Management Development Network: About MDN

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ABOUT THE
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

Independent Specialists
in Management, Governance and Organisational Development
with Voluntary Organisations

The Management Development Network was set up in 1991 to provide opportunities for established independent management trainers and consultants working with voluntary organisations to meet each other, discuss issues of common professional concern and develop stronger working links.

To fulfil its purposes MDN seeks to provide its members with regular opportunities for:

peer group support and information exchange;
debates on common issues and concerns;
raising problems of general professional interest;
learning about developments and changes affecting governance and management in voluntary organisations;
exploring similarities and differences in values and approaches to working with voluntary organisations and associated agencies.

Secondary purposes of MDN are:

to promote the role of independent management consultants and trainers within the voluntary sector;
to encourage reflection on the principles and practice of intervention in voluntary organisations;
to encourage approaches to voluntary sector governance and management rooted in empowerment of disadvantaged and oppressed people and groups;
to encourage approaches to consultancy and training which foster participation in organisational decision-making and control, and quality of service;
to promote the self-development of MDN members;
to encourage members to work jointly and cooperate with each other;
to help staff, volunteers, board members and users of voluntary organisations to understand the values, functions and approaches of MDN members;
to support the establishment and running of local and regional networks for management consultants and trainers and to liaise with them and with other relevant organisations.

MDN ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES

MDN organises seminars for its members with expert speakers, more active or participatory workshops, and occasional social events. Most of these events take place in London, and many are led by MDN members.

MDN members in Scotland meet separately, as MDN in Scotland, and organise a separate programme of events. These are open to MDN members from other parts of the UK, and are sometimes open to trainers or consultants based in Scotland who meet some but not all of the membership criteria and are therefore not eligible to become members.

Members outside London and Scotland are encouraged to organise events locally.

Regular emailings to members and an occasional paper newsletter contain details of MDN activities and other news of interest to members, including details of relevant publications and events. Relevant information from external bodies is circulated to members, and there is an email service to inform members of work opportunities that are notified to MDN.

Since 1993, MDN has published the MDN Directory of Voluntary Sector Management Consultants and Trainers. This well respected publication contains guidance on choosing and using freelance consultants and trainers, as well as details of all MDN members and indexes to help organisations locate the most appropriate members. Part of the directory is on this MDN website.

For seven years, from 1992 to 1998, MDN organised an advice shop at Charity Fair, where voluntary sector staff and governing body members could get advice on management problems and on using freelance consultants and trainers. In 2006, MDN in Scotland took part in The Gathering, organised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.

MDN cooperates with other organisations working in the sector. Where appropriate, it serves as a mechanism for discussions or negotiations with other bodies on behalf of its members, or to make submissions from members (for example, in relation to changes in Scottish charity law).

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

MDN is open to individuals based in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland who meet all the following criteria:

Independent: they are independent of the organisations to which they provide consultancy or training.
Self-employed: their work is done primarily on a freelance or self-employed basis. This also includes members of workers' co-operatives, partners in a partnership, and individuals who have set up their own limited company to carry out their business.
Specialising in and prioritising work with voluntary organisations: they work exclusively or primarily with voluntary organisations/NGOs (rather than public sector, small businesses etc).
Focus on organisational and management development: the focus of their work is on management, governance and organisational development issues such as governance, planning, quality, evaluation, roles, organisational structures, working relationships, organisational cultures, or systems and procedures for managing people, work, money or information. Specialisms such as fundraising, marketing and public relations are less likely to be appropriate.
Established: they have met all the above criteria for two years or more.

If you meet these criteria and are interested in joining, see How to join MDN.

CONTACTING MDN MEMBERS

For more about training and consultancy for voluntary organisations see Choosing and briefing a management consultant or trainer, the directory of MDN members, the regional index, the index of management specialisms, and the index of sector specialisms. You can also find out about books on voluntary sector governance and management by MDN members.

For further information contact:
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT NETWORK
39 Gabriel House
10 Odessa Street
London SE16 7HQ

tel 020-7232 0726
fax 020-7237 8117
To email click

ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

MDN ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

CONTACTING MDN MEMBERS

ABOUT THE
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT NETWORK