Leaders of tomorrow

bassac is looking for around 30 people to take part in a free learning programme developed to help prepare managers and experienced trustees in neighbourhood-based community organisations for positions of leadership.

Start dates: Leeds: 24 November 2008 London: 4 December 2008

What does the programme cover?
What will I get out of it?
How will it work?
Who should attend?
How much does it cost?
When and where will it be held?
The approach

Recommend someone who could benefit from this

To find out more, email jane.harris@ivar.org.uk at the Institute of Voluntary Action Research (IVAR)or call 07963 890 853.

What does the programme cover?

The content is designed especially to meet the needs of neighbourhood-based community organisations:

Developing personal skills

Looking at and assessing our strengths and needs

Interpersonal skills including assertiveness
Team building methods in multi-purpose organisations
Looking at conflict

Understanding communities and partnerships

Neighbourhoods and the community sector
Community profiling methods and knowing your stakeholders
Building inclusive local partnerships
Power, diversity and equality issues in communities

Building leadership

Leadership styles and decision-making methods
Principles of an empowering approach
Skills for advocacy/voice role

Managing change

Understanding the roles of anchors
Strategic planning
Working with trustees through change processes
Key policy issues eg the environment

Strengthening the organisation

Coordinating multi-purpose organisations – cross boundary working
Understanding funding and commissioning
Long term financial planning in a community based organisation
Impact assessment and evaluation

The learning takes place in five day-long sessions over a period of six months.

Please note some details of session content may change. The content will be linked to relevant National Occupational Standards wherever possible.

What will I get out of it?

A better understanding of leadership and strategy
Specific knowledge of what it takes to lead a successful community-based organisation
Your organisation will benefit from the new skills and ideas you bring back from the programme
It will help you to build leadership in your organisation and work more effectively with communities and partnerships
As an individual you will gain a better understanding of your current strengths and weaknesses and your areas for development.
You will develop new skills and expand your career prospects.
And the network of contacts you build while on the programme should prove invaluable to you in the future.

How will it work?

The programme consists of five sessions for up to 15 people, who must attend all sessions.

Each course will be led by an experienced practitioner/trainer, who will be constant throughout the programme and will act as course coordinator.

‘Shadowing’ and action learning will be part of the programme. These sessions are recommended but optional. They will be organised from January 2009 onwards and made up of shorter sessions. They will involve the equivalent of approximately three additional days.

The programme includes a creative mix of presentations, activities, group discussions and case studies. Key learning will also come from external specialists as well as participants sharing their experiences and ideas.

There will be time for reflection, discussion, group working and practical tasks between sessions, with signposting to relevant resources.

We will create a lively and engaging learning environment that is both supportive and challenging.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for senior people from:

development trusts
community centres
community anchor organisations
settlements and similar organisations
organisations in the Third Sector that are neighbourhood based and multi-purpose.

Within these organisations the programme is designed especially for:

Middle managers in medium sized and larger organisations eg. a project or service manager who would like to become a chief officer of an anchor organisation
Chief officers or managers of smaller organisations eg. the manager of a community centre
Chairs or experienced board members eg. someone with three years experience of being a board member

The venues will be accessible; please let us know if you need any support to be able to participate.

How much will it cost?

The programme is free to all participants It is funded by the Office of the Third Sector in recognition of the particular needs of the community sector.

You will need to cover your travel costs and have access to a computer and printer.

Where and when will it be held?

Two programmes will be run – one in London and one in Leeds. In future we hope to run further programmes in other parts of the UK.

The sessions will be monthly. If in a paid role, you will need to arrange for the time needed to attend the programme.