Funding the Future

Conference 2008 - did you find the magic beans?

Eco-friendly canvas 'Grow Bags' were handed out to delegates at this year's Change Management Service Conference, with packets of organic sunflower seeds for groups to sow - a great image of growth, one of the themes of the day. Hopefully your sunflowers will grow and tall along with your organisation! One special 'Grow Bag' also held a surprise: did you find the magic beans?  Contact changeteam@nottinghamcvs.co.uk.

The conference saw local groups sharing their stories about how they have made new income initiatives work, peer-led training and a review of what income share our sector has had over the last year. The outgoing Chief Executive of Futurebuilders, Richard Gutch, spoke about how we can manage our changing funding landscape, and local commissioners from the PCT, One Nottingham and the City Council joined delegates to share their plans for 2008 and beyond.

The event also created Nottingham's very first sector 'millionaire'!Not quite the same as the TV show, the final session of the day was a fun 'Who Wants to be a Voluntary and Community Sector Millionaire' quiz. Congratulations! to Asian Womens Project's Healthy Living Centre, who won first prize when taking the hot seat - £200 towards training of their choice. 

Commissioner's Updates, Speaker presentations and session notes are available on the CMS website: www.nottinghamcvs-changeteam.co.uk.