We face the same funding issues as members. Whilst our work gains recognition there still remains tension between funding streams and long term sustainability. CRNS has a large, diverse and growing membership spread throughout the 32 Local Authority areas of Scotland. Each of these members work within reuse, repair and/or recycling of resources and focus on the prevention of landfill through diverting materials into reuse streams. CRNS as the lead body for our sector aims to support members in a variety of ways: New initiatives We have put in place a number of new initiatives to dampen the effect of any loss or reduction in funding, however we recognise that as with any new venture there are risks and no guarantee of success. That said, CRNS has a positive outlook and has excellent working relationships with our strategic partners and other stakeholders. At a recent meeting of The Scottish Community Alliance in Edinburgh attended by a Scottish Minister there was a very positive and welcome discussion around the issues that the community sector faces. From the discussion it was evident that the issues CRNS and its members face are replicated in varying degrees in many of the groups represented at the meeting. As a relative newcomer to the community sector I am constantly struck by the amount of goodwill and generosity of spirit I encounter. I am also struck by the need to be a little more direct in selling the advantages and strengths of community engagement. A clear need to change the conversation The imbalance between large publicly funded bodies and small community based, grant funded organisations seems to me to be a bit of an oxymoron in that the basis of funding appears to work from

To help develop partnerships around reuse furniture provision for tenants receiving Scottish Welfare Fund grants, CRNS hosted its first Furniture Reuse Partnership Event. The event was held last week in Stirling with four local authorities and their local furniture reuse organisations and was hosted by National Furniture Co-ordinator, Lesley McAleenan and Willie Dunn, Project Co-ordinator at MARC in Dalkeith. The event followed a series of individual meetings between the Furniture Co-ordinator and the local authorities and reuse organisations. Its aim was to help develop partnerships around reuse furniture provision for tenants receiving Scottish Welfare Fund grants. Its purpose was to encourage open and honest discussions amongst participants and to iron out any challenges and issues that may arise in any partnership agreement. Willie Dunn spoke about the MARC partnership with Midlothian Council and the importance of clients being given the choice between new or reuse furniture and white goods. Two Midlothian Council officials were also present to answer any questions about the partnership. Willie’s talk extended into a lively question and answer session for all participants. This was followed by several round table discussions, allowing each group to discuss individual ideas and concerns arising between the local authority and the local reuse organisations. Topics discussed included Capacity, Guarantees, and Delivery & Fitting Feedback from the event has been very positive with 80% of participants believing that attending a further similar event would be useful to their organisation.  One participant summed up the day by saying ‘Very worthwhile event and brought a lot of good ideas back to our LA for consideration’. Lesley hopes to run future similar events later in the year for other interested local authority areas. If your organisation would like to be included, please

Good governance should happen throughout a charity / voluntary organisation.  Those entrusted with the governance function (the governing body, committee or board of trustees) are expected to oversee such tasks as appointing a Chair / Trustees to the Board, annual reporting, holding annual general meetings (and any other relevant board meetings), to name but a few.  In addition to this, the governing body will also perform other roles within the organisation.  These roles can include: Ensuring that the charity remains true to its mission and values Determining its strategy Acting as the point of final accountability for its actions and those of its representatives and staff Safeguarding its assets Acting as a source of expertise and advice To assist you in the field of governance, you shall find below some templates which you can adapt to suit your own organisation. Annual Report Outline AGM Agenda Template

Today (26 January) CRNS member MARC is launching a new LAYAWAY scheme – the first of its kind for reuse organisations in Scotland. ‘As the name suggests this scheme is all about reserving items, either new or recycled, and then allowing customers to pay for these items interest free up to a maximum of four weeks,’ says Willie Dunn, Project Coordinator at MARC. ‘A non-refundable deposit of 20% will secure any item and after the final payment, customers can arrange for either pick up or delivery of the item.’ MARC is a community based Social Enterprise serving the people of Midlothian. The furniture and white goods recycling project, collects, refurbishes and redistributes household goods within the local community. The LAYAWAY scheme is open to everyone but is primarily aimed at those with little or no income – those who are unable to immediately afford items in the shop that they need or want. It is hoped that access to this scheme will alleviate some of the debt problems experienced by this group of people. ‘We’ve had a number of requests from our customers for this scheme,’ adds Willie Dunn. ‘In this current economic climate, people find it a struggle to pay for everything they need in one go. This scheme is a real alternative to high interest shops or payday loan schemes. There is no added interest and people are given a real chance to save and secure the goods they need, whilst the shop is not left holding on to stock that could have been sold to others. We hope it will be a real win/win scheme for everyone.’ If you would like further details on the LAYAWAY scheme please contact the MARC shop

This THREE DAY,  First Aid At Work training course is ideal for higher or advanced level hazards (e.g. construction, manufacturing or chemical plants).

This course is ideal for low hazard environments (e.g. offices, shops)  or where your needs assessment has identified a requirement for a First Aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work. The HSE guidelines set out a syllabus for Emergency first aid at work in accordance with set criteria for selecting a training provider. The guidance cites the specific use of teaching materials such as the current edition of the first aid manual of the Voluntary Aid Societies (including the British Red Cross), who are acknowledged by the HSE guidance as standard setters for first aid practice. By selecting this course you can be confident that attendees will receive a quality learning experience built on our extensive experience and input to the HSE requirements. On completion of this ONE DAY training, successful candidates will be able to:   Qualification Emergency First Aid at Work certificate; valid for three years. Pre-requisites This course will provide a quality learning experience offering hands-on practical training that leave first aiders feeling confident to use their skills in a real life situation. It is therefore important that participants are physically able to perform the relevant actions and techniques included in the HSE syllabus.  As the HSE requires at least six training and assessment contact hours for this course, participants must be in attendance for the entire course duration to be eligible for evaluation and qualify for a certificate for Emergency First aid at work.

More than half of children living in poverty in Scotland are growing up in households where at least one person is in employment. Speaking in a debate in the Scottish Parliament later today, Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham will argue that it is unacceptable that work is no longer the straight forward route out of poverty. And will reiterate the Scottish Government’s pledge to tackle inequality and build a fairer Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary is speaking as research published today shows that the proportion of those in in-work poverty is gradually increasing and that for many, moving into work doesn’t necessarily mean moving out of poverty. Ms Cunningham said: “It cannot be right that the majority of working age adults in poverty in Scotland are in ‘in-work’ poverty. Well-rewarded and sustained employment is the best route out of poverty, for those who are able to work, and one of the best ways to tackle inequality. “This is why we are prioritising the promotion of the living wage and working closely with the Poverty Alliance to encourage more employers to sign up to the Living Wage accreditation scheme. Business productivity goes hand in hand with fair and equal pay. We must all be fully committed to fair work.” The Scottish Government is developing a Scottish Business pledge to invite companies to commit to extending the living wage, involve their local communities and invest in youth training and employment. In return businesses will be offered a package of tailored support on skills, innovation and exports to help them grow and prosper. New research looking at in-work poverty summaries the evidence about the extent and impact of in-work poverty in Scotland. It identifies

From January 2015, our CRNS membership organisations will have exclusive online access to the all new Private Membership Area on the CRNS website. The Members Area contains case studies, funding information, policy templates, presentations, reports, briefings and toolkits. It will be updated and reviewed regularly ensuring it remains a valuable resource to our members. Members should have been sent their log-in details this week. If you haven’t received them or you need support then please contact us and we will get you access as soon as possible. Email: info@crns.org.uk for support.

A written contract of employment is important as it stipulates what is expected of the employee, by the employer, and lays out the terms and conditions of employment.  Express terms within an employment contract are those that are explicitly agreed between the employer and the employee, therefore the skeleton contact below can be used as a guide and completed with information relevant to your own organisation and employment positions. Organisations are required by law to give staff a written statement within two months of them commencing employment. Contract of Employment    

Zero Waste Scotland and Scottish Enterprise are both reminding businesses that significant investment is still available this year from the Scottish Recycling Fund. Through the Scottish Recycling Fund (SRF), businesses can apply for a loan to help develop or expand their capacity for the sorting, re-use/repair and reprocessing of eligible waste materials in Scotland, as well as remanufacturing facilities. Products and materials eligible for the fund are based on the environmental impact, potential job or volunteer opportunities arising and activities which support a more circular economy. These include: plastics, textiles, glass, industrial food and drink processing waste/by-products, electrical and electronic equipment, and plasterboard. The materials and sectors included within the loan fund have been selected based on environmental impact, potential job opportunities and activities supporting a more circular economy. A circular economy is one in which we keep materials in use for as long as possible in order to extract the maximum value from them. Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, said: “The Scottish Government is backing the industries of the future by making this £3.8 million available to those interested in developing our reprocessing and remanufacturing industries. Developing new business opportunities in repair or remanufacturing of valuable products, and realising the value in our waste materials like plastics, textiles and glass will make our economy more circular, and more resilient, while reducing our carbon emissions. I’d strongly urge any businesses who think they might be eligible to contact Zero Waste Scotland to see what funding and support might be able to help them develop these businesses of the future.” Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “The Scottish Recycling Fund is an important source of investment for businesses looking to develop a