Bricks and Mortar

A Clearinghouse on Faith, Development and Nonprofits

NGO Training Courses

Just got these training courses on a listserv I’m on:

Please find below the management courses for staff of NGOs and international organisations, taking place in Geneva from February to May 2010.

Courses are for practitioners and address challenges faced by non-profit managers, leaders, and staff. These training courses help sharpening key skills and developing strategies that participants can immediately use in their work.

FEB-MAY 2010 COURSES:

15-19 February: Project Cycle Management Compact (5 days) Fast-track project management for practitioners

22-23 February: Exit Strategies: Effective Programme Disengagement (2 days) Achieving programme and project sustainability

22-26 February: Essentials of NGO Management (5 days) How to manage and lead an NGO

1-5 March: Essentials of Human Resource Management (5 days) How to lay the foundation for a solid approach in Human Resources

10-12 March: Essentials of Fundraising (3 days) How to raise funds for NGO activities

22-24 March: Improving the Effectiveness of Your Board (3 days) Essential of Non-profit Governance and Board Relations

5-9 April: Training of Trainers (5 days) How to design, deliver and follow-up a training course

12-16 April: Delivering Relief in Emergencies (5 days) Saving lives and protecting livelihoods through relief assistance

17-21 May: Project Cycle Management Compact (5 days) course in French Fast-track project management for practitioners

24-28 May: Designing and Planning Projects (5 days) Mastering fundamental project design skills

Registration for these courses is now open. For course objectives, detailed programme, course fees and inscription, please visit www.ngoms.org/coursedates.htm. Group tariffs are available.

The NGO Management School Switzerland is a registered Swiss non-profit association based in the Geneva area. For more information about us, please visit www.ngoms.org/whoweare.htm. For more information about our team, visit www.ngoms.org/contact.htm.

Bill and Melinda Gates Pledge $10-Billion for Vaccine Efforts

This just came through on the Chronicle of Philanthropy – Bill and Melinda Gates Pledge $10-Billion for Vaccine Efforts.

The Sphere Project and Self-Help Credit Union

Many of you, like me have been devastated by the recent earthquake Haiti.  This tragic incident reminds of the fragility of life and the impact that such natural disasters can have on a country which already has weak institutions and systems.  Many dignity, humility and respect prevail.  Some folks have asked about the relevant steps and procedural processes  employed by inter-government and non-government organizations during a disaster of any magnitude.   In the midst of the rescue efforts, I refer people to the Sphere Project – a convening of organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and others which developed  a handbook of resources and guidelines for such situations.

In addition to listening and considering the people of Haiti in daily life, I have been driving back and forth to a nearby city for my job.  I just listened to a talk given by Martin Eakes – founder of Self-Help Credit Union. It was on the Social Innovation Conversations – one of my favorite podcasts.  I first heard of Self-Help back in 2000 and was taken aback by their work and commitment to low-income Americans.  Since then, I have followed and read of their work.  I do not know Martin Eakes – but if you are a Jim Collins’ Good to Great disciple, this man I believe typifies a level 5 leader.  I was impressed by his humility and commitment to his organization.  If and when you get a chance – please listen to his talk.

American Casino

As someone who is both interested and angered by the subprime mortgage meltdown, I am always looking to hear and talk to people who tell the stories of those directly impacted by the subprime mortgage crisis.  There is a new documentary out called American Casino which details the accounts of people who were impacted by the mortgage in one of my favorite cities, Baltimore.  You can listen to an interview with the co-producers and director, Leslie and Alexander Cockburn of this documentary.  You can find this interview on Brian Lamb’s C-SPAN Q & A program.

Corruption Perceptions Index

Transparency International, an international organization which tracks and collects data on corruption recently published a ranking of 180 countries based on a corruption index.  To find about the methodology of this index, please click here.  For a listing of the index, follow this link.  The United States ranks #19 and the United Kingdom ranks #17.  Not surprisingly, Sri Lanka ranks 97.  I found this index through one my favorite blogs and podcasts, NPR’s Planet Money.

Bloggingheads conversation between Peter Singer and William Easterly on Nonprofits and Aid

Over the holidays,  I had a nuimber of conversations with my brother-in-law about the effectiveness of aid – particularly to the African continent.  While I am no expert on aid effectiveness, I draw your attention to two people who have differing perspectives:  Peter Singer and William Easterly.  I frequent the site Bloggingheads TV and found this video conversation posted on Christmas Eve.   Below are links to some interesting new books on aid and helping the poor in development:

White Man’s Burden

Dead Aid

The Blue Sweater

Measuring Effectiveness in Humanitarian and Development Aid

Philanthropedia

Looking for a way to rate or find a good nonprofit for your end of the year donation?  A new resource, Philanthropedia is a new interesting website which provides a way of finding a nonprofit which fits your giving needs through expert analysis.  This website also runs a blog which can be found here.

The School for Social Entrepreneurs: Top 10 podcasts for social entrepreneurs

Charity Navigator Fixes Its Compass – Dan Pallotta – HarvardBusiness.org

Charity Navigator is rethinking about how it evaluates nonprofits – this is welcomes news.  I found the below link on a great blog at Harvard Business Publishing.  Read on by clicking the below link:

Charity Navigator Fixes Its Compass – Dan Pallotta – HarvardBusiness.org.

Archbishop Rowan Williams’ World AIDS Day Message 2009

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