Greetings! 

Unions are providing support for the sector in the Big Society debate with Unison and Unite joining Navca in a show of strength at the Future for a Civil Society conference today. And according to NPC, which recommends creating 'impact networks' to provide an effective service, togetherness is the best way forward in the face of budget cuts. 

Unions warn Big Society 'fantasy' is becoming a 'nightmare'
  

The Big Society "is a big con," Unison's General Secretary Dave Prentis, will warn at the Future for a Civil Society conference later today.

Charities need to create 'impact networks' to improve services, says NPC
  

Charities and funders need to recognise the strengths of working together and foster 'impact networks,' to deliver effective outcomes for beneficiaries, according to a new report from New Philanthropy Capital.

MSP calls for chugging regulation in Scotland
  

George Foulkes, member of Scottish parliament for the Lothians, has lodged a motion calling for regulation of charity street workers to bring an end to the "discouteous methods" of some face-to-face fundraisers in Scotland.

Greater Good Project suspended
  

The Greater Good Project, an initiative to promote and better understand giving, has been suspended by the Institute of Fundraising.

Charities can save millions on foreign currency procurement, says new report
  

The Charity Finance Directors' Group and Stamp Out Poverty have released Better FX, a guide to help charities spend less on buying foreign currency.

Two groups of disability charities unveil similar campaigns in the same week
  

Two coalitions of disability charities have launched separate campaigns this week against the public spending cuts and proposed changes to the Disability Living Allowance.

Council gives charity three weeks' notice of eviction after 40-year tenancy
  

London Friend, the UK's oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered organisation, has launched a capital appeal to buy its rented premises in Islington after the local council tried to auction the building giving the charity just three weeks' notice.

Socitm adds charity expertise to board
  

David Membrey, deputy chief executive of the CFDG, has been appointed to the main board of Socitm.

Greg Clark, minister for decentralisation, has written to all council leaders asking them to reveal their voluntary sector spending.

Charity Technology Survey 2011 - win a £100 Amazon voucher

 

The Charity Technology Survey, is your chance to input into the most comprehensive analysis of IT, accounting and CRM software in the charity sector, and win £100 in the process.  

Running costs as you've never seen them before
  

Chester Mojay-Sinclare set up charity comparison site Alive and Giving last year. After Oxfam partnered with PayPal last week to offer "100 per cent" of donations to the cause, he wonders if the action is giving the right message for the sector. 

We're not ready for a Big Society
  

The recent case of the Salvation Army vs the 700 Club has highlighted an inherent problem with the Big Society plans, warns Niki May Young.

The income race
  

More and more charities are turning to social enterprise for income generation, says Daren Moore.

"Welcome to the world of the Big Society."

"Let me check, is it April 1st? Chris Grayling hasnt "allayed fears", he has brushed them under the carpet."

"Loaded and absurd in its pomposity. What about dysfunctional Boards of Directors or indeed dysfunctional Cabinets, where personal aggrandisement overshadows collective interest? And these supposed leading lights get paid serious dosh to indulge their egotism."

They said it...

Unite General Secretary, Len McCluskey