AGM 08 Update

The RSA South West AGM was held at the Eden Project on 1st November. A detailed report of the event will be published in the Winter newsletter next month. The purpose of this message is to update you with the main proposals that were reported at that meeting.

Skills Challenge Bursary Scheme

You may remember that this scheme was announced in the Autumn newsletter. The RSA is working with Connexions Cornwall and Devon Ltd to support at least 10 young people living with disadvantage to plan, fund and implement an activity that will develop their skills and enable them to develop ‘hard’ capability and ‘soft’ personal development skills that will help them gain a fulfilling and productive life. The RSA’s Opening Minds Competences will form a framework to support the development of these skills. Connexions Cornwall and Devon, under the leadership of Jenny Rudge FRSA, has a long and distinguished record in supporting young people living with disadvantage and helping them into learning or work opportunities that advance their life chances.

The aim of the bursary appeal is to raise a minimum of £5000 to support at least 10 young people. This is being matched by Connexions who will contribute the personnel and resources to develop and manage the programme, including providing support for the most vulnerable participants. More details of this Appeal can be obtained from Ian Hosker, Chair RSA South West.

We have already received a number of individual donations, for which the RSA is very grateful. We are looking for more donations and corporate giving will also be very welcome. Cheques may be sent to Ian Hosker, Chair (address at the end of this email). Please mark the back of the cheque with ‘Skills Challenge’. All donations will be acknowledged at the time of receipt and during the scheme.

Project Development Fund

As part of the RSA South West drive to encourage individual and small groups of Fellows to engage in ‘network’ activities that may lead to small-scale local projects, we announced the launch of the Project Development Fund. Over the next year and beyond, we will be securing and ring-fencing funds to provide small grants to groups to help them develop their ideas. It is envisaged that the level of funding will be enough to cover the costs of meeting at local venues, and we hope to make this available to applicants by the end of 2009. The administrative details of the fund will be developed over the next few weeks, and will probably be published in the Spring newsletter.

The fund will be built up from several sources including adding a small voluntary premium to the cost of events, securing external funding for specified activity types, and dedicated fund-raising events. Again, details will be published shortly.

Partnership working

Many Fellows in the region occupy senior positions in organisations the RSA South West are keen to work with on specific projects or activities that are at the heart of the RSA agenda. This work has been enhanced by recent discussions with several organisations to develop specific proposals/activities. Details of these will appear in the Winter and Spring newsletters. This work is especially welcome as it creates added value through engaging with Fellows and the organisations they represent. A number of exciting ideas are being pursued at the moment.

Please keep an eye on your email during December for the Winter newsletter; there is more to report on and you will find it there.

With best wishes

 

Ian Hosker
Chair RSA South West
57 Winslade Road
Sidmouth
Devon
EX10 9EX

Tel: 0117 385 0541
E-mail: ian@quasarconsultancy.biz