Leadership link > October 2015

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Broadly speaking, the AVCLP's role is to improve the capacity of rural leaders so that they can step up to the challenges facing our region.

With more than three-hundred graduates now, another important role is to connect them to one another and to highlight opportunities.

If there's something you think might be of interest to AVCLP's alumni and associates or if you have an opportunity or challenge for the network, please let us know.

Contents

Developing social enterprises

In early September the AVCLP proudly supported the new Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) by hosting a two-day community workshop about understanding social enterprises.

The facilitators, from Scotland’s Social Enterprise Academy, provided insight about the development of social enterprises. Examples were varied, from initiatives by primary school children through those of multi-million dollar businesses, all of which are supporting community causes. The two day training included a field trip to local social enterprises.

There's been keen interest in this training so further sessions are planned for early 2016. Please contact Peter Sacco at ACRE for further information peters@acre.org.au

Photo credit: Birgit Schonafinger

Governance training for non-profits

Former Geelong Football Club director Nic Carr GAICD delivered our governance training in Wangaratta in early September. Nic's an experienced chairman and has spent time on a number of boards including both public companies and non-profit organisations.

We're pleased to have again been able to offer this training locally in partnership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

The Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors short course provided participants with an understanding of fundamental compliance and performance related roles and responsibilities of directors, specifically in the areas of governance, risk, financial performance and strategy.

Board members Clare Kiely and Ty Caling joined this training.

Exploring a regional food hub

Join the conversation at this community round table to discuss what a food hub might look like in our region. The event also includes updates about the Wangaratta Food for All Network, Beechworth Food Co-op and Albury Wodonga Regional Foodshare.

This will be Friday 9th October, 1pm - 4pm. Council Chambers, Wangaratta Government Centre, Cnr Ford & Ovens Streets, Wangaratta. Free. Download the flyer.

Pictured: Steve Oke from Swaraj Harvest, Stanley

RSVP

Managing spontaneous emergency volunteers

Disasters can have enormous social and economic impacts on communities. People who put their hands-up and spontaneously volunteer when a disaster hits can be a great help with relief and recovery efforts.

However, if not well managed, even the best intentioned efforts can overwhelm communities and local organisations, and unintentionally add to their stress and burden.

After the successful launch of the Manager of Spontaneous Emergency Volunteers (MSEV) Pilot Program in Geelong, Volunteering Victoria is rolling the program out across the State. By participating in the MSEV Program, participants build their understanding of:

the Emergency Management structure and arrangements in Victoria
what it is like to manage and support spontaneous volunteers in an emergency context
the disruptive impact of an emergency
the changed emotional state of people in affected communities
the political and media environment and its impact on relief and recovery efforts.

A session will be held in Wodonga on November 10, 2015 from 9am - 4pm.

NFP Law, through Justice Connect, are running a free legal training session in Shepparton that may be of interest to you and the organisations you’re involved with. The session is on legal arrangements for organisations working together (from MOUs through to Mergers).

The session will be held 28 October 2015, 10am - 12:30pm at African House, Shepparton. There is no cost.

Opportunities

Grow Your Idea is a small grants program offering up to $3,000 per applicant which is available throughout the Rural City of Wangaratta thanks to Gateway Health and the Australian Government Department of Social services. The program has a community capacity building focus and has been created to help individuals with a local idea that encourages people to eat or access healthy affordable food, become a reality. Expressions of Interest close 10am Monday 12th of October. More here.

FRRR Small Grants for Rural Communities applications close 5th October. Details for this small communities grants program from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal are available at www.frrr.org.au

What does it mean to be a leader in a brave new world? To celebrate Melbourne Knowledge Week, Leadership Victoria is offering two interactive panels and a thought provoking panel discussion on Wednesday October 21 in Spring St, Melbourne. More here.

The Border Trust is looking for board members. More here.

Applications are open for the Whites Rural Community Grants program, which will share $40,000 nationwide for projects that support kids through art, music, sport, sustainability or social well-being. There are ten grants available nationally. Entries close 31 October 2015. More here.

"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." Peter F. Drucker

Developing social enterprises

Governance training for non-profits

Exploring a regional food hub

Managing spontaneous emergency volunteers

Working with other NFPs - from MOUs to mergers & amalgamations

Opportunities