Managing in Times of Recession Family Resource Centre National Forum June 9 th, 2009 Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone Delivered by Caroline Egan Training and Development Manager Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups

7 Point Survival Plan  Strategy  Shared Services  Collaboration  Diversification of Funding  Board Support  Staff Motivation  Full Cost Recovery

Strategy  Clarify which activities contribute to mission  Clarify the demand patterns for services  Promote the right strategy  Cut or defer activities : re-align front-line service  Focus on service delivery and value

Shared Services  The Carmichael Centre Model  Meeting Rooms  Office Space  Catering  I.T., Administration, Direct Mailing  Payroll & Accounts  Training  Common Procurement

Collaboration Collaboration  Partnership working (fixed time period) including integrating service provision  Strengthen key relationships  Share knowledge and information  Collaborate on funding applications and staffing arrangements

Diversification of Funding  Manage donor relationships: outputs and outcomes  Develop “grass roots” funding strategy – think GAA, political parties  Demonstrate your impact through your successes: - Highlight needs - Help people understand work - Highlight your track record

Fundraising from the Public You need to communicate a simple persuasive fundraising idea: Example: RNIB (UK) Example: RNIB (UK) Every day 100 people start to lose their sight. We need your support to help rebuild lives devastated by sight loss. Every day 100 people start to lose their sight. We need your support to help rebuild lives devastated by sight loss. = (NEED) (SOLUTION) (NOW) = (NEED) (SOLUTION) (NOW)

Board Support  Realities Versus Aspirations  Governance and Strategic Direction  Relationship between Chair and Manager

Staff Motivation  “Psychological Contract” between organisation and employees  Communicate clearly – minimise “blocker” impact  Re-structure work: - Equity Theory of Motivation - Goal-setting Theory

Full Cost Recovery  Direct Costs and Overhead Costs  Allocate costs to services and projects appropriately  Analyse your cost base: major outputs, central functions, office costs, governance costs

Zero-base Budgeting (ZBB)  Budgeting method in which all expenditures must be justified each year, not just amounts in excess of the previous year  Requires each activity to be justified on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis  Ranks activities to allocate resources