A Sikh Faith-led Organisation Working For The Wellbeing Of All Communities

Summary OfStrategic Plan

2012 - 2017

Developing a dynamic Sikh faith-inspired civic agenda

Looking upwards from the Nishkam Centre Gym,aiming for the stars and the moon whilst being humble

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It is my great pleasure to introduce the Nishkam Civic Association’s Strategic Plan 2012-2017.

The Nishkam Civic Association (NCA) is a relatively new and unique organisation charged with the task of developing a dynamic Sikh faith-inspired civic agenda. It is one of the key Centres for Excellence founded by Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, a Sikh faith-based organisation dedicated to nishkam sewa (active, selfless volunteering) to serve the common good. It joins the spiritual centre (the Gurudwara), the economic cooperative -MSS (Marg Sat Santokh, meaning ‘path of truth and contentment’), the Nishkam Education Trust, care for the elderly and engagement with children and young people.

In recent times, the Government is progressively recognising the importance that religious faith plays in the empowerment, regeneration and development of our communities. Faith groups are now required to play an integral part in the Government’s Big Society agenda for promoting community and economic wellbeing, social justice and community cohesion.

NCA’s new £7m centre, the Nishkam Centre, was built with more than £1.5m worth of nishkam sewa and it is this - the selfless service of active volunteers (nishkam sewadars) - that is the lifeblood of the work that is emerging here. It is their tireless effort and devotion, undertaken with passion, alliegiance and committment, that helps us to move mountains and plough new furrows.

Birmingham has a rich legacy of religious faith. By 1838 it was already home to members of many nonconformist sects. The Society of Friends(Quakers) built their first Meeting House in 1663, the Baptists were established by 1737, the Congregationalists by 1747, and the first

Methodist chapel was built in 1782. The Jewish community also became established here by 1730 and the first permanent Roman Catholic church was built here in 1786. In the 1860s Birmingham gave birth to a dynamic Civic Gospel. Today we are witnessing a new civic spirit taking shape at the grass roots calling for renewed civic responsibility and action from our leaders and institutions. Spirituality and secularity are two sides of the same coin; faith in action, and for NCA, an opportunity to integrate core Sikh values into civic action.

The Nishkam Centre will be at the forefront of advancing community and economic wellbeing, promoting interfaith and intra-faith dialogue and championing social justice and inclusion.

This plan aims to outline the strategies that the Nishkam Centre will employ to deliver its mission, vision and approach to becoming one of the UK’s leading role models of a community organisation that is fully aligned with, and able to innovatively contribute to, the Big Society agenda.

Taking inspiration from Sikh heritage, as we recall the Vaisakhi of 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa, and his ascension in 1708 when he elevated the Guru Granth Sahib to the status of the Timeless Guru, we are reminded of our historic mission to promote sarbat da bhalla, creating a better world for all.

Bhai Sahib, Bhai Mohinder SinghChairman of Niskham Civic Association & Chairman and Spiritual Successor of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha

Introduction

Introduction 3A message from our Chairman

Our Mission, Our Vision, Our Values, Our Approach 4

Strategic Objectives 6Core themes

Personal Development 8StrategyCentre for Learning and Development Centre for Wellbeing

Community Development 10StrategyCentre for Social InnovationCentre for Arts, Culture and Heritage

Sustainable Development 12StrategyCentre for Intra- and Interfaith Development Centre for Sustainable Development

Delivery Processes and Strategies 14

The Nishkam Centre Strategic Plan 2012 - 2017

www.ncauk.org

The NCA logo reflects the core, all-embracing principles of the Sikh dharam or faith: The red circle represents kirat kamai - earning an honest living whilst remembering our Creator. This inspires a vibrant work ethic, self-reliance, accountability, responsibility, passion and perseverance, bringing to life the concept of ‘work is worship’. The saffron and blue circle represents wand shakna - the practice of sharing, the power of giving and the value of interdependence. Sikhs everywhere are encouraged to donate at least one tenth of their earnings as well as share time, knowledge and resources to contribute to the world around them. The red, white and blue circle represents nishkam sewa- selfless service, without motive for personal gain. It comes in many forms, from ‘hands on’ volunteering through manual labour to offering professional skills. This helps build a loving and dynamic community life and assist others to become more active members of society. The inner star represents jyot – the spark of the divine, latent inside us. This brightens to become a beacon through the application of these principles, intertwined with cultivating a focus on naam, the sacredness which underpins our existence, through the practice of simran, prayer and contemplation.

Our ValuesOur values are the five “I’s” that guide the development of the Centre and the services we offer:

1. Inspiration through spirituality.

2. Integrity.

3. Innovative approaches to social change.

4. Intercultural, interfaith and intra-faith dialogue, understanding and cooperation.

5. Interdependency and acceptance of all inlocal and global contexts.

Our ApproachWe shall do so by drawing on universalvalues from our rich heritage, incorporating active learning, selfless volunteering, partnership working, culturalsensitivity, striving for originality andinnovation, based on a principle of working from whole to part, ever conscious of the impact of our thinking, attitudes and actions on the ‘bigger picture’ of the life and environment we share with others.

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Our MissionThe Nishkam Centre is a Sikh faith-led organisation working for the benefit of all communities. Our mission is to enrich mundane life through the practice and promotion of the Sikh values of earning an honest living (kirat), sharing (wand shakna) and active volunteering (nishkam sewa) that are embedded in our spiritual and Dharmic heritage. By applying values such as compassionand benevolence, accountability andtransparency, selflessness, contentmentand humility in all our work, we aspireto develop and empower individuals withpositive dispositions, knowledge and skills so that they help themselves and others in building strong families and sustainable communities.

Our VisionBy 2017, to be well-known regionally, nationally and internationally as an exemplar Sikh faith-led institution, sustained by the selfless service of the community. This becomes a powerful force for vocational learning, enterprise, civic engagement, art, culture, heritage and wellbeing.

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StrategicObjectivesfor 2017To achieve our vision for 2017, we have de veloped strategic objectives for the next five years around the three core themes that are identified in our mission statement:

By delivering these objectives, we aspire to become a leading community anchor organisation, a beacon (jyot) to all communities, working for the wellbeing of everyone (sarbat da bhalla) through:

1. Personal Development

2. Community Development

3. Sustainable Development

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Achieving our objectivesWe will connect with mainstream strategies and initiatives designed to raise aspirations and to maximise individual potential and develop a programme of focused activities through our Centre for Learning & Development and Centre for Wellbeing.

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A Learn Direct programme within the Learning & Development Centre The carsdiovascular gym within the wellbeing centre, joined by studios and clinics for holistic wellbeing.

The Centres for Learning & Development will:• Deliverstructuredprogrammesoflearningand

development opportunities in partnership with Higher, Further and Continuing learning & development institutions to support personal, career and entrepreneurial development.

• Designanddeliveraprogrammeoflifelonglearning opportunities to improve individual quality of life (e.g., arts, culture and heritage with the support of external partners and agencies).

• Developpersonalandprofessional development programmes designed around coaching and mentoring to build self confidence and esteem to secure employment or access to further education.

• Developanddeliverprogrammesoflearningandactivity for children and young people aligned with local and national Government policies.

• Designanddeliverprogrammesforenterprisedevelopment and community leadership.

• HighlightSikhneedsandissuesbyworkinginpartnership with key bodies.

The Centre forWellbeing will: • Deliverarangeofholisticlivingactivitiesto

improve the health and wellbeing of local people and service users.

• Workwithrelevantpartnerstodevelopanddeliver services to address social issues defined as ‘difficult and wicked’, for example, alcohol and drugs harm reduction work or domestic violence.

Personal DevelopmentOur definition of personal development is: the developmentof the whole human person - spirit, body and mind - as a lifelong learner through wide-ranging educational programmes and opportunities, enabling individuals to become reflective, self-aware, empowered and responsible so as to contribute to the building of strong, stable families and healthy, co-existing, peaceful communities.

Strategic ObjectiveTo enable individuals to realise their full potential; to inspire and uplift •community and society; and to enable people to excel in order to lead productive, happy and healthy lives.

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‘Nishkam Community Walk’ - a wellbeing project organised by Nishkam Centre, attended by world-renowned Sikh marathon runner, Fauja Singh (wearing blue Dastar)

The Nishkam Centre Strategic Plan 2012 - 2017

www.ncauk.org

The Centres for Social Innovation will:

Work with civic, public and local governance •agencies to develop new ways for increasing community awareness, engagement and participation in local democratic structures and processes.Participate in local community and sustainable •development activities, and be actively involved in change partnerships. Implement Faith in Action (• Sarbat Da Bhalla) projects to improve interaction, dialogue and cohesion in Handsworth and in the City. Highlight Sikh needs and issues by working in •partnership with key bodies.

The Centres forArts, Culture & Heritage will:

Secure funding for Arts, Culture & Heritage •to raise community aspirations and build bridges across communities.Become a beacon for Interfaith, Faith, •Intercultural and Global inter-connectivity.

Achieving our objectivesWe will connect with mainstream strategies and initiatives designed to improve community and economic wellbeing and establish a rolling programme of local activities through our Centre for Social Innovation and Centre for Arts, Culture & Heritage.

Participation in local community development activities Gospel singers perform in the Nishkam Centre

Community DevelopmentOur definition of community development is the promotion of social justice, personal and collective accountability and empowerment of individuals so that they proactively help themselves and others to build strong families and sustainable communities.

Strategic ObjectiveTo increase community & economic wellbeing in the city.•To enable local people and communities in the city to become •actively involved and engaged in civic affairs.

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‘Labour of Love, Sri Harimandir Sahib, the Golden Temple’ - one of the many exhibitions showcased within the Centre for Arts, Culture & Heritage

The Nishkam Centre Strategic Plan 2012 - 2017

www.ncauk.org

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The Centres for Intra- and Interfaith Development will:

Increase local awareness, action and impact by •connecting with the big issues in sustainable devel opment (e.g. Globalisation for the Common Good, Millennium Development Goals, Jubilee Debt Campaign, Climate change, Corporate Social Responsibility, etc.)Champion the contribution and expansion •of nishkam sewa (selfless service or active volunteering) in sustainable development.Proactively create opportunities for intrafaith •and interfaith initiatives working for the common good.Provide opportunities for engagement, •dialogue, debating and conferencing.

The Centres forSustainable Development will:

Advocate for further investment in the •sustainable development of our immediate neighbourhoods and create a cleaner, greener, safer environment.Capacity build the capability and competencies •of local Third Sector Organisations so that they can survive and thrive in the ‘more for less’ economy of public services.Support organisations operating within the •Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) umbrella and campus to maximise fundraising, governance, leadership, strategic management and marketing.

Achieving our objectivesWe will connect with global, national, regional and local strategies and initiatives designed to increase sustainability and social responsibility, and establish a rolling programme of local activities through our Centre for Intra- & Interfaith Development and Centre for Sustanable Development.

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At the 2000 United Nations Millennium Summit, world leaders committed themselves to a set of eight time-bound targets that, when achieved, could end extreme poverty worldwide by 2015

Participation in interfaith dialogue

Sustainable DevelopmentAs humans, we are interdependent beings within a vast and complex shared environment. Nature encompasses diversity: matter, vegetation, animals and humans are all interdependently connected in ways that inspire awe and a sense of the sacred. In today’s shrinking world, global events have an impact locally, whether it is climate change, economic crisis, povaerty, social exclusion or a raft of other pressing issues and challenges. To survive and flourish, we must develop a new consciousness, one which respects diversity and the environment, rediscovers the power of shared human values, and empowers individuals to work together for the common good.

Strategic ObjectiveTo create a better place to live and work, and proactively secure the survival •and future of our community and our society.

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A ‘Religions for Peace - European Women of Faith Network’ meeting being held in the seminar rooms of the Nishkam Centre

The Nishkam Centre Strategic Plan 2012 - 2017

www.ncauk.org

Delivery Processes and Strategies We will:

Continually review the •management of NCA and identify and secure resources for the development of the Centres for Excellence.

Develop implementation strategies •and action plans for each of the Centres for Excellence.

Develop partnership with local •communities, community organisations, public / private sector agencies and academic institutions like Universities

Continue to capacity build the •NCA organisation to further improve governance, management, staffing and volunteer base.

This document sets out our mission, vision, ambition and strategic objectives. It will be complemented by a robust business planning process which integrates services and resource planning with clear milestones and indicators of success.

In order to ensure that our ambitions can be realised we will be reviewing and developing operational plans and our strategies for the six key centres that will build the Nishkam Centre’s core activity. We will also review and further strengthen the Centre’s support functions such as finance, human resources, marketing and communications, equality and diversity, learning and teaching, quality control, information and communications technology, library and learning resources, partnerships governance and environmental sustainability.

Our strategies will be reviewed annually and developed regularly to ensure that they continue to innovate to meet emerging community and individual needs. Alongside the review of strategies we will be reviewing our business processes to ensure that they remain efficient, professional, fit for purpose and deliver return on social and monetary investment.

Registered C

harity No. 1100307

Nishkam Civic Association6 S o h o R o a d , H a n d s w o r t h , B i r m i n g h a m , B 2 1 9 B H

T: +44 (0)121 515 4229E: info@ncauk.org W: www.ncauk.org