Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), is well established in the investment and corporate worlds and it is now on the rise in the charity sector too.
While it is unlikely that most charities will be required to comply with compulsory ESG reporting, there are many reasons why charities may choose to report on their ESG activities voluntarily.
This training course will give charities, their staff, and advisers an understanding of why ESG is important for charities, including what falls within ESG in a charity context, and the practical steps charities can take to begin thinking about, assessing, and reporting on their ESG activity.
Target Audience
All board members of non-profit organisations who would like to gain an understanding of what is ESG and the impact of the new Irish and European ESG reporting regulations, which is coming into force on a phased basis in Ireland in July 2024, will have on their business strategy and business dealings with their funders and key stakeholders in the future.
Outline
- Learn about what is the ESG Framework and why it is such a hot topic.
- What impact the ESG framework will have on Charities and Non-Profits
- An introduction to EU Green Deal, SFRD, and CSRD and what it will mean for charities and non-profit organisations
- Learn about how to begin preparing your organisation for reporting on your environmental, social and governance in the future.
- The Role of The UN Sustainable Development Goals plays in ESG
- The advantages and benefits of preparing your organisation for reporting on ESG.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
Trustees, Chairs, CEOs, and those responsible for governance in their Charity.
Outline
The Charities Governance Code explains the minimum standards you should meet to effectively manage and control your charity. This workshop will walk you through the requirements of the code including actions and evidence needed to demonstrate compliance.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
Are you a Board member of a voluntary or community group? Are you unsure of what is expected of you? Do you want to ensure your organisation is governed in accordance with good practice?
Outline
This session will demystify Board members’ roles and responsibilities and give you tools to enhance your contribution and the effectiveness of your Board. It outlines the purpose of the board as a whole in relation to governance and management. We then examine the specific roles of individual board members and in particular, their legal responsibilities and duties under the Charities Act (2009) and the Companies Act (2014). The workshop will finish with a discussion on typical problems arising within boards and some practical solutions to deal with them.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
CEOs, senior managers or staff from non-profits/charities who’d like to learn how to improve their Microsoft PowerPoint presentations. Prior experience of using Microsoft PPT is essential.
Outline
- Slide Theory – what to think about before opening PowerPoint
- PowerPoint Fundamentals – time-saving tools to help you create professional slides
- Present with Confidence – tools to help you feel in control when you deliver your presentation
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
Anyone wishing to pick up some productivity tips in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. Prior knowledge of Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 is essential.
Outline
In this course you will learn productivity tips from the following Microsoft programs:
Outlook
- Cleaning up your inbox
- Scheduling emails in advance
- Creating simple rules
- Using quick parts
Word
- Working with styles
- Contents pages
- Cover pages
- Watermarks
Excel
- Cleaning data
- Separating text from within a cell
- Locking cells
- Displaying data visually
PowerPoint
- Using slides from another presentation
- Changing fonts throughout the entire presentation
- Working with images and shapes
- Using the presenter view
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom. This session will be recorded and the recording will be circulated to participants on completion.
Target Audience
Designed for all staff and volunteers working within non-profit organisations.
Outline
1. Introduction to AI in Non-Profits
- Overview of AI and its relevance to non-profits
- Benefits and ethical considerations
2. Understanding Chat GPT
- What is Chat GPT?
- Definition and capabilities
- Use cases in non-profits
- Practical Demonstrations
- Live example of ChatGPT in action
3. Writing Effective Prompts
- Basics of prompt writing
- Structure and clarity
- Examples of good and bad prompts
- Techniques to enhance prompt effectiveness
- Use of context and specificity
4. Refining ChatGPT Outputs
- Iterative refinement techniques
- Analysing initial outputs
- Tweaking prompts for better results
5. Custom GPTs
- Introduction to Custom GPTs
- Definition and potential
- Creating and managing Custom GPTs
- Use cases for non-profits
- Tailoring AI to specific organisational needs
6. AI in Speeding Up Internal Processes
- Streamlining communication
- Email and report generation
- Data analysis and insights
- AI-powered data processing
- Enhancing customer service
- Automated response systems
7. AI-Generated Imagery
- Introduction to AI-generated imagery
- What it is and how it works
- Tools and platforms
- Overview of popular tools
- Practical guide to generating images
- Step-by-step process
- Ethical use of AI imagery
- Recognising and appropriately using AI-generated content
8. AI Video Editing Tools
- Overview of AI video editing tools
- Introduction to Descript and other tools
- Enhancing video production
- Features and benefits for non-profits
- Practical demonstrations
- Editing a sample video with Descript
- Best practices for professional video output
- Tips and tricks for polished videos
9. Case Studies and Best Practices
- Real-world examples
- Success stories from non-profits with AI
- Lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid
10. Q&A and Hands-On Workshop
Methodology
Delivered via Zoom.
Target Audience
This course will be beneficial for chairs of boards, CEOs, senior managers leading executive teams, officers engaging in community outreach, education/training workers, and staff leading meetings.
Outline
In this workshop you will be introduced to methodologies, tools and techniques for effective online facilitation. The workshop includes live demos of interactive collaborative tools which will save you time and provide skills to bring your events alive.
Methodology
Delivered online via Zoom.
Target Audience
New Board Members, Directors, Charity Trustees of non-profit organisations.
Outline
A comprehensive induction is an important first step in ensuring that new Board Members, Directors and Charity Trustees have the understanding needed to carry out their roles, responsibilities and obligations effectively. This workshop aims to form part of that induction process.
Below is an outline of the topics covered:
- Governance Overview
- Board Members’ Roles and Responsibilities
- The Chairperson
- Board Relationship with CEO/Staff
- Company Limited by Guarantee – Directors
- Charity – Charity Trustees
- What more to expect from a Board Induction
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
Anyone involved in advocacy or looking to influence policy or legislation in an area of work relevant to their non-profit organisation.
Outline
Ever wondered how can our organisation secure a legislative or policy win? This workshop has been developed to share an insider-outsider perspective on how to succeed in influencing policy or legislative change for your organisation. The workshop will inform and provide a practical roadmap.
Overview of workshop
Part 1: Understanding – knowledge building
- The Oireachtas
- The legislative calendar and process
- Seanad Commencement Matters and Dáil Topical Issues
- Parliamentary Questions
- Tips on how to inform and influence TDs and Senators
Part 2: Influencing – how to effect change
- Defining your issue and policy/legislative solution
- Setting goals and objectives
- Identify the target audience and who to influence
- Stakeholder mapping and building partnerships/alliances
- Creating effective communications
Ending: Questions and Answers – draw on Jillian’s expertise for your organisations’ campaign.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.
Target Audience
Board Members, CEOs and Finance Managers of Charities.
Outline
SORP requirements for Charities and the responsibilities of the Board of Directors under the Charities Act.
The main areas covered will be:
- What are the responsibilities of the Board of Directors under the Charities Act
- What are SORP’s (Statements of Recommend Practice)
- What is the purpose of SORP
- Why are they necessary in charity financial reporting
- What are the requirements of SORP for Charities
- What is the connection between the Charities Act 2009 and SORP
- What are the key requirements of SORP FRS102 (latest SORP)
- How to lay out Financial Annual Accounts in SORP Format
- What is a Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) and how to construct it
- The rules on Income recognition under SORP
- The rules of allocation Overheads by Charity Activity
- What is happening in the Regulators office for implementing a SORP in Ireland
- Latest information on the consultation process
- What is an Activity Report which is required from all charities regardless of size.
Methodology
Delivered virtually via Zoom.