Good practice example: a Latvian experience

(Case study provided by Positive Mind)

This case study illustrates how the pilot action was implemented in a small social economy organisation – The Latvian Red Cross Tukums Region Committe. The organisation employs 5 employees and involves 26 volunteers in areas of social assistance, public catering, first aid training, healths and social programmes for different inhabitants groups.

Involvement in the pilot testing

The organisation was involved in the implementation of the TSESME project since beginning, participating in initial survey for identifying organisational training needs of small and micro organisations in social economy.

The manager of the organisation was the person who filled organisational and individual profile questionnaires. During pre-testing phase she mentioned some technical disturbances like disability to save files. Despite of large amount of information she recognized it as useful tool which contains a lot of interesting and specific information for small social organisations. She announced its much more easear to navigate tool if somebody gives consultation or if there is accessible clear guidelines.

• need to asses staff members skills on regular bases;
• lack of quality management and control;
• further strategic plan for employees trainings;
• salary and other benefits influence to employees motivation and abilities;
• ICT knowledge and access;
• Employees’ responsibility and initiatives.

• knowledge in using of working materials (e.g. diagrams, technical instructions);
• assesment of requirements;
• to adapt new methods and technology;
• ICT skills – hardware and software;
• Foreigner languages;
• Conflicts and problems resolution.

Training Seminar

Based on the results of the individual profiling and initial survey results trainer provided training for managers and members of small social organisations which participated in TSESME project during survey phase. Red Cross Tukums Region Committee was one of them.

• Aims of organisation
• Analysis of needs
• Planning of development of organisation
• Problem solving and decision making
• Target group and stakeholders involvement
• Communication
• Personal management

Progress of the training

The Training was built in two sections. First day was theoretical and practical (groupwork) about organisation development, strategy planning, setting up aims and targets, organization SWOT analyses, organisation work development. There were work in group. Participants in three groups developed organisations regards theoretical materials and went through all processes which define successful organisation management. In second day all participants visited a sustainable organisation – “Livelust” which is good practice example how organisation can create long term strategy, work regards aims and receive financial support for it.

In the end of the training course participants developed useful tool – organisational and project management controlling matrices (template).

During the training course participants strengthened current knowledge and received additional knowledge about sustainable organisation working principles. Received feedback was really positive. After the training all participants received positive motivation to do changes and improve work in own organisations. All of them mentioned they would like to participate in other related training courses.

Feedback

Trainees recognized toolkit as useful for their daily work. Most of organisations have volunteers and they supposed they can valuate not only staff members training needs but also volunteers. They discussed about motivation of staff members and volunteers. Trainer has used materials from toolkit as well and most of participants found them really useful and plan to use them in their daily work, but they mentioned it is more easer if somebody assists especially for those who are not so aware with ICT.

Conclusion

The organisations which are long-term thinking and understand the importance of strategic planning have found toolkit as useful and probably will use it and will suggest it for others. The manager of organisation found toolkit as a tool for evaluation of organisation staff training needs and many support materials for daily works with staff. She will suggest TSESME toolkit also to local and foreign partners as a great tool which helps for organisations’ management.