New Pro Bono OR Project: The Friends of Windmill Gardens

The Friends of Windmill Gardens Project

Putting the Wind in Our Sails

Project:

A research project looking at reporting possibilities from recording system and into methods for deciding on income-generating activities.

Project description:

There are two mini research projects.

1. FoWG  is piloting a new system of recording volunteer time, replacing the paper-based system, and want to investigate the capacity of the system for reporting both on an ad-hoc basis and for producing regular automated reports.

2. FoWG has a challenging 5-year business plan which relies on several income-generation schemes, many of which are new. They want to investigate methods for deciding which streams are likely to be profit-making, identify opportunities for expanding potentially profitable activities, and decide for how long currently non-profit making activities should be continued in the expectation of future profits. 

Project 1

It is anticipated that the volunteer will:
• Meet with Marta Babecka who is in charge of admin; discuss with her what the system does and what reporting she would like to have
• Investigate the system to ascertain its reporting capabilities
• Produce an information sheet on how to interrogate the system to produce the required outputs

• And possibly, if feasible, design an automated system for regular reporting

Project 2

It is expected that the volunteer will:
• Obtain from Marta all relevant documentation (the most recent business plan, the budget and the recent accounts
• Investigate the planned income streams
• Investigate possible methods for deciding when and how long to continue income-generating activities, and identifying opportunities for expanding some activities.
• Write a report summarizing findings

• And possibly, present report to the Board

Requirements: 

The volunteer(s) should be comfortable with investigating different computer systems, and with methods of cost-benefit analysis. Experience of working with the third sector would be helpful. 

This project would suit a single volunteer or a team of two.

Time commitment:  6 days over 3 to 4 months

Location: Most of the work can be carried out remotely. The volunteer would need to attend an initial meeting with the administrator and, possibly, a presentation to the Board. The address for these is 24 Prague Place, London, SW2 5ED. 

If you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to amy.hughes@theorsociety.com by 18th April.

The OR Society fully supports equal opportunities. As such, we welcome applications from the partially sighted or blind, or those with disabilities.

Information about the organisation: 

The Friends of Windmill Gardens is a local residents’ group that was set up in 2003 to campaign for the restoration, preservation and enhancement of Brixton Windmill and Windmill Gardens. The charity aims to support the restoration, preservation and continued use of the Grade II* listed windmill, build a unique education facility for schools and the local community and provide community events that bring local people together.

For further information about the Friends of Windmill Gardens please visit http://brixtonwindmill.org/friends or email vwhittingham@hotmail.co.uk

For further information about the Pro Bono OR scheme, please visit:www.theorsociety.com/Probono  or email ProBonoOR@theorsociety.com