Resources - Training Resources

The Project Steering Group will consult partners as to the eight training courses / resources and one toolkit to be developed each year. A website will be created giving access to project partner organisations to download the resources which can be used in running courses or for development sessions with individual groups. The course resources will comprise:

• course outlines giving a range of possible structures and subject matter
• handouts which can be downloaded and photocopied
• PowerPoint slides
• template forms or good practice case studies which can be used by frontline organisations.

The subject areas for the 1st year will be:

• Starting up your voluntary organisation or community group – an overview
• Committee roles and responsibilities and committee skills
• How to be a good chair – the chairing role and chairing skills
• How to be a good treasurer
• How to write a simple but effective business plan
• Recruiting and managing volunteers
• How to write a good funding application
• Events management – how to organise events

Future subjects will include:

• Methods of monitoring and evaluating the work you do
• Working with the media
• Minute taking
• Developing the right policies and procedures
• How to plan and deliver a project
• Speaking and presentation skills
• Finding the right group structure for you – charities, companies, CIC’s, etc.
• Managing paid staff:
• Recruitment and selection
  • Induction
  • Conducting staff appraisals
  • Dealing with difficult staff
  • Staff training and development.

Other subjects will be added as the project develops and feedback is collected from the partners and frontline organisations.

The practical toolkits will go into greater depth in particular subject areas and will include:

• introduction to the subjects
• legal aspects and current legislation (if applicable)
• clear guidance on what must be done (e.g. to comply with legislation) and what is good practice
• “How to” sections
• Tools that can be used including specimen policies, forms, etc.

The subject for the first year’s toolkit will be Starting and Developing a Voluntary or Community Organisation and future subjects will include Getting ready for delivering public services and Partnership Working. Toolkits will be available to frontline organisations in both paper copies and on the web.

Target: 8 course outlines and one toolkit per year.

This project is managed by the Infrastructure Network Suffolk (formerly known as One Voice Suffolk), and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund