By Peter Shergold, The Centre for Social Impact: “Last week at the Mount Druitt Community Hub I had the chance to participate in the launch by Western Sydney Community Forum of a valuable new Resource Handbook: ’Developing a Common Language’. Evidence-based, it is informed by a collaborative research project undertaken in partnership with the Westpac Foundation and the University of Western Sydney.
The Handbook is intended to assist small community-based organisations forge closer relationships with companies and corporate foundations. It sets out a clear framework within which both sides can establish their joint expectations by speaking a ‘common language’. In particular it is a useful guide to local associations on how to win support from business – not an easy task for the small and micro-enterprises that comprise so much of Australia’s not-for-profit sector. This is unfortunate. Whilst they may fail to meet the Treasury test of ‘economically significant’, small organisations are often vital at the local level. They deliver low-cost support and services to disadvantaged clients and in the process help to build the networks of social capital that create communities.”
Click here to read full article.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
When it comes to community organisations, small can be beautiful
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Developing a Common Language between Corporations & Small Community Organisations: A Resource Handbook
In drawing from findings of a recent exploratory action research project conducted by Western Sydney Community Forum (WSCF) in collaboration with the University of Western Sydney and Westpac Foundation, this publication describes the possible contribution corporations can make to community-based activities, while offering jargon free advice for managers of local community organisations in their efforts to effectively seek and maintain corporate support. More specifically, barriers in language are discussed with tips on how taken-for-granted motivations, processes and worldviews can be better translated to prospective funders. Links to further resources and publications are also provided.
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About Us
Voice for SONG:
- promotes the recognition of the value, efficiencies and effectiveness of small community organisations (in a climate that values large organisations over small organisations across all sectors)
- actively promotes policies and strategies that support the sustainability and development of small community organisations
- encourages small community organisations to take leadership roles
- connects and develops cooperative and collaborative relationships between small community organisations, medium and large NGOs (non- Government organisations) peaks, government, business and the general community to progress issues for small community organisations.
- is a vehicle for information exchange, discussion, consultation about key policy, program and service delivery issues affecting small community human service organisations
- works with existing lobby groups such as NCOSS to ensure all levels of government are aware of key policy and sector development issues for small community organisations
While Voice for SONG acknowledges that NCOSS and other peaks have always and will continue to represent and advocate for their member organisations, including small community organisations, Voice for SONG aims to have a complementary and non-competitive role with NCOSS and other peaks. Voice for SONG will lobby NCOSS and other peaks to advocate for the benefit of small community organisations.
Voice for SONG is currently a NSW network with secretariat support provided by Western Sydney Community Forum (WSCF) and blog maintained by TRI Community Exchange Inc.