Social Traders E-Bulletin March 2010
E-bulletin March 2010
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Last month’s earthquake in Haiti was the most destructive natural disaster that a single country has experienced. This month presents the possibility to reflect and improve the process of building a country. Could Social Enterprise development provide an answer? Post your comment on our Community Discussion Forum - http://www.socialtraders.com.au/forum
Visit www.socialtraders.com.au
Email info@socialtraders.com.au
Or if you would like to talk to us, call Nina Howard and the Social Traders Team on (03) 9421 7595.
Quick Links- Find what you're looking for:
Social Traders Activity
News
Launches
Grants
Opinion Piece
About Social Enterprise
Social Enterprise Profile
Events and Workshops
Resources and Publications
Job Opportunities
Social Traders Activity
Social Enterprise Study Tour
The most recent tour (Outlook Environmental, Charcoal Lane and Carlton and Fitzroy Community Credit) provided an opportunity for people engaged or interested in the social enterprise sector to experience ‘in situ’ case studies of a range of different social enterprises. Participants were able to question the history and future of sustainable social enterprises, share ideas and network with relevant partners, and discover purchasing opportunities to develop their own enterprises. If you would also like to ‘connect’ join the next tour on Tuesday 23rd March, please contact info@socialtraders.com.au
Measuring Social Impact
Social Traders has taken on a Social Accounting and Audit project started by the Brotherhood of St Laurence in 2009 with funding from the Westpac Foundation. The Prove and Improve project, managed by Tara Kelly, has provided funding, training and one-on-one support to seven social enterprises to undertake a Social Accounting and Audit process as a way to measure the social value created by their various social enterprises.
Contact Tara Kelly tara.kelly@socialtraders.com.au for more information or go to http://www.socialtraders.com.au/measuring-impact
Navigating Social Entrepreneurship and Enterprise in Victoria
Almost 100 people attended the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) and Social Traders seminar on the 18th February in Melbourne. Attendees heard case studies from existing social enterprises, networked with a range of relevant practitioners and were given the opportunity to meet one on one with support agencies working in the sector.
AXA Micro Business Summit, Melbourne, 5 February 2010
Social Traders Managing Director David Brooks sat on a panel of prominent private and public sector leaders at the summit. David discussed the particular support needed for social enterprise development to ensure a sustainable long term future. Discussions also explored how to match the skills in the corporate sector with those needed in community. City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle announced plans to create “A separate category of grants to help support people who wish to start micro businesses, and in particular those people who’ve come from backgrounds of disadvantage and homelessness”.
News
Cabinet Reshuffle in Victoria means new Minister responsible for Social Enterprise
Lily D'Ambrosio MP has been appointed as the new Minister for Community Development replacing Peter Batchelor who retains Energy & Resources and picks up the Arts portfolio. Social Traders will be meeting the new Minister shortly to brief her on the developments of the social enterprise sector and planned activities for 2010. Read about our policy initiatives: http://www.socialtraders.com.au/our-policy-initiatives
Productivity Commission Report on the Contribution of the Third Sector, released - 11 February 2010
The Productivity Commission was tasked by the Australian Government with measuring the contribution of the Not-for-Profit sector. It was also asked to examine ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the sector, including the delivery of government funded services. The report findings show that Australian NFP organisations employ eight per cent of the paid workforce and contribute $43 billion to Australia’s GDP; and also provide the platform for the work of 4.6 million volunteers with a wage equivalent of $15 billion.
Read the Social Traders opinion - http://www.socialtraders.com.au/opinion-pieces
Read the full report - http://www.socialtraders.com.au/our-policy-initiatives
Inaugural Graduates, 18th February 2010
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion Ursula Stephens congratulated the inaugural graduating class from Australia’s new School for Social Entrepreneurs, on 18th February. “The 17 students in the graduating class have shown impressive entrepreneurial drive and an innovative approach to addressing social needs,” said Senator Stephens. To find out more about the SSE follow this link:
http://www.socialtraders.com.au/business-and-social-enterprise-support-agencies#New_South_Wales
Social Enterprise Development in New Zealand, 9th to 11th February 2010
More than 300 delegates attended the Community Economic Development Conference held in Waitakere, Auckland. The conference was geared around three streams: Social Enterprise Development, Alternative Finance and Investment, and Community Economic Development; and addressed the transitional time when not-for-profit organisations begin moving from innovation to enterprise, to long term sustainability. Conference details, presentations and the list of Australian presenters can be found by following this link: http://www.socialtraders.com.au/event/2010/01/community-economic-development-conference
Supporting the Not-For-Profit Sector
Following extensive consultations between the Government and the not-for-profit sector the Australian Government released the National Compact Consultation Report. The National Compact, which aims to strengthen the working relationship between the Government and the not-for-profit sector, will be launched at an official signing ceremony at Parliament House on 17 March 2010.
Read the full report http://www.socialtraders.com.au/our-policy-initiatives
Launches
Social Business Australia (SBA), Canberra, Monday 15 March 2010
Social Business Australia (SBA) was created in 2009 to assist all forms of social business to develop and grow in the competitive environment of the real economy. Dame Pauline Green, President International Co-operative Alliance, will deliver the Inaugural SBA lecture "Investing in Alternative Economic Futures" at SBA's official launch at Parliament House in Canberra on 15 March, 2010
Visit http://www.socialbusiness.coop/.
Urban Seed’s newest enterprise in Geelong, Friday 19th February
Urban Bean is a cafe bringing fresh energy and creating community in Labuan Square Norlane through local staff, local produce and of course good fair-trade coffee. You can also check out the connected recycled kids clothing shop called zero2four (stocked by another fabulous organisation Green Collect) at Shop 2 Labuan Square, Norlane Geelong VIC.
CERES Foodconnect
CERES is launching an organic food delivery service with a difference. "We are setting out to create a healthier, happier food chain by ensuring our members have access to affordable, fresh and tasty organic fruit and vegetables, sourced from local growers who are paid a fair price for their produce and practice eco-friendly farming".
Visit their new website at http://www.ceresfoodconnect.org.au/
Grants
Westpac Foundation – Social Enterprise Funding Round Now Open
The Westpac Foundation is a charitable trust which invests in creating and sustaining social enterprise in disadvantaged communities across Australia and each year the Foundation provides grants to help not-for-profit organisations establish community based projects. Letters of interest should be submitted in the required format and before 30th April 2010.
To find out more about the process of applying follow the links from here:
http://www.socialtraders.com.au/other-funding-opportunities
City of Melbourne Grants and Sponsorship Programs
The City of Melbourne is now accepting applications for the following -
• Event Partnership Program - including Sister City Events
• Business Event (conferences) Sponsorship
• Small Business Grants
Support for social enterprises or micro business, community events and community conferences can be considered within these programs. Applications close on Friday 12th March 2010. Details are available from our website: http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2010/02/city-melbourne-grants-and-sponsorships-now-open
Workshops, Industry Intelligence & Networking (WIIN) grants
The WIIN program offers grants of up to $50,000 to run activities that help businesses to learn and adopt good business practices. Activities in this grant run must focus on human resources, environmental sustainability or technology diffusion. Activities might include seminars, workshops, conferences or demonstration programs. Applications close 12 March 2010. For more information - http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news
Opinion Piece of the Month
"Are not-for-profit organisations as productive as they could be?
Certainly not, concludes the Productivity Commission in its final report."
- An Opinion Piece by May Lam, Social Traders.
There are understandable but not good reasons for this lack of productivity and social innovation. The Commission has found that constraints faced by not-for-profits include difficulty in accessing funding to invest in technology and training, lack of support for evaluation and planning, prescriptive service contracting by government, and in some cases resistance to change by volunteers, members and clients.
Read the full opinion piece at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/opinion-pieces
Social Traders will be regularly featuring thought provoking opinion pieces on various topics related to social enterprise. We invite you to share your views on these pieces through our Community Discussion Forums, as well as contribute your own opinion pieces by contacting info@socialtraders.com.au
About Social Enterprise
Did you know…
Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI’s) are independent financial institutions that provide community finance products and services to individuals, organisations, enterprises and communities who are underserved by or have difficulty securing finance from mainstream financial institutions.
CDFI’s – Just one of a range of Social Enterprise Types
Read more at www.socialtraders.com.au/social-enterprise-typology
Social Enterprise Profile
Foresters Community Finance
Foresters Community Finance is a Community Finance Institution that has been delivering finance to the community sector for over fifteen years. It aims to develop innovative social investment products, greater access to capital, and build knowledge and awareness of the role of money in society. Read more about Foresters on their website www.foresters.org.au
Other social enterprise case studies can be found at www.socialtraders.com.au/library/case-studies
If you are keen to profile, or would like to contribute a case study of your social enterprise to our website, post your document at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/node/add/library or contact us at info@socialtraders.com.au
Events and Workshops
Social Ventures Australia workshops, Brisbane, 2nd March 2010
SVA is running workshops on – ‘Understanding and running successful social enterprises’ and ‘How to apply for support and investment’. Find out more information and book:
http://www.socialtraders.com.au/event/2010/02/understanding-social-enterprises-workshops
Branding and intellectual property, Thursday 4 March, 7.30-10.30am 2010
Join some of Australia’s leading brand owners for breakfast and a keynote address about a vital issue to business — branding and intellectual property. Attendees will also receive access to a free consultation with an intellectual property professional upon request.
Places are limited. To book, visit: http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news
A Taste of Harmony, celebrating diversity at work, 15 – 21 March 2010
This program aims to encourage workplaces from every industry, big or small, to participate by gathering colleagues together over a delicious lunch made up of foods from different lands. In 2009 over 60,000 people from more than 110 workplaces in Australia participated.
Find out more at – http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2010/02/taste-harmony
Sustainable Haiti, Social Venture Capital & Social Enterprise Conference, Miami, March 17 - 19, 2010
How can we more effectively support the development of social enterprise in Haiti?
Which models for social investment from other countries might apply to Haiti?
Details on the conference found at: http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2010/02/sustainable-haiti
Pursuing Innovative Community Engagement for the Public Sector, Melbourne, 3 - 5 March 2010
This two-day connected forum will aid this process by highlighting the new opportunities and challenges facing those looking at community engagement, public participation and social inclusion within all three tiers of government. View program details here - http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news
Jobs Australia Community Sector IR Workshops, February, March and April 2010
Almost every non-profit community based organisation in Australia is affected by major changes to employment conditions which are occurring under the Fair Work Act. This workshop explains: What has changed, what you need to do, what has not changed and how the Equal Remuneration case for the community sector will affect your organisation. Workshops are being held across Australia.
To book follow this link: http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news
Business Victoria low-cost workshops and seminars
The Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) offers a range of programs for businesses that want to improve and grow. The programs are designed to cater for both businesses starting up and those already established. Topics include: Business Finance Basics, Marketing Basics and Networking. To find our more information and to book
Visit: http://sbms.org.au/Default.aspx.
Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), San Francisco, April 28 - 30 2010
New Approach, New Economy - Realizing the Potential of Social Enterprise.
Join over 600 social entrepreneurs in San Francisco to learn, grow, be inspired, make new connections from around the globe and become part of this expanding movement.
You can also Win FREE tickets to attend - Halle Tecco a social entrepreneur from the USA, is looking for two aspiring bloggers - one from North America and another from abroad - to blog and cover the SEWF event. In exchange, you will get a free pass to the Summit plus two nights lodging at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco! Find out how: http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2010/02/win-tickets-social-enterprise-world-forum-san-francisco
For more information on the SEWF:
http://www.socialtraders.com.au/event/2009/11/social-enterprise-world-forum-2010
For Further Information and other upcoming events visit www.socialtraders.com.au/news
We are keen to communicate news and events anywhere in Australia that relates to Social Enterprise. If you would like us to promote your news or event, post your information to our website at www.socialtraders.com.au/node/add/news or email info@socialtraders.com.au
Resources and Publications
“From the margins to the mainstream: The challenges for microfinance in Australia” by Ingrid Burkett and Genevieve Sheehan
This report seeks to open up debate and discussion around the issues and challenges facing the microfinance sector in Australia. It is based on literature reviews and one-on-one consultations with key stakeholders to seek input on the core challenges and opportunities for microfinance in Australia, and also includes a directory of microfinance programs in Australia. Read the report at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/library/capital
"The Emerging Fourth Sector", Heerad Sabeti with the Fourth Sector Network Concept Working Group
The paper is informed by a broad range of perspectives including business, non-profit, government, philanthropy, academia, community development, investment, communications, organisational behaviour, law and others. “Their ideas and practices are at the forefront of organisational design and social innovation”. Read the full paper at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/library/social-enterprise-articles.
“A call to action for next generation Social Return on Investment” by Cynthia Gair, USA
This is the second article in REDF’s “Stepping Out of the Maze” series. The series grew out of our concern for the environment in which nonprofits carrying out critical social change must operate. The series of three articles explores possible improvements and how they might be achieved. Read the full article at http://www.community-wealth.org/_pdfs/news/recent-articles/01-10/paper-gair09.pdf
Job Opportunities
President & CEO, Social Enterprise Alliance, USA
The Social Enterprise Alliance (SEA) is North America’s leading social enterprise membership association with more than 500 organizations, grant‐makers and technical assistance providers. The search for the position will remain open until a candidate is found. The board’s intention is to review resumes in March and start interviewing by April.
Read the full description - http://www.socialtraders.com.au/job-opportunities
Looking for an IT or accounting intern?
Swinburne College is matching skilled graduates with businesses for 12-week internships. They are currently looking for business owners interested in hosting a placement. Internships are unpaid and there is no financial cost to your organisation. For more information - http://www.socialtraders.com.au/job-opportunities
For more information on the above jobs or if you would like to post a job please forward all relevant information to Social Traders via info@socialtraders.com.au
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