Opportunities
The work of the C3 Partnership is currently funded until the end of December 2007. However, performance improvement for third sector organisations does not stop there! Nor does support for performance improvement for third sector organisations. All the C3 partners are committed to support for organisations who want to reflect on what they do, plan how to make it better, and get on with making it better!
Voscur runs a continuous programme of relevant training that will boost your skills and knowledge. Some of this training focuses on performance improvement as a process, such as Outcomes training or “Have a better project”. Other training on offer includes topics such as developing a fundraising strategy; recruiting effective management committee members; setting up excellent financial procedures. In short, all the kind of skills and tips to embed good (if not fabulous!) working practices in third sector organisations.
For more details on Voscur’s training programme.
Action Learning sets have been on offer, funded by the C3 Partnership, for third sector organisations who went through C3Perform with an Advisor. From autumn 2007, based on much-voiced demand, Voscur are able to offer Action Learning sets for Chairs. This is funded by NAVCA.
Social Enterprise Works and the Co-operative Development Agency (CDA)- C3 partners- are working together to get capacity building support out to VCSE organisations in rural areas outside Bristol. The West of England Rural Programme will provide one-to-one business support for social enterprises and co-operatives in North Somerset; Bath and North East Somerset; and South Gloucestershire.
Social Enterprise Works is also leading a project on “Benchmarking”, or “benchlearning”. This is about third sector organisations using a web-based tool, which asks questions and gathers information about the organisation. Later in the project, all the data gathered will be produced in a report, which will allow participants to compare where they are to other organisations, perhaps in the same service area, or same locality etc.
If your organisation has been through a performance improvement process and you are enthused and and excited about this, joining an association of other third sector organisations focussed on performance improvement might be just your thing! RISE (Regional Infrastructure for Social Enterprise- in the South West) is looking into developing a trade association for social enterprises. More informally, the C3 Partnership is also considering setting up a Performance Improvement Network for third sector organisations who have been through C3Perform or other performance improvements processes, or are thinking about beginning this kind of work.