Delivered by Caroline Egan Training and Development Manager Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups

1. Managing in Times of RecessionFamily Resource Centre National ForumJune 9th, 2009Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone Delivered by Caroline Egan Training and Development Manager Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups

2. 7 Point Survival Plan • Strategy • Shared Services • Collaboration • Diversification of Funding • Board Support • Staff Motivation • Full Cost Recovery

3. Strategy • Clarify which activities contribute to mission • Clarify the demand patterns for services • Promote the right strategy • Cut or defer activities : re-align front-line service • Focus on service delivery and value

4. Shared Services • The Carmichael Centre Model • Meeting Rooms • Office Space • Catering • I.T., Administration, Direct Mailing • Payroll & Accounts • Training • Common Procurement

5. Collaboration • Partnership working (fixed time period) including integrating service provision • Strengthen key relationships • Share knowledge and information • Collaborate on funding applications and staffing arrangements

6. Diversification of Funding • Manage donor relationships: outputs and outcomes • Develop “grass roots” funding strategy – think GAA, political parties • Demonstrate your impact through your successes: - Highlight needs - Help people understand work - Highlight your track record

7. Fundraising from the Public You need to communicate a simple persuasive fundraising idea: Example: RNIB (UK) Everyday 100 people start to lose their sight. We need your support to help rebuildlives devastated by sight loss. = (NEED) (SOLUTION) (NOW)

8. Board Support • Realities Versus Aspirations • Governance and Strategic Direction • Relationship between Chair and Manager

9. Staff Motivation • “Psychological Contract” between organisation and employees • Communicate clearly – minimise “blocker” impact • Re-structure work: - Equity Theory of Motivation - Goal-setting Theory

10. Full Cost Recovery • Direct Costs and Overhead Costs • Allocate costs to services and projects appropriately • Analyse your cost base: major outputs, central functions, office costs, governance costs

11. Zero-base Budgeting (ZBB) • Budgeting method in which all expenditures must be justified each year, not just amounts in excess of the previous year • Requires each activity to be justified on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis • Ranks activities to allocate resources