CO3 has announced that its Leadership Conference, focused on leading voluntary and community organizations in difficult times, which takes place on 4th & 5th February 2010 at the City Hotel Derry, will play host to a number of renowned international speakers from the USA and Canada as well as a many leading figures from Northern Ireland. The two day conference is packed with informative and inspirational speakers, workshops and a Gala Dinner that will provide key networking as well as the opportunity for Northern Ireland’s third sector to consider future trends and developments. 

An exciting new addition to the conference is the introduction of the Voyager Awards, which will recognize the exceptional dedication, professionalism and talent amongst sector leaders.  The Voyager Awards will be presented at the Glittering Gala Dinner.  Commenting on the important role the conference plays within the third sector, Majella McCloskey, Director, CO3 said:

 “The CO3 conference will provide important contributions on key strategic issues that charity leaders are considering right now.  Senior political figures will engage with conference participants on their view of the sector, with world class speakers helping members to consider their role as leaders in the community and voluntary sector.This year our event is more special than ever with our attending speakers including Oona Chatterjee, Co Executive Director of Make the Road New York and Leadership expert, Pat Thompson from Toronto as well as the new dimension that the Voyager Awards will bring. The awards are a welcome addition to this year’s conference and they will demonstrate the great leadership that we have in this sector as well as highlighting the significant contribution the sector makes to the economy and society in Northern Ireland”.

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THE LEADERSHIP VOYAGE CONFERENCE 4 & 5 February 2010 

CO3 is proud to announce, as part of its 25th Anniversary celebration, the launch of an important and inspiring conference:

The Leadership Voyage

- Charting the Course for Third Sector Leaders in Challenging Times

- Incorporating The Voyage Awards for Third Sector Leadership.

Confirmed speakers include

•  Oona Chatterjee, Co Executive Director, Make The Road New York
• Sandy Houston, President, The Metcalf Foundation 
• Patricia Thompson, Metcalfe Fellow, Toronto, Canada
• Jenny Irvine, Chief Executive, ARC Healthy Living Centre
• Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive, NICVA

Venue: Derry City Hotel, LondonDerry

To find out more about the conference or to book online visit www.conference.co3.bz 

For Sponsorship and Exhibition Opportunities contact Tracey McCreanor 0289024356 email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bursary places still available!.

STATEMENT FROM CO3 – CHIEF OFFICERS THIRD SECTOR

Monday 1 June 2009 

CO3 – the organisation for the leaders of Northern Ireland charities has today welcomed the launch of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and congratulated the six Charity Commissioners on their appointment.   However, its Director has also called for the new Commission to enable and value the work of charities in Northern Ireland and not add additional layers of bureaucracy and cost to already overstretched voluntary sector organisations.

CO3’s Director Majella McCloskey said, “We look forward to the development of clearer standards and greater transparency for charities, which should come about as a result of the new Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.  The establishment of the Commission will allow not-for-profit organisations to demonstrate their legitimacy and effectiveness. However, CO3 wants to ensure that with the launch of the body, Goverment and the third sector can work together to maximise the positive aspects of the Commission’s work, while minimising any additional bureaucracy or expenditure.  CO3 hopes that lessons learned by the Charity Commissions for England and Wales and more recently OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) will be taken onboard by the Northern Ireland Charity." Commission in a bid to reduce any negative impact.  

Third Sector Leaders Welcome New Health Bodies

CO3, the membership body for charity chief executives, has today welcomed the launch of new health and social care bodies which they say will deliver a stronger role for the voluntary and community sector in health and social care.  Three new health organisations launched today, the Health and Social Care Board, the Public Health Agency and Patient and Client Council have liaison arrangements with the third (voluntary) sector, as well as sector involvement in planning and governance.

Welcoming the arrangements, Majella McCloskey CO3 Director stated;

"The third sector plays a key role in health and social care and is often relied on by patients and services users for crucial support, services and information.  We are pleased that the new organisations launched today include formal acknowledgement of this role, and the sector looks forward to working with the new organisations in delivering for patients and service users". 

The new organisations also place a key emphasis on tackling inequalities in health, through the development of the Public Health Agency and local community planning with local authorities.  Ms McCloskey continued;

"In the context of a recession, these new organisations and partnership arrangements offer a positive framework which could make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable and excluded communities".