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Cheshire Museums Forum: Developing a Volunteer Code and Skills Audit 20 June 2012. Introduction to the Projects. Museums Development Fund Projects – Sustainable Future Funding, Renaissance North West. 4 projects, to:
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Cheshire Museums Forum: Developing a Volunteer Code and Skills Audit 20 June 2012
Introduction to the Projects Museums Development Fund Projects – Sustainable Future Funding, Renaissance North West. 4 projects, to: • research philanthropic giving models and identify ways to maximise the use of philanthropy, both in terms of monetary value and the use of in-kind skills • create a toolkit to develop philanthropic giving for the members of the Forum and support the delivery of 4 ‘pilots • research best practice in the use of volunteers both nationally and locally, developing a Volunteer Code to maximise and make best use of volunteers • Develop a Skills Audit framework for member organisations to identify training needs to support volunteer coordination and management. Project managed by a steering group of the CMF: Cheshire West & Chester Museums, Cheshire East Museum Service, Warrington Museum Service and National Waterways Museum)
Volunteer Report and Code 2 parts: 1 – Research & Report, focussed upon: • Managing Volunteers when under resourced • Training for Volunteers • Getting a More Diverse Volunteer Team • Other Community and Voluntary Sector Practice 2 – Develop a Volunteer Code
Skills Audit Two formats: 1 – Simplified version – one page 2 – Detailed version
Why a toolkit? 1 – So it could be road tested and tweaked 2 - So that it could be rolled out wider than the project had resources to do 3 – So that the framework could be applied locally so pertinent to museum/heritage centre’s needs 4 – So applied when time was right
Where are they? Electronic versions forwarded and all documents available on Cheshire Museums Forum online forum: Register on https://knowledgehub.local.gov.uk/ Search for Cheshire Museums Forum
What were the challenges? The main challenges were: • capacity and • timescale. Also: • Range, size and type of museums: no one fit all approach would work.
How did we overcome them? Skills Audit: Brief: all to undertake skills audit; result – skills development needs to be met. Reality: developed framework; tested by 5 museums; result – 2 frameworks that all can use when the time is right for them.
Skills Audit Two formats: 1 – Simplified version – one page 2 – Detailed version, including • Museum’s needs • Skills: • Trustees/ Management • Curatorial and Educational • General Skills & Experiences • Museum Learning Plan
How did we overcome them? Volunteer Code: Brief: develop VC suitable for all. Reality: developed VC; tested by 2 museums looking at different elements; result – guidance that all can use when the time is right for them.
Introduction toVolunteer Code Volunteer Code, includes • Introduction and Approach • Policy Statements • Skills Audit & Learning Plan • Volunteer Recruitment • Volunteer Management • Review and Evaluation
Did it achieve its goals? YES: • it provides them with appropriate tools • It sets benchmarks in volunteering practice BUT • the real test is when museums use them • understood that impact will take some time, as museums are having to work into their development plans
How will it keep them moving forwards? Questions for them: • So what are you going to do with these resources? • Which area is your biggest priority? • What do you need to do to get there? • Who needs to be involved? • Who will lead the action? Need to keep it on the CMF agenda
Next Steps – Advanced Apprenticeships Volunteering Management Fundraising Direct fit with both pieces of work Criteria – contract of employment 30 hours per week; non graduate. Fully funded this year.
Volunteering Management Includes applying the Volunteer Code, plus • Encouraging and motivating volunteers • Managing risk in relation to volunteers • Managing Volunteer Agreements • Supervising and supporting volunteers • Developing systems, structures and processes to support volunteering • Monitoring programme of work • Managing customer service • Managing conflict in a team • Project management
Fundraising Includes applying the Philanthropy Toolkit, plus • Introduction to fundraising • Developing and implementing a Fundraising Plan • Maintaining and enhancing relationships with your supporters • Understanding effective partnership working between organisations • Budgeting for the business • Fundraising through electronic media • Project management • Planning & organising events
Happy to consider delivery of a Manchester Museums cohort, if sufficient interest. Adrienne Taylor Panacea Associates adrienne@panacea-associates.co.uk 07985445054