Benchlearning Forum 2011
What is the Benchlearning Forum?
The Benchlearning Forum is a supported network of member organisations with a common interest in improving the effectiveness of charities. This forum aims to focus on support services in today's fast changing environment including information systems, HR, finance, marketing and communications. It is a platform to share learning, the exchange of ideas, past successes and implementation experiences.
What does the Forum do?
The forum works to promote best practice through structured discussion on issues such as:
- better decision making
- getting the most from new initiatives
- improved ways of working
- managing change
- using management tools to help drive improvement
The Forum activities are:
- investigation of current issues, experiences and practices through carrying out short surveys, research and comparisons with other sectors, and producing summary analysis and reports
- sharing of information and ideas through case studies of organisations' projects and discussion of topical issues and challenges
- support for change initiatives in organisations and sharing of the results
From time to time, Forum members will be invited to take part in short on-line surveys on particular topics. They will then be able to access the special reports comparing and analysing best practice and drawing out key learning through case studies from the participating organisations. Papers and presentations from meetings as well as reports are available to members only.
How will membership of the Forum benefit my organisation?
The Forum gives you the opportunity to:
- learn from other organisations' experiences
- explore issues you are facing with your peers
- network with other organisations
- discuss topics with other senior managers in your organisation
Who should participate?
The Forum is open to senior managers from charities and other non-charitable organisations. A broad range of organisations are already participating in Benchlearning session including Alzheimer's Society, Christian Aid, Citizens Advice, CFDG, Friends of the Earth, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Oxfam GB, Rethink, RNIB, Sue Ryder Care, Salvation Army, Sightsavers International and UNICEF UK.
The programme
Our theme this year is working together in partnerships to achieve more. We will learn about different partnerships through discussion, case studies and networking at events, a short survey and website discussions. Each event will explore a different approach to partnership and include perspectives from different people involved in the partnership. The different approaches are:
- partnerships in organisations: the relationship between IS and other areas of the organisation
- partnerships with other organisations
- partnerships and suppliers
Each session includes one or more charities presenting their experience and case study. Dates for 2011 are 7 June, 8 September and 30 November. Details of the first event focusing on partnerships with other organisations is available to download.
Complete our survey for the opportunity to win annual Forum membership!
To inform our sessions, we have developed a short survey to find out about different organisations' experiences of partnership and you can learn more by taking part in the 2011 survey. The survey results will be available in the summer of 2011. The information you provide will be reported on an aggregated , non-attributable basis, so you need not have any concerns about confidentiality. All respondents who provide an email will be given access to the main findings and will also be entered into a draw to win free membership of the 2011 Benchlearning Forum.
The survey is for senior managers of charities and other organisations to complete, so please forward on to other qualifying contacts within your organisation. The questionnaire deadline is Wednesday 1 June.
Booking and costs
There are two ways to book your place:
Annual membership of the Forum costs just £350 plus VAT per charity per year. You may then send a maximum of three people from your organisation to each workshop at no extra cost.
Single place bookings are £100 plus VAT per person per discussion.
To book places or for further information contact Paul Stirrat at Sayer Vincent on 020 7841 6360, or by email.