Supporting The Future Melting Pot

Please find details of two new projects with The Future Melting Pot. 

The Future Melting Pot

Project summary (1):

Project: Transforming Communities: Statistical exploration of disadvantaged communities in the local area with the aim of developing strategies to address challenges.

Time commitment: max. 3 days

Location: All work can 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 Monday 27^th March.

Project summary (2):

Project: Transforming Futures Making People. To aid the organisation to:

1.      Develop strategy and operational improvements

2.      Improve methods of working with multiple stakeholders

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: Birmingham

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 Monday 27^th March.

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

To improve the lives of marginalized young people (16-24 year olds) and communities.

Main activities of the organisation: 

We develop and deliver evidence-based research, involving young people to design targeted programs.

We facilitate the collaboration between organisations, providing a platform that ensures their efficient use of resources to maximize the social impact.

We align with partners delivering public services to achieve their strategic priorities.

We help the private sector organisations to make an impact by helping them to deliver Corporate Social Responsibility strategies and to engage with the wider community.

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  

Pro Bono O.R.:Reaching new heights

Well what an exciting month November has turned out to be for Pro Bono O.R. I have made some great connections and the scheme has generated the most number of monthly project leads to date.  Really looking forward to seeing the impact O.R. will make to these organisations and hearing the feedback from both the organisations and volunteers.

Pro Bono O.R. is all about helping third sector organisations, whether that is by increasing efficiency, helping to reduce costs, plan strategy or demonstrate impact, there is usually a way O.R. can help.  

This month Pro Bono O.R. has also gone global with the American OR Society (INFORMS) set to launch their own Pro Bono O.R. scheme in 2015.  One of our own members of the Pro Bono O.R. steering group went over to San Francisco to present a talk about Pro Bono O.R. at the INFORMS conference.

This month we have 10 new projects leads from third sector organisations across the country.  Many of these are as a result of cross working with other schemes.  A few months ago I heard that the Government Statistical Service (GSS) had teamed up with NCVO to launch the 'Voluntary Sector Placement Scheme for Government Statisticians'.  This scheme seeks to match up voluntary sector organisations with government statisticians for short placements.  As this scheme was similar to our own I got in touch to find out more.  As a result they had several project requests that best suited Pro Bono O.R. and that they were able to pass on.

I've had some really beneficial meetings, one of which was with the Head of Charities and Social Enterprise at Baker Tilly.  We are working together to hold a breakfast event in 2015 to promote Pro Bono O.R to charity leaders.  Additionally we are planning to hold a workshop in Cambridge similar to the one we held at GMCVO which will explain what Pro Bono O.R. is and look at how it can help improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Could you organisation benefit from Pro Bono O.R. or are you an O.R. professional who would like to volunteer some time to work on Pro Bono O.R. projects?  I'd love to hear from you felicity.mcleister@theorsociety.com

An apple a day keeps the doctor away… and, it turns out, so does volunteering.

Great article demonstrating the benefits of volunteering.

http://webcastnewsroom.com/doing-good-keeps-the-doctor-away/

According to a 2010 study from UnitedHealth Group, volunteering is closely linked to improved health. What’s more, the study also found compelling evidence that employee volunteer programs can help businesses in key areas, such as productivity, engagement and synergy.

Aside from doing good, volunteering helps employees feel good. According to the study, over three quarters of employees who had volunteered during the last 12 months found that they felt healthier and found that they had less stress.

The UnitedHealth study found that an incredible 96 percent of employee volunteers believe that volunteering enriches their sense of purpose in life.

Other benefits included better time management skills, better connection with colleagues, new job skills and almost 71% believed that they made business-related contacts while volunteering.

Do you have Operational Research/Analytical skills? Could you use those skills to benefit the Third Sector? For more information on Pro Bono O.R. please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx

In order to sign up please complete the short volunteer details form. Signing up does not require any commitment it just means you'll receive emails about upcoming projects that require volunteers. 

Do you or anyone you know have a bit of spare time to help Third Sector organisations with your O.R./analytical skills? Please share this post

Pro Bono O.R. currently has 21 volunteers involved in projects with Third Sector organisations across the UK.  Of the 5 projects that have been completed we have had very positive feedback from both the organisation and the volunteer.

We currently have over 100 volunteers across the UK but with Pro Bono O.R. gaining more momentum we need more volunteers to be able to take on more projects.  Could you help?

It is a really exciting venture to be a part of and to see how O.R. can really benefit third sector organisation.  

The aim of OR Pro Bono

·         To help third sector organisations to do a better job, impacting upon desired outcomes, and build capacity by using the skills of volunteer O.R. analysts and consultants both established and student.

·         To promote awareness and understanding of the benefits of O.R. across the third sector and to wider audiences.

·         To give O.R. analysts an opportunity to practise in a wider arena and develop their knowledge and skills.

The role of a volunteer:

·         Work with potential users to specify projects;

·         Undertake projects, either individually or in teams;

·         Write up and/or present their work wherever appropriate;

·         Mentor junior volunteers who need help  

Requirements to become of volunteer:

·         Member of The OR Society Or,

·         Studying in HE and with Tutor endorsement for the project? Or,

·         Min 1st degree in O.R. related subject? Or,

·         Practitioner with a track record? Or,

·         The OR Society accreditation? Or,

·         Part of the O.R. Community

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, send an email to felicity.mcleister@theorsociety.com or visit http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx

Please connect with me on LinkedIn (Felicity McLeister) and Twitter (@FMcLeister) for all the latest information.