Last year 1 in 4 MPs didn't even bother going, rising to almost 1 in 3 Labour MPs  "More persuasive to lobby politicians face-to-face in Westminster or at constituency level" says nfpSynergy's Lincoln As the party conference season gets underway, only 13% of MPs and 9% of Peers rate attending such gatherings as one of the best ways for charities to influence them, trailing almost every other lobby tactic - according to a poll out today.

“Flabby” Government definitions exaggerate volunteering figures Pet-sitting, pub-pointing, child-cheering and picketing could all, officially, count as “volunteering”“Tighter definitions needed to uncover true volunteering levels; and to plan/evaluate Government strategy and investment,” vies nfpSynergy’s BakerLooking after a pet for a friend, pointing out a pub to a stranger, cheering your child at cricket or even joining a picket: these are all countable instances of volunteering according to Government

Direct “personal contact” and having a “long-established brand” adjudged next most trust-inducing attributes.

Those more likely to say they either have given less, or will give less, to charity during an economic downturn are less likely to have given anything anyway!

“Of course volunteers are active citizens - but so are donors,” insists Saxton“Fundraisers should use indicators of social capital to identify likely donors”, urges SaxtonPeople who donate to charity are also significantly more likely than non-donors to boost “social capital” through greater involvement with local communities - according to new researchLeading not for profit sector think tank and research consultancy nfpSynergy’s Charity Awareness Monitor surveys a representative sample of 1000 16

Build rapport with priority MPs and mobilise public to lobby them locally, parliamentarians tell cash-conscious charities“Avoid the scattergun; think targeted, personal and local,” think tank counsels Over half (55%) of MPs say “building a relationship with 10 key MPs” is the most effective way to spend a limited lobbying budget, with just 3% and 2%, respectively, advising using constrained resources to hire a public affairs agency or run a party conference fringe event - according to figures out today.

Top public charitable gripes: amount actually going to causes, and amount spent on adminPublic least perturbed by charities campaigning for change“Sector must reassure public that income reaches causes and that costs are relatively low and necessary,” vies SaxtonThe public is more put off by how a charity spends its income than how it generates it - according to new research out today.

Marked increased in public willingness for charities to invest in fundraising to boost future income“Charities need to better explain the true level of, and rationale for, all their costs,” vies Saxton“Charities should talk about ‘necessary management’, rather than ‘administration’,” Saxton addsThe public are dramatically overestimating charities’ admin and fundraising costs but are more tolerant of the latter - according to new research out today (see the figures by downloading file)