1.           

“A Practical Guide to Collaborative Working”

2.           

Scenario Planning Event – Hoping for the Best, preparing for the Worst

3.           

Taking The North-West Forward…Same Old Paths Or Pastures New?

4.           

Vacancy for a Programme Director with CO3

5.           

Derry District Policing Partnership - Notice of Public Meeting

6.           

Stop Discrimination Of Disabled Transport

7.           

Impact Of The Cuts – Advice NI

8.           

Bridge to the Future - North West Peace III Celebration

9.           

Destined - Invitation to tender

10.       

Waterside Area Partnership, Funders Fair – 23 June

11.       

Parents Advice Centre Information Seminars: Training to Help Dads Help Boys!

12.       

Mary’s Meals Cycle

13.       

Invite to ‘Day of Private Reflection’ event

14.       

Reducing Income Inequality

15.       

Singing for Health and Happiness at The Playhouse Theatre

16.       

Women’s Walking Tour of City Churches – 21^st June

17.       

Ocean Youth Trust – Courses on Lough Foyle

18.       

Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine & Israel (EAPPI)

1.           

“A Practical Guide to Collaborative Working”

The Participation Engagement & Skills Project (PESP) in association with the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) are organising the above workshop.

Audience: This training is aimed at senior staff and trustees of community/voluntary sector organisations.

When & Where: Wednesday 29th June 2011, from 9:30am to 4:00pm in the Tower Museum, Union Hall Place, Derry~Londonderry BT48 6LU

Content:

·       What is collaborative working

·       Examine different ways of collaborative working

·       Explore collaborative working using case studies

·       Develop a process to support collaborative working

·       Identify the legal issues

·       Discover ways to overcome the challenges of collaborative working

Cost:  Free of Charge

Refreshments & Lunch Provided (please inform us if you have any special dietary requirements)

To book a place on this exciting learning experience please email:

gabrielle@nwcn.org / 028 7136 8811 (Gabrielle or Martin)

2.           

Scenario Planning Event – Hoping for the Best, preparing for the Worst

(A Collaborative Event between NWCN and CO3)

9.30pm – 1pm, Tue, 28th June 2011

Verbal Arts Centre, Stable Lane and Mall Wall, Bishop Street Within, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 6PU

Most Community & Voluntary sector organisations these days have strategic plans, but many small and medium voluntary and community organisations have made little or no plans for a worse case scenario – such as a major cut in funding. 

According to the Research and Library Service of the NI Assembly the outlook remains challenging for the NI Economy, to say the least. The Government’s spending cuts are yet to hit the economy; these equate to some £4bn for NI between 2011 and 2015 and are likely to have a disproportionate impact locally. NI might also be particularly vulnerable to increases in interest rates, which are looking increasingly probable in the short to medium term.

This is a very real threat to many voluntary and community organisations.  Have you thought about what you would do if your organisation suffered a cut of 8%, 20% or worse?

This half-day seminar is designed to help small and medium-sized voluntary and community organisations prepare for forthcoming public expenditure cuts.  It is presented by Niamh Goggin, Northern Ireland Regional Manager for Charity Bank. 

The seminar is suitable for the most senior manager or the head of finance and looks at the following issues:

o        An update on the economic situation we are facing;

o        Helping organisations to refocus on their mission and core activities;

o        A range of different approaches to the crisis;

o        A practical exercise on scenario-planning and coping with cuts. 

About the Speaker:

Niamh Goggin is regional manager of Charity Bank in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with responsibilities for raising capital and deposits, lending, social finance policy development and developing Charity Bank’s consultancy services. 

From 2005 to 2007, she was Director of Small Change (N.I.) Ltd, a social finance consultancy based in Northern Ireland.  From 1999 to 2005, she was Chief Executive of Aspire Microfinance, the UK’s first dedicated micro finance organisation and recognised as one of the best in Western Europe. 

In 2002, she became the first Chair of the UK Community Development Finance Association, the UK’s trade association for social finance.

When:

Cost:

£15 for CO3/ NWCN members (membership must be valid for 2011-12, see link at end of bulletin for membership form)

£25 for Non member

(light lunch included)

Contact CO3:

Tel: 9024 5356 / Fax : 9024 1061 / E-mail:  tracey@co3.bzHIS

Please include full contact details and any dietary or access requirements.

3.           

Taking The North-West Forward…Same Old Paths Or Pastures New?

12.30pm, Thursday 23 June 2011

St. Augustine’s Hall, Palace Street, Derry~Londonderry (adjacent to Society Street Car Park)

In many ways, the North-West is a dynamic place right now – the advent of regeneration, a new administration with new local representation, renewed focus on the North-West as a region, City of Culture around the corner!

But…amidst all this, questions continue to bubble up on what really is the way forward for us, the inhabitants of this City Region:

o        Does the Regeneration Plan give promise or can it actually deliver?

o        Are we providing the best for our young people’s educational and skills needs?  Could a more radical approach work better?

o        Who will take forward the task of healing divisions in our society?  Do we still need Community Relations? If so, how? Do we have a leadership role to play?

o        How will a Community Development approach survive in times of hardship and uncertainty?

o        Longer-term, is there more we could do to grow and sustain our ability to respond to our own needs? Are there options to consider under social enterprise?

This discussion aims to provoke thinking, challenge inertia and begin charting a future course – do you have something to say in terms of what this might be?

Key Speakers:

Eamonn Deane, Holywell Trust / Maureen Hetherington, The Junction / Conal McFeely, Creggan Enterprises Limited

If you wish to attend this exploratory and purposeful discussion (plus we‘ll feed you too…) contact NWCN by telephone or email by: Tuesday 21 June.

Numbers are limited so early contact is advisable.

4.           

Vacancy for a Programme Director with CO3

About CO3:

CO3 Chief Officers 3rd Sector is the coming together of third sector leaders, to strengthen our leadership, our sector and our society in Northern Ireland. With over 250 members and operating for over 25 years, we are a mature and strategic organisation which ensures that the communities and service users that we work for, are well served.

CO3 is a dynamic organisation that works with Northern Ireland’s most innovative and inspirational leaders, from the community and voluntary sector. CO3 has a vacancy in a strategic and rewarding role to take forward our leadership programme.

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

Salary - NJC Point 38-40 £31,754 - £33,661 28 hours pro rata

Applicants should be able to command the confidence of third sector leaders, have a

minimum of 2 years professional development experience, understanding of leadership theory and development as well as project management experience.

This is a readvertisement.

Closing Date for Applications: 2:30pm, Friday 24th June 2011.

Interview Date 4 August 2011

Applicants can obtain further information or download an application pack online at

www.co3.bz or by contacting Tracey McCreanor, Corporate Services

5.           

Derry District Policing Partnership - Notice of Public Meeting

Date: Monday 27th June 2011

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Learmount Resource Centre, Learmount Road, Park

At this meeting the PSNI Area Commander will present his annual report on local policing and present the Foyle Local Policing Plan for 2011/12.

Members of the public are welcome to attend all Public Meetings of the DPP, which will offer the opportunity to observe the Area Commander's response to questions

posed by DPP Members. The meeting will also provide a platform for local people to present their views on policing within the district.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions of the Area Commander, through the Chairperson of the DPP.

How can I raise an issue at the Meeting?

To enable the Area Commander to respond fully to a question you should forward your question to the DPP Manager in writing by letter, e-mail or fax by 12 noon on

Thursday 23rd June 2011.  Your question will then be forwarded to the Area Commander and he will respond at the Public Meeting. You can attend the meeting and pose the question in person to the Area Commander, alternatively you may

choose to ask a Member of the DPP to raise an issue or ask a question on your behalf

Written questions should be forwarded to:

FREEPOST DERRY D.P.P.

(No stamp or further address details required) or by:

tel: 028 7137 6565

fax: 028 7136 8536

Textphone number: (028) 7137 6646

e-mail: derrydpp@derrycity.gov.uk

* For those with disabilities who have difficulty in submitting a written question, facilities are available through the Council Offices for having a question recorded.

6.           

Stop Discrimination Of Disabled Transport

NIPSA has organised a lobby/protest against the discrimination of people with disabilities in the reduction of the Door To Door Transport Service

Protest: 1pm, Tue 28 June 2011

Parliament Buildings, Belfast

All welcome to support the rights of people with disabilities!

Disability Action has been providing a successful door to door personal transport service for disabled people in the Belfast Area for the past 25 years. At the height of the “Troubles” Disability Action staff ensured that all disabled people irrespective of their locality or religious belief had the opportunity to participate fully in civic society.

The transport service is for people with disabilities who find it difficult to use public transport. All Disability Action drivers are fully trained in disability awareness, manual-handling techniques and customer care.

Three years ago and after successfully delivering the door to door service in Belfast for 25 years the Department of Regional Development , despite objections from user groups and NIPSA, insisted the service had to go to public tender. NIPSA at the time raised concerns that community based organisations like Disability Action would lose out – these fears have unfortunately come to pass.

NIPSA has been advised that Disability Action have lost the contract to a private sector consortium with bno known track record in delivering this highly specialised service to people with disabilities.  NIPSA is also aware that it is proposed to reduce the service to a Monday to Friday only. This will seriously impact on the lives of all disabled people many of whom will be shocked that the organisation that is at the forefront of providing a wide range of support services to disabled people have lost this contract.  This is privatisation of a vital public service – it should not be put into the hands of private sector organisations and consortiums whose only interest is in making profit.

Protect a vital public service - Say NO To Privatisation!

Contact your MLA, Councillor, and the DRD Minister to protest against the privatisation of this vital public service!

(On behalf of NIPSA, the Leading Public Service Union)

7.           

Impact Of The Cuts – Advice NI

Advice NI is very concerned about the impact of welfare cuts on vulnerable, low income households. In the current period of recession, even more people have become reliant on the social security system and we are keen to assess the everyday experiences and challenges faced by people reliant upon a social security system which has been subjected to very significant cuts.

In order to try and give low income households a voice, Advice NI has developed an online survey aimed at people reliant upon the social security system; including needing help with their mortgage or rent; help with childcare costs; help because they are sick or disabled; or generally finding it difficult to pay bills and make ends meet.

Advice NI would ask anyone who provides a service to / or knows of anyone affected by the cuts, to encourage them to log on and complete this survey.

All of the information collected will be kept in the strictest confidence and used for research purposes only. A report will be produced with the aim of raising awareness of the impact of the welfare cuts on people in Northern Ireland.

If you have any questions, or would like to find out more about this research, please contact Kevin Higgins

To complete the survey go to www.adviceni.net and click on welfare cuts survey.

8.           

Bridge to the Future - North West Peace III Celebration

City Hotel, Queen's Quay, Derry-Londonderry

5.30 - 8.45pm, Tuesday 21 June,

(Evaluation Event 3.15 - 5.30pm)

You are invited to a showcase event to celebrate the peace-building work being carried out in the NW funded by the PEACE III Programme.  The event, hosted by the NW PEACE III Partnership, in association with the WELB NW Youth Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, will provide creative showcase sessions and an opportunity to learn about how, in the run up to the opening of the Peace Bridge,  PEACE III has been tackling sectarianism and racism across the NW PEACE III Cluster by building positive relationships and dialogue.

The event will be hosted by Tim McGarry, actor and comedian, and our thought-provoking guest speaker will be Richard Moore, founder and director of Children in Crossfire.  The afternoon workshop sessions for current Phase I projects will be led by singer songwriter Paddy Nash, Abby from the Poetry Chicks and more. 

Who should attend?

All those interested in learning about what has been achieved in Phase I with PEACE III funds in the NW, meet with other organisations building positive relations and to learn about how to get involved in Phase II.

For further information on the event please go to:

derrycity.gov.uk.peaceIIIcelebrationevent   

RSVP - To register please email pr@inyourspaceevents.com 

Please indicate your availability for the workshops – contact Orla Gray: t - 02871308466 / e - orla.gray@derrycity.gov.uk at the earliest opportunity.

9.           

Destined - Invitation to tender

Access to Citizenship is inviting tenders from suitably qualified organisations or individuals to deliver a research and evaluation project to assess the impact of this project to date and to consider its future development. 

To receive tender documents email d@destined.ie, www.destined.ie or call Dermot O’Hara on 028 7136 2424

Closing date for receipt of tenders is 24 June 2011 at 3pm

10.       

Waterside Area Partnership, Funders Fair – 23 June

 Waterside Area Partnership’s project Waterside Links is holding a Funders Fair on Thursday 23^rd June 2011 at Clooney Hall Centre, Main Hall 36 Clooney Terrace Waterside.

This is a chance for all of Waterside organisations, communities or individuals to have the chance to come along and speak to funders about different projects. This is an open event that will run from 2.00pm-6.00pm and will be a very informative afternoon.

Waterside Area Partnership has invited Funders from all over Northern Ireland to attend.

For further information please contact Louise Moore, Community Liaison Officer on 028 713 49594.

11.       

Parents Advice Centre Information Seminars: Training to Help Dads Help Boys!

The ‘Fathers and Sons – Staying Connected’ Train the Trainers programme offers a new package of training and support to those wishing to engage with men in Northern Ireland to support the specific issues of relationships, communication and promoting positive mental health among boys and their fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers and uncles. The programme will provide:

• facilitation and group work skills
• training on the specialist course manual
• training on the course activities
• best practice in recruiting and running fathers courses
• mentoring support

You can attend a free information seminar for full details: 

• Tuesday 21^st June, 10.30am – 12.30pm in Men’s Action Network, 40 Carlisle Road, Derry.
• Tuesday 28^th June, 10.30am – 12.30pm in Parents Advice Centre, Great Victoria Street, Belfast

To register your interest in attending either of the seminars please contact Pauline Martin, Parenting Forum NI, Parents Advice Centre on T: 028 9031 0891 or E: pauline@pachelp.org.

12.       

Mary’s Meals Cycle

9.30am - Saturday 25th June 2011

Registration: 8.15am – 9.15am  at St. Joseph’s Hall, Omagh

Starting Time: 9.30am       

Fee: £10.00 (adult)   Fee: £5.00 (under 18 years)

Cycle Route: approx 45 miles (3-4 hours)

Route: St. Joseph’s Hall, Omagh (Registration), Derry Road, Newtonstewart,        Barnescourt, Drumquin, Mini Burns, Dromore, St. Joseph’s Hall, Omagh.

Mary’s Meals is an international movement established in 1992 which aims to set up school feeding projects in communities where poverty and hunger prevent children from gaining an education. Marys Meals aims to help support children by providing a meal a day in school. In this way the children are encouraged to gain the education that can lift them out of poverty in later life. This simple but effective idea provides daily meals for 391,525 of the world’s poorest children.

We began in 2002 in Malawi feeding 200 children. We are now feeding over 390,000 children in 15 countries.  The daily meal attracts children into the classroom and helps them learn.  An education is an escape route out of poverty.  Mary’s Meals projects rely on the involvement of local volunteers.  We are committed to spending at LEAST 93% of every pound you donate on our charitable work.  Wherever possible we use locally produced food for Mary’s Meals.  To give a child a daily meal for a year costs on average just £9.40

13.       

Invite to ‘Day of Private Reflection’ event

 As part of the ‘Day of Private Reflection’ on Tuesday 21st June, which is an annual initiative for people to reflect on the conflict in and about Northern Ireland and its impact on all sections of society, the DCC Community Relations Officers are holding a dialogue event from 11:30 – 1:30 in Derry City Council  Offices, Strand Road.  This event, which includes lunch, will involve a panel of speakers with different perspectives telling their story of how the conflict impacted on them and how it continues to impact today.  The discussion will then open up to allow attendees to either ask questions of the panelists or to reflect on the effect of the conflict on them.  This will be an informal event exploring the conflict from a range of different perspectives. 

This is an open event, anyone wishing to attend is asked to register with Bernadette Coyle on Bernadette.coyle@derrycity.gov.uk  or 7134 5160 to facilitate catering arrangements. For further information contact angela.askin@derrycity.gov.uk

14.       

Reducing Income Inequality

7pm to 9pm Monday 20^th June

Station House Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Claiming Our Future & Donegal CWC (Harnessing Equality for Lasting Peace Project) IN association with Donegal East Forum are hosting an open discussion - all welcome!

Keynote Speaker: Niall Crowley, Independent Equality Expert

Niall was chief executive officer of the Equality Authority in Ireland from its establishment in 1999 until 2009. The Equality Authority was established to promote equality and combat discrimination in the areas covered by Irish equality legislation.

Prior to this he worked in the community sector with the Travellers’ rights organisation Pavee Point for twelve years. Niall Crowley was a member of the National Economic and Social Forum and the National Economic and Social Council.  He is the author of ‘An Ambition for Equality’, published by Irish Academic Press in 2006 and ‘Empty Promises – Bringing the Equality Authority to Heel’ published by A&A Farmar in 2010.

15.       

Singing for Health and Happiness at The Playhouse Theatre

Wednesday 22^nd June 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Cost £10

A Unique One Off Workshop at the Playhouse is offering people the chance to take time out of their busy lives to have some fun and sing!

Valerie Whitworth is an inspirational teacher and voice coach and the Playhouse brings her unique workshop to Derry for the first time on the 22nd June. Her warm teaching style is both professional and relaxed, bringing out the best in all levels of vocal ability. Valerie trained with Frankie Armstrong who pioneered the Natural Voice Technique, whose philosophy is – ‘if you can speak you can sing’. Valerie has established an enviable reputation across Tyrone and Fermanagh. She has two choirs in Omagh and in Enniskillen called ‘Together One Voice’. The songs taught in the workshop range from simple chants, to more complex works in three or four part harmony and are all taught by ear.

Valerie said; “singing is our natural birthright. I would encourage anyone who secretly likes to sing in the shower or the car to come along and give it a go!  They say that singing is good for the soul, it certainly makes you feel great and the joy of singing in harmony in a large group is second to none. If you are aged 16 or over, want to have some fun and forget about your concerns for a couple of hours? Why not come along. It will be the best £10 you’ve spent in a long time’.

Ursula McHugh Therapist/Singer currently resident at the Playhouse Theatre said ‘‘I can promise you a real treat and I am really delighted she has agreed to share her philosophy, joy of singing, expertise and experience with us.”

For more information or to book a place please contact Valerie on val@valeriewhitworth.co.uk or 07526534183 website: www.valeriewhitworth.co.uk.

Or Ursula McHugh on Ursula.mchugh@btinternet.com or 07813124126

16.       

Women’s Walking Tour of City Churches – 21^st June

The Methodist Churches of Derry - Londonderry cordially invite you to participate in a ‘Walking Tour of the City Churches’ on Tuesday 21st June commencing at 10.00am with tea/coffee/scones in the Wesley Hall, Carlisle Road.

The walking tour will visit Carlisle Road Presbyterian Church; St Columba’s Church - Long Tower; St Augustine’s Church of Ireland, and return to Carlisle Road Methodist Church. A representative from Cornerstone Church will also make a presentation as part of the tour. A hot lunch meal will be provided by the Methodist ladies in the Wesley Hall, Carlisle Road at approx.12noon. The tour will finish at approx. 2.30pm.

These Churches are of various architectural designs and periods and also reflect our different styles of worship. This tour will provide an opportunity to learn about different faiths and should be interesting, informative, reflective and enjoyable.

For further info and to book a place please RSVP before 17th June to Mrs Joan Doherty at:

Tel: 02871 347598 / Email: j.a.doherty@btinternet.com

Please inform Joan of any special dietary requirements

There will be a charge of £10 to cover the cost of catering

Organised by the Methodist Churches in conjunction with Tyrone, Derry, Donegal Action.

17.       

Ocean Youth Trust – Courses on Lough Foyle

Ocean Youth Trust Ireland (OYTI) are offering a unique opportunity for people in the North West to gain their RYA Level 1 Dinghy Sailing Qualifications.

This qualification is the first step for people wishing to gain experience in boat handling skills and in some cases have opened up new employment opportunities as many participants go on to join the career training path available within the RYA.

In collaboration with the Loughs Agency we will be delivering an RYA Level One Dinghy Sailing course next week from Prehen, Lough Foyle. This will run on Tuesday and Wednesday next. A small fee applies – to cover certification, fuel and insurance for the course.

2 day RYA Level 1 course

Dates: 21^st  - 22^nd June, 9.30am-5pm each day

Fee: £70 per person

Location: Loughs Agency, Prehen

Contact: Matt at OYTI on operations_oyti@yahoo.co.uk or Bronagh bronagh@oyti.org

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

18.       

Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine & Israel (EAPPI)

EAPPI provides protection by presence, monitors human rights abuses, supports Israeli and Palestinian peace activists and advocates for an end to the occupation.

Ecumenical Accompaniers

Working as Human Rights Observers

Based in the West Bank and Israel in 2012:

18 vacancies for 3 months’ service

2 vacancies for 4.5 months’ service

living allowance + benefits

Deadline for applications: 23rd June 2011

For more information and to download an application pack please check our website: www.quaker.org.uk/applyeappi.

(Please note that we will not be sending hard copies of the application pack and we cannot accept handwritten forms).