New Pro Bono OR opportunity with Stroud Valleys Project

Stroud Valleys Project

Project:

Stroud Valleys Project would like to understand their data and make use of it in strategic planning and annual reports. The ultimate aim is to provide a tool for data gathering and information output. The project should look to design and use the tool to help gain an understanding of last year’s data; information which can be used in an annual report. The data tool should be easy to use for the organisation to record, analyse and report data in future. 

Time commitment: 5 days

Location: Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1AF. Following initial meetings, most of the work can be done remotely.

If you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to hope.meadows@theorsociety.com by Friday 13^th April.

Information about the organisation:

Stroud Valleys Project is an environmental charity founded to help protect the industrial heritage of Stroud and its five valleys. Aims and objectives include:

     1.      forge a greater awareness of environmental and biodiversity issues so that local people are able to influence local planning and policy-makers to ensure sustainability is at the heart of the local agenda

     2.      engage as many people as possible in the work of sustainable development by working with local partner agencies and health providers

     3.      provide a lively learning resource for local people of all ages.

The organisation has just completed a 3 year strategic plan where the main objective was looking at diversifying funding streams. SVP is looking now at strategic planning for the next 3 years.

Main activities of the organisation include conservation work with volunteers in funded projects, public environmental events and training. SVP have an Eco shop selling sustainable household and garden products as well as maintaining their very own mill pond.

For further information about Stroud Valleys Project please visit http://www.stroudvalleysproject.org/  

For further information about the Pro Bono OR scheme please visit:

http://www.theorsociety.com/Probono or email hope.meadows@theorsociety.com

Sign up for our new pilot programme: A joint venture looking to support charitable organisations on their impact measurement journey. Training provided!

We have an exciting new opportunity available! 

Coalition for Efficiency and Pro Bono OR have teamed up to support charitable organisations in the Midlands and the North. We invite you to take part in this pilot programme as we learn and adapt the programme to incorporate support from professional OR analysts.

MEASURING THE GOOD PILOT PROGRAMME
 
The Measuring the Good programme places professional volunteers in short term projects with charitable organisations looking to improve impact measurement. The programme has supported over 100 organisations since 2013. 
 
PROJECT OVERVIEW
 
Over a period of 2-3 months, the volunteer follows a step-by-step, structured framework to guide an organisation through the challenges of developing and embedding a robust impact practice by acting as an independent facilitator and applying their professional skills.
 
The role of the volunteer can be undertaken alongside full-time employment or other commitments. Volunteers will need to dedicate 12–15 hours for meetings with additional time preparing for the scheduled sessions.
 
It is the CEO of the organisation, supported by staff and a designated trustee, who leads the project and the volunteer who facilitates discussions to help them take steps to identify the key metrics, find ways to communicate achievements more transparently and lead to a more results-driven culture within the organisation.
 
Benefits for the Organisation 

• Achieve greater transparency and accountability
• Demonstrate achievements and strengthen case for funding
• Improve communication with stakeholders
• Increase support and engagement from the board
• Improve strategic focus and refine planning steps on how to achieve
• Incentivise staff by demonstrating the results of their work
• Gain business insight and improve quality of services based on measurement outcomes
• Continue to measure impact autonomously and sustainably

Benefits for the Volunteer

• An opportunity to practice OR skills within a wider arena
• Gain insight into the third sector
• Broaden experience in a new environment with different strategic issues
• Develop project management, interpersonal and leadership skills
• Gain personal satisfaction by helping multiple beneficiaries
• Refine consultancy skills

Why take part?
We are able to adapt and manipulate the programme based on your learning outcomes of the pilot programme. Your feedback will help shape the future of the programme which will aid not-for-profit organisations throughout the West Midlands and the North (but you can apply no matter where you’re based).
Unlike Pro Bono OR, the pilot programme will deliver a day of training which includes an introduction to the programme, insight into the third sector, and consultancy hints and tips to see you through the project. On top of that I’m excited to see what you can bring to the table.

NEXT STEPS 
The workshop in Birmingham on Friday 20^th April will provide a detailed introduction to the programme for volunteers as well as a “Consultancy: Hints and Tips” session. Please join us!

To sign up to this great opportunity, or to find out more, please email hope.meadows@theorsociety.com 

Please note, this pilot programme does not affect the running of the Pro Bono OR scheme. All activity on the current programme will continue as usual. 

New Pro Bono OR project with Article 25. Volunteer required to develop an impact model. Volunteers apply today!

Article 25

Project:

Article 25 have identified the need for improvement on measuring the impact of their work. The organisation currently has no structured approach for measuring the impact of their work and this is critical for persuading funders and for influencing policy-makers. The project would develop an Impact Model and identify/define the underpinning measurement system.

Time commitment: 4-6 days

Location: London E14 5AB

Please read projectscope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to hope.meadows@theorsociety.com by Friday 16^th March.

Information about the organisation:

Article 25 is a UK registered charity that manages sustainable architecture projects in areas effected by poverty and disaster. Articles 25 seeks to relief and assistance to those affected by war or natural disaster with the supply of architectural services that respond to the environment in context. The organisations activities include building homes, schools and community buildings wherever there is the greatest need internationally.

The organisation’s vision is a world where buildings are designed and constructed to provide sustainable solutions to disease, poverty and need. Article 25 work with local community, engage local partners (training them as necessary) and use local materials.

For further information about Article 25 please visit http://www.article-25.org/   

For further information about the Pro Bono scheme please visit:

http://www.theorsociety.com/Probono or email hope.meadows@theorsociety.com

New Pro Bono OR project. UK based organisation with international ties looking to review impact methodologies. Volunteers apply today!

Wefarm

Project summary:

This project requires a volunteer to help decide what evaluation methodology to use to assess the organisations impact. Wefarm would like a report highlighting a range of impact assessment methodologies with a cost/benefit analysis. The volunteer will need to know about data gathering methods, policy implementation and evaluation, and an understanding of social research techniques would also be beneficial.

Time commitment: 5 days. Work could possibly be done remotely.

Location: London, EC2Y 9AR

Please read projectscope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to hope.meadows@theorsociety.com by Friday 16^th March.

Information about the organisation:

Wefarm is a free peer-to-peer service that enables farmers to share information via SMS, without the internet and without having to leave their farm. Farmers can ask questions on farming and receive crowd-sourced answers from other farmers around the world in minutes.

Wefarm seeks to empower farmers to share and access information to solve problems, spread innovation and ultimately improve their livelihood.

Wefarm’s vision is to create a new digital ecosystem for global agriculture, made for farmers, by farmers. To date, the organisation’s’ main activities have been:

1) Development of the technology (including machine learning algorithms)

2) Developing a playbook of engagement strategies to register new users and launch Wefarm in new countries

3) Developing partnerships with NGO’s, companies and governments

For further information about Wefarm please visit www.wefarm.org

For further information about the Pro Bono scheme please visit:

http://www.theorsociety.com/Probono or email hope.meadows@theorsociety.com.

New Pro Bono OR Project with The Young Hammersmith and Fulham Foundation. Volunteers with knowledge and interest in Theory of Change apply now!

The Young Hammersmith and Fulham Foundation

Project summary:

Project:

The volunteer will work with YHFF staff members in a one-day session to establish and outline theories of change for five identified themes (mental health, education, employability, youth justice and healthy living for young people), and to document these. The insight gained in these 5 key areas will be used by the organisation at a later date as the basis for an event with relevant organisations.

Time commitment: 2 days, including one full day workshop. Volunteer to start ASAP in order to complete project by 21^st March 2018. 

Location: Fulham, London

Please read projectscope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to hope.meadows@theorsociety.com by Tuesday 6^th March.

Information about the organisation:

The main activities of the organisation include income generation/fundraising, training and organisational development, grants, information and networking.

Young Hammersmith and Fulham Foundation’s vision is that all young people in Hammersmith and Fulham grow up healthy, safe and happy with the best opportunities for bright futures. London is a fast-paced, changeable city with massive challenges ahead. London’s youth population is growing at an unprecedented rate and are a vital asset to our future right now, they are the next generation of future talent.

 For further information about YHFF please visit www.yhff.org.uk.

For further information about the Pro Bono scheme please visit:

http://www.theorsociety.com/Probono or email hope.meadows@theorsociety.com

Pro Bono OR February Spotlight - "I'm new to the third sector, what does it look like?"

If you have free time and some skills to share then the best place to utilise these would be in the third sector. We have a whole host of volunteers who can vouch for this. I’m often approached by professional analysts who have the skills but lack experience in the third sector. The first question is what’s it like to work in the third sector? How is it different from me using my skills in my every day job? Well the good news is, OR is one of the most adaptable disciplines out there, so the way in which you use your skills doesn’t change that much. It’s more about the context in which you utilise your skills. You’ll find that working in the third sector needs a personable approach. The approach is reciprocated, and as a result, taking on a Pro Bono OR project will certainly help you refine your interpersonal skills.

The sector, the organisation, the project, are all brought together because of an unprecedented amount of dedication which is something that’s not guaranteed anywhere else. Charity Founders put everything they have into the set-up, charity workers are endlessly creative and innovative, and volunteers (in any context) dedicate time that could be spent doing literally anything else, except they don’t, they choose to work for a good cause for free; so regardless of what role you play in the third sector, you’re likely to have something in common with the rest of the busy bees. The third sector can be bursting with mutual respect, something that isn’t guaranteed anywhere else.

Dedication is defined as the quality of being ‘devoted or committed to a task or purpose,’ and it is this commitment which is often praised, however, there’s often motivation behind the dedication to see results, and in the third sector this is frequently down to the mission and objectives. Most of our day-to-day projects are about getting the job done in order to cross it off the to-do list, this is still true of the third sector, nevertheless, the difference is that finishing a project means we are able to see what the effects of this project are (effect on service users, donors, clients, workers, the sector as a whole) and allows us to make plans to spread good news and successful results. In the third sector we have a habit of thinking if 20 people befitted from a project then how can we do it again to make 40 people benefit, and what are the restrictions preventing 100 or 1000 people reaping the benefits. If you’ve ever completed a Pro Bono OR project then this point is important, the work you do on a project, whether it be 6 months ago or 6 years ago, is still providing benefits today. Organisations use your insight to provide clarity and grow stronger, without the insight or the tools you provided, progress may not have been conceivable.

In the third sector, the motivation that encourages us to look past the finish line of a project is the mission and vision a charitable organisation. Whilst a mission statement informs us of what the organisation wants to do, the vision statement outlines where the organisation wants to get to. A good vision statement will tell us where the organisation is going, and it’s the thing to return to whenever clarity is needed at the time of defining objectives.

With motivation in mind, it is important to refer to an organisations mission, vision and objectives when you complete a Pro Bono OR application form. Regardless of whether your approach to the project will work or not, the organisation will be reluctant to work with someone who hasn’t used their values as motivation for your approach. Taking a tailored approach to cater for the needs of an organisation is what gets you hired. Although an organisation has requested help, that’s not to say that they don’t already have strong in-house skills. I suggest you find out what they are during your research and initial meeting with the organisation, then you can utilise them. Some charities may not have sustainable measuring and evaluation tools in place, but what they do have is plenty of experience at national and grassroots levels. You can identify what experience the charity has during research and your initial meeting. Maybe Julius Cesar was right when he said ‘experience is the teacher of all things.’ I’ll let you be the judge of that.  

New Pro Bono OR project with Family Action. Volunteers wanted to help with impact measurement.

Family Action

Project summary:

Project:

This project requires assistance from a volunteer to help write an impact report to demonstrate the value of the Young Carer’s Neighbourhood Charter accreditation programme. The organisation would like advice and structure as to what data to collect and how to analyse it effectively. Advice on how to best present findings would also be appreciated. The data set includes over 50 schools, more than 30 organisations and 20 GP surgeries who have achieved accreditation.

Time commitment: 5 days (to be reviewed during initial meeting with organisation)

Location: On site meetings to be held at Shildon, DL4 1AH. After initial meeting, remote working is possible.

Please read projectscope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to hope.meadows@theorsociety.com by Tuesday 27th February.   

Information about the organisation:

Main activities of the organisation: 

Family Action provides effective and innovative services that have a positive impact on people’s lives. The work is wide-ranging and includes help for parents-to-be, parenting and relationship support, the provision of many nurseries and Children’s Centres in local communities, intensive family support, emotional health and wellbeing services, counselling, mediation and therapies, a range of mental health services including supported housing, wellbeing support in schools and GP surgeries, financial grants programmes and a range of training and consultancy services. Family Action works with a variety of partners, including local authorities, schools, health and voluntary sector organisations.

For further information about Family Action please visit www.family-action.org.uk/

For further information about the Pro Bono scheme please visit:

http://www.theorsociety.com/Probono