General WACOSS News

WACOSS Community Leadership Development Program (Diploma of Management) – now open for applications.

Please join us for a free Information Evening on June 15, 5.30pm-7.00pm at City West Lotteries House, 2 Delhi Street, West Perth, in Conference Room 7.

Register for the information event online at: www.wacosstraining.org.au/index.cfm/booking.357

The Community Leadership Development Program is a joint initiative of WACOSS and MODAL, a business training and consultancy organisation. The program allows managers, coordinators and team leaders of community service organisations to achieve a Diploma of Management over the 12 month program.

The program has been running for eight years, covering topics such as how to manage people, projects, operational plans, budgets and personal work priorities while maintaining high standards of service, team effectiveness and continuous improvement.

We are accepting applications for this program until July 1st, 5pm.  Applicants must be in a leadership/management role in a not-for-profit organisation and be responsible for supervising at least two other people in their organisation.

Further details of this program can be found at: http://www.wacoss.org.au/services/accredited_training/community_leadership_program.aspx

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Gina Olivieri at training@wacoss.org.au or 9420 7222 or click here to download the flyerend_of_the_skype_highlighting

Employment Opportunity at WACOSS- Training and Development Officer

WACOSS are currently recruiting for a Training and Development Officer. The position will primarily be a role that is delivering training courses, contributing to the development of the training program and undertaking project and consultancy work. The position will play a significant role in sector development. Click here for further details.

Fair Work Australia Increases Minimum Wage

On 3 June 2011, Fair Work Australia awarded a percentage increase of 3.4% to award wages, which amounts to lifting the National Minimum Wage by $19.40 a week to $589.30 or $15.51 an hour from 1 July, 2011.

This means that the Federal minimum wage is increased by .51 cents per hour.  This is not an across the board increase, but all award rates must be increased individually by 3.4%. 

If your staff are paid in excess of 3.4% above the award rate of pay you do not need to pass on this increase – but be mindful of pay relativities between classifications. Click here to read this article in full

Tariff & Concession Framework Review- Issues Paper released

In response to the challenges faced by some households in meeting the cost of energy, the State Government established the Tariff and Concession Framework (TCF) Review. The TCF Review is a partnership between the Office of Energy and the Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS).

The TCF Review will investigate ways to ensure that electricity used for essential services remains affordable for all Western Australians. Click here to read this article in full

2011-12 Budget Funding WACOSS Information Package- Funding and Contracting Announcements for Community Services

Click here to download the 2011-12 Budget Funding WACOSS Information Package.
This information package contains information prepared by WACOSS for the community services sector about the details of the State Government funding and contracting reforms that were announced as part of the WA State Budget.
The Package contains detailed information and links to other documents designed to help community service organisations understand the impact of the announcements for their organisation.

Community Leadership Development Program Applications Open Now!

Each year WACOSS, in collaboration with business consultancy MODAL, offers a Diploma of Management for leaders in the community services sector through the Community Leadership Development Program. Applications for this program will open May 27. For application information come to our information session. For details and to book online click here. To access the application forms click here

NEW WORKSHOP! Social Networking and Marketing

In a not-for-profit organisation, there is a constant need to weigh up the cost of getting your work known and supported by the public, versus the benefits of extra donations coming in the door. Spending too much on marketing can mean less money to spend on your vital projects. Click here to read this article in full.

Commonwealth People's Forum 2011

The next Commonwealth People's Forum will be held in Perth, Western Australia, from 25 to 27 October 2011.

The Commonwealth People's Forum (CPF), brings together civil society representatives from around the world, to discuss and debate key issues facing Commonwealth people. Held every two years in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the CPF is the single biggest opportunity for civil society to engage with Commonwealth leaders on global development issues.

Click here to read more

WACOSS Workshops and Seminars

Social Policy Seminar- Energy Efficiency:Engaging community services and low income households 15th June

Are increasing energy and water prices putting financial pressure on your community organisation? Have you seen an increasing number of your clients struggling to pay their energy and water bills? Concerned about the potential impacts of a Carbon Tax?
WACOSS invites you to attend this seminar in order to advance your understanding of and provide your opinions on Energy Efficiency

Click here to view the flyer

Click here to book your place

Social Policy Seminar: The New Australian Consumer Law Community Information Session 22nd June

WACOSS in collaboration with The Department of Commerce - Consumer Protection Division invites you to attend a free information session on the 22nd June 2011 to gain a better understanding of the new Australian Consumer Law.

Click here to view the flyer

Click here to book online

Perth Workshops

  • Social Networking and Marketing 17 June 2011

Social media can be a powerful tool for connecting you with your clients, donors or the general public. When done well, it can give you new avenues for engaging with new people and getting your organisation's work known, for free! In this workshop, learn how to use social media as a marketing tool for your organisation.
Register at http://www.wacosstraining.org.au/index.cfm/booking.325

  • How to be a SUPER Supervisor 21 June 2011

Being a supervisor is more than just signing off on paperwork. In this workshop you will learn how to effectively manage others, identify staff development needs, enhance performance and delegate tasks to others. This popular course will increase your confidence in supervising others – an invaluable skill.
Register at http://www.wacosstraining.org.au/index.cfm/booking.327

Connecting and Communicating with Aboriginal Clients 30 June 2011

Learn to improve the way your organisation works with Aboriginal people in the community in this Aboriginal developed and delivered course. You will learn practical strategies and tools for working with Aboriginal people and communities, as well as effective ways to initiate contact with Aboriginal individuals, communities and organisations. The course also covers broad information about Indigenous cultures in Australia. This course is a must for anyone who currently works with Aboriginal people, or wishes to broaden their services to reach Aboriginal communities in the future.
Register at http://www.wacosstraining.org.au/index.cfm/booking.351

Budget Counselling Training

June 30-July 1 Kalgoorlie – places available, please register by June 13. Contact training@wacoss.org.au for further information

Sector News

Lawyer of the Year Award goes to Part-timers sharing role

In what has been hailed as a landmark award for lawyers working part time, two lawyers working together as the principal solicitor for not for profit organisation CASE for Refugees, have jointly been awarded the Law Society of Western Australia “2011 Lawyer of the Year Award”.
Both lawyers, Amanda Goodier and Shayla Strapps, share the role of Principal Solicitor at Case for Refugees, mostly on different days, together making up one full time role. Click here to read this article in full

ARAFMI Petition- Mandatory Sentencing

Click here to download and sign a copy of the Petition in Relation to Mandatory Sentencing of People With a Mental Impairment

Women and Housing Affordability Survey

The Swinburne University’s Institute for Social Research, in conjunction with the Salvation Army, is conducting a survey on women and housing affordability in Australia.
The researchers are seeking the views of single women, aged 40 and over (with or without children) who do not expect to own their home outright before they retire. Click here to read this article in full

New online service helps health professionals address problem gambling

People with gambling problems often have mental health, addiction and relationship issues and may visit a range of health and welfare professionals before they tackle their gambling.
Gambling Help Online, a new, Australian-first online service provides counselling, information and support 24/7 for people who need help with gambling issues, including referring health professionals. Click here to read this article in full.

Goodcompany

Do you have a vision of how you would like your community organisation to look like?
Is the only thing missing from your great project idea someone with the skills to bring it to life?
goodcompany provides not-for-profit community groups a simple and free way to promote online to thousands of registered skilled professionals across Australia, details of a project that would help make a difference to your organisation. Click here to read this article in full

Help to Host Seniors Week Events in 2011

COTA WA, in partnership with the Department for Communities and Lotterywest, will be assisting community groups and local government organisations hold events during Bendigo Bank WA Seniors 2011.
Grants of up to $1000 are available through the Seniors Week Community Grants Program, as a contribution towards meeting the costs associated with hosting events in Western Australia between Sunday 6 November and Sunday 13 November.

click here to read this article in full

Your Online Resource Coming Soon

Thanks to a Lotterywest grant, small to medium community sector organisations in urban and regional Western Australia will benefit from an online support framework now in development by Community Sector Services.

Through its website Community Sector Services (CSS) will provide resources such as:

• an online ICT helpdesk
• tools and resources
• the ability to host forums on matters relevant to the sector using social media tools.

Click here to read this article in full

Power a Pensioner

People Who Care's "Power a Pensioner" is about not letting Perth's frail aged, who rely solely on the pension being left behind in extreme poverty

You can support People Who Care's "Power a Pensioner" by buying a ticket in our raffle. There are only 1,000 tickets available at $100 each for your chance to win 100 bottles of some of WA's finest wines valued at $5,000.

Click here for further details

The Commissioner for Children and Young People is conducting a review of three of their guidelines publications.

• Are you listening? - Guidelines for making complaints processes accessible and responsive for children and young people
• Improving legislation for children and young people; and
• Involving children and young people – participation guidelines.

CCYP are keen to talk to some agencies that have used any of these guidelines to assess whether they found the publication to be useful, how the agency used the publication and how CCYP could improve it.

If you or your organisation has used any of these three publications, CCYP would love to hear from you. Contact CCYP by telephoning (08) 6213 2297 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (08) 6213 2297      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or emailing Caron.Irwin@ccyp.wa.gov.au

Mission Australia's Annual Youth Survey

Mission Australia's annual Youth Survey - the largest of its kind in Australia - has been undertaken each year since 2002. Conducted between April and July, the survey asks young Australians aged 11 to 24 what they value, where they turn for advice and support, what issues concern them, how they are involved with their community and their feelings about their future

Click here for further details

Sector Events

Upcoming Workshops at Richmond Fellowship WA

Richmond Fellowship WA will be holding the following workshops in June & July:

  • The psychiatrist, the psychologist and the ex patient: A frank discussion on schizophrenia. FREE EVENT 15th June
  • Recovery Seminar Series 21st June
  • Hearing Voices Awareness Training 7th & 21st July

Click here for full details

Understanding The Nature of Self Regulation 16th June 2011

Centrecare is pleased to present this rare opportunity to hear first hand from a leading expert about this exciting discovery in the field of early childhood development. Chil-dren are our future and to have the chance to learn ways we can make that future so much better is invaluable. This seminar presentation is most suitable for those that work in the social services sector with children, parents and car-ers, or for those providing training or developing policies and programs related to this target group.

Click here for further details

Portrayal of Women In the Media- Panel Discussion 16th June

The Women's Advisory Council will be holding a panel discussion on the 16th of June. Click here for further information

Public Forum: The Impact of Detention on the Mental Health of Asylum Seekers 23rd June

Click here for further information on a Public Forum with guest speaker Professor Derrick Silove and presentations from former detainees and ASeTTS’ staff, working with detainees

Ethnicity and Disability = Human Diversity Workshop 24th June

The National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is facilitating workshops on human rights of people from non English speaking background (NESB) with disability.

Click here for further information

Sports Without Borders Conference 27th June 2011

Sports Without Borders is a national not-for-profit organisation, auspiced by the Australian Multicultural Foundation and dedicated to providing support for young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds who want to get involved in sport.
The 2011 Sports Without Borders conference, scheduled for 27 June 2011 in Melbourne, will bring together local government managers, sportspeople, sporting clubs, government, sports administrators and educators to learn the facts, and discuss new practices and next practice solutions. Senator Kate Lundy is a key speaker. The conference program and registration form are attached.

Click here for further information

SAFE in Oz Updated 2011 Training Calendar & Issue 20 Newsletter

Click here to download Issue 20 of the SAFE in Oz newsletter

Click here to download the SAFE in Oz Training Calendar

Goldfields-Esperance Grant Workshops

The Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission and Regional Development Australia Goldfields-Esperance are pleased to present a series of workshops to be held throughout the region in 2011 aimed at developing the skills of individuals and organisations in planning for projects, writing grant applications, and managing grant funding.

Click here for further information

Fresh Start seminar on recovering from drug addiction.

Subiaco-based Fresh Start Recovery Programme will host a one-day seminar to help Western Australians understand the latest recovery-oriented approaches to drug addiction.
Fresh Start Recovery Seminar will be held at the University of Western Australia on July 8.

Click here for more details

2011 Western Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Conference June 18th & 19th 2011

Child Australia is pleased to announce the 2011 Western Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Conference "Windows of Opportunity" to be held over the weekend of June 18 & 19, 2011.

Click here to learn more

Ready to Work's Fundraising Event – Wednesday, 6 July 2011

Tim Winton's 'Rising Water' play at the new Heath Ledger Theatre in Northbridge. Please contact Jodi Tazewell on info@readytowork.org.au, telephone 9381 7884 or visit our website www.readytowork.org.au for further details. Thank you for supporting Ready to Work.

Click here for further details

COTA WA Policy Briefing 19th July

COTA WA would like to invite you to their next policy briefing, which is being held on Tuesday 19 July from 9.15am to 12 noon being held at City West Reception Centre. The focus of this session will be retirement income issues for seniors and will include presentations on;

  • Retirement Income Policy in Australia – a brief history.
  • “Fair Go for Pensioners”- What’s Happening?
  • Energy Issues for Western Australian Seniors- Affordability and sustainability
  • The Carbon Tax- What does it all mean?

To register please complete the form (click here to download) and return it with payment ($30 for COTA WA members and $40 for non-members) by Tuesday 12 July 2011.

Community Sector Jobs

The following position are currently advertised on the WACOSS/ANSON Community Jobs page. Click here to view the vacancies in full.

If you would like to advertised your vacancies on the WACOSS/ANSON Community Jobs page please contact John Broweleit at ANSON at jbroweleit@anson.com.au

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