Members Section

Win £100 for your organisation! Each year 2D carries out a survey of its members and users. This year we are trying to assess both service perceptions and expectations across our range of different services. We would also like to find out if our services and activities have made a difference to your organisation, and in what ways.   Please therefore help us to improve our work by completing and returning this questionnaire by 30th May 2008.   Download the 2008 Survey of 2Ds' Members and Service Users here   You can either fill it in electronically and e-mail it to: p.davies@2d.org.uk   Or print it off and post it to us. We are sending out a paper copy to each individual member with a FREEPOST envelope to return it in. Remember you're a member! Get in touch any time to see if we can help or support you. But for now, remind yourself of the benefits you and your organisation can receive... Advice and Guidance Advice and Guidance will be tailored to meet your organisation’s needs and requirements. It will be provided in a manner, which is sympathetic and personal.   Advice   Relevant Advice offered will be tailored to your organisation’s individual  requirements.   Reliable Accuracy of information means you can rely on the information to assist your organisation to the full.   Up to Date We are able to offer Up To Date information from our trained staff and specialist bodies   Subjects Advice is available on a range of subjects to include Legal, Constitutional, Finance and Training.   Guidance   Health and Safety Guidance with production of your organisation’s Health and Safety Policy   Good Parctice Guides We have up to date good practice guides for voluntary organisations, which are approved and accepted by statutory bodies   Funding Applications The minefields of these applications explained in a clear and straightforward manner   Contacts We know all the people and agencies you may need to contact   Programme Development Assessments, questionnaires, training, essential equipment and presentations. Networking As one of its core activities 2D maintains networks with other organisations at various levels -   Local  County Regional National International   These cover a wide range of interests-                                                                           Volunteers Health Education Training Local Government Funding Schemes Community networks   We represent the views of local individual organisations on these bodies and pass on their views and decisions to our members.   We foster a habit of networking amongst our members, which enables them to exchange ideas and support each other.  Our experience of grass roots networking is a valuable asset that we can use to influence the statutory and public sectors.   Membership will include a free directory of groups/organisations and agencies across Teesdale and Wear Valley. Express your view All-inclusive membership ensures that 2D hear the views of all members, individuals, groups and organisations within the community.   All member organisations may nominate an individual representative who will have a voice on the 2D Forum.  The 2D Forum representative on the Management Board is then able to give full representation of their views and concerns.   An opportunity to represent the views of your organisation acts as a means of empowerment for your members who can be heard in a wider arena.    2D will offer effective consultation with the sector through forums, committees, seminars and other consultative mechanisms.   2D is an active member of the County Durham and Darlington One Voice Network, sitting on the County Steering Group representing Teesdale and Wear Valley. Funding advice We can offer a tailor made service to suit your organisation’s needs because each organisation’s requirements are unique to their particular group.   Advice and support at all stages of the development of your organisation can be of invaluable assistance.   If your organisation has, in the past looked at a grant application pack you will be aware how enormous the task of understanding and completing the forms are.  We here at 2D have vast knowledge and experience of what to do and often more importantly what not to do and can offer advice and assistance in putting together your grant applications.   Once your grant has been successful, there are regulations to follow and 2D can offer support in the Administration of Grants and Target Setting.   Should your organisation not require grant advice we are still able to offer advice on accounting and bookkeeping.  Do you require external auditing?  We may be able to assist and we can certainly advise on legal requirements.   Our extensive library has many publications on grant applications, these are available for loan, free of charge.  Funder Finder is also available in our office for use by any individual or organisation. This package offers directions and explanations of where and whom your group can approach for funding.   If required we are able to enlist the services of specialist organisations who are able to offer in-depth advice and solutions.   Membership will include a free monthly funding update. Information   All registered organisations will already receive our new magazine, which is published each quarter.  The magazine gives information on activities of both 2D and the services supported by 2D, including the Community Networks, The Volunteer Centre, Sprorts Club Development and Children's Participation.    We are able to disseminate information to local organisations from other organisations that may have information and views to share.  Information we have received from higher level organisations i.e. County, Regional and National level, Funders, National Lotteries Charities Board etc. is often never received by individual groups, we have the resources to disseminate this information.   Staff are available either in person at the office or by telephone to answer individual questions, they have access to the most up to date literature and knowledge of where to find answers for the most unusual question. Because of our experience we have access to an extensive list of phone numbers and addresses of useful contacts. Resources These come in a variety of forms – Human, I.T. Literature, Equipment, Expertise, Conference Facilities, Data Information and Use of Internet. They include: Volunteers Advice and Guidance on a range of subjects Desk Top Publishing  - production of leaflets, posters documents and laminating. We have the latest software for groups or individuals to produce their own publications Use of Computer and Internet Photocopying Overhead Projectors/ Presentation Boards Resource and Reference Library Advertising in Magazine or Inserts Networking facility Host/Promote and undertake training courses Use of newly refurbished Conference Room and facilities i.e. Interactive White Board, Overhead Projectors, Flip Charts, TV/Video and Catering and fully accessible with hearing loop Dissemination of Information Promote activities on behalf of organisations Use of some resources may incur a small fee – special rates or free for members   All members will receive a free resource directory Training 2D is able to offer training in specialist areas to suit the requirements of each individual organisation e.g. Community Need Assessment Funding Applications Committee Structure and Functions Finance                                                                                                 Should 2D not be able to offer ‘in house training’ we have contacts with specialists in:   Health and Safety Hygiene First Aid Team Building   2D is able to offer many training opportunities through our partnerships with established training providers such as Bishop Auckland College, Durham Rural Community Council and the Workers Education Association.   2D can offer advice and guidance for financing training courses.   We have a supply of guidelines on various subjects, which may be applicable to your organisation. Volunteers  2D incorporates a successful Volunteer Centre Teesdale and Wear Valley which seeks to match the aspirations of individual volunteers with the needs of community groups.   The Volunteer Centre is a locally based organisation concerned with the promotion, support and development of the participation of volunteers in its area.  Basically they are places where organisations can advertise for volunteers, and where individuals wishing to become volunteers can find out more about the range of activities available to them.   As of March 2005, the Volunteer Centre has on its database in excess of 1500 volunteers and over 180 agency opportunities.   Volunteer recruitment is from a variety of sources;  Casual callers at the office. Referrals from educational establishments Referrals from volunteering agencies. Referrals from job centres Referrals from government courses. Recruitment presentations Outreach recruitment and information sessions. Word of mouth Publicity Annually, the promotion of National Volunteers Week   This service co-ordinates voluntary effort, promotes new and existing organisations and acts as a central reference point for both groups and individuals.The Volunteer Centre will provide: An information service for prospective volunteers A central recruiting agency for volunteers and statutory organisations Support for volunteers after placement and for people working locally with volunteers Advice and support for new ways of using volunteers through all available  media Representation on issues concerning volunteers and voluntary work to local and national policy makers. Special deals & rates Website offer This is for people who need a website but think it’s too expensive or complicated. Or, who already have a website that they are not completely satisfied with. We are offering a new type of website to 2D members, that is not only fast to set up but also low cost and easy to manage.   Before embarking on developing your own web presence it is of course important to know you are getting the right advice and paying a competitive price, so 2D are working in partnership with a local company, eWeb4Design, which has many years’ experience in this field.   The site uses an online Content Management System, so you or your colleagues (who may be completely non-technical) can design, run and continuously update your own website adding, deleting, or updating information instantly from your desk, from office/school or home.    Your website keeps people informed about your organisation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – You can submit news stories and announcements and edit pages, and even include documents and brochures for download.   New websites are available from £100, at a special discount to their usual non-profit sector prices. For more information  contact Kirsty at 2D on 01388 762220