 |
BULLETIN April 2009
This is a bulletin which I send out regularly to around 10,000 clients, contacts, friends, friends of
friends so forth, to keep them in touch with what’s going on in the world of charities. Usually sent monthly but with so much
going on in the world of charities and related, I’m faced with either sending out shorter more frequent bulletins, or leaving
them until what I wanted to tell you about is out of date. Let’s see how it all develops.EMPLOYMENT ISSUES:
With so much to watch out for this is getting to be a regular spot. The latest to come across my desk is Dickins v O2. This could happen to anyone. Secretary promoted to a senior role without much training for the new post. Acute stress and sickness ensue and she loses her job. The court awarded her damages for personal injury, the employer having breached the duty of care. Reading another judgement: you could pay a heavy price if you overlook taking good care of anyone on your staff who falls pregnant. You must immediately carry out a risk assessment and make any appropriate adjustments. Contact us if you need help on any staffing issues.
MENTAL ILL HEALTH:
A client asked for our help recently regarding a staff member who was struggling in this area. Tough one for an employer raising complex issues. There’s a good website to check out for help set up by the Shaw Trust: www.tacklementalhealth.org.uk There’s no need to worry about staff issues as long as you take care and take advice when you should. (Don’t forget our partner’s website: www.nvmrecruit.co.uk
Thanks to the amazing Sandy Adirondack for these 2 items.
CHRISTIAN RESOURCES EXHIBITION:
If this is something you like to come to, put these dates into your diary: 12th to 15th May. We shall be getting tickets, so let us know if you want some. Can cost up to £8 at the door, tickets from us won’t cost you anything. I will be there most days. Viv, Kay and Wizzy will be there some days. If you want to meet any of us in particular please e-mail for specific dates.
‘GOD HEALS’ LEAFLET RULED MISLEADING BY ASA:
The ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) upheld a complaint against King’s Church Salisbury which put out a leaflet claiming that prayer had helped to defeat cancer and infertility. I’m with the church on this one. Of course God heals. The paradox is that so often we pray but we don’t see healing. Prayer can help shrink brain tumours but it’s still wise to seek medical help and a Christian will always encourage this. I lost my wife to cancer some years ago; prayer didn’t heal her, but then neither could the medics. But while she was with us she seemed to have a gift of being able to pray for infertile couples who suddenly became fertile. I can think of three families she helped in this way. I hope this isn’t the thin end of yet another wedge to marginalise churches
X3WATCH:
I should have checked this one. The link is www.x3watch.com
SUSTAINING THIS BULLETIN:
Please can I have your help on this. Tony, our IT expert who gets this thing out every month tells me that we have an attrition rate of over 25%. In other words we can lose a quarter of our subscribers every year. If your bulletin bounces back we don’t take it off first time round as there may be temporary causes (mail box full etc), but it does seem that some subscribers change their addresses as often as I change my socks. How we manage to keep our list at around 10,000 is beyond me; there must be some hard work going on somewhere. You can help by making sure we update your email address so we don’t lose you. Also you could perhaps send it onto others who might appreciate receiving it. Apart from the CRE and word of mouth, it’s the only marketing we do. Please help if you can.
IMMIGRATION ISSUES:
In my last bulletin I warned about visitors to the UK being sent home by the border authority. I received a detailed response from Andy Moyle of the Gateway Church. He makes a number of comments, some of which could be helpful if you are trying to get a visitor into the UK. He makes the point that Christians aren’t being discriminated against, but they can be naïve. If you want a cut down copy of his e-mail let us know. If you have anything to add please contact us.
TRUSTEE TRAINING:
Demand for this is growing, and to help cope with all the requests coming in, Wizzy is stepping up to the plate and will soon be taking her own sessions. She will be quite different to me, better probably, so you will have a choice. Contact us anytime for your training needs, including Trustees, HR, charity accounts.
AND FINALLY(1)........
Church bulletin bloopers can be a bit laboured but here’s some that might drag a smile out of you:
The cost of the Prayer and Fasting conference includes meals
Ladies please use this bring and buy sale as a chance to get rid of things in your house
not worth hanging onto. Bring your husbands.
Don’t let worry kill you off; let the church help.
For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
Weight Watchers will meet in the church hall at 7.00pm. Please use the double doors at the side.
And a tribute to the redoubtable Calendar Girls: The ladies of the church have cast off
clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
I think that’s enough. Thanks to Roland Barclem.
|
|
|---|
|