Wednesday 3 March – Focus on Members

A unique collective memory

Angela Smith MP, Minister for the Third Sector got the conference off to an upbeat start with her recognition of the unique role that bassac and its members play in supporting the third sector and local communities.

“Your collective memory of how communities change is invaluable, not only as a history of community but also in the way that it helps you to be innovating in your work,” she said.

She stressed the importance of partnerships with the recession and a changing funding environment, and the need for a stronger long-term relationship with local authorities through the local strategic partnership.

The challenges are many, she said, but bassac and its members can become increasingly influential as a trusted voice from the sector, with experience rooted in communities and people’s lives.

Questions from the floor emphasised how much members and their communities were still feeling the effects of the recession.

Maria Gardiner of Manchester Settlement got straight to the point of people’s concerns when she asked to know of any plans from central government to safeguard funding to community anchors when there was an obvious pressure on local authorities to cut funding.

Lynn Tupling of Retford Action Centre had good news to report of a very positive experience of working in partnership with the local authority. Her question was, however, how this could be effectively rolled out through the community and third sector?

A spot of speed dating

With the clock ticking, the speed date got underway with members meeting up with others around themes of common interest. Community development, advice, training, youth, older people and employment were the prompt for rapid conversations; an opportunity to make connections with others and think about working together on future projects.

There was a buzz around the room: ideas, suggestions, contacts were exchanged and there was a strong feeling that this was a really useful activity that we could develop in the future for members.

The day moved swiftly on with workshops before lunch around the following themes:

• Critical citizenship and community influence
• Using social media to involve people
• Making representation work for everyone

And a visit to Manchester Settlement’s new building in Openshaw  – the New Roundhouse.

Working with local authorities

Maria Gardiner, general manager of Manchester Settlement, Alistair Cox, councillor for Moss Side ward and Libby Graham, regeneration officer at New East Manchester, set a positive tone for the afternoon recounting their experience of working together around the development of the New Roundhouse – Manchester Settlement’s new £2million carbon neutral building.

The session started with a show of hands from delegates – revealing in itself about the quality of the relationship between community anchors and local authority representatives. Forty five per cent of delegates said that they had either no relationship or a poor relationship with their local ward councillor.

While a higher number (75%) had an average or good knowledge of their local authority’s key priorities, and over half were aware of the local strategic partnership (LSP), almost the same proportion had no relationship with the voluntary sector representative on the LSP.

Against this backdrop, Maria Gardiner gave her keys to the success of her partnership with Manchester City Council and the regeneration body.

• Collect the evidence of what you have achieved – tell the right people – get in touch with your councillor and get them on side
• Identify and invest time in key partnerships – both in and outside the voluntary sector. This is crucial, even though it takes time and energy
• Don’t dismiss local authority targets – they are there for a reason and you can play a part in meeting them
• Accountability – have strong financial management, which leads to
• Sustainability – an organisation with strong external relationships and a clear long-term plan.

This all has to be seen this all as an ongoing task

Alistair Cox listed some of the negative assumptions he has come across from fellow councillors about community organisations, but went on to recommend using the scrutiny process as an opportunity to suggest innovative solutions. He also challenged members to engage at ward level with ward coordination structures and find allies through ward forums.

Meeting funders face to face

The bassac AGM followed and after a short break, the Find a Funder dinner - the moment when members can sit down and talk with funders about their work and find out what funders are looking for, in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

You can see an album of photos, including dazzling images from the Find a Funder dinner in our photo gallery.