General WACOSS News

Registrations for the 2012 WACOSS Conference "THE BIG PICTURE" NOW OPEN

WACOSS is pleased to announce that Ms. Ingrid Srinath has confirmed as a key note for the WACOSS conference. Ms Srinith will be joining a great line of up key note speakers including Bernard Salt, John Falzon and June Oscar. Ms Srinath is the Secretary General of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, an influential global network of organisations at local, national, regional and international levels, dedicated to strengthening civil society throughout the world. Read more

Conference program just released read more

Support available to cover registration fees and regional delegates partial accommodation and travel and expenses.

Click here to find out more and to register.

Nominations Close 2nd March - Community Services Excellence Awards.

Don't miss out on the chance to win your organisation $5000, get your nominations in before the 2nd March 2012.

We encourage you to be part of the 2012 Community Services Excellence Awards by nominating an outstanding community service organisation or individual.

The Awards recognise individuals and agencies that are making a positive difference to people, families or communities through innovative and creative ways of working.

For a nomination kit and more information visit www.wacoss.org.au/csea2012.aspx

An opportunity to contribute to the WACOSS Emerging Issues Forum

The Western Australian Council of Social Service is holding its annual Emerging Issues Forum on 4th April 2012. The purpose of the Emerging Issues forum is to inform and assist WACOSS members, Peak bodies, the community services sector, and government in the planning, design and delivery of services to the WA community.

To assist us in this undertaking, we seek your valuable assistance in identifying new and emerging or chronic issues by completing the Response Form. Please complete the Response Form by the 27th February

Have you participated in a new funding reform process? - Funding Reform Program wants to hear from you!

Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS) is seeking your advice and learning to help further shape our funding reform support program. You can participate in two ways; complete a short survey and/or attend an upcoming consultation session on 12 March 2012.

WACOSS Funding Reform Program would like services to get together to share a sector perspective and discuss the funding reform experience so far. This consultation will:

  • provide feedback from the WACOSS DCSP-policy survey conducted in December 2011, and
  • discuss your experience in the reform processes and look at your organisation's current and future needs.

Do not miss your opportunity to share your valuable insight and ideas for the future. Register here: http://www.wacoss.org.au/events.aspx

Click here to download the flyer.

Community Sector Energy Hardship Service Delivery Survey: Where are the Gaps and Needs?

WA Council of Social Service (WACOSS) is seeking your input to help inform how the Office of Energy funds community service organisations to delivery services to support low income households to reduce their energy consumption. This will provide WACOSS with information about the level of knowledge and understanding the community sector has about energy, energy efficiency and energy hardship; and if community organisations are delivering services to improve energy efficiency in low income households. It is an opportunity to share the challenges faced by community services in supporting those who are struggling with increasing energy prices and suggest new and innovative ways of addressing these challenges. To help WACOSS with understanding and delivering innovative strategies, please complete this 10 minute survey is confidential and anonymous. Survey submissions close on the 2nd March.

Please click here to begin the survey.

New funds for Energy Efficiency programs.

The Federal Government has released the guidelines for the 'The Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program'. Community organisations targeted are those non-profit entities with an annual turnover of less than $10 million.

Click here to read more about the different grants available.

ACOSS NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2012 - "Sharing the Wealth of the 'Lucky' Country"

29-30 March 2012, Australian Technology Park, Sydney

The Conference, a premier national event for policy-makers, researchers and those engaged in social services or advocacy, will in 2012 have the theme ‘Sharing the wealth of the lucky country’.

Australians’ material wealth is booming but the proceeds are not being equally shared. New research shows that inequalities are rising in Australia. While the post-tax income of the poorest households is actually falling, the richest Australian households continue to earn more and more. It is an important moment, therefore, to reflect on what must be done to ensure Australia remains the fair and inclusive society we pride ourselves on being. Click here to read more

WACOSS Workshops and Seminars

Change of date for two workshops

Please note we have swapped two of our workshops – "Implementing Standard Chart of Accounts for Not-for-Profits" will now take place on May 24, and "Introducing Forecasting and Ratios into Financial Reporting" will now take place on June 26. There will be further information about these workshops on our website soon.

Community Leadership Development Program – Expressions of Interest sought

If you work in the community sector and wish to complete a Diploma of Management – then this program is for you! WACOSS offers this program every year in partnership with MODAL. The 12 month course will commence in October, with applications opening in May. To register your interest, please email training@wacoss.org.au

Understanding Strategic Planning – 14 March

Why do we exist? What are we doing? Where are we going? How are we going to get there? When are we going to get there? How do we know when we have arrived?
Strategic planning is a process that aims to answer these questions about your organisation. By creating strategic plans you give your organisation clear goals and can easily measure your success against them.
For all the details, and to book online, please click here.

Using Performance Appraisals and Managing Staff Performance – 20 March

An introduction to managing staff performance and completing performance appraisals.
For all the details, and to book online, please click here.

Utilities: Advocacy and Consumer Rights Workshops March-June 2012

WACOSS are holding four Utilities workshops for frontline staff delivering services to disadvantaged households who often struggle to pay their utility bills.

Find out how to best assist tenants who are struggling to manage utility costs through the use of up to date information on:
• Consumer Advocacy Tools
• Hardship Schemes
• Concessions and Rebates

Joondalup Thursday 22 March Register here
Mandurah Friday 30 March Register here
Busselton Wednesday 6 June Register here

OSH for Community Organisations – 27 March

This full day workshop summarises the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) laws applying to WA. It is designed to demystify the laws and assist your group with getting on the right track to fulfilling your duty of care obligations.
For all the details, and to register online, please click here.

Finance Fundamentals for Not-for-Profit Organisations – 29 March - Rockingham

(Finding Your Inner Accountant) An introduction to understanding the basics of finance for your not-for-profit organisation.
Are you on a board and have no idea what the numbers of the monthly financial statements mean? Are you managing a not-for-profit organisation and do not have any idea of how to manage finances? Are you interested and curious to find out how to read financial reports and interpret the financial health of the organisation?
Then this course is for you!
For all the details, and to register online, please click here.

What Not-for-Profits Need to Know About Social Media – 2 April

This is an introduction to using Social Media in the not-for-profit sector. Learn what Twitter and Facebook are, how they work, what the benefits are and more importantly what the risks can be. If your organisation is considering using Social Media or has recently started using Social Media then this workshop is vital in making sure it is being used appropriately and effectively.
For all the details, and to register online, please click here.

Sector News

Draft Mental Health Bill Update

The Government of Western Australia has released a draft Mental Health Bill for public comment. The Minister for Mental Health, the Hon. Helen Morton MLC launched The Mental Health Bill 2011: Draft Bill for Public Comment on 16 December 2011.

To support people to make informed comment about the proposed changes, the Mental Health Commission has organised public information sessions in Perth and regional WA during February 2012. For further information about these forums please click here.

Submissions received before 9 March 2012 will be considered in finalising the draft Bill.
Click here for further information about the draft bill.

$35 a day is not enough! - Support ACOSS Statement

ACOSS's statement as part of the campaign to raise income support Allowances, such as Newstart, and demand better assistance and training for people locked out of Australia's jobs market is now live http://www.acoss.org.au/take_action/allowances_statement_2012-02/.

Please support the campaign by adding your organisation's name. The more names added to this statement the more powerful it will be when ACOSS present it to the Government in the coming weeks.

If you are a member of an organisation that has already signed, please show your individual support by encouraging friends and others to take action on this important issue by adding their names as well. Please send it on as far and wide as possible.

Call for input: SACOSS and Flinders University Research - Homeless Services Survey

The survey is part of a research project called Risk Factors in Homelessness Programs and Interventions. The survey will identify and document the different, sometimes 'informal' criteria that funders and service managers use in making assessments about 'service performance'. The research is a collaboration between Flinders University and the South Australian Council of Social Service, funded by FaHCSIA under the National Homelessness Partnership.

Click here to read more

Department for Communities Middle Years- WA Service mapping exercise

As a direct result of the feedback received from the Middle Years Forum in July, the Department for Communities is taking a central role in establishing and strengthening links through sharing middle years information. One of the priorities identified at the Forum was to provide an overview of the services available across Western Australia which work with children aged 9 – 14 years, their parents and families. To prepare this overview the Department are seeking your help in identifying relevant programs and services provided by your organisation.

You are invited to contribute to the middle years' service mapping exercise using the attached information template. The service provision information provided will be collated and distributed through to the Middle Years Email Network early next year and posted on the Communities middle years' webpage.

City of Mandurah Scholarships

Individuals involved with a not-for-profit association are invited to apply for the inaugural $5,000 City of Mandurah Convention Scholarship.
Designed to assist in personal and professional development, the scholarship will allow the recipient to attend a relevant international conference or to undertake further study relevant to their association's industry.
The scholarship is offered under the Perth Convention Bureau's Aspire Program, which was previously called the Scholarships and Awards Program and has been operating since 1999.
In 2012, the Aspire Program will see nine awards and two scholarships worth a total of $60,000 presented to individuals involved with the State's academic and not-for-profit sectors. Click here for more information

Office Space Available – Excellent Location!

There is an opportunity for office space in in a building with other three Not for Profit organisations in the City at the end of Pier Street just 10 minutes walking distance from Claisebrook and McIver train station.
Size: 58 Square metres
Includes:

  • Private kitchen, toilet and patio.
  • 1 parking bay
  • Two shared common areas: 1 for meetings and 1 for server/ photocopying.

To view the property kindly contact Antonella Segre on antonella@connectgroups.org.au or 9228 4488.

Centrecare Corporate Training Calendar 2012

Click here to view the Perth Corporate Training Calendar

Click here to view the Bunbury Corporate Training Calendar

Sector Events

Strengthening Family Life 29th February

Lyn Worsley will soon be in Perth to facilitate another 2 day Accredited Training in her unique and practical model, the Resilience Doughnut.

Professionals who have been trained in the Resilience Doughnut are invited to a reconnect workshop with Lyn on Wednesday 29th February.

Click here to read more

Towards Good Practice- "Useful toolkit for Self Help and Support Groups Minimum Standards"

Where: 335-337 Pier St Perth
When: Thursday 1st of March 2012
From 9:30am - 12:30pm
Cost: $10 Members and $20 Non Members
Invitation can be viewed HERE
Please RSVP by Tuesday 28th February on ivi@connectgroups.org.au

EnlightenNext Perth

Click here for information about a workshop for teenagers coming up in a few weeks time and the screening of The Journey of the Universe by cosmologist Brian Swimme a couple of days prior on the 8th of March.

March Professional Development Workshops Anglicare

Anglicare are holding the following workshops in February and March.

  • Working with Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse – Presented by Mike Lew
  • Introduction to Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution
  • Working with Victims of Family Domestic Violence
  • Intro to Australia's Family Law System
  • Working with a Child Focused Approach
  • Adult Survivors of Child Abuse & Neglect
  • The Skills of Family Dispute Resolution: Ethical Practice
  • Working with Family & Domestic Violence

Click here for details on all these courses

Conversation with Professor Matt Sanders, founder of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)

Professor Sanders is presenting a Parenting Matters seminar for the Department for Communities’ Parenting WA in partnership with the Departments of Health and Education.  This free seminar, Raising Competent Confident Children, is for parents, grandparents and carers focuses on children 8 – 12 years. 

Click here to for more information

2012 QMS Quality Forum-Unravelling the Quality Maze 15th March

Quality Management Services (QMS) invites you to this exciting one day forum for all Health and Community Services with a desire to develop excellent organisations, services and programs. Come and hear key speakers on the quality challenges for Health and Community Services and find out about continuous improvement, accreditation options and quality choices.

Click here to read

One World Centre Fundraiser Film 25th March

One World Centre are holding a Movie Fundraiser screening of "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" on the 25th of March

Click here for more information

Quantic Workshop: Measuring Outcomes – Demonstrate that Your Organisation is Making a Difference 27th March

Community based organisations and people who work in them want to make a difference in peoples' lives. The Results-Based Accountability™ Framework can help demonstrate that this is what you are doing.

  • Action oriented
  • Focus on common sense methods
  • Improve the performance of programs and organisations
  • Involve clients in setting outcome measures

Click here to read more

Specialist Homelessness Services Conference May 2012

In partnership with the Western Australian Council on Homelessness, the Department for Child Protection is pleased to announce the 2012 Specialist Homelessness Services Conference, Leading the road home! Held at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre on 28 & 29 May 2012, abstracts for presentations and workshops are currently being sought from services and other key stakeholders.

Please find attached the following information:

• Conference Information
• Presentation/ Workshop Abstract - Expression of Interest
• Information Stall/ Poster Presentation- Expression of Interest

Relevant information can also be accessed on the Departments website on: http://www.dcp.wa.gov.au/servicescommunity/Pages/Homelessness.aspx

WACOSS Jobs

WACOSS is seeking a dynamic social policy professional to join our team. For more information on this full time position click here

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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