In Case You Missed It....The Politics Show BBC1

If you missed our "donation" to the debate on funding for volntary groups on the BBC1 Politics Show recently, please follow or copy/paste the link below :

Amo Raju
CEO

Co-Producing The Do What You Want Directory

I'm absolutley delighted to announce that our new web-based directory listing activities & services available for disabled & older people is live and has already enjoyed over 1,600+ hits.

www.dowhatyouwant.org

The directory is our pride and joy and gives detailed information including charges and accessibility. Funded by Derby City Council and Awards For All (lottery), it has been a truly co-produced project involving staff at Disability Direct, Derby City Council, Magic-T Solutions and most importantly service users. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Derby City Council for their committment to "keeping it local". Unfortunately there are authorities across the country who have gone for an "off the shelf or even free directory" which will have no local significance and have thus missed the opportunity to co-produce something remarkable!

I must equally thank Sabrinda, Raichel and Sally at DD for the long hours spent in getting it right and for not listening to my choice of colours or design for the site.

The directory gives people more choice in considering how people may wish to buy services (many of which are free!). I urge you to visit the site and even rate the service you accessed ensuring others are able to get a feel of the service offerred.

Amo

Challenges & Opportunities

Have you missed me? Lol

Well we waited for the spending review and no real surprises there! Individuals and organisations will face cuts and in funding or services directly or indirectly and the question is, what do we do about it? Well there are two possible answers :

1. We whinge, campaign and then when all else fails, we pray.

OR

2. We take stock, tighten belts and make some tough choices which will ensure we survive the next 18-24 months. If we charge for services then we will most likely need to increase to at least keep up with the confirmed VAT rise in January 2011. If you don't charge for services then ask yourselves - why not? Those of you who saw my TV interview on the BBC Politics Show will recall my thoughts on partnerships and mergers. For those of you who didn't, I'll recap in a nutshell, join up with like minded groups, share resources, accomodation and expertise which will reduce your overheads, think about the business opportunities for your group within the national/local personalisation agenda. Talk to your business adversaries and be frank about financial difficulties ahead - MOST IMPORTANTLY, leave your egoes in the car park!

Need advice ring me - 01332 404040

Amo

Get Off The Bandwagon!

Guess what? There's a new book released called
"A Beginners Guide to Being An Expert in Independent Living" written by A. Cowboy.

Not really! Although it feels like this book really is in the domain and has a few followers too. We have been working since 1993 to ensure disabled people of all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles and interests live with choice and dignity independently, having taken over 50,000 enquires on all daily issues. However, in recent times a few organisations "out there" have become the self-proclaimed experts in the subject and seem to do nothing but go to meetings all day without any real concrete experience when commenting on our subject matter. Yes I use the word "our". Disabled People and organisations of disabled people have the true insight into barriers, difficulties and the successes of independent living, not those organisations who for the past few years have been more interested in rattling tins or have attended a few "workshops" on community care and now feel confident in representing us!!

Some organisations have even said that they do not consider their members to be "disabled people" but conveniently forward themselves as experts in the field - why? Money!!!!

Now everyone who knows me will confidently say "money is Amo's favourite subject". But Amo will not go and declare The Disability Syndicate as an expert in thermo-nuclear power because to my knowledge we don't employ any scientific experts! Get my point?

My advice to those organisations who want to get to know our subject of expertise, is to come work with us, let us train you, spend some time on our front-line amd most importantly stop rattling our cage!

If you feel this applies to you or your organisation, consider this blog a shot across the bow.

Agree?    Not Agree?   Amo is a grumpy old git?

Feel free to comment....

Amo

The Politics Show

Form an orderley line for autographs please!!!

Hope you had a chance to watch the show on BBC1 a few days ago. If not, the video is at the end of this blog. In all, it was a pretty good interview and a fair portrayal of our views on the state of the voluntary sector and business opportunities. As I was limited for time, some of the issues I would have liked to have added included:

1. The benefits of joining The Disability Syndicate.
2. The narrow mindedness of some boards in partnerships & mergers (see previous blog)
3. Opportunities in making money through sales commissions with Nimbus - The Disability Consultancy Service
4. The option to transfer backroom functions to The Disability Syndicate e.g. finance, HR etc

Anyway, hope you enjoy the video below...by the way, the "Smooth Operator" theme music was not my idea!!!

The interview itself starts at about 37 minutes into the broadcast below

CEO on the BBC!!!!!

Where's my Equity Card?

Wow! What a morning!!! A BBC camera crew has just spent the morning filming at DD offices on Normanton Rd and Pride Park. We have been highlighted as an organisation not solely reliant on local authority funding with successful social enterprises helping towards the funding gap. The filiming was for The Politics Show on BBC1 to be aired this sunday morning at 11am.

Naturally we are going to have our critics in the audiance and I will be on the show live to answer "queries" to our approach.

A big thank you to the staff at Normanton Rd who agreed to be filmed.

Tune in on Sunday 12th September 2010 BBC1 at 11am.

Amo

CEO On Annual Leave? Whatever Next?

Yes folks, It's true, I am on leave until Wednesday 1st September!!!

Does a CEO really switch off? I can't speak on behalf of other senior staff in other groups but budgets, staffing and opportunities are always on the mind. Even now as i type at 8pm, I'm having a skype conversation with Martin about work....get a life Martin!!! Lol.

Anyway, i'll try not to think too much about taking over the world for a few days, so, be good!!!

Amo

Back To The Floor - Episode 1

You will recall in my blog on the 5th Aug, I promised i would re-connect with the action on the front-line. Well i'm pleased to say that today i spent the morning assisting with the "Big Help" project which is funded by The Big Lottery Fund to reduce social isolation amongst older disabled people.

The session today was for a group of people who wanted to learn about computers (how to logon and use Google). My duties included :

1. Fetching & serving refreshments
2. Making teas/coffees
3. Supporting 2 Visually impaired women in using the internet

Two years ago, we were planning/writing the bid for this project and I recall some people saying they would be interested in learning how to use a computer. It's great experiencing the delivery of the project with the very people who wanted it. It's also a great feeling to know the 2 staff members Charlotte & Amandeep actually get what we're trying to achieve here. A big thank you to both of them for organising this as well as for allowing me to take part.

What's The CEO Learnt?
1. My listening skills were put to the test as i went through memories of two world wars which got me thinking.....Children are taught about the hardships people faced during both wars at school. If there are people who are willing to share their experiences with complete strangers like me, then maybe we can get them in the same room as a classroom full of students? I can almost see the bid for a new project....
2. There is a massive need for investment in activities which are outside the stereotypical view that older people just want to play Bingo or ballroom dance. Disability Direct needs to continue to work with statutory bodies to ensure projects like this become self sufficient. Social isolation will be an issue that affects us all one day and an investment in time/effort/finance today will have a positive effect for this and future generations. One of the members today told me that she had no contact with any family whatsoever. This is a very sad but common scenario. Where "loved ones" have gone off to live their lives elsewhere, there must be strong networks in place to ensure people are not left alone. Warch this space for our continued efforts in this matter.

Agree?   Don't Agree?  Feel free to comment......

Amo

Launch of Disability Direct Nottingham

Well done to Charlotte Throssel and all who assisted in the launch of Disability Direct Nottingham yesterday. It was a great turnout and there was a definite buzz in the room with disabled people from across the city and some from the county too as well as professionals and peer agency staff absolutely excited about the prospect of a user-led group which will eventially lead to the creation of a Centre for Independent Living.

I think we counted over 90 people throughout the morning which as well as being encouraging, also demonstrated a real hunger in the city for a powerful voice to liase with decision-makers across the region. I was equally encouraged and thankful of the support given by Chris Holmes, CEO of DCIL. Chris stood by our side on our information stand and even helped out with queries from the public! A great taste of things to come....

The success of DD Nottingham will depend on the members in the city. I therefore urge disabled people in Nottingham to take up membership and help shape how you want your Disability Direct to run in your city. As i said in my opening remarks yesterday, "I do not intend to interfere, but advise on direction". I'm confident that the Disability Syndicate will make Nottingham a better city for disabled people and even more confident that people there will continue to welcome us with open arms.

Well Done Nottingham!

Amo

To BME or not to BME

Often, disability groups quite rightly want to attract members from BME communities onto trustee boards. However, just like the louder mouths in the disability movement, the louder mouths in BME communities come forward. Let's take a breath here....those who speak the loudest aren't always the true representatives of community groups and in many cases have personal axes to grind rather than have the wider views in mind. Such is usually the case when a disability group asks for members from other agencies to help represent the views of disabled people from BME communities....and to be fair, the same can apply vice versa. The wrong person on any board can slow down, deviate, if not halt progress. Yes, now you're thinking about your own group are you not?

There is also another dilema facing disability groups.....if we truly want to the views of all communities within our organisation at decision-making levels, how big must our board or even exec board be? Let's add more fuel to the fire....if you want a representative from the Asian community at trustee level, do you recruit someone from the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Chinese community? You can bet your bottom dollar, one cannot speak on behalf of others with confidence.

The above are just two examples of why disability groups struggle to get membership from BME communities.

Feel free to :    Agree?   Don't Agree?

Amo

Survival of The Predatory Empire Builders

After another fantastic meeting today which may possibly make The Disability Syndicate a well known brand outside the East Midlands, the flattering terms  "Empire Builders" and "Predators" echoed in my mind as Martin & I drove home. Yes, these have been used to describe our success so far!!!

You may think our critics have a point?

Let me put it this way.....if we sit here and expect grants to come running through our doors and for very wealthy people to remember us in their wills, then expect to close doors soon.....in fact, very soon. When you switch the lights off, think....did you really do everything possible to keep services running for disabled people in your locality or did you talk to new partners and ask for help?  Was it really in the interest of your organisation to stick to outdated principles causing the loss of continuation of the group or was the real winner your ego?

I recall a meeting  a few years ago with individuals within a struggling group who considered themselves to be the voice of disabled people. We presented a formula to ensure they would continue under our wing with added support in terms of finance, fundraising and management. The group decided to fold rather than work with us. Who really won/lost? I'll tell you....disabled people lost. It took a further 5 years to get a new group going which could have been avoided if egoes took a walk.

The world today requires organisations to compete not on a local but now regional if not national basis. If that is the case, then we do need to create an empire which is built on trust, common practise and shared expertise making each other stronger and more importantly, likely to survive. If you still think we are predatory, then here's food for thought.....our "predatory" actions have created 8 groups providing services to over 10,000 per year with 47 staff and 26 volunteers.

We want your group to become a member of our "empire" and share our success. More importantly for your members to receive and continue to receive services. We are also committed to user involvement in every possible way, thus please be assured that this is not the rant of a deranged CEO, this is the view of the the emerging next generation of the disability movement.

Still disagree? Still think we are predatory empire builders? Then let the hunting begin!

Agree?   Disagree?

Back To The Floor

It's not too difficult for CEO's to lose touch with what is actually happening at the "coal-face or shop-floor" whichever term is preferred. Are we reaching targets, are our customers/service-users happy, are staff happy??? There are now tv programmes made about CEO's getting involved in front-line activity which have got me thinking...... I'm sitting here today at Enabled Art, one of the divisions of The Disability Syndicate. In the last hour, 4 service-users have come through to the back office for a chat! Up until an hour ago, i thought i was above that - CEO's don't have time to chat with service users!!!. Yet it has given me a reality check, I cannot be CEO without service users telling me what's bothering them or what makes them happy.

For the last 2 or so years, as CEO of a rapidly developing group, i've been bogged down with budgets and massive funding opportunities which is an essential part of my role as CEO, but sitting here today it's become all too obvious that i want to get to know service users again. Here comes the pledge.......

As CEO ofThe Disability Syndicate, i solemly declare that i shall spend at least 1 day with each of the projects within the group and than shall report on my findings in this blog.

A question to the staff.....good idea?   not a good idea?

Amo

Biting The Shrinking Hand That Feeds Us

Do you feel obliged to sit & nod at every decision made by a funding body or do you feel compelled to say your piece?

Charitable groups often find themselves in such delicate positions and even more often nowadays due to funding cuts announced at nearly every contracts/SLA meeting. My thought is that it is important keep positive relationships with funders even when funding is reduced or cut. They may need our services again one day!

There are some groups who feel the need to argue in a less than diplomatic way and to those i say, stop think!!!...if you as an individual representing a group get agressive or argue in an unprofessional manner with an individual representing the funding body, remember these are people who may find it difficult to forget their last encounter with you...when the next pot of funding is announced you can bet your bottom dollar that working relationships will be part of the funding appraisal process.

Lets stay calm......

Agree ?     Don't Agree ?

The Disability Direct AGM 2010

Glad it's all over!

A successful AGM requires much planning and effort from all within the host body. This year the staff excelled as usual and assisted in ensuring guests/members and all felt at home. A big thank you to all involved. An equally big thank you to our guest speaker this year - Clenton Farquarson of Gallant 2000, who gave a sterling speech on Equality and regularly referred to The Disability Syndicate as a prime example of how User Led Organisations can make a difference.

However, are AGM's of any significance? Does anyone actually care to listen to us ramble on about our successes over the last 12 months? User-led organisations have a duty to explain their actions/finances and thoughts to members but equally members need to use their power as individuals to help shape the organisations future. This year we sent out letters to over 200 members inviting nominations to the board. Only 1 very welcome member came forward.

I urge members of DD and those of other organisations, get involved!!! It's your organganisation. If you don't then you are not excersising your ability to add to our service delivery plans or let us know what's going on in your neighbourhoods etc. Saying that, there was a fair representation of members on the day and an impressive delegation for Derby City Council which demonstrates the successful working relationship between our two agencies.

Its important to celebrate achievements and reflect on the year just gone. As CEO it's important for me to see staff, funders, members and service users under one roof as one can get bogged down with budgets and strategy and lose the connection with what we are actually about!

Agree?    Don't Agree?

Amo

Partnerships or Mergers

Do partnerships really work? We have tried a few with voluntary sector agencies, but in all honesty have stuggled with the differring working practises and organisational cultures which can lead to confused staff, watered down services and most importantly - unhappy service users. I am often confused myself at the expectation that there are "equal partners" in any joint funding bid. One will always benefit more than the other. If you are in a partnership at the moment, can you truly say you will do further bids with the same partners when new funding pots are announced?

Are mergers the way forward? Well if the big banks and larger corporations can do it, why not smaller charities? What are the benefits and dangers of mergers? Again, is there a single winner out of 2 merging bodies? I think in today's financial climate, mergers are a way forward, as long as the main beneficiary is Jo Public! Those who know me are very aware of my "big fish swimming in my little pond" saying. Over the last few years i have seen bigger fish venturing into our regional pond. It has since been our vision at The Disability Syndicate to bring groups together to frighten them off leaving local services run by local people. Some groups are quite positive about this, some aren't!

Some smaller groups see The Disability Syndicate as a big fish - there's a blog for another day!

Agree?     Don't Agree?

Amo

Thought of The Day - Boards/Trustees

I'm very fortunate to have a forward thinking board which does not believe in micro-management. Unfortunately many boards "out there" can limit the decision making process and slow down the development of the organisation. Disability Direct's strength is a strong board with a strong senior management team which are in regular dialogue about the present and the future. The disability movement is quite righly advocating the need for user-led organisations (ULO's) to talk directly with partner agencies including statutory bodies, yet the movement needs to recognise that there is a need for speedy if not sometimes instant decisions. With the correct level of delegated powers, ULO's can still be effective without running to memberships on every decision!!! Our way works for us, may not for you!!

Agree? Don't agree?

Welcome!

Welcome to what i hope will be a regular update from me to you about my thoughts and plans for The Disability Syndicate and our member bodies. With our AGM a few days away, we are waiting for annual reports to come back from the printer - talk about 11th hour panic! Not really!!! - It's all under control.

This year we will be launching a brand new service - Magic-T Solutions. An IT support service for small businesses and you the public. Watch this space for for more news in the coming days.