Social Enterprise Coalition activity  Support for Social Enterprise Charter continues to grow One week before the election, the Social Enterprise Charter now has 105 signatures from MPs and PPCs across the political spectrum. Party leaders David Cameron (Conservative), Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrat) and Caroline Lucas (Green) have each signed the charter, but with 31 signatories, it is the Liberal Democrats that have the largest presence, followed by Greens at 30, Labour at 25 and Conservatives at 10. For the full breakdown, please go to www.socialenterprise.org.uk/pages/campaigns.html The Charter is part of the Coalition’s 2010 election campaign which includes the manifesto “No More Business as Usual”, released on February 16th. Peter Holbrook, chief executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition said: “Social enterprises have shown themselves to be a critical point of debate around this election. As accountable, transparent and independent businesses with social and environmental aims, they can make a real difference in the UK’s economy and society. Having cross-party support for social enterprise is crucial, and we are really pleased to have had such a significant response to our Charter.”
 Peter Holbrook blogs from San Francisco Coalition CEO Peter Holbrook is currently in San Francisco attending the Social Enterprise World Forum 2010. The event will bring together over 600 entrepreneurs from across the world to learn, grow and be inspired. Peter will be speaking as part of a session debating the role of government in supporting and growing the social enterprise movement. Peter has just posted his first blog from the event which you can read at http://peterholbrook.wordpress.com/ For more information on the event read the news story at Social Enterprise magazine.
 SEC research into alternative education The Coalition will be publishing a report this summer on social enterprises delivering alternative education to young people. As part of this report, we would like to feature case studies of social enterprises around the UK using a variety of different models to deliver alternative education. If you run or know of a social enterprise working in this field which may wish to be involved in the project, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with Olof at olof.jonsdottir@socialenterprise.org.uk for more details.
Opinions needed on proposed increase in National Insurance In light of the ongoing discussions among mainstream business leaders regarding the Labour Party’s proposed increase in National Insurance the Coalition is interested in gauging what leading social enterprises position on the matter was. We would therefore be grateful if you could complete this very short survey to gauge your opinion. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/national_insurance If you have any other thoughts on the matter please contact jon.woolfson@socialenterprise.org.uk  Consultations
 O2 consultation on social enterprise O2 have pledged their commitment to social enterprise, with the promise to develop a meaningful package of support that best meets the needs of the social enterprise sector. In order to understand the needs of the social enterprise community, O2 are undertaking vital consultation with the audience - and this survey is part of this consultation process. They're inviting social enterprises to take a few minutes to fill out this survey so that your views and thoughts can be heard and included. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/O2socialenterpriseresearch Events  Shine 2010 - The Unconference for Social Entrepreneurs 13 - 15 May London SHINE is the biggest "unconference" in the UK for social entrepreneurs. Over three days, it offers a mini-business school with elements social entrepreneurs need to grow fast: practical support, inspiration, services, tools and connections. SHINE is a practical event shaped by every participant - delegates have the chance to put forward their own ideas for a session and offer peer-to-peer advice to the other entrepreneurs in attendance. To find out more about the event and to book to attend visit the website.
 ACEVO CEO Summit 2010: Leadership in a New Era: Survival of the Fittest 18 May London May 2010 will see the general elections and a possible change in government, whatever the outcome, cuts in public spending will be the reality, and the need for strong and strategic leaders to lessen the impact on the sector is vital. The 2010 ACEVO CEO Summit discussion will focus on new challenges that could arise from these changes and how to develop these into creative opportunities in order to strength your organisations. Cost Non ACEVO member - £180*/£210 ACEVO Member Price - £150*/£170 *Early bird prices available until 18 May 2010 For more information and to book visit the website
ACEVO Future Leaders Summit 2010: New Role, Fresh Thinking, New Challenges - a Successful Transition to Chief Executive 18 June London This conference will highlight key tools for future leaders; helping to establish themselves within a new role without disrupting the existing ethos. It will offer guidance to a successor in order to maintain leadership effectiveness and make a positive impact in their new organisation. Cost Non ACEVO member price - £120*/£140 ACEVO member price - £100*/£120 *Early bird prices available until 18 May 2010 For more information and to book visit the website.
Social Firms UK annual conference: Harnessing the Power of Business to Change Lives 1 - 2 July Cambridge This conference is relevant for social enterprises, for people working in the Social Firm sector (or interested in partnering with or starting a Social Firm) and also for service providers - people and organisations that seek to make a difference to those furthest away from the labour market. This event will be in conjunction with EY2010, the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. For more information, to download the programme, and to book your place visit the website. Resources  Win £1000 Worth of Free Advertising for Your Social Enterprise If you submit a successful application for the Social Enterprise Mark before May 14th, your company could be one of three new Mark holders to win £1000 worth of free advertising. Three winners will be picked at random and will get the chance to design an advert in consultation with the Social Enterprise Mark Co., which will then feature in a publication of their choice. Applying for the mark is straightforward and easy - go to www.socialenterprisemark.org.uk/win to find out more about the brand for social enterprises.
 Third Sector Research Centre The Third Sector Research Centre offers third sector organisations and policy-makers access and input into robust research, aiming to bridge the gap between research and the third sector. TSRC is committed to making research available to all who need it and a list of their recent publications is available at the website. To view TSRC's recent research projects visit www.tsrc.org.uk/Publications
 New Children and Young People's grant The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has announced a flexible grant to improve integrated services for children and young people. A new children and young people's grant will be trialed from April 2011, which will take a step towards further integration in services for children and young people and should support a shift to more early intervention and prevention. The DCSF says that it will work to identify a significant number of pathfinders to try out the grant and will look for a mix of different areas. The grant will be protected so that money intended for children and young people's services can only be used for this purpose. Find out more at the DCSF website. Member profile  Real Ideas CIC Real Ideas is a social enterprise working with young people to make change happen. They offer services and products to schools, local authorities, government departments and national partners which are designed to improve the life chances of young people. Through its work Real Ideas seeks to create job opportunities, raise standards in schools and support young people living in challenging circumstances. To find out more about Real Ideas CIC visit their website www.realideas.org/ Website of the fortnight  Debate Bingo Tonight sees the last of the three Leaders Debates taking place as part of the General Election campaign. To add to the excitement, this website offers a series of bingo cards to play during the debate with words chosen by organisations including Save the Children and One Society. If none of the cards on offer take your fancy, you can also create your own game cards complete with the buzz words you expect to hear from the three party leaders this evening! www.debatebingo.com/ Jobs  Social Enterprise Coalition Director of Communications and Marketing £50k - £55k gross pa + 6% pension contribution Central London Accountable for leading an integrated communication, marketing and policy team, you will effectively set the Coalition's agenda for the marketing, development and promotion of the vision of social enterprise. As one of the Social Enterprise Coalition's Senior Management Team, the post holder contributes to the development and delivery of the strategic plan for the Coalition. Closing date: 30 April 2010, Midday
Interviews to be held: 12 May 2010 Director of Business and Operations £50K - £55k gross pa + 6% pension contribution Central London This is a unique opportunity for a passionate individual with entrepreneurial flair and pro-active approach to hit the ground running and continue our transition from grant funded activity to commercial operations. You will continue the Social Enterprise Coalition's transition from activities funded through grants to activities funded through commercial operations and will ensure the delivery of new and existing contracts. You will be accountable to the Chief Executive for ensuring contract delivery as well as managing and developing the Coalition's income generating activities, including membership, events and the creation of new products and services to ensure the long term sustainability of the Coalition. The postholder has responsibility for the effective and profitable delivery of the Coalition's major projects. Closing date: 30 April 2010, Midday
Interviews to be held: 13 May 2010 If you think you maybe the right candidate for one of these roles but wish to work part time hours (a minimum 24 hours a week) or think your experience and skill deserve a higher salary, drop us a line with your needs and expectations and tell us why we should consider you. The Social Enterprise Coalition is an equal opportunities employer.
Advertise and search for jobs on the number one social enterprise job pages. Social Enterprise Coalition members get great deals on advertising rates and it's easy to get your job uploaded to allow you to focus on running your business. For more information email James at james.hughesdon@socialenterprise.org.uk or visit our job pages. Back to the top | 
"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world." George Washington CarverWhat is Social Entrepreneurship?Statement of Faith
After learning about the “cool, novel concept” of microfinance, Minh Tan Le, Sarah Mowitz, and Kaavya Parca held a concert in February, raising over $800 for Grameen Foundation. They began organizing the event in August 2009 with help from friends and family. “Sarah's mom woke up at 6:00 a.m. one morning to print posters for us,” Kaayva said. Those posters, along with good grassroots promotion helped spread the word about our work and how we're helping to change lives. "Obviously no contribution can be too small,” Kaavya said. “But don't be afraid to think big when you're planning a fundraiser."
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