The Social Development Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly met away from Stormont for the first time last week, visiting the offices of Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, with over 50 representatives from the sector having an opportunity to see how it operated.

NICVA gave a presentation on the tight funding situation with government efficiency savings squeezing services. More in NICVA news item at http://www.nicva.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/assembly_committee_nicva.

This month’s NCVO ICT Development (was ICT Hub) feature articles have a ’social media’ focus.

‘What can Social Media do for you?’ has a good run through of the “Web 2.0″ tools and terminology and ways of communicating more widely. http://www.icthub.org/articles/What_does_social_media_do_for_you.html.

Recently highlighted on Nonprofit Online News, but not that new, is ‘Third-Party Nonviolent Intervention - Curriculum and Trainer’s Manual’, from Training For Change.

The first half (the curriculum) can be downloaded from http://www.trainingforchange.org/content/view/111/33/index.html.

‘Benchmarking made simple: a step-by-step guide’, produced for the Performance Hub, is available for download (pdf, 467KB) from authors Charities Evaluation Service web site at http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/index.cfm?pg=112.

It covers practical issues such as when it is appropriate to share experiences with others through a benchmarking exercise and finding partner organisations to benchmark with. Direct link: http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/index.cfm?format=238.

The ‘Our South West’ web site has a guide to reducing the environmental impacts of conferences and seminars, which now includes a ‘Greener Events Guide Checklist for Outdoor/Community Events’ (small pdf).

See http://www.oursouthwest.com/SusBus/gevents.html#companion-guides

(Source: Acre Alert)

‘Buy and make a difference - How to address Social Issues in Public Procurement’ is a pamphlet issued by the Office of Government Commerce for public sector bodies. It explains how “social objectives” can be pursued alongside cost issues.

News item at http://www.ogc.gov.uk/About_OGC_news_8440.asp, direct link to pdf, 1012KB, http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/Social_Issues_in_Public_Procurement.pdf.

A training programme, funded by the Financial Services Authority, has been developed specifically for those working with young people that are, or at risk of being, not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The one day course is taking place around the UK. More information is on the Young People and Money web site, http://www.youngpeopleandmoney.co.uk.

(Source: CommunityNI)

The Awards for Bridging Cultures has been launched to celebrate local schemes and projects, run by community and voluntary organisations, that build bridges between communities. The ABCs aims to showcase this work, raise awareness of the wide range of activity and encourage applicants to share their learning.

“Winners will receive publicity for their scheme, financial rewards to invest in their projects and the opportunity to become leaders in their field.” Applications by 1st October, http://www.bridgingcultures.org.uk.

(Source: Voluntary Arts England newsletter)

Children and Young People Now reports that up to eight million pounds is to be used to give voluntary sector parenting projects supported by the government’s Parenting Fund more time to get long-term funding from local authorities.

Funding for second round projects was due to end this month (June 2008), but they could now continue to March 2009. http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/817560/.

The government’s independent volunteering champion Baroness Neuberger is seeking views on volunteering in the criminal justice system.

This follows her first report on volunteering in health and social care, and Plaza Publishing news alert last week quoted her as saying that this second review was proving to be “more complicated”. Responses by 1st September - the Office of the Third Sector news item includes some specific questions.

As announced in November, the government funded Train to Gain service, which provides specialist advice to employers on training and skills needs, now covers volunteers as well as paid workers.

A sector specific guide to Train to Gain has been produced by the Learning and Skills Council, and can be downloaded from http://www.lsc.gov.uk/whatwedo/employer/VCS.htm, or direct link to pdf, 943KB, http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/national/nat-traintogainandthethirdsector-jun08.pdf.

The employment relations body Acas has now issued draft guidance to accompany its new Code of Practice on discipline and grievance.

The code has been revised to reflect changes being made to workplace dispute resolution due to upcoming employment law, and has also been streamlined to 12 pages. The guidance is more detailed and somewhat longer.

While this is only draft, the importance of the Code is such that it is worth taking into account. http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2080.