Problems faced by Voluntary Organisations

This was our board last week. Homework is to write out and explain the problems faved by voluntary organisations today.

The Process of Entrepreneurship

Successful entrepreneurs, work hard to build their organisations, starting from little and undertaking a process that results in a thriving business. The best ideas become profitable only because the entrepreneur went through a series of steps to build a company. The ideas are planned, created, and managed.

All entrepreneurs go through three very general stages in the process of creating their ventures:
1. A concept formation stage where ideas are generated;
2. A resource gathering stage where necessary resources are brought together to launch the new business;
3. A stage where the organisation is actually created.

Step 1 - CONCEPT FORMATION.
Before any business opens its doors, it must make crucial decisions about the way the business will be run. This first step in the entrepreneurial process is where the entrepreneur determines what kind of potential market exists for the business and explores some of the following…….
Is there actually an opportunity for a successful venture?
Will the venture make a profit, capture the market.
Can sales be estimated?
What is the size of the potential market for the product or service?

Step 2 - RESOURCE GATHERING.

In the resource gathering stage the entrepreneur begins to assemble the tools that he or she will need to make the business idea a successful one. In general, a person has to gather three types of primary resources:

1.      capital  (financial, intellectual, technical))

2.      human/managerial (employees)

3.      and time (to establish and protect the business from competition)

Step 3 - ORGANISATION CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

This is the actual establishment and opening of the business. The entrepreneur has a number of roles as the business develops.
 

1.      to educate new employees.

2.      to promote their new business.

3.      have contact with financial backers, prospective clients, employees, suppliers, and others.

The roles that an entrepreneur must fill demand flexibility and creativity. In order to successfully manage a new venture, an entrepreneur must be comfortable in all the roles.

How does an entrepreneur stimulate the economy?

1. Employment - An entrepreneur, by setting up various businesses is generating employment in the economy. This is a major contribution because a job provides income to an employee who can then meet his or her needs.
2. International trade - An entrepreneur promotes international trade by exporting his or her products abroad. Any entrepreneur would like a wider market. If there are more consumers to purchase his or her products, the higher his profits.
3. Contributes to gross national product - An entrepreneur makes much contribution to the national exchequer and to the national economy as whole. The GNP of the country is calculated based upon the total number of products and services available in a respective country. The more products and services available the higher the GNP. It indicates the economic prosperity of the country.
4. Investment - The entrepreneur will invest in products and services which people need, meaning more goods and services will be at their disposal.
5. Diversity in products and services - An entrepreneur can provide various types of goods and services to the consumer.

Benefits of Voluntary organisations

Thanks to Jordan for sending this in.

1. They provide a service otherwise not available. Examples: Meals on Wheels and Aware

2. They Help the less well off society. Examples: Voluntary organisations such as Trocaire and St Vincent De Paul.

3. They Provide a good example to young people. Examples: Club 4u & St Wolstans Homework Club.

4. They provide greater community spirit, especially organisations like Neighbourhood Watch & Tidy Towns.

5. Individuals benefit as they are more committed to their local committee. Examples of these local communities are the Irish Wheelchair Association and the GAA.

Action Plan tips

Enterprise/Action Plan
Core Item – (300-600 words)
Must relate to Link Modules

A Possible Template for an Enterprise/Action Plan

Title: State the document is a Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Plan and indicate its purpose.
Use a preface if required to link with the Specific Learning outcomes.

Objectives (written in the FUTURE tense)
Include THREE.
Group
1.
2.
Personal (a must)
3.
They should refer to what the student (or group) expects to achieve or what the student (or group) hopes to learn.
If it is a group activity the student should include a personal objective.

Research Methods (written in the FUTURE tense)
Include THREE.
Group
a.
b.
Personal (a must)
c.
Give THREE  different methods. The student should indicate the research that will be carried out. It need not be complex.
If it is a group activity the student should clearly identify the particular piece of research that he/she carried out.

GAP IN TIME – STOP AND CONDUCT RESEARCH

Analysis of Research (written in the PAST tense)
Include THREE.
Group
a.
b.
Personal (a must)
c.
Summarise the outcome of each research method, in logical sequence e.g. a with a, b with b etc.
Record the relevant information obtained and how it will influence the plan. Detail required. Ensure to elaborate and allow for additional research.

Actions
Ensure Five
Detail on the day,
An Action the day prior

Note; one action step should be close to the date and remember to include the activity itself with detail.

Don’t forget to evaluate (at end of Plan) each objective in chronological order. Always ensure a logical sequence.

Schedule of Time (written in the FUTURE tense)
(Actions and schedule of Time can be combined)
Indicate how much time will be allocated to each part of the activity and the dates of any deadlines that must be met in order to carry out the Plan.
More detail nearer the time.
A good idea is to Link Schedule of Time with Actions to avoid repeating.

Resources and Costs (written in the FUTURE tense)
May include materials and personnel.
Material resources should be itemised and estimated costs recorded.
Detail required.

Evaluation Methods (written in the FUTURE tense)
Group
1.
2.
Personal
3.
(*****Link each one to each Objective: Eval 1 with Objective 1, Eval 2 with Objective 2 and be sure to elaborate……………*****)
The methods or indicators the student (or group) plans to use to ascertain whether or not the objectives have been achieved.

Must refer back to the stated objectives (1,2 and 3), taking care that each objective is evaluated in a logical sequence and allow for detailed analysis.

In the case of a group activity, the student should include a method of evaluating the extent to which his/her personal objective has been achieved.



LCVP Enterprise /Action Plan
The following are some ideas for preparing an Enterprise/ Action Plans:
Plan a visitor to the Link Modules classroom
Plan a visit out as part of the Link Modules
Plan your Enterprise Activity
Plan ‘My Own Place’ Investigation
Plan a Career Investigation, ensuring you are not duplicating your Career Investigation
Plan a personal skill, however ensure it is related to Link Modules and your career.

Perhaps a plan for a safe pass. Remember you have a 600 word document to write and must relate to Link Modules.

*****A driving theory test is not acceptable. Trips to Knock, Improving physical Physique, Plans on doing a History essay for a competition are not acceptable******.

Tip: Using the Enterprise /Action Plan template students are encouraged to document Key words for all LCVP activities and for homework students may elaborate on the key words documented. Plan activities and then experience the activities.

PAWS

Aisling sent this in.....

The local volunteer organisation I have researched is PAWS. PAWS is a volunteer charity to help animals in need. Their goal is to help abused, neglected animals when they have been thrown out on the streets by their owners.

PAWS try to rehome as many animals as they can, and also have a neutering program which has prevented unwanted puppies, kittens etc from being born and consequently dumped in ditches, dustbins and dog pounds.

PAWS allows you to adopt abandoned dogs and donate to the shelter online and also to sponser dogs.

You can contact PAWS by phoning : 052 9153507

or by email at: http://www.paws.ie/contactus.php

Thanks Aisling

Meals On Wheels

The voluntary organization that I have researched is Meals on Wheels. It is an organization that people give up their own time and go around to the elderly people and to the people who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals. The drivers for this organization normally drive a van because they go around to a lot of people in the one night. Some people also go around on bikes and some people walk if they are delivering a meal to someone near by. I think "Meals on Wheels" is a very good organization because it means that the people that are too old or that are too sick to prepare or purchase their own meals still get cared for and still get proper dinners.

Often the volunteers who go to the houses stay with the elderly people for a while and talk and comfort them so they don’t feel as if they are on their own all the time. If you were to be on your own all the time you would feel very lonely and that you would have nobody to talk to.

Each year at Christmas they would bring the elderly a Christmas dinner or they would get them all to come together and make it feel like they are having a family Christmas for the people who unfortunately do not have any family.

Thanks Lorna

Jordan sent this as well....

Meals on Wheels is a social service for those who cannot make their own meals or who are unable to go shopping. The service provides meals delivered to your house 3 days a week. The drivers use their own time and money to buy petrol to travel to lots of different peoples houses.

Without generosity there would be no Meals on Wheels. Users of the service are required to pay a contribution towards their meal though, which provides money for meals and petrol costs.

Meals on Wheels is situated in many places across Ireland, the closest is Raheny Dublin 5.

Phone 01-8058433/8058574

Thanks Jordan

Celbridge Tidy Towns

The local voluntary organisation that I have researched is Celbridge Tidy Towns.

Celbridge Tidy Towns is an organisation which anybody can volunteer with and tidy the town. Their mission is to generate awareness, co-operation and enthusiasm amongst the people of Celbridge in a concerted effort to enhance the natural and built environment of the town. As of September 2010 it has 56 volunteers and more are very welcome.

Their objectives are                                                                  

- Increase pride and morale in the community

- Public awareness of litter and waste management

- Wildlife conservation and enhancement

- Protection of fresh water resources

- A healthier environment

- Improve waste management

- Reduced waste

You can also report littering offences to 1800-243143 or by e.mail to dwhelan@kildarecoco.ie

Or Email: tt-ctt@CelbridgeTidyTowns.com

Contact Ph:  086-2200678

Find more information at: www.celbridgetidytowns.com

Thanks Monica

Leah also sent this about Tidy Towns...

The voluntary group I researched is Celbridge Tidy Towns. Tidy Town’s volunteers keep towns and villages clean around Ireland and uses lots of their free time to keep the towns clean and tidy.

Most towns around Ireland have the tidy towns committee in the community to work as a community. In Celbridge they get together and clean up around the place on Sundays.

Tidy Towns is funded through a mixture of public and private money which pays for the organisation. Tidy Towns also have competitions to get more and more people involved. A few years ago there was a competition for the best garden and it got people involved in their community and tidying their neighbourhood and gardens etc.

Information from http://www.tidytowns.ie/interior.php?id=71

Thanks Leah

Irish Girl Guides

The Irish Girl Guides has been in existence since 1911. It was first set up in Harold's Cross. The Irish Girl Guides is a uniquely girl-only, youth-driven, active and dynamic organisation. It offers a varied and exciting programme for girls and young women aged 5-26, and opportunities for Leaders of all ages.

In an all-female organisation, the girls are free to progress and express themselves in a comfortable setting. They enjoy the activities as they can ‘just be girls’ without any pressures and learn to be themselves in a safe environment while learning the skills that will one day help them to be responsible citizens and adults.

You can contact the Irish Girl Guides in Celbridge at: 01-6683898

Or email at: info@irishgirlguides.ie

Thanks Emily

St.Vincent De Paul Society

Shona sent in the following information about the St Vincent de Paul in Celbridge.

The society of St.Vincent De Paul is the largest voluntary, charitable organisation in Ireland.
It has over 9,500 volunteers throughout the country. St Vincent De Paul primarily involves person-to-person contact with who basically just needs company and all the simple basic needs to survive.
They only offer advice when it’s asked for, they don't believe in telling people what they should do. Their aim is to maintain the dignity of that person and to promote long-term self sufficiency.

The St.Vincent De Paul Society wants to be recognised as a caring catholic charity offering a hand to people in need and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny

The St Vincent de Paul can be contacted at:

SVP House, 91-92,Sean Mc Dermott Street, Dublin 1

Web address: http://www.svp.ie/

Telephone: 01-8550022     

E-mail: info@svpdublin.ie

Thanks Shona :)

Club 4 U

Orlaith sent this information about Club 4 You

The local voluntary organisation which I have researched is Club 4 you. Club 4 you is a new and exciting club set up for Transition Year and Pre Leaving Cert /Fifth Year students. The Club encourages youth democracy and focus on providing the skills necessary on running interclub social events.

Our youth members are known as crew members and the club is run, under the guidance of the voluntary adult committee, to provide young people with a positive alternative to alcohol.  It is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Dublin North East and supported by An Garda Siochana and the National Youth Council Ireland.

The main aims and the objectives are:

To facilitate the promotion of peace, understanding and tolerance between young people and the communities in which they live.

To provide occasion where the opinions and views of young people can be aired and heard and to afford local clubs and young people a means of representation nationally and internationally.

To foster youth participation at all levels within local clubs, the organisation  and the community to enable young people to participate more fully in the of society.

By taking part in Club 4 U you are given the chance to meet other young people from different communities in Ireland at the National Club4U events. You are given the opportunity to organise events for your local communities.

Club4You engage in many activities like Halloween, summer BBQ’s, national Crew Member of the Year and Christmas celebrations.

The number you need to contact is Honor at Club4You  087-6250928

For more information www.club4u.ie

Thanks Orlaith
Mrs L

Barretstown Camp

Emma sent the following information to the blog....

Barretstown Camp is a place where children with serious illnesses and their families can go to help them through the tough time and help them forget about everything and enjoy themselves. It also helps them learn to have fun and rebuild their confidence and self-esteem. Barretstown is based at a castle in the foothills of Ireland's Wicklow Mountains.

Barretstown was founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman in 1994.

All of the children and families that come to Barretstown can come for free. Everything, including accommodation, food, medical assistance and round-trip airfares are provided at no cost to the family. A minimum of 115 children come to the summer camps each year.

Each staff member is called a Cara which is the Irish word for friend. There are 2 programs - Family Programme which takes place at weekends. A Children, Sibling, Teen and Young adult programme takes place during the summer.

Barretstown relies on around 700 volunteers each year to help the programmes happen. Each year it costs almost €5 million to run these programmes at Barretstown. 

You can contact them through there website at http://www.barretstown.org/ or thourgh email at info@barretstown.org

You can telephone them at +353 (0) 45 864 115

Thanks Emma :)