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Keep up to date with Pro Bono OR and other news from OR in the Third Sector
Thursday, 8 October 2015
Impact measurement news (workshop, blog and tweet chat)
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Motivations and Barriers to volunteering
Great article published by NCVO/ UK Civil Society Almanac on 'Motivations and Barriers to volunteering'
The data they collected was really interesting, including frequently reasons given for volunteering. Whilst many might think a big motivator is increasing skills and helping career progression (which it certainly does and is a very valid reason), the top reasons given were 'to improve things/help people' (59%) and the cause was important to me (40%). The biggest factor (48%) that stopped people volunteering was a change of circumstances and the biggest barrier to volunteering was work commitments (59%).
An increasing number of organisations are supportive of skills-based volunteering and my hope is with their employers support that will drive down that 59% to a much smaller number in the future.
The data they collected was really interesting, including frequently reasons given for volunteering. Whilst many might think a big motivator is increasing skills and helping career progression (which it certainly does and is a very valid reason), the top reasons given were 'to improve things/help people' (59%) and the cause was important to me (40%). The biggest factor (48%) that stopped people volunteering was a change of circumstances and the biggest barrier to volunteering was work commitments (59%).
An increasing number of organisations are supportive of skills-based volunteering and my hope is with their employers support that will drive down that 59% to a much smaller number in the future.
Monday, 28 September 2015
New projects requiring volunteers
Pro
Bono O.R. – enabling managers to make more effective decisions
Pro
Bono O.R. is a scheme run by The OR Society that provides skills-based
volunteers to work on short term projects with third sector organisations in
the UK.
Projects
require skilled professionals who work in operational research, analytics or
related professions. If you have the
skills required for a project, we’d love to hear from you.
Please
find details of two new projects below that we are seeking a skilled volunteer for:
Bullion
Community Resource Centre
Information
about the organisation:
Charitable objectives: to initiate and support action to change
lives, strengthen communities and challenge inequalities across
Chester-le-Street and the wider surrounding area.
Main activities of the
organisation: Bullion Hall is a community centre which hosts
activities e.g. parent and toddler groups for approx. 800 people per weeks as
well as providing office space to a number of local charities. Planning
permission has been granted to extend the building (cost £600k) and they are
currently exploring how this can be taken forward. In November they take on a
community café operating in Bullion Hall since 2005 from Durham County Council.
Project
summary:
Project: Community Café Business Case: To help review and analyse the business case
for expansion and operation of the “Wait er while” community café.
Time
commitment:
approx. 3-4 days
Location: County Durham, DH2 2DW (Initial meeting on site, followed by desk-based
analysis/research. Meeting to present findings/recommendations on site).
Please
read the 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 12th
October 2015.
This
project is suitable for an individual volunteer, pair or team of analysts. If you would like to work on a project with
the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to
arrange this. Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project
but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the
first instance before the deadline.
Walsingham
Support
Information
about the organisation:
Charitable objectives: provision
of housing, care and support services, primarily for those who have learning
disabilities, but also for those with other forms of disability (including
physical, mental, sensory and degenerative disabilities, autism spectrum
disorders and brain injuries) and including those with multiple
disabilities.
Main activities of the
organisation:
Support at Home
o Supported Living & Domiciliary Care – tailored to meet individual
needs, from a few hours each week to 24 hours a day.
o Registered Residential Care & Extra Care – often chosen by people
who have complex or high support needs and which may include nursing care.
Support in the Community
o
Community Based Services – including a variety of
educational activities as well as more socially focussed activities which help
in the development of social skills.
These services also act as a springboard to access wider community
services and opportunities – including employment, volunteering and leisure.Project summary:
Project: Personalisation Research: To research the application of personalisation
in organisations (both government and the third sector) working with care
provision and benchmark Walsingham Support.
Time
commitment:
approx. 5 days
Location: London, N20 9HR (After an initial meeting at the location, all further
work may be undertaken remotely).
Please
read the 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 12th
October 2015.
This
project is suitable for an individual volunteer, pair or team of analysts. If you would like to work on a project with
the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to
arrange this. Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project
but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the
first instance before the deadline.
If
you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch via email or phone (0121 2339300).
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
What is Pro Bono O.R.?
Pro Bono O.R. is a scheme that was launched by The OR Society in 2013 (a pilot scheme started in 2011) that places skills-based volunteers in short term projects with third sector organisations across the UK to assist them in making operational improvements.
Operational Research in a nut shell helps managers make more effective decisions. It is a very broad spectrum and there is usually a way in which it can be applied whether that is increasing efficiency, helping to reduce costs, plan strategy or demonstrate impact.
Since launching in September 2013 the scheme has completed 35 projects with organisations such as RSPCA, Diabetes UK, Work for Us, Elfrida Rathbone Cambden, The Disability Law Service, Parentskool CIC and many more. We work with all types of third sector organisations ranging from large national organisations down to small community groups. We are currently working on 20 projects and have a further 15 in the initial interest stages.
Volunteers are operational research/analytical professionals. These vary from people in their early career to those who are retired. Some work on projects in their own time, others are given volunteer days by their company and some do a mixture of both. Volunteers can work as individuals, pairs or teams on projects.
Pro Bono O.R. volunteers can make a huge difference in a small amount of time by using their skills to enable organisation to make more effective decisions and as a result help them become more efficient.
Projects vary greatly and as a result so do the skills we are looking for in our volunteer analysts. Skills include: data analysis, data mining, database design, decision analysis, facilitation, financial analysis, forecasting, logistics, mentoring/coaching, modelling, optimisation, performance measurement, problem structuring, programming, project management, regression, risk analysis, scheduling, simulation, statistical analysis, strategic planning/development, system dynamics etc.
The projects vary in length of time from half a day to over a week and can be spread out over a period of time. The types of projects so far have involved: impact measurement, data analysis, efficiency improvement, options appraisal, strategic planning/review, scheduling and process improvement.
Signing up as a volunteer does not require any commitment, volunteers are added to the volunteers database and then receive emails as and when projects become available. Volunteers can then choose to delete the email (which are currently around 4 per month) or if they would like to apply for a project, volunteers are asked to send in a CV and short application form. Volunteers can work individually, as teams and can also be paired up with a mentor if they require some support.
New projects are advertised every month and volunteer applications must be received by a specific date (typically two weeks after the project is advertised) but the timings of the projects are flexible and to be agreed between the volunteer and the organisation.
For more information about the scheme, to sign up as a volunteer, register you support to receive Pro Bono O.R. support and to see the projects we have worked on so far please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx
Send me an email
Follow me on Twitter
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Operational Research in a nut shell helps managers make more effective decisions. It is a very broad spectrum and there is usually a way in which it can be applied whether that is increasing efficiency, helping to reduce costs, plan strategy or demonstrate impact.
Since launching in September 2013 the scheme has completed 35 projects with organisations such as RSPCA, Diabetes UK, Work for Us, Elfrida Rathbone Cambden, The Disability Law Service, Parentskool CIC and many more. We work with all types of third sector organisations ranging from large national organisations down to small community groups. We are currently working on 20 projects and have a further 15 in the initial interest stages.
Volunteers are operational research/analytical professionals. These vary from people in their early career to those who are retired. Some work on projects in their own time, others are given volunteer days by their company and some do a mixture of both. Volunteers can work as individuals, pairs or teams on projects.
Pro Bono O.R. volunteers can make a huge difference in a small amount of time by using their skills to enable organisation to make more effective decisions and as a result help them become more efficient.
Projects vary greatly and as a result so do the skills we are looking for in our volunteer analysts. Skills include: data analysis, data mining, database design, decision analysis, facilitation, financial analysis, forecasting, logistics, mentoring/coaching, modelling, optimisation, performance measurement, problem structuring, programming, project management, regression, risk analysis, scheduling, simulation, statistical analysis, strategic planning/development, system dynamics etc.
The projects vary in length of time from half a day to over a week and can be spread out over a period of time. The types of projects so far have involved: impact measurement, data analysis, efficiency improvement, options appraisal, strategic planning/review, scheduling and process improvement.
Signing up as a volunteer does not require any commitment, volunteers are added to the volunteers database and then receive emails as and when projects become available. Volunteers can then choose to delete the email (which are currently around 4 per month) or if they would like to apply for a project, volunteers are asked to send in a CV and short application form. Volunteers can work individually, as teams and can also be paired up with a mentor if they require some support.
New projects are advertised every month and volunteer applications must be received by a specific date (typically two weeks after the project is advertised) but the timings of the projects are flexible and to be agreed between the volunteer and the organisation.
For more information about the scheme, to sign up as a volunteer, register you support to receive Pro Bono O.R. support and to see the projects we have worked on so far please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx
Send me an email
Follow me on Twitter
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
Volunteer required for project with Age UK #ORblog
Pro
Bono O.R. – enabling managers to make more effective decisions
Pro
Bono O.R. is a scheme run by The OR Society that provides skilled volunteers to
work on short term projects with third sector organisations in the UK.
Projects
require skilled professionals who work in operational research, analytics or
related professions. If you have the
skills required for a project, we’d love to hear from you.
Please
find details of a new project below that we are seeking a skilled volunteer for:
Age UK Dacorum
Information
about the organisation:
Charitable objectives: To
support older people and their carers.
Main activities of the
organisation:
Service provision – Befriending, carers support, day
centers, friendship teas, memory support clubs (COGs), telephone support,
handyperson.
Project
summary:
Project: Long-term sustainability: To help Age UK
Dacorum develop and implement a business change plan aimed at improving its
long-term financial sustainability.
Time
commitment: approx.
5 days (to be completed by 25th October 2015)
Location: Hemel Hempstead Mixture on onsite and remote working.
Please
read the project scope and LSF application form 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 30th
October 2015.
This
project is suitable for an individual volunteer.
If
you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch.
I
look forward to hearing from you and once again thank you for your help and
support.
Kind
regards
Felicity McLeister
O.R. Pro Bono Project
Manager
Direct Tel +44 (0)121 234 7826, Main Tel +44 (0)121 233 9300
Direct Tel +44 (0)121 234 7826, Main Tel +44 (0)121 233 9300
If you are not already a member of The OR Society
and are interested in joining please visit https://www.theorsociety.com/
or send an email to carol.smith@theorsociety.com
Additionally you may be interested in becoming a
member of our Third Sector Special Interest Group (ORiTS). For more details
visit: https://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/SpecialInterest/ORThirdSector.aspx
Other
webpages that may be of interest:
http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx
http://www.LearnAboutOR.co.uk
http://www.ScienceofBetter.co.uk
http://www.LearnAboutOR.co.uk
http://www.ScienceofBetter.co.uk
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
Volunteer(s) required for scheduling project #thisisOR #ORblog
Pro
Bono O.R. – enabling managers to make more effective decisions
Pro
Bono O.R. is a scheme run by The OR Society that offers free support to third
sector organisations in the UK.
Please
find details of new projects below that we are seeking volunteers for.
Emmaus
Mossley
Information
about the organisation:
Charitable objectives: At Emmaus Mossley we offer a home, work, companionship
and personal development opportunities to previously homeless and unemployed
people. The project finances itself by collecting, refurbishing, and selling
donated goods such as furniture, bric-a-brac, antiques, electrical appliances,
clothing, books, toys, etc.
Main activities of the
organisation:
·
Providing a home, work, companionship and personal
development opportunities to 24 previously homeless and unemployed people.
·
Operating a recycling and re-use enterprise.
·
Generating funds to assist others in greater need.
Project
summary:
Project: Scheduling: Help to devise a computerised
work-scheduling system which will save staff time and allow rapid response to
changed circumstances.
Time
commitment: Phase
1: approx. 5 days
Phase
2: dependent on phase 1 (volunteers do not have to be able to commit to both phases.
A second volunteer could be found to do this if necessary)
Location: Mossley (Greater Manchester) One day required on site, the rest can be
done remotely.
Please
read the 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 23rd
September 2015.
This
project is suitable for an individual volunteer, pair or team of analysts. If you would like to work on a project with
the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to
arrange this. Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project
but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the
first instance before the deadline.
We are still looking for
volunteers for the following two projects:
Disability
Rights UK
(Although the
deadline is tomorrow if you are interested please let me know by midday (GMT) tomorrow
and late applications will be considered)
Information
about the organisation:
Charitable objectives:
·
Mobilise disabled people’s leadership and control – in
our own lives, our organisations and society.
·
Achieve independent living in practice.
·
Break the link between disability and poverty.
·
Put disability equality and human rights into practice
across society.
Main activities of the
organisation: disability rights, policy
and campaigning, putting information in the hands of disabled people through
advice lines and publications e.g. Disability Rights Handbook and DR UK website
Project summary:
Project: Develop a consistent approach to impact
measurement: Review existing approaches to gathering, analysing and reporting
impact data in order to recommend a more consistent and “modern” approach.
Time
commitment:
approx. 6-9 days
Location: London
Please
read the 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 9th
September 2015.
This
project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair of analysts. If you would like to work on a project with
the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to
arrange this. Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project
but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the
first instance before the deadline.
Selby Trust
Information
about the organisation:
Charitable objectives:
To promote for the benefit of the public
resident in the London Borough of Haringey and neighbouring areas without
distinction of sex, race, colour or political or religious or other opinions
Main activities of the organisation: The Selby Trust manages The Selby Centre which
encompasses the diversity of Haringey and aims to include everyone. It is an
inclusive space for local people in an area of high deprivation that brings
together a rich mix of individuals and organisations, primarily from BME,
refugee and other historically marginalised communities.
The Selby Centre is used by
over 500 visitors a day accessing programmes either run by the Selby Trust, its
39 onsite organisations or delivered by the 100+ social enterprises,
environmental projects, charities, not-for-profits, sports groups, employability
support organisations and faith groups in its network.
Project summary:
Project: Impact measurement: The Trust seeks an analyst
who can critique how well they measure impact against their plans to date and
work with them to develop an holistic framework of impact measurement along
with the identification of any further measures/indicators and further
development of their databases to support measuring impact.
Time
commitment:
approx. 5 days
Location: London (mix of remote and onsite working required)
Please
read the 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 14th
September 2015.
This
project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair of analysts. If you would like to work on a project with
the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to
arrange this. Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project
but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the
first instance before the deadline.
If
you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch.
I
look forward to hearing from you and once again thank you for your help and
support.
Felicity McLeister
O.R. Pro Bono Project
Manager
Direct Tel +44 (0)121 234 7826, Main Tel +44 (0)121 233 9300
Direct Tel +44 (0)121 234 7826, Main Tel +44 (0)121 233 9300
Webpages that may be of interest:
http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx
http://www.LearnAboutOR.co.uk
http://www.ScienceofBetter.co.uk
http://www.LearnAboutOR.co.uk
http://www.ScienceofBetter.co.uk
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
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