Democratic Working of a social enterprise
Social enterprises may be wonderful things bringing new and progressive benefits to workers and clients alike, but they are difficult things to govern and sometimes almost impossible to manage effectively.
This is an accredited two day course that examines with some sympathy the difficulties of managing and governing a business that is also democratic, governed by social objectives, driven by values ,willingly accountable to a wide rage of stakeholders and open to the buffeting of local and community politics.
Benefits of attending
Students will be introduced to the issues around good governance of a social enterprise. Requirements that cannot be met by the tradition structures of voluntary organisations and charities or the private sector. They will look at the various conflicts inherent in managing a social enterprise and the characteristics of a successful social enterprise manager.
Added to that the workshop also examines the issues raised through the employment of volunteers, how recruitment and training policies are affected by the desire to empower individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and understanding and coping with the periods of confusion that will inevitably come with the growth of the enterprise.
Social Enterprise Plan
New ways of working and thinking require new formats. For those either setting up a social enterprise or changing an established organisation this course is the fourth part of 5 modules that enable students to put together a social enterprise plan that will cover all aspects of establishing a sustainable enterprise.
Course duration and style
This is a two day workshop. The course is a mixture of theoretical input and participative working. Participants will be introduced to the actual practices recommended for democratic working and you will be introduced to OPERA and other techniques used by social enterprises to manage and govern their businesses.
Target User
Those either already involved in social enterprise or looking to become involved as:
Managers or Governors of a social enterprise
Managers or Governors of a voluntary sector organisation
Social Entrepreneurs Social Enterprise Advisors
Those funding or supporting social enterprise
Those managing or governing organisations governed by social objectives
Course specifics
Recognising the different stakeholder and their impact on the governance of the social enterprise
Contextualising the social enterprise within its local community and its political environment
Dealing with issues of empowerment of employees and volunteers
The skills required to create an efficient decision making board or governing body
Drawing the line between governance and management
Managerial decision making, conflicts that are specific to social enterprise
How to recruit and support the manager or management team
Dealing with growth and change and its effect on governance and management
Accreditation
The course is accredited through the Univeristy of Hull. Successful completion of the course and a written submission being part of the participants social enterprise plan will gain the students 10 credits at level 4 of a foundation degree.
