Third Sector Network Steering Group

Notes of Meeting

Monday 2nd November 2015

Present:

Alison Wylie, Ian Marr, Don Carney, Colette Blackwell, Denise Chambers, Rachel Milne, Graham McWilliam, Helen Gauld, Neil Skene, Anne Scott, Liz Hodge, Martin Hall, Pamela McKenzie, Steve McCreadie, Richard Booth, Reid Hutchison, Fiona Fernie, Lee-Ann Stewart, Margaret Frazer

Apologies:

Ally Prockter, Leona McDermid, Alistair Robertson, Fiona Watson

Tour of the new Glencraft facility

Graham McWilliam, General Manager at Glencraft welcomed all in attendance and thanked the group for coming. The group were invited to have a tour of Glencraft’s new facility.

Welcome

Rachel Milne, General Manager at Dial-a-Community-Bus (DAB Plus Driver Training), was introduced as the new Chair of the Third Sector Network Steering Group. Rachel welcomed all in attendance to the meeting and round table introductions were made.

Notes of Last Meeting

None.

Steve McCreadie – The Lens

Steve McCreadie, CEO at The Lens kindly joined the group to give a presentation. Steve started off by explaining a bit about The Lens –

  • The Lens aims to create intrapreneurship within mission driven organisations by supporting people to develop their ideas and skills.
  • Participants who enter The Lens programme are put through a process which involves various workshops, coaching and mentoring support. They are then given the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of judges where they have the potential of securing a £20k investment fund.

Steve issued a handout to the group which can be viewed here, detailing the ‘Skills of Innovators’ –

  • Associating, Networking, Observing, Questioning and Experimenting were identified as the key behaviours of an innovative individual during a study. The handout suggests ways in which an individual can improve these skills.

Steve then answered some questions from the group which included –

  • How are The Lens funded? – The Lens is currently funded by the Scottish Government on a short term basis
  • How many projects are ongoing? – Four charities are signed up as partners at the moment including Prince’s Trust, Carers Trust Scotland, Cornerstone and Loretto Care. Although these are larger charities, we will be aiming to reach smaller charities in the future.
  • To what extent is the ‘buy in’ from the board of an organisation valued? – Very important and crucial to the programme.
  • Idea’s that have merged from the programme? – Aberlour have created a ‘short breaks’ programme which is being developed and rolled out nationally.

Steve thanked all for their time and advised that contact details are included on the handout.

Update from the Chamber

Fiona Fernie, Membership Network Manager at the Chamber gave a short update on the Northern Star Business Awards which is the Chamber’s flagship annual event attracting over 800 business guests for a dinner and awards ceremony.

  • Fiona encouraged the group to consider entering their business in the ‘business diversity’ award category.
  • Fiona also explained that there are five charities present on the night of the awards which is a fantastic opportunity to raise profile and collect donations. Selection of the charities for the night act on a first come first served basis with the request for applications being sent out by the end of the this year.

For further information, contact Fiona –

Margaret Frazer, Research Manager at the Chamber joined the group to give a short presentation detailing the services offered by the Research team at AGCC –

  • Margaret started by giving a short insight into the professional background of herself and James Bream, Research & Policy Director.
  • Margaret then highlighted the research specialisms including; Industry Sector Research, Customer Research, Branding & Communications Research, Staff Engagement, Public Policy Evaluation and Economic Impact Analysis.
  • Staff Engagement Research was highlighted as extremely beneficial as supported and motivated employees provide a better service to your customers. The Chamber’s Staff Engagement survey can provide you with an understanding of employee needs, actions supporting improved engagement, actions supporting employee retention, developing and encouraging engagement to achieve high levels of customer service.
  • Margaret explained to the group that the Chamber have devised a specific model for the Staff Engagement Research which provides an overall score system of 5 high level groupings which are then looked at in more detail over 17 category areas. The survey consists of 80 questions that cross over similar themes and trends which can be given as a combination of online and paper surveys and can also be followed up with advice on action planning.

Leaflets with further information and pricing were handed out to the group and can also be found here.

Third Sector Steering Group – The Plan

Rachel and Fiona have had several discussions for the direction of the steering group including ideas and topics going forward and wanted to share with the group and gain some feedback.

  • Fiona shared the suggestion of having a further look into Social Enterprise and the current excitement surrounding that area with the possibility of carrying out a mapping exercise with a potential sub group.
  • Neil Skene, Fundraising Co-Ordinator at North Ease Sensory Services noted that there is a considerable amount of work being carried out by ACVO surrounding Social Enterprise.
  • Reid Hutchison, Community Economic Development Co-ordinator at Aberdeenshire Council noted that there has already been significant mapping exercises carried out therefore this may not be the best route to take.
  • Colette Blackwell, Chief Executive of CLAN Cancer Support suggested that as the Social Enterprise focus may only identify with a handful of Chamber members involved in the Third Sector, we should focus on something that relates and reaches all Third Sector members.
  • A round the room discussion revealed that the group feels strongly about their organisation acting as a business rather than a charity. Colette suggested that hosting events at organisations premises from the group that appeal to all sectors would be a good way of promoting services to a wider audience.

ACTION: Fiona to liaise with events team

  • Don Carney, Managing Director at Carney Heritage Productions stated that the agenda topics and structure of the meetings can sometimes be quite weak. Don suggested that a pre-agenda note be sent to out to the group for their feedback and input into suggested topics for future meetings.

ACTION: All to feedback on relevant topics for discussion when the pre-agenda email is issued

  • Fiona suggested that a sub-group come together to discuss potential ideas and topics going forward. Colette, Graham, Rachel and Denise volunteered as representatives.

ACTION: Fiona to arrange sub-group

AOB

Fiona shared some event information from Social Investment Scotland who have a seminar style event on the 2nd of December. Further information can be found by following this link -

Fiona also mentioned the ACOSVO dinner she attended which involved ‘fundraising surgeries’ run by the Robertson Trust which gave information on different types of funding options. It was agreed by the group that this would be of interest.

ACTION: Fiona to look further into.

Date of Next Meeting

To be confirmed. Volunteers for hosts are welcomed.