Pro Bono O.R. Summer newsletter #ORblog

The OR Society: Pro Bono O.R. (Summer newsletter - Issue 3)

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Promoting Pro Bono O.R.

IFOS (International Federation of Operational Research Societies) has been promoting Pro Bono O.R.

in its quarterly newsletters.

In March it published a case study carried out with Crimestoppers: ‘Pro Bono O.R. delivers quick response to call centre problem’ which can be found on page 12 http://ifors.org/newsletter/ifors-march2015.pdf

In the latest edition it published a case study with HARCVS: ‘Pro Bono O.R. addressing loneliness in rural North Yorkshire' which can be found on page 11 http://ifors.org/web/june-2015-newsletter/

Career Volunteer’s sister company Charity People helped to increase the profile of Pro Bono O.R. by publishing a blog explaining how Pro Bono O.R. can help third sector organisations in the UK. 

 

Pro Bono O.R. offers free consultancy services to third sector organisations across the UK. The OR Society wants more organisations to benefit from operational research and recognises that third sector organisations have an even greater need to be more efficient. Organisations may seek a wide range of operational improvements:

• Strategic planning/review
• Impact measurement
• Process improvement
• Data analysis
• Business planning
• Efficiency improvement
• Options appraisal
• Decision making

Whatever the aim, O.R. can offer the flexibility and adaptability to provide objective help.
Visit: Pro Bono O.R.  for more information or send an email to Felicity McLeister to request Pro Bono O.R. support.

Volunteer Experience

Are you considering skilled volunteering? Wonder what it might be like? This guest blog from Sarah Culkin tells you about her experience of Pro Bono O.R. with Harrogate and Rippon CVS.
http://probonoor.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/addressing-loneliness-in-rural-north.html

                                    

The findings will help inform forward planning for this service and also help to support funding bids’ CEO

 Have you got a story to tell?  If so I’d love to hear from you and would happily publish the article as a guest blog and promote via my social media channels.

With the initiative growing we are always on the lookout for new volunteers.  If you know of any individuals or organisations that would like to get involved with skilled volunteering please ask them to contact Felicity McLeister or complete the online volunteer details form.

Third sector SIG

The OR Society has a Third Sector special interest group that puts on events three to four times a year.  This year the Spring Seminar looked at ‘Services to Young People’ that included talks from four Pro Bono O.R. volunteers who had carried out projects with Joseph Rowntree Foundation, The Childhood trust, Elfrida Rathbone and AYME.  The latest event hosted a talk by Tom Cherrett - O.R. & Oxfam: optimising donation bank collections using remote monitoring sensors.  Both writes ups and video (OR & Oxfam) can be found here

Skilled volunteering really makes a difference

Thank you for the feedback from Noise Solution.  It’s always great to get such positive feedback about the work our volunteers are doing: 

'The commitment shown to the idea of the project was excellent. The volunteer did a really good job of understanding what was required. He produced some excellent work, which looked visually great and has been instrumental in me being able to demonstrate clearly the impacts that we are achieving with Noise Solution.'

Project updates

Since the start of the year we have completed 9 projects including Noise Solution, Parentskool and CALM (keep an eye on the webpage for the case study slides).  We have had 26 new enquires and have started 12 new projects which includes The Care Forum, Extra Care and St Michael’s Fellowship.

Thank you for all your support.

Felicity McLeister