Consulting

If you are involved in community work, you will know that it can be extremely rewarding but let’s face it, it all too often can be stressful. You are expected to know everything and be able to solve all problems. The fact that it is you who is putting in your own time for free can be ignored. You have chosen to raise your head above the parapet for the better of those around you but that doesn’t mean you won’t get shot down.

Help is at hand though and it sometimes is easier to find and more useful than you think. Advice doesn’t always have to come in the form of expensive consultants coming in from the outside.

Sometimes the people with the skills we need are in our own community just waiting to be asked. We do all like to be asked!

A useful start it so carry out a skills resource audit, what skills are already within our community? Perhaps there’s an accountant who would be more than happy to help out with a funding application or a solicitor who might throw an eye over you articles of association to make sure than they are in order. Chances are that you will find people with specific skills in managing community organisations and qualifications in rural or community development.

There are people within our communities who are already nett recipients of your community organisation’s services, perhaps an elderly parent getting day care of children using the community centre, who will only be too delighted to volunteer their time. Check out the local volunteer organsations.

If people are reluctant, it might be from that real fear of being roped into something out of which there is no escape. We’ve all possibly been there. So specific, be clear out What you what this person to do, (or more importantly what you don’t expect them to do!”, when you want them to do it, how long it will take. Acknowledge their contribution.

Sometimes however we need some specialist advice. This need not be a daunting task nor need break the bank.

At New Paradigms – Training & Consulting, we don’t consider ourselves “experts”, we have all been involved at grassroots level with small and big organisations as volunteers so we know the score.  We believe that the expertise in running community organisations lies with it’s members. We can  facilitate your organisation in making the most out of what you have, to develop a real vision for your organisation and to mobilise your members towards greater goals.

Why not give us a call today to discuss your organisation’s or community’s needs.