The Doors Closed

Work has been a curate’s egg this week – the not so good has been drafting the Annual Report/Accounts for 2012/13 which we’re trying to get done earlier so that it goes to Trustees on 23 July and AGM on 17 September, and, though boring, it is done! Next step is to write the Impact Report – the pop one page summary, which our volunteer business adviser, Shelagh West will do as she is brilliant at promotion.

I am hearing the results of Surrey CC’s Local Prevention Framework grant award decisions as the “mini –competitions” (Dragon’s Den) take place. No surprises thus far, but I think some missed opportunities. It remains my view that the procurement process has again been flawed, with “keep card close to chest” competition through BRAVO,  and yet a hope for collaboration and innovation with more smaller youth organisations being awarded contracts resulting in an entirely  “schizophrenic” process.

The rest was good. We are currently (Thursday and Friday ) interviewing for two part time posts: a new Events and marketing person, and a Youth Work adviser being a re-framing of a vacant youth development worker post. “Encouraging” is all I can say at present – results next week.

Met with colleagues from the Cabinet Office and The Challenge Network (members of ours) on Monday. The National Citizenship Scheme is an important priority for the Cabinet Office and in Surrey The Challenge Network have already signed up 815 young people to go on their summer programme against their contractual target of 900. They are pitching to schools and getting a good response, though need projects for young volunteers to do – we will be assisting them.

Well I never got to see The Doors in the 1960s – I don’t think they came to London when I was a student, though they did go to Paris. Obviously as a good student I have got several Doors CDs, and know all the lyrics….if you’re not keeping up, Ray Manzarek the very distinctive organist died this week…..We have the Hanover Band -very professional small orchestra of 17 players - performing Baroque music (Bach, Handel etc) on original instruments in our parish church this evening. Friends round for wine and supper (in that order)  on Sunday evening….we just need the weather. It was 4C in the car this morning ..ice warning- on 24 May?? Light my fire!

Mike