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(the
resources given at the end of this section provide specific details and
should be referred to)
There is
no foolproof guide about how to start a successful new project but factors
like chance, serendipity, creative thinking and inspired leadership often
help! These factors can not be packaged but there are certain tasks,
processes, tools and techniques that can make setting up a project easier to
manage and sustain.
There are
6 main processes & groups of tasks (which often merge together) to set up a
project:
1.
Innovation and creative thinking, turning an idea into a proposal for
a
project.
2.
Testing
the idea, - feasibility study or pilot study.
3.
Building the case for the project - creating a steering group,
producing an
outline project proposal, developing a fund raising
strategy.
4.
Getting
the project going - agreeing legal status, developing a
strategy, agreeing
success indicators.
5.
Designing the project - developing the project’s structure, costing
and
staffing the project.
6.
Implementing the project - drawing up the project’s first budget
and
business plan, recruiting and launching the project, manage,
monitor and
evaluate.
Starting a successful new project is about
connecting together four different and sometimes conflicting factors.
The
Need
Projects
work best when the people developing them understand and appreciate the
needs and problems they have to tackle. Important questions to ask are:
what are the root causes of the problem? What are the symptoms? What is
the scale of it?
The
Idea
Projects
need a vision to link all their activities. The big idea should be clear
enough to show how the project will make a difference to people’s lives.
The
Opportunity
Projects
need to be actively supported and backed with more than just money. There
must be support for the project from key people in the church and a genuine
commitment to see it through.
The
Capacity
Projects
need the right balance of skills, energy and resources to get going and
deliver results. Projects need to be designed so that they are able to make
an impact and create results.
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Some legislation to be considered
when starting a project
Projects are about people either as workers, beneficiaries, partners or
managers and a regulatory framework has developed over time to protect their
interests and to promote good practice. When setting up a project the main
pieces of legislation that need to be complied with are: Equal
Opportunities; Health and Safety; Child Protection; Fire Protection and Food
Hygiene Regulations.
Equal Opportunities: The concept of equal opportunities is about ensuring
that all personnel decisions are based solely on an individual’s ability to
do the job. A statement on your organisation’s equal opportunities position
although not legally required is regarded as just & good practice. By law,
organisations are obliged not to discriminate against employees by reason of
race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, religion,
nationality or ethnic origin. Faith-based organisations can employ people
of the same faith so long as there is a ‘genuine occupational requirement’ (GOR)
for this & that the requirement relates to the faith-based ethos of the
organisation.
Health & Safety: Health & safety at work is covered by extensive
legislation. For organisations in the voluntary sector the main piece of
legislation is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The main legal
requirements are: a written health & safety policy; a procedure for
reporting accidents; a fire certificate; provision of first aid equipment
and employees to have appropriate training.
Child Protection: If the project involves the care of children, for
example a carers and baby group or a youth club for children under 18, the
work falls within the scope of the Children’s Act 1983. This legislation
applies to both paid staff and volunteers. All employers have to check the
suitability of applicants to work with children. It is a statutory
requirement that organisations (and those working with vulnerable adults)
have to check that anyone to whom they are going to offer a job is not on
the list held by the Criminal Records Bureau.
www.crb.gov.uk
Fire Protection: The fire protection officer at your local fire station will
be able to give you advice on compliance with the necessary legislation.
Food Hygiene: If the project deals with preparing and handling of food for
the public then you will have to comply with the food hygiene regulations.
The Environmental Health Department at the local authority will be able to
give you advice.
Help with setting up and implementing a project:
Stewardship Services, a
national Christian charity can provide a range of practical services to help
you get started and met ongoing needs and responsibilities. These services
include: charity formation, payroll administration, employment contracts,
and accounts examination service. Stewardship Services can be contacted
through
Other recommended resources to consult
include:
Faithworks Consultancy at consultancy@faithworks.info
A practical manual to equip churches for
community involvement. Faithworks, 2002.
Adirondack, S: Just About Managing:
Effective management for voluntary organisations and community groups. London Voluntary Service Council, 1992.
Akker D & Passmore M:
Opening our Doors - a practical guide to the wider use of church
buildings. The Children’s Society, 1996.
Forbes, D, Hayes, R & Reason, J:
Voluntary but not Amateur:
A guide to the law for voluntary organisations
and community groups. London Voluntary Service Council, 1994
The Good Employment Guide. NCVO publication London N1 9RL
Peacock, A: The Project Worker: A
guide to employing staff in church projects. Church Urban
Fund / William Temple Foundation, 2000
.
Smith, MK: Setting Up and Managing
Projects. YMCA George Williams College / Rank Foundation,
1994.
Open all hours: A way forward for Church
buildings in the 21st century. ACORA, 2000.
Stricklen, A & McKinnon, J: The Purple
Packs for Planning Projects. Board for Church in Society,
Diocese of Southwark, 1996-1999.
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