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CHARITIES MUST USE PRE-ELECTION TIME TO ENGAGE WITH POLITICIANS
September 2009
Charities face a fresh set of challenges in dealing with a new government irrespective of which party is in power, delegates were told at a London seminar this week.
"Most charities have poor networking skills with little understanding of the political structure or how to engage with the people who take the key decisions" said Kevin Davis, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Yeovil and guest speaker at yesterday's event hosted by PrimeTimers.
"As the recession more fully impacts upon the charity sector, it will be vital that charities fully engage with the elected politicians rather than just rely upon dialogue with officers" he continued. "Many familiar quangos and bodies are likely to dry up, which makes it even more important to invest the time forging relationships with the people who will be making the key decisions."
Davis continued: "Despite many charities and not for profit organisatons believing that they have good networking skills, the reality is that they often don't have solid relationships with the people who matter. The real issue is for charities to start to engage, in a meaningful way, so that ultimately they can successfully deliver the services they were set up to deliver."
Director of PrimeTimers, Brent Thomas, described the seminar as a timely wake-up call for the third sector. "As in other sectors, the recession has forced us to examine the way we operate and now is the right time to begin to make changes that will ultimately benefit us all."
