[ Question time: Val Austin ] Another goal for moving forward and helping us grow
is assisting our branch network. We have nearly 50 volunteers out there in 13 branches around the country, and they do an absolutely marvellous job with the events that they organise – all on a voluntary basis. Some of them have been volunteering for years, and we want to help them develop those fundraising events and provide them with the assistance they need, again to keep that branch network vibrant. We’re looking also to extend the branch network. We used to have a branch in Manchester – that dissolved a couple of years ago, and we want to reenergise that. We also need more volunteers. People who are working in the industry are helpful because they can influence colleagues to attend events and support the EEIBA.
ECA Today: It must be very rewarding knowing that your work actually makes a difference to people’s lives. Is there a particular beneficiary case that has really stood out for you? Val Austin: There’s quite a few actually, but there is one recently that has really touched me, as I had a similar experience. We helped a couple with a baby girl in intensive care after she had been undergoing emergency surgery. We took away the hassle of having to worry about expenses and accommodation, so that the couple could stay nearby. The father works at an electrical distributor and his organisation put him in touch with us. We put somebody through a fast-track process recently where he applied for a job and the company required a particular qualification, so we sorted him out with the course and the books and therefore helped him get his certificate – he then got the job! That took only a month. It’s about improving the quality of life and changing the dependency factor.
ECA Today: What is the EEIBA’s relationship with the ECA? Val Austin: It’s a very strong one that goes back a long time. The ECA is fantastic at raising funds for the EEIBA at its regional events. Just recently the ECA Maidstone and East Kent branch and the Cardiff and Newport branch raised some much appreciated funds at their regional dinner and dance events. With all this wonderful support, we are doing a lot of reciprocal activity on the communication front, including website links – we tweet a fair amount about the activities of the ECA, and we are in a constant dialogue with its marketing team so we can share information and work together. I think it is also very good that it often also supports a community charity that is local to the region it is in. It’s not all about the EEIBA having the whole slice of the cake. It doesn’t work like that. We need to share. It’s why discussions about what people are doing and why they are doing it is so important.
ECA Today: The annual EEIBA powerBall has become a must-attend event in the industry’s social calendar. Tell us about 2012’s fundraising activities. Val Austin: It’s on 9 November 2012, and we will be revealing titbits as we go along. We are in consultations
March 2012 ECA Today 39
at the moment regarding the entertainment and we haven’t made any final choices yet. Also coming up is the National Golf Championship at
Woburn Golf Club, which raised a huge amount of money and was very well attended last year. That’s taking place on 28 June. We are hoping for the same kind of support and sponsorship this year. A key part of fundraising events is the opportunity
for sponsors and attendees to have a discussion about business. It’s an informal environment to build relationships that can become lasting business partnerships. We are really proud of the fact that, as a charity, we actually help these organisations. There is a multiple purpose to all these events, in that there is a social responsibility theme of raising funds and helping those in need, but also there are both social and business opportunities to be had.
ECA Today: How can individuals and companies get involved with the EEIBA to help make a difference? Val Austin: There are many very different levels of involvement. Organisations can help by allowing the EEIBA to raise awareness within their organisation through internal websites and communication bulletins. Another way to help to engage employees is with our lottery scheme. Some of our industry associations may also be able to offer services – training, advice, reduced fees for those in need – that can be handled via the EEIBA.
The ECA is fantastic at raising funds for the EEIBA at its regional events
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