Moray Social Enterprise Network

  Supporting Social Enterprises in Moray

This page contains details of forthcoming MSEN events, other forthcoming events and previous MSEN Events.

Forthcoming MSEN Events

MSEN Meeting & Housing Associations - 19 August

Housing Association representatives are coming to talk about their work and the possible tendering/networking opportunities for Social Enterprises in Moray.  So far on the agenda:

· What type of work goes out to tender and what is your tendering process?

· Ongoing networking with MSEN at a local level.

· Energy efficiency policies and their use of thermal cameras for insulation and thermal profiling.

· How can small organisations that have a remit for housing best link in with Housing Associations?

Time: 11am - 3 pm, Wednesday 19th August

Venue: Elgin Youth Cafe, Francis Place, Elgin,

Trade Fair - 24 August

This event is combined with the Moray Chamber of Commerce and is a garden party trade fair.

It is designed to raise awareness of social enterprise as a business model and to increase trading opportunities within both the private business sector and with public bodies.  It is an awareness raising opportunity, but also the chance for organisations to trade and to create trading opportunities.

Time: Monday 24 August

Venue: Baxters, Fochabers

Fee: £20 for MSEN members wishing a stall (proceeds to MSEN funds)

Presentation to Moray Council

There is an opportunity for MSEN to do a presentation to Moray Council at the Town Hall – Ian Longly has received this invitation on behalf of MSEN.  Several members are interested in this being taken forward, but some clarification of details is to be done first.  Anybody interested in being involved in a sub-group, please contact Ian at wastebusters@globalnet.co.uk

MSEN Conference - September

In order to progress the network it has been decided that a conference should be held in the late autumn to determine how members feel MSEN should develop, if it should formalise, if it should structure itself to play a wider role in the ‘political’ climate and to explore membership details. This will also act as a cut off point for Gill’s co-ordinating role as this is no longer funded and is being done voluntarily.

To make any decision democratic it is important that members attend or give their opinions on how the network should structure itself and progress. Work is ongoing to organise the event.

Time: To be confirmed

Venue: Likely to be Elgin Youth Cafe, Francis Place, Elgin,

Start Your Own Social Enterprise

HIE and the Social Enterprise Academy to run a 'Start Your own Social Enterprise' course focussed on young people (16-24) starting the week of 21st Sept.  It will be over 8 days, held on Mondays, possibly with a break for Tattie Holidays. The timings will be fairly flexible, according to the needs of the group.

Do you know of any young people who would like to start a social enterprise?  The course will be ILM accredited. Could you let Gill Dolphin know any names asap please.
 

Other Forthcoming Events

New Contracting Arrangements for Government Programmes

CEiS, on behalf of the Scottish Government, are holding a series of free seminars focussing on opportunities for social enterprises and third sector organisations in the new contracting arrangements for government programmes.  The seminars will give some focus to the commissioning of the new Specialist Disability Employment Programme and will provide the opportunity for you to hear from existing prime providers of other programmes and gain advice on how to work with agencies to be part of the supply chain.

For further information on the seminars please or visit www.ceis.org.uk  where you will find further information and will also be able to register online for the seminar you wish to attend.

Time: Throughout June

Venue: Various

Masterclass Programme

Firstport in conjunction with Scotland UnLtd are running a series of free masterclasses for new and emerging social entrepreneurs, providing advice on specific areas of development, including basic tools and methods for developing your emerging social enterprise.

For details of the training see www.firstport.org.uk  You can book on to all or one of the classes in a day. Please note places are limited so to book, please call Firstport on 0131 220 0511 or email elaine@firstport.org.uk

Time: Throughout 2009

Venue: Various including Aberdeen and Inverness

Making a Good Application to the Enterprise Fund

As well as the masterclasses, Firstport are also running sessions on Making a Good Application to the Enterprise Fund in conjunction with the Scottish Government.  This fund is for enterprising organisations looking to increase their capacity, capability and financial sustainability and offers between £25,000 and £100,000. More information can be found on the Scottish Government website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/12/09101508   These sessions aim to show you how to apply to the fund and also how to make a good application. The sessions will be held in Edinburgh and Glasgow but may run in Inverness and Dundee in the future so if you would be interested in attending one of those please let us know.

For details of the training see www.firstport.org.uk   To book, please call Firstport on 0131 220 0511 or email elaine@firstport.org.uk

MVSO Training Courses

MVSO are running training seminars in Lhanbryde on areas such as governance training, basic book-keeping, and minute taking.  For more details see their events booking form

SCVO Training Courses

This link has details of the courses which SCVO run and cover a broad range of topics from IT to organisational governance, from personal development to capacity building.  Click here for more details.

Previous MSEN Events

MSEN – Social Enterprise Awards

The first awards ceremony for social enterprises in Moray has taken place at Innes House on March 28^th 2008.

The event was funded with the generous support of HIE Moray and Communities Scotland.  Local MSP and Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead spoke at the event which was a celebration of the distinctive contribution that social enterprises are making across Moray.

Kevin McDermott of MSEN said “This is the first time we have held an event like this in Moray and we are really pleased at how it went. There are a lot of excellent new and emerging social enterprises in Moray, and we really want to get the message out about the positive role that social enterprises can play in delivering innovative services and products.”

The awards were for the individual Moray Social Entrepreneur of the year; an award for Excellence in Training; an award for the Best New Social Enterprise and the Social Impact award which was for the organisation that has made the biggest impact over the past year.  For more information about the award ceremony including a list of the nominees and winners please click here.

Coaching Programme

MSEN had been trying to get a coaching programme going on Moray for a while as there had been feedback from people who say that they feel quite isolated in what they do and that they would really welcome the opportunity and space to be able to reflect on their work and maybe discuss current challenges and issues.  Therefore the MSEN worked with the Social Enterprise Academy to offer individuals four free coaching sessions with a coach. The attached papers gave some more information on the structure.

Moray one-to-one coaching

Code of ethics

Procurement Training for Social Enterprises

The Public Sector Partnership offered a one day workshop designed for businesses and social enterprises to help provide the skills and awareness to seek contracts awarded through the public tender process.  For more details please download the training brochure

Skills for Enterprise Training

This coaching programme is designed for people leading and managing social enterprises in Moray.  It will provide you with a practical grounding of the principles and practice of coaching, and supports you in using these skills in your organisation.

The programme consists of four day workshops and personal coaching sessions.    For further details download the course leaflet.

The training was provided with the assistance of HIE Moray.