RenSEN Newsletter - 17 September

Social Enterprise News

• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (Just Enterprise)  – Commencing 02 October, this learning opportunity will be delivered over online 4 half-day sessions ‘with a different expert guest contributor at each session to ensure that you hear from a diverse range of perspectives, the programme aims to build awareness, confidence, knowledge, curiosity and peer support’.  Full details can be found here.
• Just Enterprise needs your help! – Inform the content of future learning webinars by completing this survey from Just Enterprise.   Click here for the survey link

RenSEN Network Meeting

Don’t miss out! Save the date and join us for the next in-person RenSEN meeting on Thursday 28 November (18:30 – 20:30).  Book your place by emailing Iain Cunningham at Engage Renfrewshire.

Dates for your diary 

• 29 September – 01 October 2024 Heritage Trust Network Conference (Dunfermline) ‘a relaxed and friendly mix of inspirational speakers, lively discussions and fascinating tours and visits to historic sites and community projects locally’.
• 19 September – Decision Science Masterclass (Edinburgh / Arts and Business Scotland / Fees apply) – ‘A powerful combination of behavioural economics, neuroscience and evolutionary psychology, decision science is a way of scientifically shaping your ideas and improving interactions with supporters, donors and customers for social good.’ 
• 01 October – Supporting Your CEO – a Chairs Network Scotland event (online)
• 04 / 05 October – Community Woodlands Association (CWA) Conference in Merkinch Community Centre, Inverness.
• 09 October – Social Enterprises Running Community Spaces – a free online event hosted by Social Enterprise Scotland.  Click on link for full details
• 10 October – World Mental Health Day (World Health Organisation)
• 18 – 22 November – Co-production Week Scotland sharing ideas, learning and stories about how co-production put people and communities at the heart of support and services.
• 21 November – Social Enterprise Day
• 18 – 24 November – Global Entrepreneurship Week

Your ask/Your Offer

The following RenSEN members need your help…

• Thorn Athletic Community Trust – If you’re using Xero accounting software, Thorn Athletic Community Trust would love to hear from you.  Contact Tania Morlan in the first instance to discuss.
• Western Desert Recce Group – Can you help, advise or recommend fire detection or security systems? If so, Western Desert Recce Group needs your help.  Contact Gary@WDRG.org
• Brick Lane Music Academy – Do you run a gardening group? Brick Lane Music Academy would welcome help from local community-garden groups as the Academy looks to establish a sensory space on their site.  Contact info@bricklanemusicacademy.co.uk

…And here’s an offer from Beechwood Community Centre - Are you looking for a meeting room or venue for your event? The Beechwood Community Centre is available for hire.  To enquire, contact Jessie James via email: traciemorrowbeechwoodcentre@yahoo.co.uk
(Address: Beechwood Community Centre, Shortrood Road, Paisley, PA3 2NT). 

   

  

To have your Ask/Offer added or updated, please contact Iain Cunningham (Engage Renfrewshire) or Tania Morlan (Renfrewshire Council) and we’ll include it on the listing. 

All things AI

Want to know more about AI, watch this webinar recording by Third Sector Lab or attend this online Just Enterprise webinar on 31 October  AI for your social enterprise.
Alternatively here’s take a look at these online resources:

• Guide to Generative AI for Scotland’s Voluntary Sector (SCVO)
• Guidance on AI and Data Protection (Information Commissioner’s Office)
• What is AI? – (Scottish AI Alliance)
• Making Use of AI (SCVO)
• Glossary of AI Terms (SCVO)
• Organisational Policies for Using AI (SCVO)
• What does the rise of AI mean for charities (Third Force News)
• Social Enterprises and AI: How will new advances support our sector? (Third Force News)
• Ethics of using AI in fundraising (Rogare Fundraising Think Tank)
• Scottish AI Alliance – This organisation ‘is tasked with the delivery of Scotland’s AI Strategy’.

Social Enterprise Census

The deadline for the 2024 Social Enterprise Census has been extended to Friday 27 September to allow more social enterprises to take part.  The Census takes just 15-20 minutes to complete and will be closing in two weeks’ time.
 
Click here to get started!
 
Participating in this Census means far more than just filling out a survey – it is an opportunity to have your voice heard and shape a supportive ecosystem for social enterprises in Scotland. Every single response is important, and we want to hear from you as part of the inspiring social enterprise community.
 
By sharing your organisation's experiences and insights on your evolving needs, you'll contribute to a deeper understanding of the support structures and resources required by social enterprises in Scotland to thrive.
 
The Scottish Government is committed to using the data gathered from this census to inform policy making, influencing the future direction of government priorities for the sector.
 
Whether you're running a community-based project; delivering arts and cultural activities; selling products to consumers; managing a conservation or environmental project or delivering essential social care services, your input is invaluable to us.
 
Click here to get started!

Social Enterprise Learning Webinars (for social enterprises at all stages)

Enhancing Digital Skills
18 September – Online selling (online / Just Enterprise)
19 September – Effective use of PR (online / Business Gateway)
20 September – Leadership Skills to Build a Digital Culture (Third Sector Lab)
27 September – Managing Tasks with Microsoft Planner (Third Sector Lab)
02 October – How Trustees can improve their organisation’s cyber resilience ( SCVO)
31 October – AI for your social enterprise (online / Just Enterprise)
26 November – Digital Marketing (online / Just Enterprise)
13 February 2025 – Digital Marketing (online / Just Enterprise)

 
Governance & Leadership
24 September EVENING Strategic Planning for Social Enterprises (online 6pm-7:30pm / Just Enterprise) 
Commencing 26 September – CEOs (online / Just Enterprise) Fees apply
Commencing 26 September – Senior Leaders (online / Just Enterprise)
03 October – Guide to good governance.  Defining strategy, culture and values (online / SCVO) Fees apply
10 October – Guide to good governance.  Board and staff relationships (online / SCVO) Fees apply
29 October – Annual accounting, governance and reporting (online / SCVO) Fees apply
12 November – Social Media Fundamentals (online / SCVO) Fees apply
19 November – Recruiting New Board Members (online / Just Enterprise)
17 December Strategic Planning for Social Enterprises (online / Just Enterprise) 
16 January 2025 – Aspiring or New Leaders (in-person / Just Enterprise)
27 January 2025 – Developing a coaching approach to leadership (online / Just Enterprise)


Social Enterprise Essentials
18 September – Social Business Modelling and Scaling (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
19 September – Effective Use of PR (online / Business Gateway Renfrewshire)
23 September – Bookkeeping Essentials (online / Business Gateway)
Commencing 24 September – Winning grants from trusts and foundations (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
24 September – Advertising and Promotion (online / Business Gateway)
25 September – Introduction to data management and GDPR (online / SCVO) Fees apply
26 September – EVENING How To: Low Cost High Impact Marketing (online / Business Gateway)
27 September – EVENING How to Start a Business: The Basics (online / Business Gateway)
30 September – How to Build Your Brand (online / Business Gateway)
03 October – Disability Equality Training (Online / Arts and Business Scotland / Fees apply)
Commencing 08 October - Developing a fundraising strategy (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
09 – 10 October – Introduction to equity, diversity and inclusion within charities (online / SCVO) Fees apply
23 October – Writing successful funding applications (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
05 December – Comms and marketing made easy (online / SCVO) Fees apply


Premises and Facilities
09 October – Social Enterprises Running Community Spaces – a free online event hosted by Social Enterprise Scotland.  


Volunteering
26 September – Quality Standards in Volunteering (online / Volunteer Scotland)
19 December – Quality Standards in Volunteering (online / Volunteer Scotland)
25 February – Meeting today’s volunteering challenges (online / SCVO) Fees apply



Business Planning
18 September – Social Business Modelling and Scaling (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs) Fees apply
19 September – Building Your Business Plan: Step by Step (online / Business Gateway)
08 October – Introduction to Business Planning (online / Just Enterprise)
16 January - Introduction to Business Planning (online / Just Enterprise)



Monitoring and Evaluation
19 September – Evaluation Methods (In-person, Glasgow / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply
03 October – Analysing and Reporting (In-person, Glasgow / Evaluation Support Scotland) Fees apply
07 November – Plan, Measure and Report Social Impact (online / SCVO) Fees apply



Income Generation/Procurement
18 September – Online selling (online / Just Enterprise)
25 September – Unlocking social investment (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs)
Commencing 19 September – How to win contracts and service level agreements (online / SCVO) Fees apply
08 October – Introduction to sponsorship (Online / Arts and Business Scotland / Fees apply)
23 October – Working with the public sector: All you need to know (online / Supplier Development Programme)
05 November – Charitable Trading (online / Just Enterprise)
07 November - Unlocking social investment (online / School for Social Entrepreneurs)
21 November – Develop your fundraising skills (online / SCVO) Fees apply
03 December – Investment Readiness (online / Just Enterprise)
28 January 2025 – Charitable Trading (online / Just Enterprise)
04 February 2025 Introduction to social investment (online / Just Enterprise)
11 February 2025 – Establishing a trading subsidiary (online / Just Enterprise)
18 March 2025 – Funding business growth (online / Just Enterprise)