Target Audience
People with little or no knowledge, or experience of using Microsoft Excel.
Outline
The course will take place on Zoom over 4 sessions as per details below. Homework will be assigned between sessions. Resources and links will be stored on a platform called GiraffePad. Full instructions and links will be given after registration. Please note, these sessions will be recorded and shared with attendees only. Details of dates and topics are below:
Session One (90 minutes) Wed 3 Sept starting at 3.15pm
- Open A New Spreadsheet
- Identify Data Types
- Use Autofill
- Enter Data / Text
- Select Data / Text
- Format Data / Text
- Use Basic Formulae
- Copy Formulae
- Homework
Session Two (90 minutes) Wed 10 Sept starting at 3.15pm
- Review of homework
- Use Absolute Cell Reference
- Use built in functions: Sum, Average, Max, Min, Count, CountA
- Start on preparing lists
- Add/Delete Rows/Columns
- Sorting and Filtering
- Homework
Session Three (90 minutes) Wed 17 Sept starting at 3.15pm
- Review of homework
- Continue Sorting and filtering
- Printing
- Introduction to chart
- Homework
Session Four (90 minutes) Wed 24 Sept starting at 3.15pm
- Review of homework
- Worksheets-Housekeeping: Add, delete, rename, move/copy, hide
- Worksheets – Formulas – adding up entries across sheets.
- Final Q&A
Methodology
- Delivered virtually via Zoom.
- GiraffePad will be the platform used to hold the Zoom links/training materials/recordings.
- Homework will be assigned between sessions.
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
Middle and Senior Managers, Board Members.
Outline
A strategy is about how an organisation best positions itself whilst remaining relevant. A good strategy is clear and succinct. It boldly sets out your organisation’s ambitions, sets a clear focus aimed at achieving your mission, and it is embedded in reality.
This Strategic Planning workshop will guide you through core elements of strategy: challenge, cohesion and commitment. It will look at approaches and models in conducting strategic analysis, examining options, building in agility and how to monitor implementation.
Step-by-step, you will learn what a strategic planning process involves, what tools and techniques can help you along the way, what the end result should look like, and how to get everyone on board.
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
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.
Target Audience
Managers and staff working in accounts, perhaps for the first time – anyone responsible for maintaining the accounting records. It will be of most benefit to small charities.
Outline
Maintaining a charity’s accounting records, or books is an obligation and a responsibility. This workshop is intended to equip managers and accounts staff with an understanding of book-keeping and accounting issues that are relevant to their day to day operations so that the accounting records can be kept up to date and provide meaningful information. The workshop will include practical examples and short exercises using Microsoft Excel programme. To ensure the training is as interactive and participatory as possible, we limit the number of participants to 10. Laptops will be provided.
The main areas covered will be:
- Importance of bookkeeping
- Relevant documentation and books of account
- Setting up bookkeeping system relevant to own organisation and SORP
- Maintaining accounting records and processing transactions
- Checking everything balances including how to do a bank reconciliation
- Profit and loss account and balance sheet
- VAT Compensation Scheme for Charities.
Methodology
In-person training, in Carmichael Centre, Dublin 7.
Target Audience
This session is designed for those who are new to writing grant applications, or those who would like feedback on applications they are currently completing.
Outline
How do we make successful grant applications? This workshop provides an opportunity to identify the challenges, the most common mistakes applicants make and also what errors causes application disqualifications. Participants should come away with a better understanding of appropriate language & wording to help better make the case for their grant application.
Methodology
This session will be in Carmichael Centre, Dublin 7.
Target Audience
Experienced Excel users wanting to learn more about Pivot Tables.
Outline
In this short course you will:
- Review of basic pivot tables.
- Explore the Show As Values options e.g. % of Grand Total/% of Row/Previous.
- Use the Calculated Field option.
- Expand pivot tables possibilities by using the Data Model/explore PowerPivot.
Methodology
- Delivered virtually via Zoom.
- GiraffePad will be the platform used to hold the Zoom link/training materials/recording.
Target Audience
Anyone involved in preparing and approving budgets and managing an organisation’s resources.
Prerequisites
Participants should be comfortable with Microsoft Excel basics. Laptops will be provided by Carmichael for the training session.
Outline
Community, Voluntary and Charitable Organisations have a responsibility to manage their money and other resources properly. Budgeting is an essential management tool that helps such organisations manage resources effectively. This workshop is for anyone involved in the process of budgeting and managing an organisation’s resources. The workshop will include practical examples and short exercises using MS Excel. To ensure the training is as interactive and participatory as possible, we limit the number of participants to 10. Laptops will be provided.
The main areas covered will be:
- What a budget is and the typical content
- The budgeting process and how it fits into the charity’s annual and strategic planning processes
- Benefits (and potential downsides) of budgeting
- Tips for preparing a budget
- Measuring actual outcomes against budgets
- Importance of review and update
- The workshop will encourage participants to relate the principles to their own charity.
Methodology
In-person training, in Carmichael Centre, Dublin 7.
Target Audience
Designed for staff and volunteers who are responsible for online communication in their organisations.
Outline
- Introduction to Social Media (15 mins)
- Overview of Key Social Media Platforms (30 mins)
- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube & TikTok
- Developing a Social Media Strategy (30 mins)
- Content Creation and Storytelling (20 mins)
- Content that resonates with your mission and audience
- Visual elements, use of images, and videos
- Community Engagement and Growth (20 mins)
- Tools and Analytics (20 mins)
- Case Studies and Best Practices (25 mins)
- Practical Exercise (15 mins)
- Groups to create a mini social media campaign plan (10 mins)
- Presenting and feedback (5 mins)
- Q&A and Conclusion (15 mins)
Methodology
Delivered via Zoom.