Think Local: a new WSCF / SONG Booklet

This is a new WSCF and Voice For Song partnership publication.

Why are local community organisations important to healthy democratic communities? Think Local is a short dynamic encapsulation of our values – an essential resource for every community worker and management committee member. The Booklet identifies the many attributes of local small organisations, their contribution to social capital and financial economies and current opportunities for local organisations. It ask us to record the stories of some of the innovative work we do to add to the rich body of evidence of the importance of our work.

Click here to download Think Local.

US link: In Praise of Small and Mid-size Nonprofits

Article from Don Griesmann's Nonprofit Blog - extract:

"It appears to me that there are several reasons why we have small ... and mid-size ... There are community needs that are best served by them. They are "on the ground" meeting priorities, goals and objectives that are not or cannot be met by larger nonprofits such as national groups, universities and others which have a different mission and vision."

Click here to read full article

Source: Don Griesmann's Nonprofit Blog

You might also want to read some related items from the US, arising out of the recent financial 'meltdown':
Should Nonprofits Be More Like Business? - Blue Avocado
Nonprofits proud to be “unbusinesslike” these days - Pierce Arrow

We're collecting Case Studies

We would like to collect case studies on small organisations that have had successful stories about how small has made a real difference to your community. If you would like to share your stories with everyone please send your articles (keep to less than one page please) to Jane Uff, at TRI Community Exchange, jane@tricomm.org.au This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will be placing them on this blog to demonstrate the value of small organisations and the work they do.

Surviving the Squeeze: How small NGOs can thrive in the current climate

Click here to download Surviving the Squeeze: How small NGOs can thrive in the current climate - New South Wales Council of Social Service, (2008) NCOSS News Vol 35, Number 5

SNOW Reports

Other documents that may be of interest are the SNOW reports. A report developed from the Small Non-Government Organisations Working Together project. The project was designed to explore the strengths, issues and challenges facing smaller non government organisations (NGOs) in the Mount Druitt/Blacktown area and to work with small NGOs in the Blacktown area to identify a range of strategies that would support small NGOs, and assist them in developing and enhancing their potential. Other reports available are –

• the main Summary Document for SNOW,
• SNOW Tips and Tools,
• a report of the findings of the Viability Research Project, available through Metro West Department of Community Services on (02) 9630 1103
• Is the writing on the wall for small community organisations? - Illawarra Community Forum

If you have any documents you would like to share please send them to jane@tricomm.org.au This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Voice for SONG Issues Paper

Click here to download Voice for SONG’s paper on the issues faced by small community-based, human service, nongovernment, not-for-profit sector organisations.

Voice for SONG Brochure

Click here to download the Voice for SONG brochure.