Our Community is a world-leading social enterprise that provides 15 Knowledge
Centres – spanning all aspects of running a community group and comprising
a range of resources, training, advice and tools – for Australia’s
700,000 community groups and schools, as well as practical linkages between
the community sector and the general public, business and government. Click here to read about us.
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Get Giving! Australian Giving Week 2009 will take place across the country from 1-7 December. There are many ways you can take part, whether you're an individual, a business, a community group, an MP or a member of the media. Find out how to give better this Christmas at www.givingweek.com.au.
Saying Thanks: Nominations are now open for the 2009 Alcoa Foundation Outstanding Community Worker Award. This program is designed to recognise and celebrate the contribution to the nation's life made by the men and women working in Australian community groups. A prize of $5000 will go to the community sector worker who best exemplifies the sector's ideals of dedication, excellence and service. click here to find out more.
Fine Tuning your Board: Treasurer Wayne Swan and KPMG Leader and Australian Social Inclusion Board Chair Patricia Faulkner have been confirmed as speakers for the 2009 Board Builder Conference, to be held at Telstra Dome in Melbourne on February 27. Find out more and book your spot at www.ourcommunity.com.au/boardbuilder2009.
Achieving Excellence in Grants Management: The 2009 Best Practice in Grants Management Conference program has just been announced. The conference will be held in Melbourne on February 20, with a special half-day session for local government on February 19. This is the practical conference for grants managers from federal, state and local government. Click Here to find out more.
Last Chance to Vote for your Favourite Pic: A brush-tailed possum hiding in his tree hollow, a winter's day at the beach, the sun rising above the clouds, playing Frisbee on Lake Eyre at sunset, and the classic rural Australian 'outhouse' - these are just some of the many unique photos that have been submitted to the new Our Community Photo Bank over the past few months. Vote for your favourite before December 1 at www.ourcommunity.com.au/photobank.
2008 Christmas Giving Cards Released: Australia Post and Our Community have again teamed up to launch the 2008 Christmas Giving Cards campaign. We're encouraging politicians, local government councillors, businesses and individuals to purchase Giving Cards to send to their contacts, with $1 from each card purchased donated to a community group of their choice. For more about these great Christmas Cards go to: www.ourcommunity.com.au/givingcard.
Finding Treasurers: Our Community's Board Matching Service is now being promoted among accountants' professional bodies, giving organisations on the look-out for new board talent more opportunity than ever before to reach a high quality pool of motivated professionals. You can list your vacancy or find out more at www.ourcommunity.com.au/boardmatch.
Making Waves: Calling all community advocates - we want to hear from you! We are currently developing a collection of case studies illustrating the issues, challenges and lessons learned from a variety of advocacy campaigns throughout Australia. The history of your campaign can significantly aid others in achieving their own aspirations - share your story by completing our survey at www.ourcommunity.com.au/advocacycasestudies.
Book a Brain: If you want to make sure your "community brains" are put to good use, you may want to follow the Maleny example and set up a 'Book a Brain' initiative. Information sheets and templates are posted online in the Tools and Plans bank at www.ourcommunity.com.au/whatworks. You can submit your great ideas too!
Help us help people find your group: Join In, Join Up! will soon be launched with a flurry of publicity. This is a unique opportunity for community groups around Australia to find new members and supporters - but they can't find you if you're not in the directories. Sign up now at www.ourcommunity.com.au/signupdirectory. It's free!
Community View: The latest edition of Our Community Matters includes tips on recharging your board, avoiding embezzlement in your organisation, surviving the financial crisis, and getting the best from your volunteers, plus fundraising and membership lessons from the Obama presidential campaign, the latest from the Marketing Guru, community classifieds (notices, offers, giveaways and tips) and more. Sign up as a member now (it's free!) at www.ourcommunity.com.au/signup, or download this month's edition of Our Community Matters at www.ourcommunity.com.au/ocmatters
