philanthropyOz Blog

Philanthropy Workers Network - Social Media & Technology

We’d like to invite staff from our Full Member organisations to come along for a lunchtime discussion on social media and technology in philanthropy, Wednesday 7 September.

With so much talk at the moment about social media, new media communications, new technologies, mobile web - what does it mean for those of us working in the philanthropic sector? Is it relevant? Are you using it? What are your challenges? And how is it helping the work of philanthropy?

Please join us for a relaxed, informal BYO lunch to talk about these issues and anything else around social media and technology.

Some discussion points:

• Current challenges with your organisation’s use of technology and new media.
• Where do you see the sector heading in terms of using these new tools and ways of communicating?
• How is social media of benefit to the philanthropic sector and the way it operates?
• How could you be harnessing technology - with and without Philanthropy Australia - to make your job easier/better/more effective?

Bring your ideas, examples and recommended resources to share and discuss. But most of all, come and share your opinion - we want to know what it is!

When: Wednesday, 7 September 2011, 12 noon - 2pm (BYO lunch; tea & coffee provided)

Where: Philanthropy Australia’s office in Melbourne CBD, or join us by phoning in

Cost: Free

» Click here to RSVP online (you must be employed by a Full Member of Philanthropy Australia)

Events Calendar Update

New additions to our philanthropic sector Events Calendar this week:

• Melbourne’s Road Home Forum IV (25 August, Melbourne)
• Funding with Cultural and Gender Integrity (31 August, Redfern NSW / 14 September, Melbourne / 23 September, Kings Park WA)
• Philanthropy Australia Oration with Dr Dorothy Scott: In Cash or In Kind - For Love or Money (1 September, Sydney / 8 September, Melbourne)
• Australian Workplace Giving Awards Presentation (5 September, NSW)
• Philanthropy and Social Investment in the Asia Pacific Forum (14-15 September, Carlton VIC)
• Philanthropy Australia’s Health & Community Sector CEO Discussion Forum (12 October, Melbourne)
• 4th Annual Family Office Congress (30 November - 1 December, Australia)

Members Onlly *

^{* Full Members of Philanthropy Australia only, unless otherwise specified.}

• UPDATED: Indigenous Affinity Group (24 August, Melbourne)
• Rural and Regional Affinity Group (1 September, Bendigo VIC)
• Members Dinner with David Gonski, AC: Philanthropy in Australia - We Have Improved, But Where To From Here? (15 September, Kensington NSW)
• UPDATED: Ageing Futures Affinity Group - Special Wicking Trust Presentation (19 October, Melbourne)

» Further details on these events are available on the Events Calendar. 

Philanthropy & Social Investment in the Asia Pacific Forum

Do you or your organisation fund or wish to fund in the Asia Pacific? The Asia Pacific Centre for Social Investment and Philanthropy is holding a forum next month which will address some of these issues.

The “Philanthropy and Social Investment in the Asia Pacific” Forum on Sept 14-15 will be hosted by the Melbourne Business School and has been supported by Philanthropy Australia. Please note that Full and Associate members of Philanthropy Australia are entitled to a 20% discount on this event.

Speakers include Christine Edwards (Myer Foundation), representatives from AusAID and ACFID, Andrew MacLeod (Principles for Social Investment) as well as case studies from IWDA, Marie Stopes, plus private philanthropists. Latest research and data on giving will also be presented by APCSIP.

For further information: Download flyer with full details here or contact Rikki Andrews for further information.

Scholarships open for applications

Quite a few scholarship announcements are doing the rounds at the moment, so we’d like to let you know about a few that are worth looking at for those in the philanthropic sector. Please direct all enquiries to the relevant organisation offering the placements.

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Australian Scholarships Foundation Scholarships for Not-for-Profit Board Members

Up to 325 scholarships are available for not-for-profit board members and non-executive directors to attend the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ one-day Not-for-Profit Board Course to be held around the country during October and November. The one-day course is designed specifically for board directors of charitable organisations looking to develop a deeper knowledge of the responsibilities of directorship, governance and performance issues relating to NFP organisations. Funded by Perpetual Foundation in partnership with the JS Love Trust.

Note that your organisation does not need DGR in order for you (as an individual) to apply.

Scholarship commencement date: One day in October or November 2011in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth or Canberra

Applications for scholarship close: Friday, 19 August 2011

Click here for application guidelines and more information

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Charlie Perkins Indigenous Scholarships in the UK

Two annual postgraduate scholarships are open for Indigenous Australians to study at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge for up to four years. Established by the Charlie Perkins Trust for Children & Students, with funding for the first two scholars provided by the Australian Government, the British Government, Rio Tinto, Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and Cambridge Australia Scholarships Ltd.

Applicants must first apply to Oxford or Cambridge University for a graduate degree before applying for the scholarship.

Scholarship commencement date: 2012/2013

Applications to Cambridge University closing date: 1 December 2011http://blog.philanthropy.org.au/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=639

Applications to Oxford University closing date: 20 January 2012

Applications for scholarship open: 15 August 2011 - 14 October 2011

Click here for application guidelines and more information

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Swinburne University Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship - Arts & Social Sciences

Based in Victoria, the Swinburne Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships exempt students from paying the student contribution amount for the duration of their course, subject to academic and other conditions. Courses eligible include the Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Public Policy) and the Bachelor of Social Science, amongst many others.

Scholarship commencement date: 2012

Applications for scholarship close: 19 December 2011

Click here for a list of courses available and application guidelines

New CEO Announced for Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation

After news of current CEO Christine Edwards’ intention to retire from The Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation in late September several months ago, we’ve been waiting with keen interest to see who would take over Christine’s role heading one of the biggest and most influential private funders in Australia.

We’re very pleased to receive the news that Leonard Vary will be taking over position as CEO.  His breadth of experience in corporate and philanthropic roles stand him in good stead to continue the organisation’s innovative and important works.

Christine’s leadership and knowledge will be missed by the sector, but we wish her well in her retirement and exciting sailing adventures.

Following is the official media release:

The Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation today announced the appointment of Leonard Vary as CEO of both organisations.  Mr Vary will take over the position from Christine Edwards when she retires in late September.

Christine Edwards has held the role for the past seven years.  The Directors of the Foundation and Trustees of the Fund acknowledged Christine’s outstanding contribution to both organisations and to the philanthropic sector generally.  She and her husband are setting off on a new adventure together to sail the world.

Before this appointment, Leonard was an Executive Director of the Fox Private Group, a Director of Fox Group Holdings and of Linfox Airports Group Pty Ltd.  Among other duties, he had responsibility for a number of the Fox family’s business interests and oversaw their philanthropic activities through the Fox Family Foundation.

During his time at Linfox, Leonard has held various board positions and key management roles, including President Human Resources, General Counsel and Company Secretary.  Prior to joining Linfox he was in private practice at Clayton Utz, a leading Australian law firm.

Leonard holds Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Melbourne.  In 2006 he undertook the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Leonard is the current Chairman of the Centre for Contemporary Photography, a director of the Malthouse Theatre, a past Vice President of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, a member of the University of Melbourne’s Competition Law Graduate Program Advisory Board and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“We were looking for someone with high level interpersonal skills, strong ethical values, inquisitiveness, business acumen, experience in working with families across generations, and the ability to represent the Myer Family in the philanthropic and not for profit sectors, and with government.  We have found all these qualities in Leonard and look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead,” said Martyn Myer, President of the Myer Foundation.

“I am utterly delighted to have been selected for this important role,” said Leonard.  “Christine Edwards is a greatly admired contributor to Australian society and leaves very big shoes to fill.”

For media enquiries please contact:
Martyn Myer AO
President, The Myer Foundation
Ph: 03 9207 7862

Or
Carrillo Gantner AO
Chairman, Sidney Myer Fund
Ph: 03 9690 1811

New Positions Vacant

The Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) are seeking a highly organised and multi-skilled person to join their small team as Events and Communications Coordinator. Based in Melbourne, the position will assist in managing workshops, an annual conference and grantmakers field trip, and creation of newsletters and branded material. The successful applicant must have excellent attention to detail with layout and communications skills and experience.

Applications close 26 August 2011 - click here for more details on this position

Based in Sydney CBD, Matana Foundation for Young People require the services of an Administrative Assistant approximately one day per week initially for website development, software selection and implementation and systems setup. After that, the position will be assisting with general administration, website updating and grant administration. Work hours are flexible, and NFP sector experience essential.

Applications open until filled - click here for more details on this position

Documentary Australia Foundation are seeking a passionate and entrepreneurial individual to join their small team as Development Director, based in Sydney. The successful candidate will cultivate and manage DAF’s expanding donor base to drive social change through documentary initiatives, including the development, production and outreach of high profile documentaries.

Applications open until filled - click here for more details on this position

If you’d like to submit a job listing for the philanthropic sector or senior fundraising positions, please see our submissions page here.

Multiple possible facets of corporate philanthropy

The Workplace Giving Awards are currently in that limbo-zone between the close-date for entries and the announcement of recipients, so it’s a good time for for-profit organisations to consider ways in which they can introduce a social responsibility element into their structure.

Origin Energy’s Origin Foundation uses an Engaged Philanthropy program with its staff – for instance, when the Foundation made a $1 million gift to microloan facilitator Good Return recently, the Engaged Philanthropy model means Origin employees will contributing their time and professional knowledge to the project, increasing the impact of the financial donation.

Some corporate sectors are familiar with offering ‘time’ and ‘talent’ philanthropy in addition to the ‘treasure’ aspect – any firm that offers pro-bono work is using a version of this concept. As time goes on, it’s likely that more and more companies will begin embracing this wider definition of social investment and workplace giving.

Horn of Africa Drought & Famine

Severe drought and famine is currently gripping nations in the East Africa, including Somalia, Ethopia and Kenya. Affecting more than 12 million people, thousands have died with many displaced by continuing civil unrest and starvation affecting thousands of communities. The Australian Federal Government has committed $80million to help victims, and aid agencies working on the ground are in need of additional assistance for food, shelter, health and medical supplies.

^{Image source: World Concern http://humanitarian.worldconcern.org}

Australians wishing to make tax-deductible donations can do so via the following organisations:

• Oxfam Australia - Phone 1800 088 110
• Australian Red Cross - Phone 1800 811 700
• Caritas Australia - Phone 1800 024 413
• Plan International Australia - Phone 13 75 26
• World Vision Australia  - Phone 13 32 40

Australian Workplace Giving Awards

The Australian Charities Fund will hold the inaugural Australian Workplace Giving Awards at a function at NSW Parliament House on Monday 5 September from 9am -10.30am. The current Australian of the Year, Simon McKeon AO, will present the Awards and give the keynote address on the topic ‘Make Giving Count’.

The awards celebrate the leadership and initiatives of employers and community organisations in promoting awareness of, and participation in, workplace giving.They offer employers and community organisations the opportunity to celebrate employee generosity, enhance the reputation of their organisations and grow recognition of workplace giving as an important and growing fundraising stream.

For more information: http://australiancharitiesfund.org.au/awards