Connecting professional analysts with good causes - for free! Request support today

O.R. volunteers can help third sector organisations make better decisions, improve efficiency, improve effectiveness, and tackle the problems that are keeping their top team awake at night, applying scientific approaches to the organisations specific circumstances, people, data and needs.

To find our more or request support, please visit www.theorsociety.com/probono

This support is available to all UK based Third Sector organisations - please spread the word!

Free event: Applications of Systems Thinking

THIRD SECTOR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

APPLICATIONS OF SYSTEMS THINKING

Friday 17^th March 2017, 14.00-17.00

(Arrival/registration/tea and coffee from 13.30)

CAN-Mezzanine 7-14 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YR

Systems thinking is a powerful way of understanding the world, and accordingly, systems approaches can be powerful ways of addressing real-world problems. This half-day event is an opportunity to hear from people who are using systems approaches to address community and social issues, and to discuss the potential and the challenges of such approaches.

Speakers include Gerald Midgley, Professor of Systems Thinking at Hull University Business School, talking about resolving stakeholder conflict in a range of community settings; Miles Weaver from Edinburgh Napier University on how systems approaches have helped identify better ways for communities and socially responsible businesses to build value; Penny Lawrence, Deputy Director of Oxfam, on applying systems thinking to Oxfam’s change programme; and Rob Abercombie, Director of Research and Consultancy at New Philanthropy Capital, discussing key lessons from the NPC/Lankelly Chase study of systems change for addressing social problems.

The event should be of interest to third sector managers interested in how systems thinking can be applied to their own challenges; to OR professionals interested in learning about different systems methodologies and their applications; and to anybody interested in how systems thinking can help us to drive change.

To book: The event is free to attend but we expect this to be a very popular event and space is limited, so places must be booked in advance, by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/or-society-third-sector-sig-applications-of-systems-thinking-tickets-31120017811

For further information please contact:   felicity.mcleister@theorsociety.com

Provisional timetable

2.00-2.05              Introduction/welcome

2.05-2.45              Gerald Midgley

2.45-3.15               Miles Weaver

3.15-3.30               break

3.30-4.00              Penny Lawrence

4.00-4.30              Rob Abercrombie

4.30-5.00              discussion, informal networking

New projects requiring volunteers with #ProBonoOR

Please find details of a new project below with Hestia, plus several other projects we are also recruiting volunteers for.  

Hestia

Project summary:

Project: The Hestia Approach Performance & Impact Framework - To create a performance and impact framework to measure the impact of the Hestia Approach transformation project within the organisation and upon strategic objectives

Time commitment: approx. 10 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer in the light of information gathered at their first meeting

Location: London

Please read project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 28th February.

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

Our mission is to deliver high quality and empowering housing, support, protection and care services in partnership with service users and local communities.

Main activities of the organisation: 

We support people fleeing domestic abuse, people who have been trafficked, people with mental health, older people, young people, ex offenders, people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Delivering support via accommodation based, outreach, community engagement and advocacy services.

We also have three other projects we are still recruiting for.  If you require the project scope as an attachment please sent me an email request.

NIDAS

Project summary:

Project: Activity analysis & cost recovery model: Develop a high-level process model of the organisation that can be used to capture where staff spend their time. For frontline delivery activities, quantify the proportion of costs that are recovered.

Time commitment: approx. 5 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer in the light of information gathered at their first meeting

Location: Nottinghamshire (a lot of the work could be carried out remotely)

Please read project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 22nd February.

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

Area of benefit: Survivors of current or historic domestic abuse

Our core purpose is our fundamental reason for being

·        To keep people safe emotionally and physically

Main activities of the organisation: 

Support and advocacy, 1-1, group, specialist programs

EBP South

Project summary:

Project: Develop Performance Dashboard - EBP would like help to develop a Performance Dashboard to be used for internal management and Board Reporting.

Time commitment: approx. 4 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer in the light of information gathered at their first meeting

Location: Portsmouth (could be carried out remotely)

Please read project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 22nd February.

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

For the Public Benefit, to advance, promote and assist in the effective education and development of young people and adults in order to develop their individual capabilities, competencies, skills and understanding in subjects of educational value including career and life skills together with collaboration with local businesses and business organisations in England and Wales in such ways as the charity Trustees think fit.

Main activities of the organisation: 

Work Experience placements; Mentoring programmes for young people linked to volunteers from business; employability programmes in schools; enterprise activities; career inspiration events; careers guidance and education.

Fulham Good Neighbours

Project summary:

Project: Assessing the impact of Fulham Good Neighbours

Time commitment: approx. 5 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer(s) in the light of information gathered at their first meeting.

Location: Fulham, SW6 7QT.

Please read project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me asap (there is currently no deadline as the organisation is happy to wait).

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

Our aims are to enable elderly, disabled and vulnerable people to:

-        Live independently and to contribute to society,

-        Help overcome isolation and loneliness,

-        Be at the heart of the local community.

Main activities of the organisation: 

Fulham Good Neighbours support mainly older people, including those with dementia, with practical tasks at home such as basic DIY, gardening, and decorating. We do what any good neighbour would: collect medication, escort to appointments, accompany shopping and take care of pets to name just a few of our free services delivered by over 50 volunteers, many of whom are older people.

If you would like to volunteer on a project but are not able to commit to the full time requirement please let me know as it may be possible to pair you up with another analyst.  

Lastly if you would like to work on a project as part of a pair or with the support of a mentor please indicate on your application and we try to facilitate this. 

I look forward to hearing from you and once again thank you for your help and support.

For further information about the scheme please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Probono  

Mapping support to social enterprises

Pro Bono O.R. supported Greenwich Social Enterprise Partnership (GSEP) in order to to ensure that local social enterprises get the right support. 

The volunteer spent 3 days in total on the project and said: 'The workshop generated some really good insights from the attendees, and a common understanding of their organisational purpose. I also enjoyed working with the lead client - he was very positive and enthusiastic.'

The volunteer who was on on maternity leave whilst carrying out the project added 'this allowed me to keep my hand in. I was really pleased to have helped generate something that was used straight away - it gave me a confidence boost.'

Details of the project can be seen in the case study slide below.For more information about Pro Bono O.R. please visit www.theorsociety.com/probono

New projects with NIDAS and EBP South #costrecoverymodel #dashboard

Please find details of two projects below with NIDAS (Midlands) and EBP South (remote or Portsmouth).  I have provided a brief summary and then embedded a link to a detailed project scope.  

NIDAS

Project summary:

Project: Activity analysis & cost recovery model: Develop a high-level process model of the organisation that can be used to capture where staff spend their time. For frontline delivery activities, quantify the proportion of costs that are recovered.

Time commitment: approx. 5 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer in the light of information gathered at their first meeting

Location: Nottinghamshire (a lot of the work could be carried out remotely)

Please read project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 22^nd February.

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

Area of benefit: Survivors of current or historic domestic abuse

Our core purpose is our fundamental reason for being

 To keep people safe | emotionally and physically

Main activities of the organisation: 

Support and advocacy, 1-1, group, specialist programs

EBP South

Project summary:

Project: Develop Performance Dashboard - EBP would like help to develop a Performance Dashboard to be used for internal management and Board Reporting.

Time commitment: approx. 4 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer in the light of information gathered at their first meeting

Location: Portsmouth (could be carried out remotely)

Please read project scope  and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 22^nd February.

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

For the Public Benefit, to advance, promote and assist in the effective education and development of young people and adults in order to develop their individual capabilities, competencies, skills and understanding in subjects of educational value including career and life skills together with collaboration with local businesses and business organisations in England and Wales in such ways as the charity Trustees think fit.

Main activities of the organisation: 

Work Experience placements; Mentoring programmes for young people linked to volunteers from business; employability programmes in schools; enterprise activities; career inspiration events; careers guidance and education.

If you would like to volunteer on a project but are not able to commit to the full time requirement please let me know as it may be possible to pair you up with another analyst.  

Lastly if you would like to work on a project as part of a pair or with the support of a mentor please indicate on your application and we try to facilitate this. 

I look forward to hearing from you and once again thank you for your help and support.

For further information about the scheme please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Probono