Office For The Community Sector e - Bulletin December 2011.
The Office for the Community Sector was established in the Department of Planning and Community Development to strengthen and support the not-for-profit community sector. More information on the work of the Office may be found at our website: http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/communitydevelopment/community-sector
The Office for the Community Sector was established in the Department of
Planning and Community Development to strengthen and support the
not-for-profit community sector. More information on the work of the
Office may be found at our website:
http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/communitydevelopment/community-sector
News from the Office for the Community Sector…
Business Planning for NFP Organisations Program
An enthusiastic response has been given to the Office for the Community
Sector’s new program on business planning for not-for-profit (NFP)
organisations. Eighty NFP organisations attended six workshops in Bendigo,
Shepparton, Narre Warren, Richmond, Sunshine and Geelong. Fifty-eight
organisations have signed up for a series of four individual mentoring
sessions that will run across the next six months.
The Business Planning Program has been designed in partnership with Small
Business Victoria (SBV) and the Small Business Mentoring Service (SMBS).
The program comprises group workshops followed by individualised mentoring
to help guide NFP community organisations through a simple process for
constructing a basic business plan. At the end of the program an evaluation
will be conducted and six case studies written to measure the benefits
gained by community organisations.
Information from the Victorian Government…
Planning for Growth Forum
More than 130 state, federal and local government and community sector
representatives gathered at the MCG on 22 November, for the Planning for
Growth Forum facilitated by the Department of Planning and Community
Development. During the forum, metropolitan growth councils (Casey,
Cardinia, Hume, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Melton) shared the challenges
they’re tackling in creating liveability in Melbourne’s fastest growing
areas.
Speakers from growth area councils presented the outcomes of community
infrastructure planning studies funded by DPCD. Reflecting on the varied
issues confronting growth areas, each council took a different approach.
For example, Wyndham City Council looked at how they could increase the
level of services provided by community service organisations to align with
their rapid population growth. The City of Hume investigated community
infrastructure requirements for their newest growth areas, particularly
Sunbury. The City of Casey undertook a 20 year Community Facilities Plan.
If you would like further information, the six Planning Study summary
documents will soon be posted on the Community Development section of the
DPCD website or contact Jenny Vizec on 9208 3660.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s Human Rights
Oration
Tuesday 13 December, 12.30–1.30pm, Zinc @ Federation Square
Keynote speaker, Bernard Salt, is best known for his media commentary on
the business implications of demographic and social change. He will blend
humour and substance to paint the big picture:
How will demographic change shape our community, and what have human rights
got to do with it?
This is a free and accessible public event, but registrations are required.
RSVP to (03) 9032 3448 or rsvp@veohrc.vic.gov.au.
Visit www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/oration for more details.
WorkSafe Awards – Enter your Community Services Organisation Now!
Christmas is just around the corner but the work doesn’t stop for WorkSafe
during the holiday period, especially for the WorkSafe Awards! The new
Awards program means that entries are open year-round, and provide the
perfect opportunity for you to take some time over the quiet period to
submit an entry.
The Awards are open for entry all year round, and the earlier you get your
entry in the more promotion it will receive! Your initiative could even win
you a coveted WorkSafe Awards trophy at the 2012 Worksafe Awards!
Visit the Awards website
http://awardsoffice.com.au/WorkSafe100/howtoenter.asp or contact
awards@worksafe.vic.gov.au for further information.
WorkSafe targets residential care services
Did you know workers in residential care have a higher than average chance
of being seriously injured at work? More than 64% of these injuries are
caused by hazardous manual handling and slips, trips and falls.
WorkSafe is conducting a targeted program to reduce the number of workplace
injuries in Victoria’s high risk industries, including residential care
services. To help you determine appropriate risk controls for your
workplace, visit the WorkSafe website, www.worksafe.vic.gov.au for
information and guidance specific to your industry.
If you are in aged care, visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/agedcare to:
• download the Aged care OHS compliance kit
• view short instructional videos
• access other relevant publications, including Transferring people
safely.
If you are in community services,visit
www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/communityservices to:
• download the Community support services OHS compliance kit
• download other compliance kits specific to your sector (eg,
disability services, home care)
• access other relevant publications such as Working safely in
community services, Volunteer health and safety, Officewise,
Stresswise.
If you have any questions or need further advice, contact the WorkSafe
advisory service on 1800 136 089 or by email, info@worksafe.vic.gov.au.
Department of Human Services Cradle to Kinder Program
The Cradle to Kinder program is a new intensive ante and post natal support
service to provide longer term, intensive family and early parenting
support for vulnerable young mothers and their families, commencing in
pregnancy and continuing until the child reaches four years of age.
The Department of Human Services invites eligible service providers to
submit a proposal to deliver services described in the Stage 1 Call for
Submission documentation for six Cradle to Kinder programs, including one
Aboriginal program, in identified locations in Victoria.
Further information about the new program including the locations of the
new programs and the call for submission process can be found at:
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/plans,-programs-and-projects/programs/cradle-to-kinder-program
Information from the Australian Government…
Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission
Employment Opportunities
The Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) is offering
an opportunity to join the ACNC at its formation, to help shape the new
regulatory approach and services of the agency. A number of positions will
be available within the new agency. The organisation structure for the
ACNC outlines the positions available and how they fit within the
organisation. See:
http://acnctaskforce.treasury.gov.au/content/Content.aspx?doc=structure.htm
Personnel will be appointed to the ACNC ahead of 1 July 2012. A
recruitment agency is working on behalf of the ACNC. Positions will also
be advertised in major newspapers, in the Public Service Gazette and
on-line. This is the first phase of recruitment for the ACNC. There will
be two further recruitment phases in early 2012.
The ACNC and its staff will be located in Melbourne but will have a
presence in Canberra to facilitate engagement with key stakeholders such as
Government, not-for-profit peak bodies and Commonwealth agencies.
Further information and candidate kits can be obtained by contacting the
recruitment agency who is acting on behalf of the ACNC. Visit:
http://jobs.au.hudson.com/node.asp?kwd=about-acnc.
National Volunteering Strategy
The Commonwealth Minister for Social Inclusion, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP,
has launched the National Volunteering Strategy. In the strategy, the
Australian Government sets out a vision for the future of volunteering in
Australia, in which volunteering is encouraged, supported and recognised.
The National Volunteering Strategy was launched at Volunteering Australia's
National Conference on Volunteering, as part of the International Year of
the Volunteer Plus 10 (IYVplus10) celebrations.
For more details or to access the strategy see:
http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?article_id=4348&nav_cat_id=-1&nav_top_id=-1
Australian Heritage Week 2012
The Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Populations and Communities has set up information on its website about
Australian Heritage Week 2012 between 14 and 22 April 2012. There is a
register of events held during Australian Heritage Week 2011. Event
registrations will open in early 2012.
All history/heritage groups are encouraged to be involved with planning and
hosting a range of activities that showcase their work and collections. For
more details, see here:
http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/about/heritage-week/index.html.
Information from the Community Sector…
Pro Bono Australia's Ethical Guide to Christmas
With Christmas fast approaching, Pro Bono Australia presents its Ethical
Christmas Guide. The Guide showcases what charities across the country have
on offer and offers an easy way for Australians to support the NFP sector
when making their Christmas purchases.
For a full list of ethical Christmas suggestions from Pro Bono Australia,
see:
http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2010/12/pro-bono-australias-ethical-guide-christmas#smith
Financial Inclusion for Social Enterprises
A workshop focused on building an understanding of community finance and
its use for asset and business development.
Join Social Traders and Foresters for an interactive and educational
workshop designed to help social enterprises understand:
· recent shifts in community finance
· how a loan for asset purchase could help your social enterprise
· the barriers that exist to accessing finance for asset purchase and
business development.
Where: RACV Building, 501 Bourke Street Melbourne
When: 13 December 2011 (immediately after the Social Traders' Business
Breakfast)
Time: 9:00am arrival for a 9:30am start, concludes at 12:30pm
For more information, or to RSVP, email:
socialenterprisesolutions@foresters.org.au
2012 vicsport Professional Development & Mentoring Program
After successful programs in 2009 and 2010, vicsport is again seeking
applications for the Female Professional Development and Mentoring Program
to commence Wednesday 15th February 2012.
The program is open to women currently employed in middle management
positions within State Sporting Associations, with the aim of up skilling
to become future senior managers and CEO's.
Following receipt of expressions of interest, 10-12 participants will be
selected to undertake the program. An interview with participants may be
required before selection.
Applications Close: Friday 13 January 2012
For more information contact: Fiona Kuilboer (Women in Sport Project
Officer) at fionak@vicsport.asn.au or on 9926 1373.
Women on not-for-profit boards: Not as good a story as you might think
Our Community Chair and founder of Women’s Leadership Institute Australia
(WLIA) Carol Schwartz earlier this year undertook some research on the
picture in the 50 top fundraising not-for-profits.
Despite the fact that around 70% of employees are female, only a third of
the directors and a third of the executives are women, and the next stage
in the filtering process – looking at Chairs and CEOs – cuts that down to a
quarter. And the bigger the organisation, the worse the picture: the WLIA
research found that in the biggest not-for-profits (those that fundraise
more than $40 million per year), women made up only 20% of CEOs, and only
10% of chairs.
A new Our Community-WLIA book, written with the support of the Alcoa
Foundation, is designed to help put the situation to rights: Get on a Board
(Even Better – Become the Chair). Get on a Board will form the backbone for
a women’s leadership training program – again, organised and delivered
jointly by Our Community, WLIA and the Alcoa Foundation – that will be
rolled out across the country in early 2012.
You can order a copy of Get on a Board at www.ourcommunity.com.au/books.
The 2012 Melbourne Drug & Health Alliance Conference:
What's the harm?
9am – 4.30pm
29 March 2012
The Village Roadshow Theatrette
State Library of Victoria
This conference presents an opportunity for professionals that work with
people using drugs and alcohol and students studying in a relevant field,
to gain access to some of Australia's finest thinkers on drug and alcohol
clinical practice, workforce development and public policy.
‘What’s the harm?’ will showcase innovative and successful strategies to
minimise the harms related to injecting drug use and inspire attendees to
explore, discuss and debate what has held Victoria, and more broadly,
Australia back in drug policy, attitude and action.
To ensure your place at this event you will be asked to make a small
donation. Your donation will partly fund the event and aid the continuation
of the Melbourne Drug and Health Alliance’s work in providing learning and
forum opportunities for current and future alcohol and other drug
professionals. Order tickets via Eventbrite:
http://mdhaconference.eventbrite.com/
For more information on the Melbourne Drug and Health Alliance please
contact Luke O'Connor on lukeo@youthprojects.org.au.
Disability Professionals Victoria Mentoring Program
Disability Professionals Victoria (DPV) launched the 2012 Mentoring Program
at its recent Annual General Meeting and has now opened the program to
people who work in the disability sector and are looking to improve their
skills in the workplace, and in life, through a mentoring relationship.
This is one way that DPV is fostering excellence and leadership within the
disability field, and mentoring has been proven to be a fantastic tool to
help develop aspiring leaders.
Applications to be a mentee or mentor are open to DPV members online or to
download in the Member's Only section of the DPV website, and close on
Friday 30th December. For more information see the DPV website:
http://www.dpv.org.au/html/s01_home/home.asp.
Funding and Philanthropy updates…
Recreational Fishing Grants Program
Every year the Victorian Government, through the Recreational Fishing
Licence Trust Account, disburses revenue derived from the sale of
Recreational Fishing Licences to projects that will improve recreational
fishing in Victoria. The program provides an opportunity for community
not-for-profit organisations, angling clubs and associations, schools and
other local groups to develop projects which will provide benefits to
public recreational fishing
Since its inception in 2001, the Recreational Fishing Grants Program (RFGP)
has funded over 400 projects, worth more than $17.6 million throughout
Victoria. The RFGP comprises three separate programs including:
· A Small Grants Program that is continually open to fund small
projects (up to $5,000 - GST Exclusive);
· A Large Grants Program (for projects from $5,001 to $100,000); and
· A Commissioning Program for large priority projects (generally in
excess of $100,000).
For further information see:
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries/about-fisheries/fishing-grants-program
or contact 9658 4779 or rec.fishinggrants@dpi.vic.gov.au.
War Memorial Restoration Grants
Victorian veteran groups keen to renew or repair their local war memorials
can now apply for funding from the Restoring Community War Memorials Grants
Program.
The latest funding round of the Department of Planning and Community
Development Veterans Unit program is now open and RSL’s, local councils,
ex-service organisations and community groups are encouraged to apply for
grants of up to $10,000.
Applications for the Restoring Community War Memorials Grants close on 31
January 2012.
For more information visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 366
356.
Commonwealth Heritage grants program 'Your Community Heritage'
The Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Populations and Communities, has announced a new grant program Your
Community Heritage Program.
This program is a new approach to protecting Australia’s heritage and
recognises that our heritage is not just about ‘big’ heritage such as
places on the World and National Heritage Lists. Heritage also includes
individual communities - in regional Australia, small towns or in
multicultural communities. Details of the program are available through
www.environment.gov.au/heritage/programs/ych.
Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 20 December 2011. Early applications
will be accepted and applicants are encouraged to submit their applications
prior to the closing date.
If you have an event you would like to promote, or any important news about
your organisation we can publicise it in e-Bulletin. For further
information, please contact: communitysector@dpcd.vic.gov.au
