philanthropyOz Blog

Govt. announce new body for not-for-profit sector

In a media release on Wednesday 28 January, the Rudd Government announced that it will appoint the Community Response Taskforce to advise on responses to hardships caused by the economic downturn.

The announcement follows a meeting between the Acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Ursula Stephens, with not-for-profit sector leaders to discuss the impact of the economic downturn on Australians.

The Taskforce will also focus on priorities for regulatory reform to enable not-for-profit organisations to focus on helping vulnerable Australians rather than expending valuable resources on managing red-tape.

The Taskforce is to hold its first meeting in late February or early March. The group will also seek a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss how not-for-profit organisations can contribute to nation building initiatives that reduce hardship.

“Strong non profit organisations build cohesion and fairness in our community in good times and bad. The Rudd Government remains committed to a compact which builds a strong and effective partnership with this sector that works most closely with Australians suffering disadvantage, marginalisation and those who may find themselves in economic hardship for the first time.”

“The Community Response Taskforce will provide a direct line of contact between Australians doing it tough and the Rudd Government. The invaluable perspectives and advice the Taskforce will provide will enable us to implement effective responses to minimise hardship and rebuild the community strength of our nation,” said Senator Stephens.

The media release can be found at the Ministers’ Media Centre

Angel Investor Network information session (Sydney)

The SVA Angel Investor Network (AIN) brings together women who want to collectively pool their knowledge and funds to invest in innovative social programs, and increase their effectiveness by linking, learning and acting with others. AIN offers members a thoughtful meeting ground to reflect and learn about key social issues and philanthropy and its place in Australia. Three AIN Forums are held each year in Sydney and Melbourne for Angel Investors, which are designed as interactive learning opportunities featuring keynote speakers, case studies and panel sessions with experts from the social and philanthropic sectors.

The Network is now inviting new members to join, and is holding an informative morning tea in Sydney on Thursday 5 February for those interested to learn more.
Contact Alicia Gibbs: ph: (02) 8004 6715 or email: agibbs@socialventures.com.au

New School for Social Entrepreneurs (Sydney)

Australia’s new School for Social Entrepreneurs is seeking its first round of Sydney-based participants who are eager to turn their ideas for social change into reality. The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) Australia is dedicated to identifying, developing and supporting social entrepreneurs to establish effective, sustainable community projects and initiatives that meet social and community needs.

The only prerequisite for SSE Australia’s Sydney program is that applicants demonstrate entrepreneurial drive and have a passion for social change. No formal qualifications are required and participants may range in age from 20-75 and be serving diverse communities and issues. SSE Australia will select 15-20 individuals to commence the 9-month tailored Sydney program in March 2009, which involves a combination of weekly group study sessions, one-to-one tutorials, mentoring sessions, project visits and a 3-day residential.

Applications close on February 6. All applicants are encouraged to contact the SSE Program Officer Courtney Collins at courtney@sse.org.au before submitting their application to discuss the program in more detail. Interviews will take place in early February 2009. For more information visit the website www.sse.org.au
Contact Sally McGeoch. Mob: 0438 153 655 Email: sally@sse.org.au

New Positions Vacant

Relationships Manager, Mission Australia (Melbourne)

AMP Foundation Administrator (Sydney)

Grants Manager, Sydney Community Foundation

Go to the Positions Vacant page for more information.

Final PPF Submission Now Available

Philanthropy Australia’s final submission in response to the Treasury discussion paper ‘Improving the Integrity of Prescribed Private Funds’ is now available: click here to download the PDF file.

Much of your feedback and comments have been included in our final submission. Thank you for taking the time to contact us on this issue.

The lodgement date for submissions to Treasury is next Wednesday 14 January. We urge our members who would like to contribute their own views to Treasury to do so without delay!

For details and more information, see the Treasury paper on http://www.treasury.gov.au/contentitem.asp?NavId=002&ContentID=1444