Join the ACEVO community
Since the coronavirus outbreak began, we have been developing a digital platform to make it easier and faster for all of us to connect with each other. So today I’m delighted to share with your our brand new ACEVO community: a space for ACEVO members to share experiences, ask questions and offer advice and support.
To access the community you need to opt-in: go to the ACEVO website, log in using your email and password, and click on ‘ACEVO community’ in the top right corner. You will then be asked to accept the code of conduct and privacy statement before signing up. After you receive the welcome email you’re ready to use it. I highly recommend you watch the short video in the ‘About’ section of the community which will help you navigate the platform.
Current postings include questions on recruiting via digital channels, how organisations can get post-traumatic growth from this crisis, and how to keep furloughed staff engaged and supported.
As with the website, it’s important to say that we are always in beta, so bear with us as we continue to improve the community. I am counting on you to make it a lively and supportive space for all of us and I look forward to engaging with you there.
Government funding for charities
On 8 April the chancellor announced a £750m financial package to support charities during the coronavirus pandemic. While the chancellor’s statement that “one of our greatest strengths as a country is our civil society” is welcome, the package is a fraction of the £4bn loss in income that we forecast the charity sector will experience in the first 12 weeks of the pandemic. We hope this money will be distributed quickly so that charities can continue, at least in the short term, to be there for the people they serve. ACEVO will continue to campaign for medium and long-term financial support that will enable as many charities as possible to remain open for the causes and communities they exist to support. You can read my statement in response here, and I have also put together some brief notes here from a call with DCMS officials last Thursday which answers some initial questions about the support package.
It’s all about governance
ACEVO’s head of leadership and governance Jenny Berry will present a webinar on 29 April at 11am about governance in a crisis and the CEO role. She will reflect on how we all have responded to the current crisis and how we can prepare better for future unforeseen events. Jenny will also host a member meeting on 21 May to discuss governance arrangements and relationships.
Support for you
ACEVO’s work regarding coronavirus has focused on providing support for you. Our helplines are open if you have questions about governance or your own personal resilience. One of our latest digital services is a direct communication channel with ACEVO’s member support team. Simply send an email with the heading ‘Talk to us’ and Jenny and Tom will get back to you.
ACEVO’s head of member support Tom Andrews is also facilitating weekly member meetings. ‘The Friday Review’ is a space to gather in an informal way, pause, reflect, check-in with one another and share learning. The Friday Review takes place every Friday, from 4pm. Register here.
Answering your questions
The ACEVO team has collated the most frequently asked questions we have received in the past few weeks from members. In this page, you will find answers to these questions, but please get in touch if you need more specific information or advice.
Employment law updates
On Wednesday 15 April at 11am Kevin Poulter, employment lawyer at Freeths, will be on hand to answer your questions arising from the coronavirus lockdown. Despite the measures in place to support employees and charities, including the Job Retention Scheme, charity leaders may be experiencing an immediate impact on their organisation’s work, productivity and engagement with employees. It may also be a time to consider the medium and long-term impact on the workforce and what steps can be taken now to prepare for a new way of working. Book your place now.
Job of the week
Turning Point, head of operations, UK wide
