New charity effectiveness podcasts

Mark — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:05:30 +0000

“Voluntary sector”, “charity”, “civil society”, “social action”, “social enterprise”. How should we best describe the third sector? This is the subject of the first of a series of podcasts about the challenges facing not-for-profit organisations, that we have produced for societyguardian and Know How Non Profit. Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, favours “civil society” – “individual citizens coming together for the public good”; Dame Mary Marsh, former head of the NSPCC and now director of the Clore Social Leadership Programme, prefers “social action”; Paul Palmer, associate dean at the Cass Business School‘s centre for charity effectiveness says “charity” is the most recognisable term, which is the reason why Nirjay Mahindru, chief executive of Guardian charity award-winner, InterAct Reading Service, uses it.

According to a marketing expert: “Branding the sector is one of the toughest challenges I’ve been asked to deliver.” The key is to define the sector’s DNA. While Volvo equals safety and Heineken is synonymous with refreshment, what does the sector stand for, he asks? We’re still taking your suggestions – please email your ideas to: charityeffectiveness@guardian.co.uk, or tweet your ideas making sure to use the hashtag #cepod.

We’re also keen to incorporate as many listeners’ ideas for future topics for the podcast, so please do get in touch!

This first podcast was presented by David Brindle, the Guardian’s Public Services Editor. It was his first time in the chair, and first time behind the microphone and we think he did a fantastic job. The next podcast will be available at the beginning of April – you can listen by following the link below:

sounddelivery » #cepod

New charity effectiveness podcasts