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Francis Maude wants devolved nations to fork out funds for the Big Society Bank, but they're not convinced; a big merger for small charities' organisations; and a stand-off between the Muhammad Yunus and the Bangladeshi Central Bank. Read all about it... 

Maude calls for devolved nations to add funds to Big Society Bank
  

Francis Maude, minister for the Cabinet Office, has called on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to add their countries' dormant account funds to the Big Society Bank pot.

Small Charities Coalition and Charity Trustee Networks merge
  

Infrastructure bodies the Small Charities Coalition and Charity Trustee Networks have merged.

Muhammad Yunus resists government call to stand down
  

Microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus is taking legal action after the Bangladeshi Central Bank attempted to remove him from his position as managing director of the Grameen Bank.

Six-month right-to-buy window long enough, says Pickles
  

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has ruled out lengthening the window of opportunity for civil society organisations to take advantage of the right to buy community assets, stating that six months should be sufficient time to submit a bid.

Women and ethnic minority groups able to apply for European funding
  

Charities which work with women and ethnic minorities will now be eligible for funding via the European Social Fund, under a new agreement laid out.

Volunteering England group to look at mediating volunteer disputes
  

Volunteering England has set up a new group which will provide guidelines on volunteer management and look to create a mechanism for mediating conflicts which arise between volunteers and charities.

Complete the Charity Banking Survey 2011
  

The annual Charity Finance Banking Survey 2011 is now open and we would be very grateful for your cooperation. Your contribution will help the survey maintain the reliability and robustness that it has become famous for. In return we will give you free access to the survey, which would otherwise cost £35.

Keeping confidentiality
  

All charities should have rules as to what may and may not be discussed or disclosed, in order to properly protect confidential information and comply with the law. This applies to trustees as well employees and other volunteers.

Finance from a governance perspective
  

Dorothy Dalton outlines the minimum financial knowledge that all trustees should have in order to properly discharge their duties.

Building the budget
  

As a head of finance in the thick of the action, Alistair Gibbons' budget is his bedrock for the year ahead.

"This decision should not have been taken without consulting members. I'd like to put pressure on Irene Khan to get the money back, too - Twitter/Facebook campaign?"

"Ways and means will have to be found for the private sector to work much more closely with the voluntary and community sector to fill the gaps left by reductions in public sector provision, particularly for the most vulnerable. In short local CVS's need to speak now to local Chambers of Commerce"

"If it is true that she took so much money for herself, then Irene Kahn has hurt our good name and reputation, for sure. I fully expect her to return this money to those who need it so badly. There is no excuse, but there is still time for good to prevail."

They said it...