 flags and 260 banners and are doing this for as little as they can justify charging. 

The Steering Group members have all not only worked unpaid but have given up time they could have used in a fee earning capacity.  The PR campaign would normally have been charged at least £5k and Event Management charges at a normal £400-£600 per day would add up to many thousands of pounds.  No time has been charged for, and the cost of not pursuing other fee-paying business opportunities for each has been massive.

ACVO like the other Steering Group members has received no additional funding, sponsorship or payment and Alison Chandler has worked well beyond her paid hours with the support of the whole ACVO team on this project which, while culminating in the event itself, has been so much more meaningful in its contribution to the profile, capacity and opportunities for THIRDSECTOR organisations and which will continue to provide value long after the parade is over.

The Aberdeen Lions are giving up their time so no costs have been spent on engaging a security firm for stewarding whilst Aberdeen City Council events team is giving up their Saturday morning to ensure everything goes smoothly. The event however has not been funded or organised by Aberdeen City Council.

Events such as these need transport and Shore Porters is providing a lorry and men on the day and not charging for wages and fuel as well as actually sponsoring organisations. And so the list goes on but not because the THIRD SECTOR and Private Sector are looking for rewards simply because they see the need and want to get something done. Once again the value of partnership working.

By naming a few I may miss many, but particular thanks need to go to Morven Mackenzie of Mackenzie PR, Campbell Urquhart of Urquhart Partnership, Iain Abernethy of Johnston Carmichael,  Scott Baxter of Solutions of Substance,  Pauline Sumal of Clydesdale Bank and  Karen Barlow of VSA The volume and value of the Sector once again !

AND FINALLY…… are you one of the people attending the launch of the ADP 10 year Drugs Strategy at the Citadel next week.  We have received a great response with over 170 delegates attending.

3rd June 2011

I know that a good number of you having been working hard over the last few days to submit an application for finance from the Change Fund and from what I have been hearing there are some really interesting suggestions which would benefit those that the strategy identifies. I have included the links again (below) so please take the time to look through the information and if you haven’t applied this time round, think about it for the future. After the meeting to discuss the applications on Wednesday,  I will be able to give you the dates for the process during the rest of the year. Change Fund Key Documents: Change Plan Strategic Document and Change Plan Implementation Plan.

On Wednesday I went along to the RGU Business School, along with a good number of representatives of the 130 THIRD SECTOR groups and organisations which are taking part in the Celebrate Aberdeen Parade on the 11th June, for a briefing by Campbell Urquhart, Morven Mackenzie and the team that are leading the event. Well done you guys, for the briefing covered a huge amount of the detail such an event needs these days in order that the paraders and the public can enjoy their day. This looks as if it will be one of the biggest, if not the biggest parades of this nature in Aberdeen for a good number of years.  

One of the main points that Campbell and Morven made, which I and my ACVO colleagues will be enforcing, is that at the end of the parade at the Castlegate, paraders must disperse as quickly as possible. Flags, banners and collecting buckets can all be handed in at the Castlegate  but it is vital that those parading move away from the area as soon as possible.

I appreciate that many of you will be “hyped up” after helping your THIRD SECTOR group or organisation Celebrate Aberdeen and if that is the case why not think about extending your celebrations?  There is so much going on afterwards, various groups are organising events later in the day.  Why not make a day of it?

The options we are aware of so far are:

• Aberdeen Art Centre—Include, Involve, Inspire Exhibition (see page 4 for more details)
• Big Picnic at Union Terrace Gardens, 1-5pm (see ‘Local Events’ section for more details)
• Café Drummonds—there are several bands (including the The Trybe and Inidikoda) playing in the evening from 7.30pm at Café Drummonds on Belmont Street.  The admission fee is a donation.
• Inspire BBQ, Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen (see ‘Local Events’ section for more details)

AND FINALLY….. on Wednesday I visited the INCLUDEINVOLVEINSPIRE Exhibition at the Aberdeen Arts Centre. Fantastic! If you attend try to identify which picture I purchased?     

20th May 2011

Having taken a few days off to celebrate a 30th birthday, unfortunately not mine, I am not able to provide the same volume and value to this weeks "Comments" so apologies Michelle if this leaves a gap at the bottom of the page!

With Celebrate Aberdeen moving on at a pace, we all at ACVO look forward to June 11th. Morven McKenzie and her team working with Alison Chandler and Michelle Duff, here at ACVO, has much to be proud of, with the event bringing together the THIRD SECTOR and the Private Sector in such a way.

Try to keep up with all that is planned if you are to be out on the street cheering us on that day and if you are to be one of the ‘Paraders’.  I hope you have done all that has been asked of you.

In the Local Events section of the E-Bulletin you will find details of the Aberdeen Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, Drugs Strategy launch on the 15th June, 2011 at the Citadel, Castlegate. The strategy provides a plan for the next ten years and will enable the COMMUNITY of Aberdeen to take a part in this extremely difficult issue. A process to support the strategy will also be put in place and this will ensure that not only professionals are involved in trying to resolve the many problems drugs presents within Aberdeen.

AND FINALLY...... in continuing the health theme, details of the Change Plan as it will affect Aberdeen will be on our website next week. If your THIRD SECTOR organisation already carries out work in relation to the wellbeing of others and you would like to do more or if you have some projects which will assist in the implementation of the plan this could be of assistance to you.

13th May 2011

Unfortunately I was not able to be present on Monday evening at the Town and County Hall for the Europe Day Reception to celebrate the European Year of Volunteering, but I was pleased to hear from my colleague Sandy Mathers, who leads our Voluntary Action and Active Citizenship Business Unit that many of you were.

With more than a hundred volunteers, some Volunteer Co-ordinators and a number of representatives from various organisations who rely on volunteering, the evening was a real celebration of volunteering in the City.

The Lord Provost was particularly impressed with some of the views expressed at the evening and Councillor Jim Kiddie, who was also there, was pleased to see the cross section of volunteers and organisations which gain from such work. The evening was a real reflection of the ongoing hard work carried out by my colleagues Rod McDermid and Mike Melvin in the ACVO Volunteer Centre.

On Tuesday I attended the Aberdeen City Council Social Care and Wellbeing Directorate’s  Service Business Plan for 2010 – 13 launch. Following Fred McBride’s information about the Service he reminded those present that over 60% of the service provision of his Directorate is provided by outsourcing and that  in some specific areas the figure rises to 75%. Much of that is done by the THIRD SECTOR but there will be more to come.

Earlier today ACVO had a visit from colleagues Laura Sexton and Ian Murray from the THIRD SECTOR Division of the Scottish Government. Following me relating our concern in relation to the funding of the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface we discussed a cross section of issues affecting Interfaces and the Sector. The future was the main feature of our discussions and following a meeting of the Interface Network  in June I am hopeful that we will have been provided with clearer information as to what the new Government intend to do with the THIRD SECTOR.        

Also, during the last few days, I and a colleague have been preparing material in relation to The Change Fund.

Unfortunately some work has still to be done and this will allow me to include up to date information in the entry in next week’s E-Bulletin.

AND FINALLY……what a busy week!!  

28th April 2011

As much as I enjoy a break, with the various holidays, public holidays and local holidays the last few days have been a little disjointed in terms of work, however today ACVO entertained a good number colleagues, clients and partners within our offices for the launch of “The ACVO gift to the THIRD SECTOR”. The gift  is the three year Business Plan that ACVO has now put in place in order that we can “Develop, Support and Represent”  the THIRD SECTOR both as an organisation and through the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface.

The “gift” provides information on what we are here to do, our objectives for the next three years and how the Enterprise and Sustainability, Stronger and More Connected Voices, Voluntary Action and Active Citizenship Business Units supported by the Communications and Support and Development Business Units will  carry out these tasks. During the next month on the ACVO website you will see the Action Plan for the Business Units in terms of new work that we will be considering and carrying out during 2011-12 and part of that will be listening to the THIRD SECTOR for the following year.

If you need a hard copy of the “gift”, please contact ACVO on (01224) 686058 or e-mail enquiries@acvo.org.uk or download it from our website.

Celebrate Aberdeen roars on with great numbers and some fantastic attractions. Are you involved ? Have you the 11th June in your diary ?

AND FINALLY……still time to apply for a really interesting post with ACVO as the Support and Development Lead.

21st April 2011

As most of you will know ACVO has seen many changes over the last year or so as a result of becoming the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface. Those changes have come about for various reasons and on most occasions, in my view, have resulted in an improved service to the THIRD SECTOR.  My Board and my colleagues have all been party to these changes but it may have appeared to you as a service user they have been a little ad hoc and you are not aware why the changes have been made.

I need to reassure you that this has not been the case and that my personal motto of “a plan with no action is a dream whilst action with no plan is a nightmare” has always been uppermost in my mind since I became Chief Executive now nearly two years ago.

The plan we have been operating on was a three phase strategy with phase one having been completed on the 1st April last year with amongst other achievements, the establishment of the Interface. We have just completed phase two, with amongst a number of achievements the confirmation that on a financial basis we are now more stable as an organisation and accreditation in terms of EFQM. As we now enter the third phase this plan must be seen by all in order that we can ensure what we are doing does develop, support and represent the THIRD SECTOR as our “strap line” states.

Last year we carried out various items of work that provided us with much information about what we are doing, what we would like to do and what we should be doing. This consultation became a large part of the ACVO Business Plan 2011- 2014 and next Thursday 28th April 2011, we intend to launch the plan at Greyfriars House at 1pm. Teas and coffees and a chance to speak with myself, Board members and my colleagues will be possible between 12 noon and 2pm. Please advise us if you intend to come along by contacting e-mailing your details to enquiries@acvo.org.uk.

A large part of how we do business obviously relates to communication and that was the main reason for the establishment of the THIRD SECTOR Action Group and the THIRD SECTOR Liaison Group. The first has membership of representatives from the various recognised fora operating in the City. Similar representatives attend the Liaison Group but at those meetings Fred McBride, Director of Social Care and Wellbeing represents the City Council and the agenda tries to deal with strategic issues as well as practical difficulties that have arisen.

At the most recent meeting of the Action Group I suggested and it was agreed that a number of the issues which I become involved in on your behalf should be “published” in order that you can be more aware of what affects the THIRD SECTOR and so that if you wish, you can advise me of your thoughts or those of your group or organisation in order that I can better represent the THIRD SECTOR. We will develop a place on the ACVO website for such information but at this time let me mention Total Place, Reshaping Care for Older People – Change Fund, Keep Well Initiative, EKOS Report into Community Planning in Aberdeen, Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan, Consultation on Single Police Service and Single Fire Service and Celebrate Aberdeen.

AND FINALLY…..thanks to all who attended and helped with the Stakeholder Event on Tuesday 19th April 2011 at the Cowdray Hall  in relation to the Future of Drug Services in Aberdeen. More on page 4 of this     E-Bulletin and in the future.

AND FINALLY FINALLY…. if you are keen to lead our Support and Development Business Unit here at ACVO have you looked at the job vacancy details on our website.

15th April 2011

Community Planning is about the community planning!   For years on both the personal front and from a professional point of view, people have been telling me that the Council, the Police and even ACVO do not listen to the community that these and various other organisations serve. Although we could discuss all week whether this statement is ever true or always true and whether the public really appreciate what consultation is really about, today I am giving you the opportunity in different ways to provide me with your views on two particularly important issues.

The Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan was approved by Scottish Ministers in August 2009 and sets out the framework for the development of Aberdeen and  Aberdeenshire to 2030. The plan covers objectives relating to economic growth, sustainable development and climate change, population growth, quality of the environment, sustainable mixed communities and accessibility.

The plan and other relevant background information can be found on the website of the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA) at http://www.aberdeencityandshire-sdpa.gov.uk. The SDPA is a partnership of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils established primarily to take forward the preparation, monitoring and review of the structure plan / strategic development plan.

Please check out the site and give your views on some of the most important issues that will affect our local area over the next few decades. If you don’t, please don’t complain to me in ten years time that nobody listened to you !!

Most of you will have been reading and hearing over the last few weeks of the consideration that the Scottish Government is giving to having a national Fire Service and a national Police Service. There have been various arguments put forward to support both proposals and several counter suggestions as to the difficulties these would cause. What are your views ? What would be best for the THIRD SECTOR and Aberdeen ? Would it make any difference whichever proposal was adopted ? I would like to hear your views.

AND FINALLY…..please remember that ACVO will be closed on Monday for a public holiday.      

8th April 2011

Last Saturday I attended the Grampian Police memorial service at St. Machar Cathedral for all the Police Officers and Staff who died whilst members of that Force or the forces which operated in the north east of Scotland before the formation of Grampian Police in 1975. 

The service commemorated the over ninety named individuals and others not named, who worked for the Forces and the communities in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray that they served.

The service was led by Colin McKerracher, Chief Constable whilst supported by a good number of his own team from Grampian Police. A large part of that team consisted of current Police Staff as well as the Force Chaplain, Reverend David Swan and some of his colleagues from the Chaplaincy Team. The most important part of the team however, and I know Colin McKerracher and his colleagues will agree with me in this, were the relatives and friends who also attended the service in memory of their loved ones.

On attending this event I saw the Community that is Grampian Police and supports Grampian Police and although I do not intend to dwell on this matter today, next week I am going to ask you whether you think we will be as well supported if we are policed by a Scottish Police Force.

AND FINALLY..... shortly after I came to work at ACVO I had the pleasure of meeting Catriona McPhee-Smith, the then Chief Executive of Inspire. I discussed with her my hopes and aspirations for ACVO and listened as she told me of the journey that she and Inspire had taken, over the last few years.

Tragically, following her death last Friday, this journey is now complete for Catriona. The work that she and her team put into Inspire has shown real dividends for all the clients and colleagues who have been involved in the various projects and items of work that have been initiated or taken on board.

At this time there is little I can say to her husband Kevin, her family and to all her friends and colleagues other than to repeat my comments to a colleague when I returned from meeting with her that first time "What a lovely woman."  

1st April 2011

As most of you will by now know I am a “partner person”. Throughout my personal and business life I have always thought that by doing things with others we are all more able to achieve and very often do so in a more efficient manner. I accept that in partnerships, like families, things are not always as easy as we would like but when we are working for the benefit of others, solutions are usually achievable with a little work.

At this moment in time this is how things are in Community Planning terms. I know that some of you are still not comfortable about why we have community planning, what it involves and what it actually is, however most of you carry out community planning every day. By working together we can ensure processes are in place for the benefit of all and as a good Aberdonian, I can say that by doing so it often means we are providing best value to all.

Over the last few months the Community Planning Partners in the strategic group for the process, referred to as The Aberdeen City Alliance (TACA) at present, have been working together to improve the structures and processes within Community Planning in Aberdeen. A number of these changes will I am sure make Community Planning a bit more hard edged, a good bit more flexible and yet ensure that partners in the process can have an awareness of what is going on within the city and where necessary offer assistance. During the next few months, when the changes have been agreed, I will ensure you are told of these improvements.

As part of my work on behalf of the THIRD SECTOR  I have a fair involvement in Community Planning activity and none more so than in relation to the work of the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP). Over the last few months I have led a team of partners in constructing a new 10 year strategy  in order that “Together we will tackle drugs misuse and it’s effects in Aberdeen City “. The document will shortly be launched and all stakeholders will have an opportunity to realise that “we are all part of the ADP” as one of my colleagues said recently.

To me the most important aspect of the strategy will be the accountable but transparent process that will support the strategy and allow more people to connect with this issue. Part of this process begins with an invitation to all stakeholders to hear about the commissioning of drugs services within the city from April 2012. The event is open to any stakeholder and will be in the Aberdeen Arts Centre between 2 and 4pm on Tuesday 19th April, 2011. If you wish to attend please e-mail your name and contact details to us at enquiries@acvo.org.uk and let us know you are attending.

AND FINALLY……it is always a bit of an oasis for me when following some of the meetings I need to attend on behalf of the THIRD SECTOR I can attend an event which shows what the Sector is really  about and what it does for others. So I was refreshed on Monday evening when I and fifty or so others attended at the Town House for the STOP HOMELESSNESS 2011 CIVIC RECEPTION.

At the event, arranged by the Bethany Christian Trust, we heard from Iain Gordon, the Chief Executive of the Trust about the 80,000 people in Scotland, who each year present themselves as homeless  and then further detail from Dan Reynolds, Fundraising and Marketing Manager and Andrew Murray, North of Scotland Manager of what is being done nationally and locally. All of real interest and value.

However for me, the highlight of the evening, if that is a term I can use in such circumstances was the interview Dave Pratt of the Trust carried out of “Doug”, a Bethany Trust client. He told us of how he became homeless, of how as a result he was “physically and mentally drained” and of how following his ten weeks without his own accommodation, the Trust and it’s various initiatives saw him back on the road to recovery. Congratulations to Doug particularly, for telling the story to anyone would be difficult but to tell it to the meeting must have been a real challenge.  This is what the THIRD SECTOR is about!    

25th March 2011

Due to technical difficulties last Friday, I was only able to provide a truncated comments. This week there is  a “bumper edition”!

By now all of you who submitted applications for funding to the Fairer Scotland Fund will be aware of the decisions made by the Board at it’s meeting on Saturday 12th March. As a member of the Board I can assure all those who applied that much consideration was given to each. With reduced funding being available, guidance had been given to all applicants that they also should try to reduce their bids by approximately 35%, in order that the Board could endeavour to stretch the money as much as possible.

During the near eight hour meeting all applications from the various categories were dealt with and although the old expression “you will never keep all of the people happy all of the time” will no doubt apply.  I am hopeful that with the information from the Support Team who process the bids and provide the results, all applicants have been given the background to the decisions and can understand if not agree with the rationale to those decisions. Dave Kilgour and his team did a good job in getting all of the bids together in time.

The Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services, chaired by Dr Campbell Christie and referred to as The Christie Commission, has been asked by the Scottish Government to develop recommendations that will assist the Government in achieving it’s ambitions for Scotland’s public services and the wish to take them from good to excellent in every facet and every place.

Members of the Commission visited Aberdeen a week past Tuesday and along with a number of other representatives I met them at Woodhill House. A good number of points were raised and in general there was support for better public services, however I raised with those attending that statutory bodies do not always need to carry out the tasks asked of them for often there are THIRD SECTOR organisations which carry out similar tasks that could take on such responsibilities if funding was provided. I also made it clear that such organisations may be willing to change what they are providing in order to support the Government aims or indeed new THIRD SECTOR organisations could be established to carry out the duties and tasks, very often in a more compassionate and effective manner and at lesser cost.     

Have you or your organisation considered a Business Continuity plan? Were your premises unavailable due to fire, flood or other difficulty? Could we in the THIRD SECTOR not be more co-ordinated to assist the community were an incident to occur in Aberdeen? Can we not help each other to overcome such difficulties, at least in the first instance? These are some of the questions that we in ACVO  are now asking and want to be able to answer.

As part of the consideration of these and other associated issues, my Chair, Doug Duthie and I attended the Grampian Strategic Coordinating Group Annual Conference at the Citadel on Thursday 17th March. The SCG, as it is referred to, at this time is statutory organisations who meet to Risk Assess, Plan and Train for such events and we are to be having discussions with their officials to see what they can do for us and what we can do for them. More details to follow soon.

Last Friday I was at the now regular meeting of the THIRD SECTOR Interface Network, at Edinburgh. These meetings are arranged by Voluntary Action Scotland, which is now acting as the liaison organisation between the Scottish Government and the THIRD SECTOR. Many processes are still being established and as the group progresses I will ensure you are advised accordingly.

The North East Scotland Equalities Network, NESEN, brings people together to help achieve equality in disability, gender, race, sexual orientation, age, transgender, religion and belief through an interactive network membership of voluntary sector, public bodies, individuals, groups and organisations from across Grampian. The group was launched last weekend at Woodhill House with their ” Forward Together” Event. Following various speakers including Rachel Johnson, the Race, Religion and Refugee Team Leader from the Equality and Communities Division, Scottish Government there was a Speed Networking session involving the over twenty organisations represented and all those attending the event, including the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Peter Stephen and Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Anne Robertson.  Well done Jeannie Felsinger and team.

Looking forward, please keep an eye open for the launch of the Community Activities Trust on 6th April 2011. 

AND FINALLY….. last call for the last two stalls at our Fayre at the Music Hall on the 3rd July 2011!!    

11th March 2011

Last night I attended the launch of the second oldest charity in Aberdeen! Yes the Grampian Society for the Blind is now operating under a new name and in case you have not heard,  it is North East Sensory Services, albeit their Chair Kathleen Sinclair showed last night how difficult it is to get away from a name which has meant so much to so many within Aberdeen and the North East for so long.

During the course of the evening at the Marcliffe Hotel, generously provided by Stewart Spence, the large group attending were able to appreciate the work carried out by the various projects arranged by the now NESS. They were entertained by the master of ceremonies for the evening Neil Skene, who has obviously been provided with tips by Bruce Forsyth as well as hearing from Kathleen Sinclair and Graham Findlay, the Chief Executive.

Graham told us that on being established in 1879 it’s main functions were to carry out home visits, provide scriptures and to teach and find employment for it’s clients. He went on to detail all that the organisation now does and although the list still includes the three I have mentioned, the list is now far larger.  

NESS now provide a full joint sensory service within Moray and Aberdeen to nearly 3500 deaf, blind or visually impaired persons from premises in Elgin and Aberdeen. He thanked all his staff for the manner that they have accepted the changes to the organisation and VISCOM who designed their logo and name.  A client, Andrea, then explained how she had lost her sight and how NESS, as is now, had assisted her. All very powerful !

Over the last few months a number of you will have featured in the ACVO magazine—Third Sector Aberdeen - that Michelle Duff and her team have been producing. Publications like these do not simply happen however and for the magazine to be released at the end of March we are particularly grateful to Steven Noble, an RGU student on placement with ACVO over the last six weeks. Steven has been fortunate in his spell with ACVO that there have been a number of staff birthdays and this has meant that he has had to endure various birthday tea parties with cakes! Well done Steven and thanks very much for your help.

4th March 2011

As you may recall, following agreement between ACVO, The Aberdeen City Alliance (the Community Planning Partnership within Aberdeen), VSA (which at that time was responsible for the Volunteer Centre) and the Scottish Government,  on 1st April last year ACVO started to provide service as the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface. As a government funded Interface we are required to:

• Support voluntary organisations operating in the area, both local organisations and those national organisations which deliver services at the local level.
• Provide support for volunteering.
• Provide support for social enterprise.
• Support connection between the Community Planning Partnership and the THIRD SECTOR.

Providing this service required a fair amount of work and resources both prior to that date and since. At the time I and my colleagues within ACVO considered the Business Plan that we had previously agreed with the Scottish Government and decided that, in our view,  it did not reflect the work that ACVO had been carrying out or that we should now be carrying out as the THIRD SECTOR Interface. As a result, the then Executive Committee, staff and I agreed to prepare a new three year Strategy and Business plan. A consultation process with members of ACVO, partners from the THIRD SECTOR and partners from other Sectors then took place and this exercise produced a mass of information which was considered along with the internally produced material.

Whilst we were carrying out this work, the Government advised all Interfaces that there were new arrangements for Interfaces and that by 1st November 2010, for the period 2011 -14, each was required to submit to them a document which contained “a clear description of its governance and management arrangements [...] a single delivery framework to cover at least the four primary interface functions in 2011-12, and indicate its plans for the rest of the Spending Period” in relation to the four specific areas of work detailed above. The Government also required  that all interfaces adopt the EFQM process, that Interfaces would be expected to participate in a new national IT platform being developed and referred to as “MILO”, and that certain principles in terms of reporting and  monitoring be adhered to. They concluded by saying that this document should be agreed to by the community planning partnership, in our case TACA, and that they would advise as to funding for 2011 onward by 15th December 2010.

Following agreement as to the document’s contents by the then Executive Committee of ACVO at its meeting on 28th October 2010, TACA “wholeheartedly endorsed” the document prepared and it was forwarded to the Scottish Government. Unfortunately, on 10th December 2010 we were advised by  Government that they “now expect announcements about interface funding [to be] made in the new year.”

I am pleased to advise you that last Friday afternoon we were advised that our plan had been accepted and that funding would be provided accordingly, albeit only for 2011–12 at this time. Clearly this will now allow ACVO and the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface to move forward albeit it compresses the time we have to put some changes in place.  I have arranged for the framework document, required by the Government and referred to above, to be on our website for your information, consideration and to allow you to ask any questions you may feel necessary. I will outline the various organisational changes next week.

As you may be aware, but  will also see from  bullet point 4 above, the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface has a specific duty in relation to community planning. A number of you may not be as fully aware of these processes as you would like and learning information to assist will shortly be available to clarify, enhance and/or confirm your knowledge. Our place at the TACA table means that the Sector are now involved formally in a number of the processes which the Government and statutory partners are now putting in place. Over the next few weeks I will be providing you with as much information as I can in order that you can see the direction that some of these organisations are taking for many reasons; in my view there are many ways that THIRD SECTOR organisations can assist and, in so doing, also help our own organisations.

Yesterday I sat with nearly two hundred colleagues to listen to how our Health agenda will change over the next ten years; on the basis of the processes being put in place and the agreements at the tables and open sessions, THIRD SECTOR organisations have a big part to play in the NHS Grampian Health Plan.

Many of you will recollect me telling you about the Change Fund last week and, as promised, it is now on our website. John Tomlinson and Louise Farmer, both from ACVO’s Board, are working with me to consider the proposals and would appreciate any views.

AND FINALLY… on many occasions I have sat at various funding meetings and wondered how much benefit society gets from finance provided to arts and culture events. Well, Global Rock answers that question once again! To see hundreds of men and women from nine North East academies taking part at such a high profile venue as the AECC, in front of the largest ever audience in Britain, to see a Global Rock event to the standards of professionals with the enthusiasm and energy shown confirms that it is money well spent. However also consider the more important aspects of the event, the team spirit engendered, the confidence provided to those taking part who may never have done so in the past and may never do so agai,n and the benefits to the communities that all of these young people live in, for those youngsters spent thousands of hours working and rehearsing, taking them “off the streets” and meaning that their normal complaint of “there’s nothing to do” was not the case. Well done “Be all you can be”, Grampian Police, all the mums, dads and friends who supported them, and finally to the CAST of thousands.  See more words and some pictures elsewhere and our link to the Survey Monkey on page 12 of our E-Bulletin. 

25th February 2011

Last week I spoke with Stuart Carruth, the Interim Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council, in relation to their budget and information in relation to the various grants that the Sector is hoping will be distributed shortly.

Mr Carruth advised me that the Council are keen to advise recipients of funding as soon as possible but that due to the complexity of the budget exercise this year,  this is more involved.  I will be speaking with him or a colleague next week for further information unless any of you have heard anything differently officially or otherwise ?

On Monday evening, as a guest of Miss Lynsey Paterson, Young Scot Information Services Co-ordinator, I attended the tenth Global Rock Challenge held at the AECC. With nine schools from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, many of whom have been in the competition for some years, there was a particularly high standard of performance for the audience to view.  Westhill Academy won the event with Mackie Academy, an ever present during the ten years of the event, second and Northfield Academy third.  Pictures and fuller report next week.

In the 2011/12 budget, an announcement was made regarding the proposed introduction of a Change Fund to support the implementation of the Reshaping Care for Older People Programme.  Guidance was issued on the 23rd December 2010 requesting local partnerships to prepare Change Plans that will set down how the funding will be used to achieve a shift in the balance of care. These plans will be reviewed by a Ministerial Steering Group and only if the Group is assured that the fund will achieve change locally will the fund be released. The fund will be issued through the NHS Board allocation.

The Local Change Funds have to be submitted by the 28th February 2011 and have to be prepared and submitted through local Community Planning Partnership processes albeit the relevant guidance acknowledges that this may be taken forward through delegated and devolved arrangements through Community Health Partnerships, as is the case with Aberdeen.  Plans must be prepared and agreed by NHS Grampian, Aberdeen City Council, the independent sector and the THIRD SECTOR.  I and colleagues from ACVO have been carrying out work on behalf of the Sector and a draft of the document which will be on our website on Monday. If you have any comments or questions about the draft I would like to hear from you.

AND FINALLY……half of the stalls at the Insight Aberdeen: Third Sector and Volunteering Fayre in the Music Hall on the 2nd July 2011 have now been booked. Have you booked your place and is the date in your diary? 

If you are a third sector organisation working in Aberdeen City and wish to exhibit on the day, please contact Michelle Duff for a booking form, these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

18th February 2011

A brand new Trust is soon to be launched in Aberdeen. The purpose of the Trust is toprovide support to people in the city with learning difficulties to enable them to experience activities in the community. The new trust is called CAT – ‘Community Activities Trust’.
 
There will initially be two types of grant—one for individuals with low incomes who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience activities which others often take for granted; the other is for organisations who wish to arrange experiences for several individuals or to venues in the city to help them open their doors to people with learning disabilities.
   
The Trust has an initial fund of £20,000 received from Aberdeen City Council; in addition the independent Trust will seek other grants and business sponsorship to expand opportunities for people.
 
A number of volunteers have agreed to sit as Trustees to get the venture up and running and anyone else interested in supporting the work will be most welcome. Meantime, to get established, ACVO is providing administrative support. Applications for grants will open in April 2011.

11th February 2011

 Some of you may already know that we have been successfully validated by Quality Scotland as an organisation “committed  to excellence” through the internationally recognised European Framework for Quality Management (EFQM).

As you will know, the EFQM process is being promoted for Third Sector Interface Organisations through the “Quality Matters” strand of the Supporting Voluntary Action programme funded by the Big Lottery.

This is in the context of increasing expectations that Scottish Government will make this attainment a condition of continued funding. 

The two validators were very fulsome in their verbal feedback and we were pleasantly surprised to hear that we are in fact the first Third Sector Interface organisation to be validated outwith the initial pilot group.

In the meantime we await the written feedback from the validators.

AND FINALLY…… after the Council setting it’s budget yesterday we all await further information as to how we will be affected. I am endeavouring to find out how quickly and by what means information in relation to the Sector and individual organisations will be circulated. I will keep you updated.

4th February 2011

Just about a fortnight ago I attended the Community Conference arranged by Aberdeen City Council at the Town House. I was accompanied by Mike Melvin and we were part of the hundred strong attendance there. Although I had previously understood we were to be discussing the budget the Council were trying to set, we only did this in passing and the main purpose of the meeting was to seek views in relation to the Fairer Scotland Fund.

Many of you will now know that the council administration are recommending to the full council a  £1.6+ million fund for 2011/12 and successive years. Most at the meeting were positive in relation to this sum as the other recommendation made, which was not supported, was that no funding be made available. The recommendation  will be considered by the Council at their meeting next week. At our meeting many views were expressed and noted and later this evening I and other members of the Fairer Scotland Fund Board will consider those and other matters. Following this meeting I will be able to report how the scheme will operate this year and perhaps how we will endeavour to gain match funding from other sources.

It seems a week in relation to resource, albeit unfortunately, many of the comments made by the UK government do not seem to support their earlier claims in relation to support for the THIRD SECTOR. We will see! Yesterday I attended a meeting in Edinburgh in relation to Reshaping Care for Older People and Preparing Local Change Plans. This was a national event and followed a local meeting with colleagues from NHS Grampian, Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Care the previous Friday. As ever we are required to complete the work and submit the plan by 28 February, 2011. Following further discussions next week I will report on the suggestions for the plan and request your views.

Tomorrow morning I will be on the early train to Glasgow to meet colleagues from all over Scotland at the first THIRD SECTOR Interface Network Meeting, arranged  by Voluntary Action Scotland. The whole day meeting has a fairly heavy agenda with the most important, in my view, being  “Funding Update”. Again more to follow next week.

AND FINALLY……. thanks to all who attended and supported ACVO at the Annual General Meeting last Friday.

AND FINALLY  FINALLY…. wearing my Alcohol and Drug Partnership hat, have you completed the ADP consultation in relation to our new strategy ? If not, please do so by the final day, next Friday.           

STOP PRESS..... At last night's meeting of the Fairer Scotland Fund Committee it was agreed that all groups/projects presently funded by FSF and which require funding in 2011/12 will need to apply for such by FRIDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2011. This will allow the relevant Community Planning Forum or Neighbourhood Network to  consider by 11 March and the FSF Committee on 12 March. The FSF Support Team are arranging a meeting to brief all existing recipients of FSF monies shortly.

28th January 2011

On a weekly basis I endeavour to look back at the week and look forward to the next seven days in an effort to produce a “Chief Executive’s Comments” for the E-Bulletin. The document is circulated to over 2,000 readers every Friday, in the main within the THIRD SECTOR and is an attempt to fulfil ACVO’S main roles of developing, supporting and representing the sector.

This afternoon, a good number of ACVO members, partners and colleagues will be with us at the Park Inn Hotel, Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen between 12 noon and 2pm for our 2009/10 Annual General Meeting. The business part of the meeting with reports, presentation of accounts, constitutional amendments and election of members to the Executive Committee will be followed by a Scottish lunch to celebrate “the bard”. 

For our latest Annual Report I was required to look back to July 2009 when I was fortunate enough to be appointed Chief Executive of ACVO. I must say I look forward to a challenge and I have been more than satisfied with the challenge that the ACVO Executive Committee presented me with in July, nearly two years ago!

On my first few days in post, I made the effort to speak with all our staff and the first and main quality that I appreciated, was the enthusiasm of my colleagues.  I learned from them what an organisation such as ACVO should be doing and their views of what we were doing. I then spent time with the then Chair, Gordon Kyle and the other members of the Executive Committee and appreciated  the concerns they had and their views for the future. Armed with these I put together a three phase strategy which I referred to as Resuscitation, Recovery and Reconstruction.

In my view, we needed the first phase of the three R’s Strategy to be complete by 31st March, 2010 and the second by March 2011 to allow our third phase to begin in April 2011. I am pleased to say that although some of the financial detail in the 2009/10 financial report for this Annual General Meeting may give you concerns, the commentary from the Treasurer in relation to our current position allows me to report that the Reconstruction phase will commence on 1st April, 2011.  The basis of our three R’s strategy was very much between the Executive Committee and staff and has been on a very low key basis. The new  Strategy and Plan is to be carried out in a different basis.

The Strategy and Business Plan to be in place from April 2011, has been  agreed by my colleagues on the Executive Committee, following consultation with the THIRD SECTOR, our colleagues in the Public and Private Sectors  and our community partners on The Aberdeen City Alliance. We still await  agreement with the Scottish Government. Following such agreement the Plan will be launched and members, partners and colleagues invited to be with us to look forward to the next  three years.

The Executive Committee, staff and I have only been able to put the model in place, described in the Plan, as a result of the hard work carried out during 2009/10 and members of ACVO should be under no illusions as to how much hard work has been carried out. My Chairperson and colleagues have detailed in their reports many of the highlights of the year and I could provide many “lowlights”, however from my point of view without providing too much detail or duplicating too much there a number of points I must mention.  Prior to my appointment, my Committee, VSA and TACA had agreed  that ACVO would provide the Single Third Sector Interface for Aberdeen and as a result of us being one of the first in Scotland, there was much work done by many to establish it. In my view the process is worthwhile and as a result of the work done in 2009/10 the ABERDEEN THIRD SECTOR INTERFACE opened at Greyfriars House on 1st April 2010. The Volunteer Centre is now an established part of the Interface and has now provided many benefits to the organisation.

In an effort to know more about the estimated 4,000 THIRD SECTOR organisations within the city, during the year we started to map as many of the organisations as possible. This was done with the support of the Grampian Fire and Rescue Service and has now developed into a larger project which is providing us with information and allowing us to provide more information to the Sector.

During the year two members of staff left ACVO and for a period of time we did not replace them. This meant extra work for all but also allowed us to stabilise the organisation and be in the position to prepare the way for the future.  Many people within ACVO, within the City, region and country and indeed my home have assisted me through my first year at ACVO and I am indebted to them. I look forward to reporting to you on 2010/11.  “A plan with no action is a dream but action with no plan is a nightmare”.      

Before today’s AGM, I am attending an Aberdeen Partnership Event  at the Town House on Preparing a Local Change Plan along with Louise Farmer, who is a member of our Committee. This will involve a good number of partners and relates to the establishment of a new fund. Update next week.

AND FINALLY……I am the Chair of Aberdeen City Voice. This system allows partners to obtain the views of nearly one thousand citizens panellists, to analyse their views and report back. The City Voice is well used by partners but is looking to extend its use. Would such a service be of use to your organisation ? Would your organisation want to use the Voice on a one off basis? If you have any thoughts, please let Michelle Duff know at mduff@acvo.org.uk 

21st January 2011

As you may have seen from our press coverage, 2011 is European Year of Volunteering and our official launch at the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface was at Greyfriars House on Wednesday.

With a large number of our partners present, particularly those involved in volunteering, we welcomed the “new year” with thanks to those currently involved and hopes for those who wish to be involved.

Volunteering, as you will read elsewhere, involves nearly 44,000 people in Aberdeen, whether on an informal or formal basis.

Those looking for volunteers provide us with details which are placed on our website – www.volunteeraberdeen.org.uk - and those wishing to provide this hugely worthwhile service to the community of Aberdeen, can then choose something and continue on this organised but informal manner.

For those between 18 to 25 the Millenium Volunteers system formalises the process but still to the advantage of the citizens of Aberdeen.

On Wednesday, as well as launching European Year of Volunteering we signed up our 1,000th “MV” person, in the form of Kirsten McDermid the daughter of Rod McDermid, one half of the “dynamic duo” who look after volunteering on behalf of the Aberdeen THIRD SECTOR Interface here at Greyfriars House.

Mike Melvin the other half of the “duo” and Rod have put together a really interesting programme of events for the Year and are available at any time to provide you with more information. Go on, please.

AND FINALLY…… I am attending tomorrow, with colleagues from THIRD SECTOR FORA, the Fairer Scotland Fund Community Summit at the Town and County Hall in the Town House.  Update next week.

14th January 2011

Now that most of our readers are back at work I need to provide as much information as I can about some of the really important matters that have developed over the festive season or are taking place within the next week or so.

Following the postponement of our Annual General Meeting we have now arranged for the Meeting to take place at the Park Inn, Justice Mill Lane on FRIDAY 28TH JANUARY 2011 between 12 noon and 2pm. As it will be Burns week, a Scottish buffet lunch will be provided to those attending. Those wishing further details or wishing to advise as to their attendance should contact ACVO or (01224) 686058. Looking forward to seeing as many ACVO members as possible.

As many of you will be aware the Alcohol and Drug Partnership are the Community Planning Challenge Forum for Aberdeen. The group consists of various statutory organisations as well as a number of others including ACVO, on behalf of the THIRD SECTOR. A number of the Partnership have during the last few months been putting together a strategy for the work of the ADP and it’s members over the next ten years.

The strategy can be viewed at ……. and I would be pleased if as many of you as possible would do so as part of the consultation. It is vital that the community view is obtained and as many of you are both THIRD SECTOR members and members of the community within Aberdeen I am really keen to have your views, whatever hat you are wearing.

A large part of the work of the ADP is communication and this will be greatly improved with the appointment of Wendy Churcher, the ADP Information / Service User and Care Officer. Wendy started working with ACVO in this capacity this week and I am really pleased to welcome her aboard, both from an ACVO and  ADP point of view.

Some  of you may have heard through the THIRD SECTOR grapevine, over the last week or so, about the Celebrate Aberdeen Parade on the 11th June this year. The event which will link our Sector with Private and Public Sector bodies but may also provide some well needed funds for those groups applying to parade in Union Street on that lovely summer day in June. We have much to be proud of in Aberdeen and a huge amount to be proud of in the ABERDEEN THIRD SECTOR so please click on to the website, express your interest and join us in June.

On Monday evening I attended a meeting called by Lord Provost Peter Stephen at the Town House to discuss Civic Pride within Aberdeen. Although this may be one of the most difficult years in Aberdeen for some years and our Sector may have more difficulties than other Sectors within the City, we have many things to be proud of in the City and many things to carry out to make it an even better place to work and/or live in. I am pleased that Peter Stephen has shown the leadership to bring this group together and know that I will have much to tell you about in the future.

Last night I was pleased to meet Valerie Watts, the new Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council. Although Valerie does not start work in Aberdeen until 1 March she expressed real interest in the City, what is ongoing and what she feels the Council should be doing for the citizens. I look forward to working with her.

Some of you may have been at either the meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee or the full Council meeting when there was mention of a “Community Conference” and like me thought this was a response to the suggestion we and perhaps others put forward in our letters to the Council, in relation to their budget consultation. I am now told although the meeting has been arranged for a week on Saturday, no further details, that the main issue the meeting will deal with is the Fairer Scotland Fund. Clearly this will be involved in the Council budget, but to what extent I am unclear. I will be attending and I am trying to have colleagues from THIRD SECTOR FORA with me. When I have more detail I will provide it.

AND FINALLY…… this year is European Year of Volunteering and my colleagues Rod McDermid and Mike Melvin  have put together an interesting and in may ways enlightening programme of events for the year. To open the door we will host a Lunch and Learn event here at Greyfriars House on Wednesday 19th January 2011. If you are involved, want to be involved or simply want to know more about volunteering why not come along, have a bite of lunch and learn. If you are to attend please advise Mike Melvin or call him on (01224) 686076.  

17th December 2010

On the basis that only a few people have made it into our office today due to the snow, I am not sure whether I am “broadcasting” to anyone out there, however here goes.

Following a consultation meeting three weeks ago in relation to the Council’s 5 year Budget Plan, which identified  the Vulnerable, Children and Young People and the Fairer Scotland Fund as priorities, I wrote to Councillors of Aberdeen City Council and asked them to support these priorities when they were making decisions in relation to budgets.

On the basis of the decisions made by the Finance and Resources Committee at their meeting on the 2nd December 2010, it appeared elected members were supportive of our stance.

As far as I am advised their decisions were supported by the full Council on Wednesday and officials will now put the plans into action, albeit colleagues advised me of instances where officials had already been stating  that they were implementing some of the “cuts” before they had even been agreed!

Within my letter I told Councillors that the THIRD SECTOR could prove of value to the Council in relation to the provision of services and that in order to consider this,  there needed to be a discussion at, as early as stage as possible. At the meeting on 2nd December 2010 we were advised that a “Community Meeting” was to be held and I had that confirmed subsequently by Councillor Jennifer Stewart. No details have as yet been provided but I will be asking for these from the Council next week in order that we are all ready to give our views in the New Year.

AND FINALLY…… thanks to all our guests who called in yesterday to our Open Day. A little snow didn’t prevent ACVO from thanking all who we do business with for their help and assistance during the year.  

We started the proceedings with a presentation to Gordon Kyle, our past Chairman, for his time with ACVO generally and as Chair specifically. We then presented a 10 year certificate to Michelle Duff for her time with ACVO and finally enjoyed some hours with friends and colleagues.

10th December 2010

What a busy week for us all at ACVO. With various rearranged meetings as a result of the weather, two main events for the THIRD SECTOR on our calendar and looking ahead to how we respond to Aberdeen City Council in relation to their 5 year plan, it has been "all go".

About a hundred of us attended the Carol Service at the Citadel on Wednesday evening and what an evening it was. With the Salvation Army Band, Music 4 U and City Centre Chaplain Cate Adams and her 17 hats, we all celebrated the Festive Season. With many well known carols, some fantastic music from the children and young people of Music 4 U and Cate's never to be forgotten CHRISTMAS meaning, as mentioned below, the evening was what this time of year should be about and in my view what the THIRD SECTOR is about.

Carpenter, Healer, Ruler, Interpreter, Shepherd,
Teacher, Miracle-maker, Angler, and Saviour

3rd December 2010

As many of you will recollect last Friday I invited representatives of the THIRD SECTOR to a meeting at the Town House to discuss the contents of the Aberdeen City Council Priority Based Budgeting Final Draft Report which has been on the Council web site for some weeks and has been much mentioned in the media over the same time period. Although I was disappointed in terms of the number of representatives who attended, the  quality of those who did attend the meeting meant it was of real value.

At the meeting we agreed that although no one wished to see “cuts”, in the circumstances the country finds itself it was inevitable that Aberdeen City Council and other local authorities needed to take action. In the case of Aberdeen it seems worse due to the previous two years of similar exercises however. There were then discussions on the content of the 49 page document and a number of examples from the document were referred to as of concern. It was agreed however that to comment on every single line was impracticable, particularly when some of the proposals lacked clarity as to what was meant and were so generic that it was unclear what actions would follow as a result of the proposal being actioned eg page 14 “Invest in reablement to constrain growth.”

The group agreed that it would be of real value if it identified priorities and asked the Council to bear these in mind when they were making final decisions. Following discussion, the group agreed the priorities that should be borne in mind were the Vulnerable, Children and Young Persons and the Fairer Scotland Fund. On the basis of these I prepared a letter and forwarded it to all members of the Aberdeen City Council Finance and Resources Committee and I have included a copy of that letter here. I also circulated copies of the letter to all those who attended the meeting.  Within minutes I received the response from Councillor Dean. I subsequently discussed the letter with various councillors with little response.

On Thursday I attended  the meeting of the committee along with a number of  THIRD SECTOR and community colleagues. Although there was much procedural discussion at the meeting, basically following a proposal by the Administration an amended version of the Final Draft Report was circulated with proposals highlighted in green, apparently amber but I think yellow, and red. Those items in green were those recommended for agreement by the Committee and further consideration by the full Council on 15 December, 2010.  Those in amber would be further considered if all green proposals were not approved whilst red were not for agreement, at this time. Although this document will be on the Council website I have attached a copy to this report. The motion as to the “green proposals” was passed and will be referred to the full Council meeting.

On the basis of the formal and informal comments and my first reading of the new document, the priorities our group identified last Friday are those which have generally been included for full Council discussion. However we now have some further work to be done !  As you will see in my letter, our group were of the view  the Council should carry out as few of the proposals as it needs to in Year 1 and also meet with the THIRD SECTOR and others to discuss what further can be achieved both in terms of the detail in the report and relative to any other suggestions now made. Indeed prior to and at the meeting there was mention of a community meeting but no further details were provided.  Between now and Monday 13th December 2010, I need you to review the amended document and comment to acvo.org.uk. I will then discuss with the Chairs of the various fora that are part of the THIRD SECTOR ACTION  GROUP in order that we can then respond to the Council on your behalf.

AND FINALLY……. on a less serious note we are all off shortly to get our “hair done”,  for the ACVO THIRD SECTOR Christmas Party at Tiger Tiger tonight. If you are going, see you there, if not, why not ? (Public access from 11pm).  And finally finally, remember about the Carol Service at the Citadel next  Wednesday evening at 7pm.  All welcome !

26th November 2010

Just a few words as I am off to meet with colleagues from the Sector to discuss the Aberdeen City Council Priority Based Budgeting Report and then forward a response to the Council. More on this next week.

Have you had a chance to view and read the second edition of the ACVO ‘Third Sector Aberdeen’ magazine as the feedback about it has already been really positive and I am keen to hear of the views of those receiving it.

This morning I participated in a focus group arranged by the Social Work Inspection Agency as part of their inspection of social work services in Aberdeen. A number of colleagues from the THIRD SECTOR were present as were colleagues from the private sector. Some interesting points made and some interesting views expressed.

One of the most enjoyable parts of this job is meeting the people who are the THIRD SECTOR and yesterday I was at Inspire with colleagues to present Calum McKenzie with his MV Youth Volunteering Award. Calum has now completed 200 hours of volunteering at Inspire’s Café Coast on the Beach Boulevard and is looking forward to adding still more hours to his total over the coming months. Well done Calum!

AND FINALLY……. are you coming to our Carol Service on Wednesday 8th December 2010 at 7pm at the Citadel. If not, why not ?     

19th November 2010

With one of the busiest periods of the year about to start for ACVO and it`s staff, I thought a few days away from the office, for me, would ease the pressure a little for my colleagues! So just a few words while I enjoy a little winter sunshine in Madeira.

Back to work next week but with the decorators from Foyer Works at the premises no doubt things will be a little hectic. At the end of the week, between 1 and 3pm on Friday we will be at the Town House to seek your views on the Council Budget cuts. See their website, then come along and give us your views and suggestions so that we can give elected members YOUR views. Again if you can join us, contact us to advise you are attending and who you represent.

Next week I also sit down with the ACVO  Finance Sub Committee to consider our monthly finance report and more importantly our Auditors Report for 2009/10. Although the report is not finalised until my return, and the figures meant that all of us in ACVO had to work even harder last year, with seven good months in this financial year behind us, I am confident that 2010/11 will prove to have been a far better year for ACVO.

If you are interested in the detail, what ACVO has been doing for it´s members and how we have made the transition into the ABERDEEN THIRD SECTOR INTERFACE why not come along to our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 30th November 2010 at the Park Inn Hotel, Justice Mill Lane. The meeting commences at 12.30 and after the formalities a light lunch will be provided. If you are coming along please advise Sarah Irvine, for catering purposes, e-mail or call on (01224) 686058.

Then on the 3rd December 2010 we enjoy our THIRD SECTOR Christmas Party at Tiger Tiger. There are still some tickets left so please come and join us, contact Michelle Duff if you wish to book places. The following week we have our now annual Carol Service at the Citadel and again we extend an invitation to all to enjoy with us some of the well known carols with good company and a mince pie.

We are also to be enjoying ourselves when we celebrate at our premises on 16th December 2010, the establishment of the INTERFACE, a year at Greyfriars House and look forward to the International Year of Volunteering in 2011 when we will have a packed series of events to support this worthwhile initiative.

AND FINALLY...... even able to take part in a THIRD SECTOR event on holiday which has given me some ideas for another ACVO scheme!!! Look out guys more work to come.

12th November 2010

I hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us a fortnight today, on the 26th November 2010,  at the Town House between 1 and 3pm to air your views in relation to the Aberdeen City Council budget proposals for the next five years.

As I mentioned last week the proposals document is on the Council website (www.aberdeencity.gov.uk) and is vital that you consider it, to see whether if it has an impact on you and your organisation.

At the time of typing I know that organisations funded by the Fairer Scotland Fund are meeting as there are real concerns for over 300 jobs that the Fund supports directly or indirectly.  

In order that we can make the necessary arrangements please advise us at enquiries@acvo.org.ukif you are attending and which organisation you represent.

Last week along with my colleague Mike Melvin, I attended the launch of GREC’s counselling service Me-Time at Woodhill House. The service provides specific, dedicated support and counselling to children and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire affected by prejudice incidents, discrimination, harassment and bullying. Contact GREC for further details.

If you have not arranged your office party, we still have some vacancies at our Take a Party to a Party AT Tiger Tiger on Friday 3rd December 2010. You will really enjoy the THIRD SECTOR family party!  Please get in touch with Michelle Duff, it is not too late to book.

On Tuesday, ACVO were pleased to be working in conjunction with Grampian Police and THIRD SECTOR colleagues at the joint ‘Realising the Potential’ Conference at the Beach Ballroom. By working with the Sector, Grampian Police see that they will be more able to link into communities and gain the support and help of the estimated 4,000 THIRD SECTOR organisations within the city. As the weeks progress you will be hearing more of this excellent initiative.

AND FINALLY…… remind your friends about the THIRD SECTOR Carol Service at the Citadel on Wednesday 8th December. 

5th November 2010

How many of you have been able to read the Aberdeen City Council Priority Based Budgeting : Final Draft Report which sits on the Council website. Although it can be argued that there may be some real opportunities for THIRD SECTOR organisations over the next few years if what the UK and Scottish Governments say turns into reality, this document suggests real threats to the organisations within our sector. A number of you may have or plan to provide the Council with your views and through the Fairer Scotland Fund Board I have and through The Aberdeen City Alliance I plan to,  air the views of ACVO. However in my view it will be better if we can collectively air our views, collate these and provide them to Elected Members prior to them considering the document formally early in December.

For that reason we have arranged a meeting on FRIDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2010 at the Town House commencing at 1pm to carry out these tasks. In order that we can gauge numbers I require you to e-mail ACVO to advise how many of you will be attending and which organisation you represent. Your reading for the meeting will be the document and if you are unable to access it electronically, again advise ACVO.

It has been a week of history for me. As a teenage Police Cadet I had a six  week “ mind broadening” attachment at Woodlands Hospital on Craigton Road. The hospital provided care for children, then referred to as “severely handicapped” whilst Wellwood on North Deeside Road provided residential and day care for adults with learning difficulties. The Consultant responsible for both locations was Harold Ross who had huge experience in his field as well as an obvious affection for his patients. As part of my sojourns with Doctor Ross I spent time at Ladysbridge Hospital, near Banff, which he was also responsible for.   During my time at the hospitals I learned how fortunate many of us are in comparison with others and that although the Friends of Woodlands, a THIRD SECTOR organisation which supported the work of the hospital and provided for patients whenever necessary, the patients in the main needed to remain in hospital.

On attending the Cornerstone launch and  private viewing of the Changing Times, Changing Attitudes ‘ mapping 30 years of social care’ exhibition in Cineworld, Union Square on Monday evening the  memories from 1969 came streaming back. It was a real privilege to be invited to the evening which turned out to be one of the most innovative and interesting events of that nature,  I have attended. The main parts of the evening had the guests enjoy four films created by Adam Proctor, Cornerstone’s artist in residence. The first showed pictures of the now derelict swimming pool at Tarlair, Macduff which connected me with my Ladysbridge  memories. During the short film the soundtrack was a monologue provided by Nick Baxter, who founded and led Cornerstone until fairly recently. He provided the background as to why Cornerstone was needed and how it came to be. It reminded me how many  improvements there have been  in the thirty years of Cornerstone’s life for the adults, children and young people with disabilities and other support needs in Aberdeen specifically and Scotland generally. The other films, also created by Adam, were different but similar and all had a meaning related to what Cornerstone does and wants to do. A book of short stories from many involved in the life of Cornerstone has been published and was available. The final element of the evening was the exhibition in shop units on the upper floor of the Union Square centre. The exhibition runs until 14 November, 2010 and is really worth a visit. Well done to all Cornerstone for a fantastic evening.

The history theme continued on Wednesday when at lunchtime I attended Inspire’s Annual Meeting at their premises on the Beach Boulevard. Catriona McPhee Smith must be congratulated on her work at Inspire which has left her interim successor Karen Pratt with a great team doing some great work. At that event  a DVD showing the work of Inspire and how things have changed over the last few decades was shown and in it,  there were pictures of Woodlands, staff and patients and, yes, that young Police Cadet again. The fifty or so people there then enjoyed a presentation by Inspire’s Positive People who told us all about how they are involved in the organisation of Inspire. My colleague Michelle Duff will need to look out, for next year,  Inspire’s PP are to develop their own pages on the Inspire website !! More competition Michelle.

Bob Keillor, Chief Executive  of PSN then told the story of how his company started, grew and has now been recognised in terms of business and business ethic. He also told how Glencraft became part of his story and of the work involved in bringing the company ” back into business” on 19 April, 2010. More of that story another day.

AND FINALLY…… remember our Bring Your Party to ACVO’S Party at Tiger Tiger on Friday 3rd December 2010. It will be the THIRD SECTOR family party for you this Christmas. Some of you have been collecting money for tickets but not telling us about your numbers so please contact Michelle Duff at mduff@acvo.org.uk to reserve your place.

AND FINALLY FINALLY….. remember to put the Carol Service at the Citadel in you diary for 8th December. It is the THIRD SECTOR opportunity to enjoy some of the traditional parts of Christmas.                   

29th October 2010

And we’re off….With the Aberdeen Volunteer Centre now housed in Greyfriars House we are trying to make as many people as possible aware of what it can do for organisations looking for volunteers and for individuals who wish to volunteer. There are nearly 800 opportunities available at this time for volunteers and Rod McDermid and Mike Melvin continue to try and match people with opportunities.  From today, in order that you can be kept up to date with all the news and views from the Volunteer Centre you can use the Facebook Page. Moving forward with the Aberdeen Third Sector Interface at ACVO!

Yesterday afternoon The Aberdeen City Alliance, the lead group in community planning within the city, considered the Executive Summary of the Strategic Plan and Business Plan for ACVO for the period 2011 – 2014. The document outlined how ACVO will carry out it’s responsibilities in terms of the ABERDEEN THIRD SECTOR INTERFACE for that period generally but also in relation to the specific Delivery Framework for Volunteering Development, Social Enterprise Development, Supporting and Developing a Strong THIRD SECTOR and Building the THIRD SECTOR Relationship with Community Planning. One of the partners complimented the plan as “ambitious” and the group “wholeheartedly endorsed” the document. The next stage of the process, which is being led by Alison Chandler, will involve colleagues identifying the various actions for the Business Plan and this will involve YOU even more.

If you are an avid reader of this E-Bulletin you will be aware that over the last few weeks I and colleagues have been attending various budget consultations with the City Council. As you will have seen from the press the Council now have some proposals in terms of their Priority Based Budgeting that will require consideration by elected members in December. I am not sure how many of you have given the Council your views already, but at the Third Sector Liaison Group meeting this morning those attending agreed with the ACVO proposal to bring together as many THIRD SECTOR organisations and individuals as possible to discuss the proposals and respond to the Council. We are working out the details at this time and they will be circulated by various means next week. This is probably one of the most important issues we have dealt with this year and it is imperative YOU become involved!

Realising the Potential is a joint conference at the Beach Ballroom on Tuesday 9th November arranged by Grampian Police in association with ACVO. In general the conference, which is already oversubscribed, will deal with “Local policing closer to you – in partnership with the THIRD SECTOR”. A report of the day in next week’s E-Bulletin and on the SHMUfties awards.

ACVO is a charity and a limited company and as a result requires to comply with the law in relation to how it operates. My colleague Sandy Mathers endeavours to ensure that all within the THIRD SECTOR do likewise. In order that we do and so that  we can report to ACVO members our Annual General Meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 30th November 2010 at the Park Inn Hotel, Justice Mill Lane between 12.30 and 2pm. An invitation is extended to all members of ACVO  to attend.

At ACVO we are not serious all of the time however and we have the Christmas Party for anyone and everyone in the THIRD SECTOR arranged for Friday 3rd December, 2010 at Tiger Tiger. We had a good number of colleagues from other organisations with us last year and we are looking forward to the same this year. It is the “THIRD SECTOR family party” and it will have all the ingredients necessary. Tiger Tiger will provide a new venue for many of you but we will be treated to an exclusive service, with the usual Santa and presents and a big raffle!! Presents for the raffle are very welcome and we have already received a super donation from “Rosies”.  Opus are now operating at all of their venues as “Rosies”. Go on, at this time of concern, give yourself something to look forward to with your colleagues. Contact Michelle Duff for details.

A few days later on Wednesday 8th December 2010, continue in the Festive Spirit, and  join your colleagues from the Sector at our annual Carol Service at the Citadel. Enjoy a real Christmas by joining us at the Carol Service.  To celebrate the work of the Aberdeen Third Sector Interface here at ACVO, on Thursday 16th December we have arranged our Open Day. Invitations will be circulated so keep an eye open.

AND FINALLY …. ACVO’S  intrepid duo of Wonderwomen, Michelle Duff and Sarah Irvine, who asked some of  you to support them financially in their firewalk earlier in the year, are taking part in the Nippy Dipper in the North Sea on Boxing Day!  We at ACVO are thinking about how we can support them, could you do likewise. Michelle tells me that the outfit for the day is “a yellow polka dot bikini”!   

22nd October 2010

Having attended a further two “The Next Five Years” budget consultations for Aberdeen City Council, Housing and Environment and Social Care and Wellbeing Directorates,  there is clearly concern in relation to what funding the council will have for the next year specifically and the five years discussed generally.

On the other hand a common theme at these two events, in a similar manner to the others I have been present at, is the potential for an increasing role for THE THIRD SECTOR. On the return of one of my colleagues from holidays next week I will be sitting down with her to pull together what we have learned in order that we can provide an overview of the sessions attended.

As we move into this period of potential difficulty, the work that ACVO has done in relation to The Biggest Jigsaw in Aberdeen, that is trying to map all of the estimated 4,000 THIRD SECTOR organisations within the City, to me becomes even more important to us all. The second phase has now commenced and we have moved to Mapping and Matching in order that we can see what you are all doing for citizens in Aberdeen and what more can be done. Please see our website for the survey.

AND FINALLY….. a welcome to Charles Lowe, who has joined us to take over the work of supporting the Aberdeen Civic Forum, more from him in the weeks ahead and to Claire Conroy who has joined us to carry out various tasks, but in particular in relation to Members Services. You are both very welcome.    

15th October 2010

Usually as I look back at my week I try to select a cross section of  events which try to emphasise the optimism I have when I look at the THIRD SECTOR.

Obviously  I have my concerns and often these are as a result of the many meetings I attend, with Aberdeen City Council in particular, in relation to resource for the SECTOR. This week is no different except as a result of two appointments my optimism is higher than normal !

On Monday morning Debbie Thomson, my opposite number at CLAN, showed me round their premises at Berryden where they carry out or arrange the great work that they do. As many of you will know, for some time now they have been in negotiations in relation to their relocation from their present site. Although I was aware they are moving to the Park House site on Westburn Road and have seen the diggers working  there, it was only recently I became aware that their present building is no longer to be demolished. Although part of it may need to altered to allow better access, the building is to remain. Full particulars of the building will be available soon but if you or your organisation would be interested, you should contact Debbie in the first instance.  

Although my original purpose was to look at the building, when there I saw some of the wonderful work they carry out and spoke to some of the people or their relatives and friends, who benefit. Debbie leads a great team of employees and volunteers and there was a real team spirit as I walked round. Debbie, keep up the great work.

I attended the third consultation session in relation to budget setting, arranged by Aberdeen City Council, on Tuesday. Again there was much discussion regarding joint services within the council, with Community Planning Partners and with other organisations such as Aberdeenshire Council. Once again I highlighted how much the THIRD SECTOR can do for the Council but reminded them that although some can be done for free, on most occasions they will need to “prime the pump”  with finance or accept that THIRD SECTOR organisations will need to be paid, albeit with lower overheads, perhaps less than  the council are currently paying. More to follow, particularly with the United Kingdom Government making known their thoughts next week.

Along with my colleague Mike Melvin I attended the annual review of Cornerstone at the Marcliffe Hotel on Wednesday evening. Many of you will know much more than I about the good works of Cornerstone over the last thirty years and at the review we celebrated those years and congratulated the current Chair Elaine Thomson and her Chief Executive Edel Harris, on the work of the last year in particular and the previous years in general. It was very pleasing and appropriate to see Nick Baxter there also. During the evening we heard about the financial situation of Cornerstone, although the formalities of that will be dealt with at their Annual General Meeting in December, about their new enterprise in relation to upholstery, of their recycling “We collect” initiative and most importantly of their over 750 staff and the nearly 400 children supported. As part of the evening a number of staff received awards and the Chorus of Sweet Adelines entertained and then presented a cheque for nearly £6,000 raised at a concert in aid of Cornerstone.

AND FINALLY…….THE SHMUFTIES, the annual shmu FM awards are with us again!!!!  Aberdeen Volunteer Centre’s radio show “So why don’t you” has been nominated for Show of the Year and Partner Organisation of the Year.  Voting is now open.

8th October 2010

As you may remember from last week’s “COMMENTS”, on Friday evening, along with various colleagues, I met with John Swinney and Richard Lochhead to discuss public finance in the next year specifically and the following few years generally.

We were asked to give suggestions which would assist the Scottish Government in their considerations of how they will allocate finance over what will obviously be a very difficult time and also express any other views we may have.

The first issue that was discussed were the suggestions that statutory bodies such as Fire and Police would become national organisations and I expressed concerns with these suggestions.

Anything that moves Aberdeen away from the “localism” agenda in my view may destroy or damage the good existing links in the City and indeed in the north east. It may be that with detailed thought and time good arguments can be made for doing so but from a THIRD SECTOR point of view over the remainder of this financial year and the whole of the next, we need to capitalise on the good work that many of you have carried out with the public sector,  in order to allow us the time to gain some of the new markets which governments are telling us will be out there. We in the SECTOR are flexible, but with a  “big ship” like the THIRD SECTOR it may take us time to be able to change direction and then carry on that course. 

A good number of issues were also considered but a particular item of work that we are carrying out at present, on behalf of the SECTOR, was of interest to those present. The ABERDEEN JIGSAW is the mapping exercise we have been carrying out with partners in the city, supported by Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, in relation to the estimated 4,000 THIRD SECTOR organisations in Aberdeen.

A good number of you and your organisations have been surveyed by an ACVO colleague and this will continue over the next few weeks. At present a colleague is analysing the information and by the end of November this survey will become the initiation of a Mapping and Matching project which will see what type of tasks THIRD SECTOR organisations can carry out for statutory bodies. Within the next few weeks, through this bulletin you will hear more.

AND FINALLY……..if you know someone who is unemployed can  the ACVO Job Parents help them ? Contact them at communityanimator@acvo.org.uk or visit their webpage at www.communityanimators.org.uk     

1st October 2010

On Wednesday I attended the annual workshop carried out by the Aberdeen Community Health Partnership at Woodhill House.

The event included a presentation in relation to Shifting the Balance of Care during which the statistics for the next twenty years showed Aberdeen’s changing population. Many of you may be aware of these but in short it is projected the number of 65 -75+ residents of the City will increase from 32,195 in 2008 to 50,464 in 2033. Clearly a good number of the organisations who operate in the city will need to, and are, planning ahead in order to cater for this change.

The other main part of the morning was a “SCOT” analysis, yes not SWOT, of the way ahead for the Aberdeen CHP. Both of these sessions as well as the various other issues touched on all came back to the huge issue of,  yes RESOURCE. So, it seems appropriate that tonight I am attending a meeting at the Council Chambers with Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP “to discuss the challenge that Scotland faces in dealing with forecast pressures on future public spending and the findings of the Independent Budget Review published on the 29th July 2010”.

Clearly a good number of others will be present but it is my task to make it clear that although the THIRD SECTOR is willing to assist in dealing with the issues that await us, we can only do so if Government at both local and national level continue to support the SECTOR and appreciate that although there is more we can do, much of this will require “pump priming” finance and full cost recovery in many cases.

My invitation arrived at 15.17 last Friday so we could not include details in the last E-Bulletin however if there are specific points or questions you wish me to raise please e-mail me this afternoon at Ian.Paterson@acvo.org.uk or phone me on 0776 9359 210.  

AND FINALLY……. We have had an excellent response to the “REALISING THE POTENTIAL” Conference at the Beach Ballroom on TUESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2010 being arranged by Grampian Police and ACVO.  There will be around 250 delegates attending.