AuSAE Networking Lunches offer a great chance to get out of the office and meet new connections in the sector. Each lunch also features an insightful presentation on various topics of importance. Attending a lunch is a great chance to see what AUSAE really offers which is a place like-minded professionals can gather and share workplace challenges and achievements over a delicious two-course luncheon at a great venue. Check out the upcoming lunches below. We would love to see you there!

Sydney | From "Compulsory Union Ticket" to "Membership of Choice" on Thursday 7 July

Stephen Hale (Head of Marketing & Communications at Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia) will share how the MFAA is improving member engagement and retention within the compulsory membership [more]

Brisbane | Creating a Behaviour Based Culture on Thursday 14 July

Michelle Trute (CEO at Diabetes Queensland) will explore the behaviours you are really wanting your staff and volunteers to adopt in your organisation. How do you define [more]

Melbourne | In Conversation with Tom Garcia on Friday 15 July   

Tom Garcia (CEO at the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees) will discuss the role he has played in driving AIST’s advocacy on the superannuation reforms and governance. He will share his experiences working with government, sharing industry messages and advocating for your members and how his experiences can [more]

Canberra | How to advocate your Members on Monday 1 August 

Genevieve Quilty (CEO at Optometry Australia) will discuss Optometry Australia’s responsibility to raise the united concerns of the sector with decision makers and to influence the necessary changes to support [more]

ShowGizmo is offering all AuSAE members free Lead qualification or Digital Passport with any app licence. These two features have a standard price of $3000AUD and $1500AUD respectively so, it really is a sweet offer!

ShowGizmo was founded in 2010 and has produced apps for thousands of events throughout the world. All of their products are beautifully intuitive and designed with maximising engagement at events at the forefront. 

For further details on this offer and all about ShowGizmo or to arrange a one-on-one demo and to find out more about deploying ShowGizmo at your next event. Contact Josh josh@showgizmo.com Phone 02 8599 7234 www.showgizmo.com.

The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (ACPNS) at the Queensland University of Technology is undertaking the second Giving Australia study during 2015/2016 on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Social Services and the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership.

Nonprofit organisations are invited to participate.

As this survey asks about your resourcing, it is essential that whoever completes it can access information about the organisation’s financial position, fundraising activities and volunteer management.

If this is does not describe your role, please forward this email to an appropriate person within your organisation.

What is the survey about?

This survey focuses on your organisation’s experience with aspects of fundraising and development activities, community business partnerships, social enterprise, volunteers and new technologies.

The purpose of the Giving Australia 2016 research project is to collect comprehensive, up-to-date information on giving by individuals, collectives and businesses in Australia. With this survey we hope to be able to provide your organisation with information about:

• What resources successful organisations use in fundraising and volunteer recruitment
• What resources nonprofits need in order to improve their fundraising or volunteer recruitment
• What new technologies are being embraced by nonprofits and how these are being used

In order for this project to be of most benefit to your organisation and the sector as a whole, we need to obtain accurate data from a wide range of organisations. We do hope that you will take up this opportunity to participate in the largest study of giving and volunteering ever undertaken in Australia.

Click here for the link to the survey. 

Please complete this survey by 16th July 2016.

All comments and responses will be treated confidentially. Please note that this study has been approved by the QUT Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number 1600000098) and the Australian Government Statistical Clearing House (approval number 02476-01). Our partners in this landmark study are the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University of Technology (CSI Swinburne), and the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs. If you have any questions about the authenticity of the survey or about the Giving Australia project in general, please email the Department of Social Services partnerships@dss.gov.au

AuSAE has welcomed new members from the following organisations this month.

Is your organisation on this list? If your organisation is on this list as an AuSAE organisational member but you are unsure if you are part of the membership bundle, please contact the friendly AuSAE team at info@ausae.org.au. 

Not on this list? To join AuSAE today please visit our membership information page here.

So far we have identified pre-emptive actions, if executed, will prevent Business Discontinuity. Or will they?

So far you have planned for, created and implemented solutions dealing with prolonged internet availability, missing/ransomed files and even total failure of "the cloud"; so what else could possibly go wrong.

In words often repeated, once you have executed and tested precautions against known points of failure what remains are the unknown points of failure. These are unknown and render taking precautions as an impossibility. So to do?

From the editorial desk the answer is plain and simple. Acknowledge that systems will fail in ways yet to be discovered; let alone planned for even if they were knowable. These failures when they occur will without doubt adversely affect your business in ways wide and varied; and expensive and quite probably terminal.

You must expect the unexpected events to happen. Planning for the unknowable is easy; assume it will happen.

Create a fail proof means of contacting your customer base in a timely manner, via snail mail if that is what it takes, and let them know the situation and the plan going forward.

Many many businesses, perhaps most, do not have any form of paper based set of client records. Some don't even know how to contact the Chairman of the Board without access to the online address book. Failure proof records will both save your business and provide the base to get you going again. Expect the worst; it will happen; and when it does reach for the paper based rescue kit. It will tell you phone numbers, emergency contacts and if well prepared even have a recovery checklist.

Remember: 

a) Put the paper records in multiple places where they can be readily accessed and

b) Keep them reasonably up to date; and brief key staff on their existence. 

My 18 year old daughter embarked on a big international adventure last month. First stop San Francisco. The farewell was a mix of sadness, joy, envy and pride that someone so young was about to take on the world. An 18 year old international traveller has more in common with an Association Professional than you might think. First and foremost is the real sense of purpose. A burning desire to experience the world. A commitment to also volunteer and help others – facilitated through a range of pre-organised placements. With that purpose came detailed planning to ensure a successful trip. Previous hard work and disciplined saving contributed to a build-up of cash reserves. Sponsors (family) provided valuable underpinning support. To maximise the experience, networking with fellow colleagues and travellers will be important. Learning along the way and risk awareness are both essential. Looking for, and grasping, opportunities en-route (and a dose of good luck) will certainly help. The wide-eyed wonder and enthusiasm of an 18 year old traveller compelled me to focus on my purpose (community focused outcomes) and that of AuSAE (career success for Association Professionals). What is your purpose and how can AuSAE assist you to achieve that? Let us know, we would love to hear from you!

Young football supporters can now become virtual list managers with a new competition allowing students to leverage their maths and analytical skills to choose the ultimate 2017 Collingwood squad while staying beneath the AFL salary cap.

The Collingwood Football Club, in collaboration with the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT), have launched a dynamic new national maths competition called the STEM Cup.

The STEM Cup competition will allow students to assume the role of the Capologist, where they are challenged to build the best team at the best price. Guided by Collingwood National Recruiting Assistant and LifeJourney mentor Dominic Milesi, students will compete to become the nation’s top capologist.

"Collingwood is delighted to engage Australian STEM students in this important challenge," Collingwood CEO Gary Pert.

"Our lead capologist Dominic Milesi is arguably our brightest superstar off the field. His unique talent and analysis are critical to our success as a club.

"Our hope for the Collingwood STEM Cup is to inspire more students to study maths and STEM subjects and build Australia’s future."

Students, teachers, and parents interested in the STEM Cup can click here to register for the program. The competition officially opens on July 17 and runs through August 20.

The successful students and schools in each region will be recognised and rewarded with the Collinwood STEM Cup experience, including a behind the scenes VIP experience and draft session with Milesi and contribute to a salary cap planning session.

The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) is promoting the initiative with its 4,500-member base of Maths Teachers and their schools so that Australian students can better appreciate the power of mathematics from the classroom to the football field.

“AAMT is pleased to work with Collingwood and LifeJourney on the STEM Cup," stated AAMT Chief Executive Officer Will Morony.

"Our teacher members are constantly seeking out unique and interesting programs that provide students with an opportunity to leverage maths skills in a real-world context. Combining the power of football with the importance of maths enables us to accelerate the STEM agenda of our nation."

Participation in the STEM Cup is offered free of charge. Teachers are encouraged to register their students for the STEM Cup through the website.

This media release was sourced directly from the Collingwood Football online.

Secure your booking at our upcoming workshops in either Sydney or Melbourne on the Art of Membership and how to create and cement lifelong relationships presented by Sheri Jacobs, President & CEO of Avenue M Group. 

Do you understand how your members perceive value? The market for membership is shifting as attitudes, needs and expectations change. Why do some organisations grow and thrive while others do not? Although the demand for information, education, advocacy and networking remains quite strong, what has changed is how individuals and companies evaluate, participate and engage with associations

Learn how to apply the fundamental concepts and skills necessary to cement member loyalty including:

• How to attract the next generation of members, influencers, decision-makers and super-users to your organisation. 
  
• How to identify and communicate your value proposition.
• How to engage members in a way that will keep them loyal to your organisation. 
• The secrets to writing persuasive member communications.
• How to improve member response rates based on proven psychological principles.
• Innovative new ways to structure your membership programs.

Book Sydney, Friday 22 July 2016

Book Melbourne, Monday 25 July 2016 

The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Danica Leys as its Chief Executive Officer. Danica brings fresh enthusiasm to the NSW arm of Australia’s largest women’s organisation, as well as a raft of experience in not-for-profit, government and rural organisations.

According to CWA of NSW President Tanya Cameron, the appointment heralds the beginning of a future-focused era for the CWA.

“This year sees the election of new Office Bearers in May and we have recently approved a new Strategic Plan to take the Organisation through to 2018. The appointment of a CEO is another step in this process of building an exciting future,” said Tanya.

Tanya hopes Danica’s appointment will capture the attention of a broad range of potential members, however she is most excited about Danica’s capacity to boost the CWA’s already-strong record of advocacy.

“Danica’s experience within industry, government and legal sectors will be invaluable. Furthermore, thanks to her agricultural background and rural experience, she knows and understands regional Australia. We are confident she will help us achieve the Organisation’s strategic objectives,” said Tanya.

Ms Leys has most recently been with NSW Farmers, in both policy and industrial relations areas, and in 2012 she was awarded the NSW Rural Women’s Award for her efforts in the rural sector. 

She has held board positions with Australian Women in Agriculture Limited, AgChatOZ Incorporated and The University of Sydney Agriculture Alumni. She holds Bachelor Degrees in Agriculture (Honours) and Laws and has completed the highly regarded Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.

Like Tanya, Danica is already passionate about the Organisation’s advocacy position and is keen to help build on the successes achieved to date.

“The CWA is a force to be reckoned with. Full of passionate, articulate members that care deeply about rural and regional communities. When they speak strongly on an issue the government listens. I am interested in harnessing that and ensuring members have an organisation that enables their voice to be heard at the highest levels, with key decision makers,” said Danica.

Danica is also looking forward to focusing on potential partnerships and alliances to leverage both advocacy and fundraising efforts; however initially, she looks forward to starting from within.

“In the first instance, my role is to listen, meet as many members as possible and understand what they want from a modern, progressive and influential organisation like the CWA,” said Danica, who concludes by recognising retiring Executive Officer Donna Wilkins, “I want to give credit to Donna, who has steered the organisation to where it is today. She has done a wonderful job and leaves the Organisation in a great position to take on new challenges and grow even more into the future.”

This media release was sourced directly from Associations Net online.

Remaining fee support scholarships to be awarded prior to June 30

On behalf of Women & Leadership Australia (WLA), we are pleased to provide you with information pertaining to leadership development scholarships currently available to our female members.

In line with WLA’s aim to increase the accessibility of high quality leadership development to a greater percentage of female leaders, fee support scholarships are selectively provided to assist current and aspiring female leaders in their career development journey.

Fee support scholarships for women, remains unallocated and must be awarded prior to the end of this financial year. Fee support is available under two distinct streams.

Stream 1 - $6,000 Fee Support for Senior Female Leaders

Senior and executive level managers are invited to apply for fee support of up to $6,000 to support their participation in Australia’s most prestigious executive women’s program, the Advanced Leadership Program. View the Prospectus here.

Stream 2 - $3,000 Fee Support for High Potential and Mid-Level Female Leaders

High potential and mid-level managers are invited to apply for fee support of up to $3,000 to support their participation in the Accelerated Leadership Performance Program, a unique 18 week program designed to fast track leadership capacity and accelerate career potential. View the Prospectus here. 

Expressions of Interest

Should you wish to make an expression of interest in either stream, you must complete an EOI form and return it by June 30th. View the Expression of Interest Form here.

Should you wish to discuss this opportunity prior to submitting an EOI please contact Women and Leadership Australia on (03) 9270 9016 or via admissions@wla.edu.au.