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The Wheel. Campus Engage Building Networks December 2013. The Wheel’s Research 2012.
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The Wheel Campus Engage Building Networks December 2013
The Wheel’s Research 2012 • From the INKEx Report , we know that In 2009 there were at least 11,700 non-profit organisations employing over 100,000 people, involving over 560,000 volunteers in their work and managing turnover of €5.75bn. • 8000 of these are recognised charities
Sector is young and formal • Sector is very diverse: some question whether there is a “sector” at all • The majority of organisations are companies limited by guarantee with charitable status that are under 25 years in existence, with over 20% less than ten years old. • Most of Ireland’s community and voluntary organisations are young, and formal
expenditure • Three quarters of organisations have expenditure of less than €1m per anum • So they are small too
income • 50-60% the sector’s income comes from statutory grants and contracts, with a quarter coming from individual donations • They are mostly state funded in some way, supplementing this funding through earning income or raising funds
Income is decreasing • Almost 60% of organisations have experienced a decrease in income over the last three years, with 60% of these experiencing a decrease of between 11-25%. • They are under financial pressure
Beneficiary numbers • Two thirds of non-profits have seen an increase in beneficiary numbers over the last three years • They are facing increasing demand
Shared Priorities for CV Organisations • Staying in operation: • Diversifying income and raising funds • Cutting costs – doing more with less • Finding new ways of working: Collaborate • Focusing resources on what matters: Outcomes for groups and people served • Partnership-working & Advocacy challenge • Governance: changing public attitudes
Shared challenges • So, there a lot of small, young, community based organisations in Ireland dealing with similar challenges involved in raising and managing public funds, and working in very diverse areas • Sounds like anetworkwhere organisations can learn from one another’s practice, share insights, and benefit from collective voice when the occasion demands it, might be a good idea!
About The Wheel The Wheel is a national organisation that represents and supports community, voluntary and charitable organisations in Ireland. • The Wheel exists to help change people’s lives for the better. • We do this by helping community and voluntary organisations get things done, more efficiently and more effectively. • An independently governed, membership-based organisation, we represent our members’ shared interests to Government and other key decision-makers, and promote better understanding of the vital work they do. • Founded in 1999 • Currently 930+ member organisations across Ireland • A database that allows us to communicate with over 10,000+ more • Reflects the enormous scope and scale of a vibrant and diverse sector.
The Wheel responding: Strategy 2012-2015 Four strategic themes will shape our efforts over the next four years: • Progress to build a fair and just society • Ensure the community and voluntary sector is recognised and valued • Develop the community and voluntary sector • Enhance the effectiveness of The Wheel
Recognising and valuing the CV Sector • Maximise the effectiveness of the community and voluntary sector’s voice so that the sector’s importance is recognised by the state, the political system and other sectors.
Developing the CV Sector • Foster excellent leadership within the sector. • Promote quality and excellence in the community and voluntary sector to deliver better outcomes for people. • Maximise collaborative working in the sector
Supporting our members to meet their challenges • providing training and information in the areas of funding and fundraising, good governance, risk management, measuring impact, communicating effectively, advocating well and developing good strategy.
Brief history of the wheel - what do you offer – why people want to get on board… • What works/facilitators when building a national network • What are the barriers • What’s the difference in building a local and national network - think about this in terms of HEI locally and what Campus Engage is trying to do at a national level • Best methods of communication • How do you see The Wheel working with CE into the future?
What works/facilitates when building a national network • Campus engage is a network of educational institutions who wish to collaborate around a theme – community engagement - but who also compete with one another too • So, some stresses and strains will need to be managed
Competition Funds Influence Clients/ Customers
What Works when building a network? • Clarity around goals / objectives • Raising awareness of importance and benefits of community engagement? • (whose awareness?) • Third level institutions (particular people within?) • External stakeholders (community orgs?) • Sharing resources/learning on best practice? • Straightforward networking / connecting • Collective advocacy on policy change required to develop community engagement?
What works? Barriers? • Add value and be useful • Avoid duplication (some will be inevitable) • Use the network: everyone should lead in some area of work, especially where they have expertise – builds sense of shared ownership • Commit to quality in whatever you do • Maintain trust: declare conflicts of interest or loyalty • Agree clear actions to achieve objectives • Keep communications open – no cabals
Benefits for communities? • Access to people with skills and knowledge who can do particular pieces of work • Access to research capability and capacity • Access to networks of influence and support • Building awareness of causes • Developing future supporters • Developing powerful coalitions for change
What works with external stakeholders? • Work with established “local” geographic partners AND national “thematic” partners • Local - volunteer centres; partnership companies; community groups; community and volunteer forums • Thematic – Disability groups, Environment groups, Young people’s groups, Carers’ groups, Older people’s groups; national networks and federations
Conclusion Thank you! Email ivan@wheel.ie to get more involved in our advocacy work on behalf of the sector