I am updating this blog just after the Chancellor has delivered his budget speech. This theme gives me with an opportunity to explain how an organisation run without sponsorship or grant support manages to get by.
A key part of this strategy rests with our workforce since we are entirely run by volunteers. Everything we do is slotted in around other responsibilities such as employment, supporting our own families and looking after a home. Many of our members have other commitments in the community and their places of worship so Reading Interfaith Group is often a balancing act of priorities. A considerable amount of debate takes place through e mail to involve members on a regular basis whilst limiting the number of committee meetings we have to attend.
Although at one time Reading Interfaith Group held meetings in each others homes, this arrangement becomes impossible if you are holding a public event. The cost of hiring venues can be a considerable drain on resources. In this we are extremely fortunate because faith groups usually provide us with a welcome and free accommodation. At the end of each year when reviewing the accounts we try to make a donation towards their cost although for some faith communities such as the Society of Friends this can only be a gesture of appreciation.
Nearly everything we do relies upon partnership. Reading Interfaith Group is extremely fortunate because organisations that approve of our aims are often prepared to support us. Faith Groups, community based organisations, and those with a particular interest in supporting a multicultural society are often very generous with their time on our behalf. Reading Faith Forum which is grant supported, is a valued friend and we always send a representative to their meetings. Reading Borough Council assists us in promoting the Friendship Walk, conveniently scheduled to fit in with its Heritage Weekend, whilst Reading Council for Racial Equality and Reading Voluntary Action often provide us with contacts. This strategy depends on networking so at meetings I can often be spotted telling people about what our group is trying to achieve for the town and then promptly asking for their assistance.
Reading Interfaith Group has gained some very good friends in the media who often help publicise our events. Although there are certain skills required to make an effective press release, we have a couple of writers on the committee who seem to enjoy this challenge. Whilst it is impossible to be newsworthy every time, and most unfair to take priority over other good causes and community activities, events such as the Friendship Walk simply would not have happened without this goodwill and support.
All of Reading Interfaith Group's funding comes from membership subscriptions and voluntary donations. Recently we produced 2000 copies of a leaflet advertising the Friendship Walk, the result of 40 membership subscriptions. When these were almost all distributed in the first week it generated a renewed urgency for funding. Consequently this week we have been putting together a newsletter hoping that this outlay and effort by several committee members will encourage more renewals and more members to join us.
We are extremely careful about our social calendar because although its really nice to attend conferences and network with other Interfaith Groups, these days out have to be funded somehow.
Achieving something for nothing has been a strategy over the past week through Facebook. This social networking site now has a Reading Interfaith Group whereby we can advertise events such as our Pilgrimage event and the Friendship Walk. What you gain for free however can have an adverse effect on stress levels. I will own up to checking up on a far more regular basis that is strictly necessary just in case I am going to be the only one undertaking the Friendship Walk on September 12th!
To conclude I should probably explain the reasons for our continued state of poverty. Reading Interfaith Group is very glad to have its independence and be accountable only to its membership. We do not need to change our focus to qualify for a grant application, get caught up by a responsibility to advertise some company, product or have some external body set our agenda. This independence may have been a factor in generating trust and the very large number of faith groups who are accessible to our group.
In considering the way in which Reading Interfaith Group operates, I am reminded of military strategy. Those generals who win battles are not necessarily the strongest, cleverest or best fighters, but those who have best access to an army. Over the past quarter of a century, in its campaign against prejudice and misinformation, Reading Interfaith Group has been extremely fortunate in having the support of a whole army of friends.
