VAS and TSI Network News

An update from VAS and info from our partners:  Upcoming VAS Events: VAS Policy Forum Public Bodies (Joint Working) Bill Monday 19th August 2013, 10.45am to 3pm, Robertson House, 152 Bath Street, Glasgow. VAS, in partnership with our colleagues at the Health and Social Care Alliance, invite our TSI network to join us for our inaugural policy forum looking at the Public Bodies Joint Working Bill, previously known as the Health and Social Care Integration Bill. For more info or to book please contact info@vascotland.org VAS TSI Practice Forum: So You Want To Assess Impact?ONLY A FEW PLACES REMAINING  Thursday 29th August 2013, 10am to 4pm, Robertson House, 152 Bath Street, Glasgow. This Practice Forum, delivered in partnership with EVOC, will focus on the topic of Impact Assessment. It will support TSIs around outcomes based approaches to the planning of their activities, services and projects.  For more information or to book please contactinfo@vascotland.org Invitation to all Third Sector Interface Chairs - Reception and round table discussion Monday 9th September 2013 6pm to 8pm, Robertson House, 152 Bath Street, Glasgow. VAS have had a number of requests to consider how we support the Chairs of TSI's. With this in mind VAS are delighted to invite the TSI Chairs to an informal meeting, starting with drinks, nibbles and the chance to catch up with other Chairs. This will be followed by an open discussion about the TSI role, the challenges it brings for Chairs and the possible development of a TSI Chairs forum or network. For more information or to book please contact info@vascotland.org TSI Network National Conference 2013 - Developing practice: making an impact 7th and 8th October 2013, Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre Clydebank, Glasgow. Voluntary Action Scotland is delighted to announce that the TSI Network National Conference 2013 is now open for bookings. This year's conference is all about supporting each other to make the most of our impact and emphasise our potential. Delegates will explore how we can make an impact and share practice on agendas including: Welfare Reform, the Referendum, Public Sector Reform, Volunteering, Community Planning, Supporting Voluntary Organisations and Social Enterprise. A ministerial address will be provided by John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth. TSIs who book their places up to and including the 6th of September will qualify for the Early Bird Booking rate. For more information and the booking form please contactinfo@vascotland.org OSCR Referendum Guidance Following an extensive review the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator has recently produced new guidance for Scotland's charities regarding the 2014 Independence Referendum. The new guidance allow charities to speak out in the independence referendum, including advocating a Yes or No vote, as long as they stay within the requirements of charity law. This is a vast contrast to the previous OSCR guidance and is to be welcomed as an opportunity for the Third Sector to help shape this important debate. VAS is keen to explore the referendum further and it will be one of the topics covered at our annual conference in October. Further information on the OSCR guidance can be found hereincluding a couple videos from charities outlining how they aim to set out their vision for Scotland in the lead up to the referendum. Scottish Welfare Fund The Scottish Government is currently inviting bids for the £33 million Scottish Welfare Fund which will look to plug the funding gap caused by the abolition of the Social Fund by the UK Government. The objectives of the new scheme are to: - Provide a safety net in a disaster or emergency, when there is an immediate threat to health or safety. - Enable independent living or continued independent living, preventing the need for institutional care. More information on the Scottish Welfare Fund and information on how to apply can be found here.

Age Scotland - 'Still Waiting' Campaign Age Scotland are continuing their work on the 'Still Waiting' Campaign and are looking for more support. The campaign was launched in February and calls for the National Concessionary Travel Scheme to include community transport on 100% reimbursement basis to community transport providers. If you would like more information on the campaign, or wish to sign up your support, then why not visit the campaign webpage by clicking here. Getting IE Right - 2013 ACIE Scottish Conference This is the must-attend conference for all independent examiners working with small charities in Scotland, with content relevant to examiners, professional accountants, accounting technicians, charity and church finance staff, community accountants, treasurers, and trustees. Non ACIE members welcome, but pre-booking is essential - visit the ACIE website at:http://www.acie.org.uk/ for more details or contact the office by email: info@acie.org.uk or tel: 01524 34892. date: 30 August 2013 organiser: Association of Charity Independent Examiners location: Concert Hall, Perth cost: £80.00 *early bird to 31 July* then £95.00 standard; £50.00 if voluntary (eligibility criteria apply) Victoria League Scotland - Grants Victoria League Scotland are a Scottish charity that awards grants of up to £2,000 to Scottish organisations that provide events and facilities to overseas students and other groups visiting Scotland. They have recently launched a new website to help promote their grant giving activity and to provide information on how to apply for grant. The website can be found herehttp://vlscotland.org.uk/ and you can have a look to see if your organisation may be eligible for one of their grants.