The role of a Community Development Manager

The role of a Community Development Manager:

The role of a Community Development Manager According to Andy Hirst - New Life Church 2011

Slide 2:

What is a Community Development Manager (CDM)? A CDM will seek funding for existing ministries A CDM will seek funding for new initiatives A CDM is responsible for Research and Development A CDM is responsible for Community Awareness

Slide 3:

A CDM is not......................

Slide 4:

A Community Development Manager in more detail Funding of existing Ministries and Projects The task is to seek ways to secure funding for existing church ministries and projects without compromising the effective Christian expression of those ministries. Once a funding source has been identified the CDM handles the fundraising process from start to finish, liaising with senior staff and other agencies Examples of compromise are areas where the funding provider has conditions built into the application process that are not acceptable to the ministry or project.

Slide 5:

Examples of compromise in a funding application or when agreeing a source of funding We would perhaps not agree to a hardcore thrash metal band playing music at the Tots summer party We would not agree to any ‘branded’ trading agreement, for example “Our Youth Pastor eats ‘Kwik-n-tasty 'Pot Noodles” We would not enter into any ‘exclusive’ agreement, for example “Our church gets all its energy supplies form ‘Watts-are-us’ We would not put our staff and volunteers in a difficult p osition just to secure funding, for example we would not ask o ur homeless hostel manager to wear a tutu on Fridays! And of course we would not accept funding from an organisation t hat carries out hedonistic activities, promotes smoking as a way of life and exports arms.........

Slide 7:

Funding for new initiatives This follows the same principle as existing ministries but the new ministries o r projects will form part of the larger development process. This ensures that the CDM only seeks funding for initiatives that maintain the direction and focus of the church. It also ensures that the CDM is not attracted to large pots of money for projects that the Church is not able or prepared to undertake. This is not to say that the CDM should discount all unrelated funds, a simple executive summary of the potential fund for the board, for approval, is a great way of quickly sense checking a source of funding

Slide 8:

Research and Development It is important to point out that the CDM is not an ideas factory yet is the means by which ideas sanctioned by the Senior management can be tested by intelligent and optimal research. This follows a Set procedure; After carrying out the research the CDM produces a proposal containing clear summaries of the findings along with a recommendation t o continue to the development stage or stop the project The CDM then progresses any sanctioned proposals and develops them into Executive and Business plans within the timescales required to achieve a successful launch or tender The CDM is then responsible for handling the administration of the project until a stage where a project manager is appointed........

Slide 9:

Community Awareness “Shrinking violets need not apply!” The CDM needs to be aware of the local political environment, council proposals, social trends and opportunities for Church development. In short the CDM needs to be on a number of committees in the local area, in businesses, and in local government so that information can be gathered, clues picked up on, alliances made, pick up any potential w arnings and to simply get under peoples skin. The types of ‘committees’ that might be joined are; Boards Steering groups Discussion forums Friends of... A CDM may well need to attend Government meetings in London or shop openings in Scunthorpe.....all in a continuous effort to keep in the loop

Slide 11:

What does a CDM need to know? The CDM needs to be able to; S ubscribe to the partnership requirements of the Church – Lets face it, if you don’t sign up fully to your church you might as well be working blindfolded D emonstrate experience in dealing with clients in a professional manner.....in fact everyone you come into contact with Demonstrate experience in successful project management D emonstrate experience in systems and procedure management D emonstrate a willingness for personal advancement H andle changes in dynamics of church and business relationships H andle the need for appropriate confidentiality – There is no room for canteen gossip in a church!

Slide 12:

What else should a CDM be able to do? In the ideal world we all live in the CDM should ‘ideally’ be able to; Demonstrate a sense of humour W ork for days on end, all alone – who else loves paperwork as much as a CDM? Smile even when reading a funding rejection letter Persuade people to give you things that they do not want to part with B e pedantic about the smallest little thing just to be able achieve excellence at all times Be able to multi-task without looking flustered Be mindful that God’s plan is not controllable by a robust business plan

Slide 14:

Last but by no means least... Whilst the CDM is very busy creating business plans, attending meetings, applying for funding, writing policy and procedure documents and ‘ blagging ’ anything that is going free it is important to remember a few things; The CDM works for a church which is first and foremost a place of worship. The process of ‘busyness’ is carried out as an overflow of the church and not the other way round. The CDM should take great delight in informing various business meetings t hat he/she represents the church When asked what we do, instead of always answering Community Development Manager we should answer “Show the love of Jesus”

Slide 15:

What next? New Life’s subsidiary company ‘Brighter Ideas Group’ is more than happy to help in many areas of Community Development and Funding applications. You can talk to us about a number of services that will help you be sustainable, be able to develop badly needed community projects and to be able to get involved i n your local community. We can give you help in developing such things as; Business plans Project reports Risk Assessments Swot and Pestle analysis Health and Safety policies HR procedures Economic analysis Funding applications Contract Tenders And much more.................................