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

Free Seminar: How O.R.is helping provide services to young people

O.R. SOCIETY THIRD SECTOR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

Spring seminar

SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE

 

Date/time:       Thursday 23^rd April 2015

 Registration from 14:30
 Talks 15.00 to 17:00 followed by wine and nibbles

Location:       Room 1.07

                        New Academic Building

                        London School of Economics

                        54 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London

                        WC2A 3LT

Cost:                FREE

There are many thousands of charities providing services to young people, aiming to ensure that no matter how vulnerable they are, or what risks and deprivations they face, they will have the chance to enjoy their childhoods and have a safe and happy future.

How can O.R. help these organisations? Is there anything special about the nature of the analytical or decision-making support needed when the service users are young people? What can we learn from the experiences of O.R. interventions?

This seminar will include a series of talks by O.R. professionals who are working pro-bono for charities supporting young people. The charities involved include The Childhood Trust, Elfrida Rathbone, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The talks will be followed by a general discussion of special issues affecting young people.

To book your place please visit: Eventbrite: Services to Young People

Please note this event is free but places are limited.

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

                                   

Free event: Using Knowledge Management To Increase Third Sector Resilience

Venue: RNLI Boardroom, 124-126 Webber St, London SE1 0QL 
Speaker: Gillian Ragsdell & Moya Hoult
Date: Monday, 10 November 2014 at 12:30 - 15:00

How can sharing information help build resilience in the voluntary sector? Gillian Ragsdell and Moya Hoult will be discussing their experience of a Big Lottery funded project entitled ‘Charnwood Connect’ to show how knowledge management practices can help to build and sustain meaningful partnerships, and, in turn, lead to increased resilience. Charnwood Connect, launched on 1st October 2013, aimed to encourage voluntary and public sector organisations to work together to achieve more for service users and service providers, building on the success of the well-established advice providers in the Borough. With collaborative working becoming an increasingly important cornerstone of the voluntary sector, it is timely to reflect on the benefits and challenges of Charnwood Connect and to share lessons from the early stages of the project.

Gillian Ragsdell is a Knowledge Management expert from Loughborough University, whilst Moya Hoult brings hands-on expertise as Chief Executive of Charnwood Citizens Advice Bureau.

This talk will be combined with the General Meeting of the OR Society's Third Sector Special Interest Group, electing a committee, Chair and Secretary.

Entry is free, but advance registration is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/using-knowledge-management-to-increase-third-sector-resilience-tickets-13330151843

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided; please feel free to bring lunch if you wish.

Registration starts:                                                                             12.30

O.R. and Third Sector: review and discussion                                   13.00

(Ruth Kaufman, Chair of Third Sector SIG)                

Election of Officers and Committee                                                   13.20

Knowledge Management and Third Sector Resilience                      13.30

Gillian Ragsdell, Loughborough University; Moya Hoult, Charnwood CAB

Further discussion, networking: details tbc                                        14.15

Meeting closes at 15.00