Voice for SONG

The Social Change Collaboratory

2011-11-30T03:37:00.000+11:00

The US-based Social Change Collaboratory works at the intersection of community, culture, and non-profit management. It promotes education and actions that strengthen the capacity of small grassroots local-global partnerships working to address our world’s most pressing challenges. The principles that guide the Collaboratory are represented in its name: collaboration, working together across cultures, and laboratory, a place defined by practice over theory, exploration, and the testing of boundaries.
Click here to go to website.

Information & Communication Technology (ICT) training & strategies needs of nonprofits

2010-11-24T16:05:00.000+11:00

Training Directions Network (TDN) interviews TRI Community Exchange on nonprofit Internet Communication Technologies (ICT) needs and strategies. What do you think? Comment on the TDN blog and let us know!

Click here to read interview.

NFPs Should Not Be Business-Like: UK Expert - Pro Bono Australia Article

2010-10-06T20:19:00.000+11:00

Pro Bono Australia, 23 September 2010

UK Not for Profit sector expert, Debra Allcock Tyler has slammed the argument that NFPs should act more like businesses saying it goes against all the reasons that NFPs exist.

Speaking at the Victorian Government’s Think Innovation Summit, Allcock Tyler says she finds it offensive how much is written about how NFPs need to be run better and behave more like the business world.

She says the constant comparison between practices in the business and Not for Profit sectors is ironic, as it was the failure of corporate governance and banks that plunged the world into a recession.

Click here to read full article.

Source: Pro Bono Australia

Bigger not always better in non-profit world - CSI

2010-07-18T22:42:00.000+10:00

Peter Shergold, The Centre for Social Impact, 26 June 2010
There is no perfect size or ideal structure or single path to expansion. In many instances community-based issues may best be addressed by a small, local organisation: in other instances the need for a national approach may most effectively be served by a large, networked body. Only when organisational ambitions are out of line with resource capacity do problems become evident. Bigness sometimes represents power and influence. Small is sometimes beautiful. The challenge is to fit organisational structure to social purpose.
Click here to read full article.
Source: CSI

Research to highlight the importance of process in small community organisations

2010-04-13T23:23:00.000+10:00

WSCF is involved with UWS in an exciting research project that may help small organisations develop critical planning around practice in the light of expectations about accountability. The project will focus on the importance of process in small community organisations.

If you feel you fit the bill we hope you will consider an expression of interest in the project.

Does your organisation:

Have less than 15 FTE
Have a ‘local’ focus or a ‘special interest’ focus
Incorporate a ‘community management’ model
Operate on a community development approach to service delivery?

If the answer to most of these questions if ‘yes’ (or if you think you are a ‘small organisation’ that would benefit from the ideas in the description of the project - click here to download 191.59 Kb), we encourage you to consider taking part in the project.

If you are interested we would love to come and explain more about the project in person. Please ring Mary Waterford on 9687 5812 or email eo@wscf.org.au or Dr Mick Houlbrook, Social Justice Social Change Research Centre, University of Western Sydney Ph 9772 6818 M.Houlbrook@uws.edu.au to register your interest.

Source: WSCF

Sector Development Glossary - ACOSS

2010-03-31T14:14:00.000+11:00

Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), March 2010

This document is a glossary of terms and their meanings that encompasses the breadth of sector development work currently underway in the Australian social service and community sector. The glossary is a resource for our sector, setting out some of the key issues that are the subject of sector development work internally or in the development of policy and advocacy objectives for reform. It is also an attempt to clarify some of the language and concepts that are widely used but have different meanings and implications depending on the size, location and activities of social service organisations.

Click here to download Sector Development Glossary.

Click here to go to ACOSS' website.

Source: ACOSS

Locally-based community organisations & social inclusion: new report

2010-03-29T11:46:00.000+11:00

University of Sydney, 26 March 2010

A new report produced by the University of Sydney, the University of Western Sydney and the Illawarra Forum proposes that the NSW Government's social inclusion objectives have missed the mark in achieving its goals.

The Federal Government recently launched a Social Inclusion Agenda to help reintegrate marginalised members of society by amending its policies and programs in the area of social inclusion.

In NSW, the State Government has been implementing its own initiatives as part of this nationwide drive for increased social inclusion among disadvantaged communities, and a recent State Plan has set out specific and measurable concrete targets to determine the success of these initiatives.

The report, to be launched on Friday 26 March, argues that the NSW Government is neglecting the important role that locally-based community organisations play in creating a sense of belonging and hope for those in need.

It questions the current results-based accountability (RBA) framework used by the NSW Government in measuring the success of its social inclusion initiatives, because the RBA method of measurement does not include speaking to people from disenfranchised communities about their personal experiences.

The report argues that if the Government was instead conducting this kind of quantitative, experience-based research in measuring the results of their Social Inclusion Agenda, they would discover that locally-based community organisations play a vital role in assisting people with struggles over hardship, humiliation, inequality, inclusion, representation and redistribution.

Currently, at a local and regional level there is a lack of attention given to collecting statistical data about the contribution of locally-based community organisations in social inclusion, and so the NSW Government is ignoring a vital component in actioning social inclusion practises.

As the NSW social inclusion practices are largely replicated at a Federal level, the report suggest that the NSW Government's social inclusion failings should act as a test-case for the Federal Government's own Social Inclusion Agenda, and that both the RBA framework of measurement and role of locally-based community organisations in facilitating social inclusion need to be reconsidered.

Click here to download report.

Sources: University of Sydney & Illawarra Forum

National Compact: working together - publication & website now available

2010-03-17T12:44:00.002+11:00

The National Compact was signed today - publication available for download in the website which is now live - http://www.nationalcompact.gov.au/

ACOSS media release - http://acoss.org.au/media/release/new_national_compact_to_bolster_third_sector_and_government_ties

Compact Voice Australia: join in the Online Community for resources, discussion and ideas on the National Compact: http://compactvoiceaustralia.ning.com/

NGO Red Tape Reduction report - Department of Premier & Cabinet (DPC)

2010-03-09T15:21:00.000+11:00

Co-ordinating Minister for Human Services, 8 March 2010

Co-ordinating Minister for Human Services Linda Burney released a report today outlining how the NSW Government will reduce the burden of red tape on non-government organisations (NGOs).

Ms Burney said that the recommendations contained in the NGO Red Tape Reduction report were developed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet in close consultation with NGOs, peak bodies and other government agencies.

“We are confident that the strategies contained in this report will make it easier for NGOs to focus on their core business – delivering services to people in need in the community,” she
said.

Alison Peters, Director at the Council of Social Services NSW (NCOSS), welcomed the recommendations.

“NGOs constantly tell us about their concern with the level of bureaucracy, red tape and compliance requirements when working with government. Any attempt to bring about greater consistency in government processes and make funding and reporting easier will be a huge improvement,” she said.
The Government will move immediately to implement the following initiatives by mid-year:

the introduction of e-tendering and word limits
standardising insurance requirements
the development and application of standard questions across agencies for tenders on
issues such as management and financial viability
the reduction of information required from NGOs in the tendering process where
information has already been collected by agencies.

Other reforms to follow include:

standardising and simplifying contracts
establishing more pre-registration panels with automatic eligibility for providers with a consistent record of performance and reliability, and
establishing a risk framework for NGO funding that would relate tendering and EOI processes to risk.

Click here to download report.

Sources: Community Services & ADHC

'Managing for Recovery' survey report: are charities winning the battle for funds?

2010-02-23T15:40:00.000+11:00

In response to the economic climate, 85 per cent of Australian third sector organisations are changing their focus from cost cutting to generating revenue growth over the next twelve months.

The second survey by the Centre for Social Impact (CSI), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA), Managing for Recovery, reveals that in the face of the worldwide financial crisis, Australian charities generally expect a positive year ahead.

Fundraising Institute Australia CEO Chris McMillan said the survey clearly showed how swift action by the third sector in the first half of 2009 in putting sustainable business strategies in place ensured the sector successfully weathered the financial storm.

"It's imperative not-for-profits continue to have a clear financial plan and strategy over the next 12 months to ensure their sustainable future in a competitive market," Ms McMillan said.

Mr Millen said larger organisations have fared better than their smaller counterparts in the last 6 months, with two in five (39 per cent) of large respondents experiencing an increase in income compared to a quarter (25 per cent) of small organisations. This trend is expected to continue across all sources of funding.

"There are pluses and minuses to this as large not-for-profits are likely to obtain more government funding than small not-for-profits," Mr Millen said.

"On the other hand, larger organisations are more likely to have investments, and therefore suffered greater falls in investment income as a result of the downturn."

Click here to read full media release and to download survey report.

Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector - Productivity Commission research report

2010-02-11T20:23:00.000+11:00

Click here for more information and to download report.

UK link: Alternative approaches to capacity building - emerging practices abroad

2010-01-31T21:01:00.002+11:00

This study was undertaken to identify alternative approaches to third sector capacity building in countries outside of the UK. Principally desk-based, it draws on the insight and recommendations of the research team’s contacts which span Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, and the International Development context.

Click here to download 'Alternative approaches to capacity building - emerging practices abroad' report.

Source: Improving Support, Capacitybuilders

Two interesting articles

2010-01-23T23:37:00.003+11:00

Click on a link below to view/download:

The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle - Stanford Social Innovation Review
"A vicious cycle is leaving nonprofi ts so hungry for decent infrastructure that they can barely function as organizations—let alone serve their benefi ciaries. The cycle starts with funders’ unrealistic expectations about how much running a nonprofi t costs, and results in nonprofi ts’ misrepresenting their costs while skimping on vital systems—acts that feed funders’ skewed beliefs. To break the nonprofit starvation cycle, funders must take the lead."

What should I know before joining the board? - BoardSource

Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector: draft research report - Productivity Commission

2009-10-14T20:20:00.006+11:00

Productivity Commission, 14 October 2009

On 17 March 2009, the Productivity Commission received a terms of reference from the Government asking it to undertake a commissioned study on the contributions of the not for profit sector.

The study's focus is on:

improving the measurement of the sector's contributions
removing obstacles to maximising its contributions to society.

Click here for more information and to download draft research report.

Written submissions on the draft report can be made to the Commission by COB Tuesday 24 November 2009.

Source: Productivity Commission

Joint COSS submission on a Compact between the Australian Government and the not-for-profit sector

2009-10-14T13:57:00.003+11:00

Excerpt from Key Points:

The COSS network supports the move towards a Compact between the Australian Government and the not-for-profit sector.
A Compact provides the opportunity to address some of the major issues facing non-profit, community and social services, including establishing mutual respect and understanding between government and our sector; and reforming funding and contracting and regulation policy to ensure that it aids and supports the delivery of quality social services.
These issues that are vital for the organisations and service users represented by the COSS network are not necessarily reflective of the priorities across the entire not-for-profit sector.
High-level principles must be outlined as the basis of the relationship between government and the entire not-for-profit sector.
Sub-sector agreements can then address the issues that are paramount but unique to smaller groupings within the not-for-profit sector.

Excerpts mentioning small organisations:

Page 6 - “Efficiency: This principle focuses on administrative processes and public accountability. There is a danger that this emphasis will see smaller organisations marginalised from government relations in the interests of larger organisations who are perceived to deliver greater administrative efficiency through their economies of scale. The high-level principles should acknowledge that communities may be best-served by local initiatives, whatever their size or scale, and that this is an important element of efficient and effective community service.”

Page 8 - “The viability of small and local organisations should be guarded through tendering processes that allow them to build their unique capacity to develop and provide locally relevant, responsive and innovative service models. Competitive tendering should also be careful not to stifle willingness between the sector and government to share information on new initiatives and best practice.”

Page 9 - “Of particular relevance for a National Compact is the lesson that special measures are needed to support smaller organisations and organisations based outside metropolitan areas to contribute to the development and implementation of a compact.”

Page 11 - “It is important that engagement spans the breadth of the not-for-profit sector, including in particular small, Indigenous and regional or rural organisations.”

Click here to download submission.

Click here to visit Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)'s website.

Source: ACOSS

Submission to Productivity Commission: Research Study on the NFP Sector

2009-06-22T22:50:00.003+10:00

Click here to download Voice for SONG's submission to Productivity Commission: Research Study on the NFP Sector.

The Networked Nonprofit

2009-01-05T13:47:00.000+11:00

“Management wisdom says that nonprofits must be large and in charge to do the most good. But some of the world’s most successful organisations instead stay small, sharing their load with like-minded, long-term partners. The success of these networked nonprofits suggests that organisations should focus less on growing themselves and more on cultivating their networks.” Quoted from “The Networked Non-Profit “ by Jane Wei-Skillern and Sonia Marciano in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2007.

Click here to read full article.

Caught in the Middle: What Small, Non-profit Organizations Need to Survive and Flourish

2009-01-05T13:45:00.001+11:00

Canadian paper about the struggles for small community organizations, by Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI).

Click here to go to paper.

Think Local: a new WSCF / SONG Booklet

2008-12-08T09:11:00.003+11:00

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

2008-10-26T12:31:00.002+11:00

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

2008-08-03T23:37:00.001+10:00

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 . 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

2008-08-03T23:36:00.000+10:00

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

2008-08-03T23:33:00.000+10:00

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

Voice for SONG Issues Paper

2008-08-03T23:32:00.001+10:00

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

2008-08-03T23:28:00.002+10:00

Click here to download the Voice for SONG brochure.