Cheshire Museums Forum:Developing a Volunteer

Code and Skills Audit

20 June 2012

Introduction to the ProjectsMuseums Development Fund Projects – Sustainable Future Funding, Renaissance North West. 4 projects, to:

•research philanthropic giving models and identify ways to maximise the use of philanthropy, both in terms of monetary value and the use of in-kind skills

•create a toolkit to develop philanthropic giving for the members of the Forum and support the delivery of 4 ‘pilots

•research best practice in the use of volunteers both nationally and locally, developing a Volunteer Code to maximise and make best use of volunteers

•Develop a Skills Audit framework for member organisations to identify training needs to support volunteer coordination and management.Project managed by a steering group of the CMF: Cheshire West & Chester Museums, Cheshire East Museum Service, Warrington Museum Service and National Waterways Museum)

Volunteer Report and Code

2 parts:

1 – Research & Report, focussed upon:•Managing Volunteers when under resourced•Training for Volunteers•Getting a More Diverse Volunteer Team•Other Community and Voluntary Sector Practice

2 – Develop a Volunteer Code

Skills Audit

Two formats:

1 – Simplified version – one page

2 – Detailed version

Why a toolkit?

1 – So it could be road tested and tweaked

2 - So that it could be rolled out wider than the project had resources to do

3 – So that the framework could be applied locally so pertinent to museum/heritage centre’s needs

4 – So applied when time was right

Where are they?

Electronic versions forwarded and all documents available on Cheshire Museums Forum online forum:

Register on https://knowledgehub.local.gov.uk/

Search for Cheshire Museums Forum

What were the challenges?

The main challenges were:

•capacity and

•timescale.

Also:

•Range, size and type of museums: no one fit all approach would work.

How did we overcome them?

Skills Audit:

Brief: all to undertake skills audit; result – skills development needs to be met.

Reality: developed framework; tested by 5 museums; result – 2 frameworks that all can use when the time is right for them.

Skills Audit

Two formats:

1 – Simplified version – one page

2 – Detailed version, including •Museum’s needs•Skills:

– Trustees/ Management– Curatorial and Educational– General Skills & Experiences

•Museum Learning Plan

How did we overcome them?

Volunteer Code:

Brief: develop VC suitable for all.

Reality: developed VC; tested by 2 museums looking at different elements; result – guidance that all can use when the time is right for them.

Introduction toVolunteer Code

Volunteer Code, includes•Introduction and Approach•Policy Statements•Skills Audit & Learning Plan•Volunteer Recruitment•Volunteer Management•Review and Evaluation

Did it achieve its goals?YES:

•it provides them with appropriate tools

•It sets benchmarks in volunteering practice

BUT

•the real test is when museums use them

•understood that impact will take some time, as museums are having to work into their development plans

How will it keep them moving forwards?Questions for them:• So what are you going to do with these resources?• Which area is your biggest priority?• What do you need to do to get there?• Who needs to be involved?• Who will lead the action?

Need to keep it on the CMF agenda

Next Steps – Advanced Apprenticeships

Volunteering Management

Fundraising

Direct fit with both pieces of work

Criteria – contract of employment 30 hours per week; non graduate. Fully funded this year.

Volunteering ManagementIncludes applying the Volunteer Code, plus

•Encouraging and motivating volunteers

•Managing risk in relation to volunteers

•Managing Volunteer Agreements

•Supervising and supporting volunteers

•Developing systems, structures and processes to support volunteering

•Monitoring programme of work

•Managing customer service

•Managing conflict in a team

•Project management

FundraisingIncludes applying the Philanthropy Toolkit, plus•Introduction to fundraising•Developing and implementing a Fundraising Plan•Maintaining and enhancing relationships with your supporters •Understanding effective partnership working between organisations•Budgeting for the business•Fundraising through electronic media•Project management•Planning & organising events

Happy to consider delivery of a Manchester Museums cohort, if

sufficient interest.

Adrienne TaylorPanacea Associates

adrienne@panacea-associates.co.uk07985445054