Hope is...telling the truth
Nov 29, 2021
David Green
Taking action on climate change
What are we to make of the COP26 outcome? Despite all the warnings, including the “code red for humanity” from the UN; and six years after 196 countries signed the legally binding Paris agreement, the world still can’t agree on how to keep global warming to below 1.5 degrees.
The problem lies of course with politicians. They love to talk the talk, but very few walk the walk. What’s more, COP26 also provided another platform for the fossil fuel lobby while those most directly affected by climate change were marginalised.
Of course we can all live more ethically, thinking carefully about the environment before we make lifestyle decisions. Indeed, there is plenty of scope for climate action at a local level. But we must not transfer responsibility away from government and big business, onto the individual consumer. Recycling and avoiding single use plastics is desirable, even essential, but it will not make up for the continued burning of fossil fuels.
But if I sound despondent, there remains pressure for positive change too. For me, one of the highlights of COP26 was seeing so many young people taking to the streets in Glasgow.
Civil society has played a major role in keeping climate change firmly in the minds of governments, business and ordinary people. It has informed, organised, and taken action, sometimes controversially, to highlight the threat of global warming. It has also supported projects such as habitat restoration, the reintroduction of native species, and re-wilding. Civil society has also been at the forefront of calling out “greenwashing” by corporations and governments. And in Greta Thunberg the world has a young activist who has inspired campaigners and berated governments on a global scale.
So even as governments make the wrong choices, civil society has to continue its efforts. The world isn’t dead yet; and there remains much to do. Informed, visible, determined campaigning is still needed to raise awareness, change minds and make a difference.
As Greta said, “We can no longer let the people in power decide what is politically possible. We can no longer let the people in power decide what hope is. Hope is not passive. Hope is not blah, blah, blah. Hope is telling the truth. Hope is taking action. And hope always comes from the people.”
In today's interconnected world, every organisation, regardless of size, should be promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). For small charities, embracing EDI principles is not just an ethical goal but also a strategic necessity to better serve their communities. So, what practical strategies can small charities adopt to enhance EDI in their service delivery? Hopefully, you are already working along these lines: Cultivate a Diverse Team : Try to improve diversity within your charity's team. Where possible seek candidates from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences to bring varied perspectives and insights that reflects the communities you serve. Establish Inclusive Policies and Practices : Develop clear policies that uphold equality and inclusion. Include anti-discrimination measures, flexible working arrangements, and accessibility measures for full participation. Engage with the Community : Build strong connections with the communities you serve. Where practical, aim to be more user-led. Gather input from beneficiaries and other stakeholders through community forums, social media, or surveys to tailor services effectively. Provide Training and Education : Invest in training to raise awareness of EDI issues among staff and volunteers. Cover topics like unconscious bias, cultural competence, and inclusive communication. Offer Culturally Relevant Services : Customise services to reflect the community's diversity. Provide materials, where appropriate, in different languages, incorporate cultural traditions, and offer specialised support for different demographic groups. Foster Partnerships and Collaboration : Collaborate with organisations sharing EDI commitment to address inequalities collectively. Share ideas and expertise for more effective interventions and a broader reach. Monitor and Evaluate Progress : Establish ways to monitor and evaluate EDI efforts. Assess team diversity, gather user feedback, and track outcomes to refine strategies over time. Integrating EDI principles into service delivery takes commitment, but if it leads to better engagement and outcomes, it will be worth the effort. Indeed, such an approach should mean that regardless of background, your beneficiaries have access to the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
Creating content with artificial intelligence
Post-COVID many organisations introduced a hybrid mixture of home and office working. But what are the pros and cons? The pros of hybrid working: Increased flexibility: Hybrid working allows staff to have a better work-life balance by giving them the flexibility to work from home on certain days. This can be particularly beneficial for those with long commutes or personal commitments. Improved productivity: Studies have shown that home working can increase productivity due to fewer distractions and interruptions in a home environment. Hybrid working allows staff to choose the most suitable environment for their tasks, leading to increased focus and efficiency. Cost savings: Hybrid working can result in cost savings. Staff can save money on commuting expenses, and meals etc. Employers can also save on office space and related expenses. Reduced environmental impact: With fewer people commuting to the office every day, hybrid working can contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions and traffic congestion, leading to a positive environmental impact. Enhanced satisfaction and retention: Offering hybrid working options can improve staff satisfaction and morale. It shows that the organisation values work-life balance and trusts staff to manage their time effectively. This, in turn, can lead to higher employee retention rates. The cons of hybrid working: Communication challenges: Hybrid working can create communication gaps between those in the office and those working at home. It may be more difficult to collaborate, share information, and maintain team cohesion, especially if not all staff have access to the same communication tools. Potential for decreased collaboration and innovation: In-person interactions often foster collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Hybrid working may limit spontaneous brainstorming sessions, informal conversations, and face-to-face problem-solving, which can hinder the development of new ideas. Blurred work-life boundaries: While hybrid working offers flexibility, it can also blur the boundaries between work and personal life. Some individuals may find it challenging to switch off from work when they are constantly connected to their home office. Inequality and fairness concerns: Hybrid working may not be feasible or accessible for all staff. Those with limited access to technology, suitable home working environments, or caregiving responsibilities may face disadvantages, leading to potential inequality and fairness concerns. Potential for decreased employee engagement: Without regular face-to-face interactions, some may feel isolated or disconnected from their colleagues and the organisational culture. This can impact engagement, motivation, and overall job satisfaction. Reinforcing existing prejudices and discrimination: Research by the TUC found that perceived issues with work commitment led to closer monitoring of hybrid workers from black and minority ethnic communities. The same study also found that hybrid working led to some people working longer and constantly being available in order to cope with increasing workloads or to prove their worth. It is important for organisations to consider all these pros and cons when implementing hybrid working and to find ways to address the potential challenges to ensure a successful transition. A good hybrid working policy can set out how such challenges can be avoided or overcome. For charities, a big problem is a lack of investment in IT. Traditionally, the private sector has had deeper pockets when it comes to installing the infrastructure needed for home based working. If charities are to deliver successful hybrid working, then they need to ensure their staff and volunteers have the technology and Internet speeds that will enable them to work smoothly from home as well as the office. What’s more, they must ensure their staff are trusted, treated fairly and feel supported. Involving staff (or their trade union) in the design of hybrid working systems, and staying in touch can help to anticipate and deal with any problems. As such, charities should ensure that communication within their team is as seamless as possible. Indeed, once hybrid working arrangements are up and running, regular monitoring is essential for success.
Trustee boards, funders and partner organisations may ask for written reports. But how do you get your information across in a readable manner? In order to write a concise and effective report, there are a few important steps you should follow. First, clearly define the purpose and scope of your report to keep yourself focused and avoid including unnecessary information. Reports typically include the following types of content: Details of an event or situation The consequences or ongoing effect of an event or situation Evaluation of statistical data, feedback, outcomes, survey responses etc Interpretations based on the information in the report Predictions or recommendations based on the information in the report How the information relates to other events or reports Decide what type of report you are writing and stick to it. Next, gather all the relevant data and information needed to support your report. Make sure to use credible sources and cite them properly. These might include project outcomes, surveys, case histories, quotes from service users or even reports produced by others. Organise the information in a logical and coherent manner, using headings and subheadings to create a clear structure. To help with this, list all the key points and then create a rough outline of subheadings with bullet points, rearranging them until you are satisfied. When writing the report, use simple and concise language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may confuse your readers. Present data in a visually appealing way using bullet points, photographs, tables, and graphs. Remember to include an introduction that provides an overview of the report, a body that presents the main findings and analysis, and a conclusion that summarises the key points and offers recommendations if necessary. A typical report structure might be: Executive summary : A standalone section that summarises the findings in a few paragraphs. Introduction : Provides background information and sets up the body of the report. Body : Explains the major findings, broken up into headings and subheadings. It might include graphs, tables , photos, case histories, and quotes. Conclusion : Brings together all the information and provides a definitive interpretation or judgment. Recommendations : Lists any recommendations arising from the findings. Proofread your report carefully to eliminate any grammatical or spelling errors. Pay attention to formatting and ensure consistency throughout the document. It's also a good idea to have someone else review your report for a fresh perspective and to catch any mistakes you may have missed. By following these steps, you can write a concise report that effectively communicates your findings and recommendations.
