Have you considered a LinkedIn ‘company page’ for your association? With linkedIn being an online community for professionals this could be a great way to create awareness of your association to those within your industry or sector.

The winner of the 2014 Macquarie Social Innovation Award was announced today, with the Fogarty Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit organisation that supports and provides educational opportunities for Western Australians, taking out the award.

The Award recognises and rewards an Australian organisation or program that addresses an unmet community need in Australia. The Fogarty Foundation won for its Fogarty EDvance initiative, which aims to improve the educational outcomes
of students in low socio-economic status communities by providing principals working in low-SES schools with leadership and management skills. In this way it can help develop targeted school improvements.

The Fogarty Foundation will receive $100,000 over the next two years to scale up the EDvance program to attain a critical mass, and to develop its sustainable funding model.

Shemara Wikramanayake said the high calibre of submissions received this year meant it was a difficult judging process.

“On behalf of the Foundation Committee and our judges, I would like to commend all the organisations and individuals who participated.

“I congratulate all our outstanding finalists for their commitment to continuing to develop innovative programs that address social needs and long-term community problems.”

The Social Innovation Award finalists were (in alphabetical order):

• The Australian Centre for Social Innovation, which tackles Australia’s toughest social challenges by developing new ways of doing things.
  
• The Centre for Eye Research Australia, which is Australia’s leading ocular research centre.
  
• Settlement Services International, which provides settlement and support services to refugees, migrants and asylum seekers across NSW to help them integrate into the community.
  
• The Smith Family, which invests in children’s education to help break the cycle of disadvantage in families from low-SES background.
  

The judging panel for the 2014 Social Innovation Award and David Clarke Fellowship comprised:

• David Bennett – Committee Member, Macquarie Group Foundation; Chair, Social Enterprise Finance Australia
  
• Tanya Branwhite – Committee Member, Macquarie Group Foundation, Board Director, Anika Foundation
  
• Michael Traill – Executive Director, Social Ventures Australia; Chair, Goodstart Early Learning
  
• Sheryl Weil – Former Committee Member, Macquarie Group Foundation;Board Director, Lifeline Australia and Schizophrenia Research Institute
  
• Shemara Wikramanayake – Chair, Macquarie Group Foundation
  

For more information, please contact:

Navleen Prasad, Macquarie Group Corporate Communications (02) 8232 6472

About the Social Innovation Awards
The David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship, established in 2012 in memory of the Macquarie Group Foundation founding Chairman, David Clarke AO, is presented biennially to a CEO of a not-for-profit organisation to visit and research Macquarie Group Foundation 4 best practice innovation around the world. The Fellowship was this year opened up to entrants outside of Australia for the first time, in Hong Kong, New York City and the US.

Macquarie’s Social Innovation Award is presented biennially to an Australian not-for-profit organisation to recognise, promote and reward news ideas that work to meet pressing community needs, alleviate disadvantage and promote social
inclusion.

Sourced from: http://www.cbb.com.au/community-development/grants-and-scholarships/

The CBB next round of Community Development Grants is now open!

They are seeking applications from Australian Not for Profit organisations undertaking a project that assists in their growth, or provides a benefit to the community. The applicant must show that the grant will be used for a purpose that supports CBB Community Development Grants objectives:

• To assist Not for Profit organisations in the Australian community who serve disadvantaged, disengaged or marginalised individuals.
  
• To assist Not for Profit organisations that provide advocacy or services to those in need.
  
• To assist Not for Profit organisations to achieve their social objectives.
  
• To support services and programs that build capability and capacity of the Not for Profit sector.
  

A monetary grant of up to a maximum of $3,000 + GST will be available to successful applicants. The number of successful applicants will be determined by the CBB Community Development Grants Committee.

Applications close 5.00pm (ACST), Friday 28 November 2014.

Find out more here: http://www.cbb.com.au/community-development/grants-and-scholarships/

• Optometry Australia awarded major tender to accredit the optometry profession’s CPD
  
• Stricter governance on CPD service providers to be introduced
  
• Service providers to be charged a service management fee
  

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release: 17 November 2014
Omer Soker has been appointed CEO of the Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA), after serving as Executive General Manager reporting to the board since December 2013.

“Soker has engaged strongly with the Membership and re-set the focus of the organisation in accord with the board’s wishes,” AGHA President Nigel Kirby said.

In his first year running the industry association which has 2,500 Members and a turnover of $8 million, Soker has restructured the Member services department, launched a new online resource to link local wholesalers and retailers, acquired Fashion Exposed to diversify the organisation into new segments, engaged government departments to provide industry support and begun work on reforming the Constitution.

Australian wholesalers and retailers need much more support to compete effectively in an industry facing structural threats, global disintermediation and cyclical challenges, Soker said.

“The AGHA has a huge role to play in providing the optimum commercial environment for these companies to succeed, and in leading the long term development of the gift and homewares industry.”

Media Enquiries:
Paris Dennett- Marketing Manager
02 9763 3225
paris@agha.com.au

ABOUT AUSTRALIAN GIFT & HOMEWARES ASSOCIATION (AGHA)
Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA) is the leading industry body representing the gift and homewares industry in Australia with origins dating back to 1977. Based in Homebush, Sydney, the not-for-profit organisation is dedicated to serving its Membership base through the provision of discounted industry services, commercial and political lobbying as well as two annual Home & Giving Fair and FASHION EXPOSED REVIVED exhibitions held in Sydney and Melbourne. Find further information at agha.com.au.

AUSAE has the great pleasure to announce Exhibition Hire Services as their new annual partner in New Zealand. When you host a conference, they are your one stop Nationwide New Zealand Exhibition Supplier.

From Roadshows, Conferences, Product Launches to Large Exhibitions they have the expertise & knowledge to offer solutions to all aspects of your event.

They offer a diverse range of products nationwide & have built a reputation on providing display solutions to all aspects of the event industry. Products include floor plan / stand design, partitions, carpet, furniture, signage, marquees and general event hire. We are delighted to have Matt and his team on board. 

Contact Matt Reilly matt@exhibitionhire.co.nz  09 579 9884 or 021 843 178

NZVA CEO Julie Hood was invited to speak at a recent networking lunch organised by the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE). The event focused on strategic planning for membership growth.

AuSAE is a professional society whose purpose is to equip leaders working in not-for-profit organisations with the information, tools and networks they need to better achieve the vision of their organisations; essentially it is the association for associations.

A total of 55 organisations attended collectively representing a broad range of not-for-profits (small to large).

The focus of Julie’s speech was on the future of the NZVA – our strategic goals, how we measure our success, what is important to our members as gleamed from surveys, and how we transform these findings into actions.

Julie outlined the results of NZVA’s participation in an Australasian membership satisfaction survey which highlighted that the top priorities for our members are to be kept informed on the latest developments impacting the profession, accessing quality (affordable) professional development, and networking opportunities. NZVA rated most highly for its delivery of up to date information to members and did better than many other associations in its communications and delivery of events. Julie emphasised however that associations need to continually adapt to meet the changing expectations of their members – including how information is delivered – and that they need to be able to respond and change quickly.

Julie said the NZVA is in a strong position following an internal review of its systems to make it more streamlined and efficient, and that there is support from staff and members for the NZVA to deliver on its 2020 strategy. She said the NZVA’s Marketing the Profession project was focusing on the profession’s competitive advantages to achieve a viable and sustainable profession into the future.

Julie’s speech was so well received by attendees that a coffee morning has been organised for Julie to answer more in-depth questions from AuSAE members about the detail of NZVA’s work to boost membership.

Julie did note this may mean that at least one of the NZVA’s Strategic Key Performance Indicators is on the way to being achieved – to be the envy of all other Associations (in the world!). “Veterinarians don’t do things by halves”, Julie said, and this is a very good example! 

You can read Julie’s speech here…

Sourced from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141031062222-59457390-red-cross-wins-ahri-indigenous-employment-award

By Robert Tickner
CEO at Australian Red Cross

Last night Australian Red Cross was announced joint winner of the Indigenous Employment Award in the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) Inclusion and Diversity Awards.

Our commitment to Indigenous employment has produced a highly diverse workforce of around 140 talented and professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, who know and understand their communities. This currently represents around 5.2 per cent of our total staff.

Our Targeted Approach strategy, which was awarded last night, aims to recruit more Indigenous people to reach 6 per cent by 2015.

“I’m extremely proud that we have been recognised for our innovative approaches to recruiting, engaging and retaining a strong team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff,” said Australian Red Cross CEO Robert Tickner.

“A deep commitment to Indigenous employment exists at every level of our organisation, from the national board and leadership team through to human resources, our service teams and the broader staff and membership.

“Red Cross is uniquely positioned to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to build community-led solutions, and our Indigenous staff play a key role in our community development approach.

“It’s a win-win for all involved. I congratulate everyone involved with Red Cross who contributes to our successful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” said Robert Tickner.



Chris Steinfort (pictured left) is Red Cross’ Director, Human Resources. He believes that one of the best ways to build long-term partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is to have a large number of Indigenous people working at Red Cross, to build organisational capabilities that will better position Red Cross to support Indigenous people in their communities.

“It’s about making an inclusive workplace. If there aren’t many Aboriginal people working here, it doesn’t seem like such a culturally safe space for other Aboriginal people.

“To be recognised for the work Red Cross has collectively implemented regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment is a credit to everyone involved. It’s a great achievement to win the award in such a competitive field of finalists,” said Chris Steinfort.

Visit our website to learn more about how Red Cross is working together as partners with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW), the professional association of social workers is celebrating 50 years of representing Social Workers in Aotearoa by hosting an Anniversary Event in Christchurch on November 28th and 29th 2014.

This two day event will provide the opportunity to showcase contemporary innovative practice as well as celebrate ANZASW history, contributions and achievements. It will also allow ANZASW the opportunity to look back, reflect and celebrate achievements, a time to pause and consider where we have been, where we are now and to look ahead to the future.

Since its formation the Association has worked to achieve improvement of social work practice standards and advancement of education qualifications to ensure protection of the public and the recipients of social work services. When Social Workers intervene in people’s lives, those people have the right to know they will be working with skilled and respectful professionals. Social Work professionalism is underpinned by a Code of Ethics, Competency Standards and Standards of Practice which include the Associations Bi-Cultural Code of Practice.

Fifty years ago social work moved from directing its efforts to aiding the sick, hungry, orphaned and poor to dealing with more complicated problems of our society. Social Workers have taken on a wider and more demanding range of activities and, linked as it is to the International Federation of Social Workers the ANZASW is able to assist social workers to cope with the many demands placed on the profession. Together with the people they work with, social workers see and experience how policies meet (or fail to meet) their needs. We see the people in their social environment and we advocate for social change as well as working with people who want to make personal changes.

If you would like more information about ANZASW or the Anniversary Event in November please email c50@anzasw.org.nz or visit our website http://anzasw.org.nz/about/topics/show/455-c50-anniversary

ENDS

Sourced from: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1410/S00163/50-years-of-aotearoa-nz-association-of-social-workers.htm

Over the past year New Zealand has played host to everyone from geophysists to private detectives, doctors to journalists, thanks to the support of Tourism New Zealand’s (TNZ) business events programme.

With the launch of a new Business Events advocates programme New Zealand is set to see even more of these valuable delegations visiting our shores.

The programme was announced last night at the inaugural New Zealand Business Events Awards dinner, held by TNZ and partners Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) and Air New Zealand.

The dinner celebrated the success New Zealand has had in the Business Events sector and acknowledged the contribution of key industry and sector leaders.

Event attendees have won a combined 29 international events representing an estimated 13,500 delegates and injecting approximately NZD$41 million into the New Zealand economy.

TNZ’s International Business Events Manager, Bjoern Spreitzer says, “It’s great to see New Zealand successfully bidding for and winning international association conventions.

“Much of this comes down to the influential sector leaders who are putting their hands up to champion their field of expertise to attract key conventions to our shores.

“The advocate programme is about creating lasting relationships with these individuals so that they can continue to bid for international conferences and encourage their colleagues to do so as well,” says Bjoern.

TNZ, in partnership with ACB, has developed an advocate programme that will identify and engage thought leaders in their field, as champions for business events.

Advocate programmes are employed broadly by many countries and large cities in the international business events sector.

The programme will see regional programmes being developed throughout the country, with the ACB the first out of the gate, while Tourism New Zealand will manage the overarching national strategy.

ACB Manager Anna Hayward says the Auckland Advocate Programme - which will be launched in March 2015 - is critical for Auckland and forms part of ACB’s overall strategy to encourage more business events to the region.

“The ACB team has worked with some incredibly passionate individuals over the years and is excited to harness their enthusiasm and work with them to lift Auckland’s profile on the world stage of international conferencing.

“The Auckland Advocate Programme will use the expertise and support of the ACB and TNZ team to assist sector leaders to attract and deliver world class conferences,” says Anna.

Air New Zealand Chief Commercial and Sales Officer Cam Wallace also welcomes the announcement of the advocate programme.

“The business events market is an important means of driving visitor arrivals to New Zealand over the shoulder season.”

“This initiative is a great addition to work already being done by the tourism industry. Earlier this year, Air New Zealand launched a Conference Support Programme which aims to grow the number of conference bids won for New Zealand by working in partnership with conference organisers,” says Cam.

TNZ has significantly increased its efforts in the Business Events sector and in the last financial year has bid for 39 international events and has secured seven. The total economic value of these wins to New Zealand is NZD$15.6 million.

Read more about Tourism New Zealand’s work to grow the value of Business Events to New Zealand here.

ENDS
Contact Georgina Maguire, Communications Advisor, Tourism New Zealand
georgina.maguire@tnz.govt.nz; phone +64 21 478 659

Contact Mark Wardle, Destination Communications Executive, ATEED
mark.wardle@aucklandnz.com; phone +64 21 534 494