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Dear {contact.first_name}
Welcome to the 4th issue of “Get to Know Pro Bono”. There are two significant volunteering opportunities in this edition as well as information about short term volunteering opportunities. I’m still on the lookout for more Pro Bono case studies for future issues. Our regular feature “Get to know your Pro Bono committee” this time features First Warden John Corneille.
I am looking for to meeting many of you at the Charities Supper 2018 on 18th January. That’s’ this week! It’s our flagship event, and I am pleased to report that we are expecting a very good turnout. Thank you.
Our Next Pro Bono Evening will be with Big Society Capital:
Save the Date: Wednesday 28 February (5.30pm-8pm)
Location: Big Society Capital, 10 New Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1AZ
Cost: £20 at the door.
Some 5 years ago, the government funded Big Society Capital to become a wholesale provider of funds so that lives could be improved through a better connection between investment and the work of charities and social enterprises. Members, and particularly those who have undertaken mentoring roles, are invited to an evening session at the offices of Big Society Capital:
- to hear about and discuss the theory and practical reality of social investment and Big Society Capital’s work. This will provide an opportunity to find out more about this area which might be relevant to our individual pro bono and also to our wider work & connections; and
- to hear about the “GET INFORMED – Social Investment for Boards” campaign, the mentoring offer for charities and social enterprises. Resources are available for our own mentoring work, networks and clients.
A more detailed invitation will follow.
Volunteering
Of the three charities needing help last time around we were able to help one – HighGround. Thank you; we have two new opportunities:
Can you help create a new high-profile support organisation for the voluntary and community sector across London?
Greater London Volunteering has been awarded funding to set up a new infrastructure support organisation for London’s civil society – currently referred to as the New Hub for London. The new organisation will offer a range of support for civil society, including (but not limited to) charities, social action groups and community organisations.
This Charity needs your help – Bioregional
 Bioregional is a registered charity and social enterprise. A key strategic objective of the charity is to update and scale the use of its One Planet Living sustainability framework. Bioregional are looking for expert advice on general transferable good practice, and help to shape their training programme.
Short term volunteering opportunities:
We’ve had several requests lately for help with workshop facilitation. These are generally quite short term and need a rapid response. Sometimes we can’t respond in the required time frame, but I’ve already picked up two requests from small charities and will be helping with two workshops in January 2018. These take about a day to prepare for and deliver. Recognising that not everyone can manage to support longer pro bono assignments I am asking members to indicate if they would be interested in being considered for similar short, sharp volunteering opportunities.
In a similar vein WCoMC have joined Livery Schools Link.
 They are a voluntary organisation that aims to promote support for schools (not just Livery Schools) in the Greater London area by Livery Companies of the City of London and their members, helping to prepare young people for the world of work. Their work compliments the Pro Bono work WCoMC undertake, as Livery Schools Link offers the opportunity for volunteers to undertake sort-term engagements. This will be a great introduction for WCoMC members who want to become involved with pro bono activities on a small scale first, or for those who want to support the aims of our volunteering programme but cannot spare the time for a full engagement, due to work commitments.
Livery Schools Link offer two types of volunteer activities. First, Motivational Career Talks – where people go into a school and provide motivation career talks with a single class or a year group, to inspire the next generation to focus on career options. The talks could cover:
- Sharing your journey from education into your career
- Unique career insights and transferable advice
- How your industry is changing
Second, supporting Employability Days - schools need a range of people from different occupations on their employability days to have café conversations, share their insights and expertise etc. Volunteers can:
- Speak at an event
- Host small groups in café conversations
- Conduct workshops including interview practice
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please let me or Frank Brown know – as we don’t have details of the sign-up process yet.
“Get to know your Pro Bono committee”
In this regular section, we introduce the members of the Pro Bono Committee. This time First Warden John Corneille.
When I joined the Company in 2010 my main motivation was to become involved with pro bono work. With the help of the then Chair of the Pro Bono Committee, Patrick Chapman, I started work on my first pro bono client before I was formally admitted to the Company and became a member of the Committee very soon after. I have been fortunate to have been continually involved in pro bono consulting assignments thereafter. It has been exciting working in India, Uganda and Kenya with YBI - nearly as exotic as getting to know the Romney Marsh while supporting Romney Tweed CIC during my 3 year engagement with them.
Thank you for reading this far.
Kind regards
Steve Cant
Steve Cant
Chair, ProBono Committee
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