Member meeting: 16 July 2009 outline and agenda
Strengthening NGO Effectiveness
Presenting the Bond Effectiveness Programme
Thursday 16 July 2009, London
This half-day meeting will present the Bond Effectiveness Programme to Bond members and key stakeholders. Leaders from the sector will challenge participants and head up discussion in the following areas of work:
- Managing and reporting NGO effectiveness - towards an effectiveness framework
- The important contribution made by quality relationships to NGO effectiveness
- An organisational culture and staff attitudes which support NGO effectiveness
Together, these discussions will offer tangible steps that can be taken to bring about necessary change in organisations and the sector more broadly.
Who it is for
The event is open to Directors of Bond member organisations. (A small number of donors and other stakeholders will also be invited).
Why attend this event
- Find out about the Bond Effectiveness Programme and how you can be involved
- Influence the development and shape of the programme
- Discuss and debate the issues with key sector leaders
When and where
Thursday 16 July 2009, 1.15pm - 5.30pm, London
How to book
If you are interested in attending, please email bond@bond.org.uk stating your name, organisation and which breakout session you would like to participate in.
|
1.15 - 1.30 |
Registration and refreshments |
|
1.30 - 2.30 |
Welcome and introduction Anna Feuchtwang, CEO, Every Child, and Chair of Bond
Keynote address Richard Hawkes, International Programmes Director, VSO
The Bond Effectiveness Programme Nick Roseveare, Chief Executive, Bond
Q&A from the audience |
|
2.30 - 3.30 |
Panel discussion: a conversation about NGO effectiveness Chair: Anna Feuchtwang, CEO, Every Child, and Chair of Bond Alex Jacobs, Research Director, Keystone Accountability Michael Hammer, CEO, One World Trust Marie Staunton, CEO, Plan UK Andy Featherstone, Bond Effectiveness Programme Inception Phase Manager
Q&A from the audience |
|
3.30 - 4.00 |
Networking and refreshment break |
|
4.00 - 5.00 |
Breakout discussions: Breakout discussions: Delegates may choose to attend one group discussion on one of the three core themes of the Bond Effectiveness Programme:
Managing and Reporting NGO Effectiveness - towards an effectiveness framework. Led by Michael Hammer.
The important contribution made
by quality relationships to NGO Effectiveness. Led by Alex Jacobs.
Establishing an organisational culture which supports NGO Effectiveness. Led by Marie Staunton. |
|
5.00 - 5.30 |
Reports from the facilitators of the three breakout sessions Summary and next steps Nick Roseveare, Chief Executive, Bond |
Background
There is nothing new in suggesting that it is difficult to assess NGO effectiveness or in listing the pitfalls implicit in trying to prove long-term impact. It also seems to be well accepted that NGOs are diverse, values driven organisations which are hard to classify and group. It is difficult, therefore, to find agreed standards and elements of practice that can apply across all types. However, now more than ever, NGOs face increasing pressure to prove how well they have used funds with external pressure from government and donors, and growing consensus internally that they often fail to consistently meet the standards of transparency and accountability that are espoused in their organisational values.
In March 2009, the Bond embarked on the inception phase of the Effectiveness Programme. Our position at the heart of the UK NGO sector allows us to lead this work from within the sector. Our strong links with NGO leaders provide us with an unprecedented opportunity to influence the most senior parts of organisations, which are often the drivers of change. The programme will focus on both ‘hardware' issues by finding practical ways to prove and improve NGOs contribution to social development, and ‘software' issues of values, attitudes and organisational culture as part of a holistic approach to strengthening the effectiveness of its members.
The Bond Effectiveness Programme aims to strengthen the management and reporting of NGO performance. It is based on the conviction that effective social development work is contingent on strong relationships with partners and beneficiaries, which is able to provide robust evidence of performance through rigorous measurement using appropriate techniques.
We will achieve this by working with senior managers and sector leaders to:
- develop a shared, progressive agenda
- develop key, jointly-owned public goods
- create a strong momentum for change
- implement new approaches with early-adopting INGOs
- build and consolidate momentum and consensus within the UK sector
