_ Rag Tag ‘n’ Textile is a small social firm based in Skye and Lochalsh and who produce high quality hand-made products from recycled/donated textiles, which they sell from their shop. W work with people who are recovering from mental health problems, delivering training and support and helping people back into employment whenever possible.  Our organisation is growing rapidly and we now seek an Operations Manager to manage the day-to-day running of the charity based at our Balmacara workshop.  You will have excellent financial management  skills and strong administration skills. Previous staff management experience would  also be essential as you will manage shop and office staff and volunteers.  You will also need to be a good team player who is flexible, warm and friendly as you will often be the first point of contact for the business.  Initiative and ability to work unsupervised are important and an understanding and sympathetic attitude towards vulnerable adults is essential.  Salary in the region of £20,000

Please contact the Balmacara office on 01599 566793 for more details or to apply for an application form or e-mail info@ragtagntextile.org.uk . 
Closing date Friday 13th January 2012

 
 
Sometimes it's good just to get together over a cup of tea or coffee, have a bit of cake and talk about what is on your mind. Sometimes though, it's not possible to get together with the people you want to talk to. With so many people involved in Social Enterprise scattered around the Highlands and Islands it is now possible to get together online, talking and sharing ideas more.

What's it all about?
HISEZ and the Social Enterprise Academy have decided to kick off the new year with a virtual coffee morning. The topic will be 'Engaging Young people in Social Enterprise.'

It will be a chance to chat with other people in the Social Enterprise sector, make contact with someone new and raise an issue that you would like to talk about with other people. Although the coffee morning is only for half an hour it means you might be able to start a conversation that can continue offline.


Easy to join in
Sign up and you will be sent a link to a virtual room where you can log in using either your facebook, twitter or linkedin accounts. It's very easy and very straight forward. It will be a great way to let people know about your online presence as well.

All you need to join in is a social media account, a cup of tea or coffee and some cake!

Want to suggest a topic to discuss for future coffee mornings?
Email either lindsay.dunbar@hisez.co.uk or adele@theacademy-ssea.org

Looking forward to talking virtually to you soon!

Sign up now: http://socialenterprisevirtualcoffeemorning.eventbrite.com/_

 
 
__Social Enterprise Scotland are keen to get members direct input into their local government campaign work - in preparation for the local elections across Scotland on 3 May 2012.

They will be drafting a brief manifesto document to send to all Council election candidates, to see what they can do for social enterprise and to tell them what else the sector can offer local authorities and local communities. The manifesto will likely be the top 5 to 10 policy priorities.

If you can consider your own business or organisation or the social enterprises that you deal with or who work in your community:
  • Where are the opportunities to develop?
  • Where are the barriers to growth?
  • What needs to happen within local authorities to better engage with us?
  • What about business rates?
  • What can be done better with procurement and community benefits?
  • What could be done in terms of employment at local level?
  • What needs to happen to access council assets?
  • What about housing or the environment?
  • What about the planning system or transport?
If you can think specifically in terms of policy at the local level and in terms of the powers of local authorities, elected Councillors and of local officials and officers. Take a look at your own local council website and see what they do.

Please get in contact now and have your voice heard by the decision makers! Send your policy ideas to: duncan.thorp@socialenterprisescotland.org.uk by 31 January 2012.
 
 
_Research4Change is a pilot programme that helps community groups, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises to gather better research evidence.  

The focus is on small-scale and practical pieces of research work that can help organisations to understand needs, demonstrate their wider impact, and make the case for investment.

Projects are carried out by a pool of qualified researchers ... research graduates, early career researchers, and more experienced researchers who want to make use of their talent and further their career.

The programme has been designed to keep costs low and keep quality high.

Check out www.research4change.org for further details, and visit www.socialvaluelab.org.uk/2011/12/01/news-launching-research4change/ to find out more about the thinking behind the initiative.
 
 
Invergordon Off The Well require a Project Manager to deliver an inspirational public arts project for the community of Invergordon. Project completion will be December 2012.

Experience of project management within a community setting is essential. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as knowledge of the public arts sector are necessary. You will have the ability to use your own initiative and work under pressure whilst retaining a sense of humour.

Annual salary £20,000 for 28 hours per week. Application information is available on www.invergordonoffthewall.co.uk or tel: 01349 853527 or e-mail: marion.rhind@virgin.net

deadline: Monday 12 December 2011, 5pm