Sustaining Your social Enterprise26th March 2013

Caroline McDonagh CEO

‘WIN is assisted by the Maureen O’Connell Fund of the Society of St Vincent de Paul’

The Need• The standardised unemployment rate in September 2011

was 14.4%• 448,00 people• Managers, professionals and technicians together account

for 14% of the jobless which accounts for approximately 65,000 people. These people are the future industrial influencers, SME owners, production managers, CEOs and will be active in the direction and growth of our economy and “we rely on the successes of [these] innovators, entrepreneurs, ambitious managers and employees for our economic success and prosperity”.

FAS Labour Market Commentary, Winter 2009/2010.

Forfas, Ireland’s Solid Enterprise Foundations and the Prioritisation of Actions for Growth and Jobs will ensure our

Recovery.

The Need• Until recently, excellent support through existing government

and support agencies BUT there has been a lack of support, training and services for the changing profile of [the] unemployed people (or the ‘unexpected unemployed’ or ‘new unemployed’) in Ireland

• WIN has successfully filled this gap• WIN recognises that if these skills are lost to Ireland, they

could be gone forever• WIN is the necessary vehicle to ensure that these skills are

retained and enhanced and used to drive and grow our economy

Cedefop, Ireland: a VET response to rising unemployment.

A Social Enterprise?

“businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.”

Social Enterprise. Trading for People and Planet.

A Social Enterprise?

In other words:

•Making a positive difference in the lives of individuals, your community and possibly wider communities

•Creating ‘social value’.

WIN seeks to assist individuals through:

• Participation in the formalised group structure• Training (1 on 1 and group training)• Skills enhancement• Breaking the cycle of social isolation• Personal development• Increasing self-esteem and confidence• Building long-term, sustainable relationships through

the group• Giving hope for a better future• Mentoring

The ethos is that through communication, training,

mentoring and networking, we will help and encourage our

participants to create employment and business opportunities for

themselves and others.

How WIN is Different:• WIN is ongoing and consistent – always there• WIN is a volunteer focused and a lean organisation

working with minimum resources and bureaucracy with strong commitment to value and committed to addressing previously unmet needs.

• WIN is young; dynamic; innovative and responsive to needs. It is not carrying any preconceived ideas on how people can be helped and is highly flexible in changing process to become more effective.

• WIN engages with and works closely with people needing help and therefore is in touch with their needs and very much client focused.

How WIN is Different:• WIN provides development and confidence building

opportunities primarily by member participation• WIN has a strong belief in networking and will work with

other groups where this is to the advantage of its members /clients

• WIN is committed to using most up to date technology and processes and also to providing support outside the normal working week

• WIN brings its unique qualities to the party and is not in competition with other groups but addresses current unmet needs

Sustaining Your Social Enterprise

• Legal structure of your organisation• Incorporated organisation• Limited company• Not for profit• Charitable Status

Sustaining Your Social Enterprise

• Your Stakeholders• Board Members/Board of

Trustees• Operational [Management]

Team• Governance

Sustaining Your Social Enterprise

• Your Stakeholders• Employees• Volunteers• Government• Funders• Suppliers

Sustaining Your Social Enterprise

• Your Stakeholders• Networks – using your

ecosystem.• Building credibility

Sustaining Your Social Enterprise

• Your Stakeholders

Your clients

Sustaining Your Social Enterprise

• Funding Vs Income• Grants (government/other)• Philanthropy• Competitions – e.g. Social

Entrepreneurs• Local funding schemes• Can you charge for your

service or product?

Sustaining Your Social Enterprise

• Practically Speaking…• Your business address/location?• Your brand - what and how you

say it• Your audience• Collaboration• Consistency• Bartering

Sustaining Your Social Enterprise

• Practically Speaking…• Accounting• HR Policies and Procedures• Employees Vs Volunteers• Legal requirements• Developing a long term strategy Vs

operational issues

Thank You!

Questions?

Email:caroline@westofirelandnetworking.com

Tel: 091 895019