Volume 1, issue 1
October 2008
Welcome to e-Compact news, the monthly email bulletin for the Compact. Inside this issue
Compact Awards Finalists, Compact Debate Update and Conference, Review of the BME Code, New Look for Compact Website, Compact Week, Independence Study Findings and Compact Voice Administrator Vacancy |
Finalists announced
|  The shortlist of finalists for the Compact Awards 2008 has now been announced. These annual awards demonstrate the Compact in action and recognise and celebrate excellent partnership working. The final results will be announced at an awards luncheon on Wednesday 5 November 2008 during Compact Week.
For details of the finalists, please go to
http://www.thecompact.org.uk/information/102204/2008finalists/
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Opinions fly at recent conference
|  Read more about the recent Compact Debate event at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Tuesday 9 September 2008. Over 150 representatives from across government and the voluntary and community sector attended and speakers included Phil Hope MP, Minister for the Third Sector, Simon Blake, Chair of Compact Voice, Sir Bert Massie CBE, Commissioner for the Compact, and Sir Jeremy Beecham, Vice Chair of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Full coverage including pictures and speeches can be found at:
www.thecompact.org.uk/compactdebate
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Legal analysis of BME Code opens up debate |  Wider consultation on how equalities and race relations are woven into future Compact documentation is now underway, with the results of an extensive legal analysis of the Compact’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Code and related legislation to be published early next week by the Commission for the Compact.
A series of regional workshops to discuss the findings will take place in November 2008. The seminars are free of charge and will take place in Leicester (7 November 2008), Bristol (12 November 2008), Manchester (24 November 2008), London (28 November 2008).
To sign up for the workshops or for news on the legal analysis, please visit:
www.thecompact.org.uk/bmereview
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New look for Compact website |  The Compact website now has a brand new look and extra facilities including an interactive forum, an events section and improved accessibility. Subjects on the forum so far include the debate on the future of the Compact and the review of the Compact’s BME Code, accompanied by an online survey.
www.thecompact.org.uk
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Compact Week is on its way!
|  Compact Week 2008 takes place from 1 to 8 November 2008. During the week, the results of the Compact Awards are to be announced at an awards luncheon in London, and there will be an early evening reception at No 11 Downing Street to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Compact.
For more information about events and activities taking place around the country, or to download a useful guidance pack, please visit:
www.thecompact.org.uk/compactweek
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‘Challenges ahead’
|  The Compact has been successful in creating an environment which encourages and supports central government departments in their efforts to observe the independence of third sector organisations and their right to campaign, but there are still challenges ahead, according to the findings of a recent study published by the Commission for the Compact.
To download a copy of the report, which involved eight central government departments,
please click here
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Vacancy for Compact Voice administrator |  Compact Voice, the independent body which represents the voluntary and community sector on taking forward the Compact, is recruiting for a part-time Administrator. For more information and to download an application pack (closing date 15 October 2008), please visit:
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/about/vacancies/?id=10740
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The debate on the future of the Compact continues with Compact Voice recently launching a nationwide survey to explore the views of the sector. You can download a copy of their information pack, Framing the Debate, from the Compact Voice website at