Society daily 26.02.2010

Today's top Society stories Failures that led to mother starving Khyra Ishaq to death 'beyond belief' Charity Commission opens inquiry into National Bullying Helpline Relatives who helped loved ones to die fear rise in botched DIY suicides Cleveland police to outsource 999 control room Civil servants to strike over redundancy pay All today's Society stories Other news * Harriet Harman, the deputy Labour leader, was accused of "rank hypocrisy" for presiding over a fall in the proportion of women on the boards of public bodies, the FT reports. * According to the Times, David Kerr, a leading oncologist who led Labour's efforts to cut NHS waiting times, has said the Tories are best for the NHS . SocietyGuardian podcasts "Voluntary sector", "charity", "civil society", "social action", "social enterprise". How should we best describe the third sector? This is the subject of the first of a series of podcasts about the challenges facing not-for-profit organisations.Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, favours "civil society" - "individual citizens coming together for the public good"; Dame Mary Marsh, former head of the NSPCC and now director of the Clore Social Leadership Programme, prefers "social action"; Paul Palmer, associate dean at the Cass Business School's centre for charity effectiveness says "charity" is the most recognisable term, which is the reason why Nirjay Mahindru, chief executive of Guardian charity award-winner, InterAct Reading Service, uses it. According to a marketing expert: "Branding the sector is one of the toughest challenges I've been asked to deliver." The key is to define the sector's DNA. While Volvo equals safety and Heineken is synonymous with refreshment, what does the sector stand for, he asks? Suggestions should be sent to [email protected], along with ideas for future topics for the podcast to address. SocietyGuardian events Managing New Realities 2010: integrated places - health, housing and social care for the community. London, Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 March. Speakers include: Lord Warner, Sir Bob Kerslake, David Halpern, Polly Toynbee. SocietyGuardian links Sign up to Society daily email briefing Society on Twitter SocietyGuardian.co.uk Public - the Guardian's website for senior public sector executives Get ahead: the Guardian's public and voluntary sector careers page Hundreds of public and voluntary sector jobs Email the SocietyGuardian editor: [email protected]