Community sector strengthening
Sector development and sustainability
VCOSS is committed to supporting the development of the community sector and advocating to Government for funding and development strategies that will strengthen the sector.
Download the community sector sustainability chapter in the VCOSS 2008-09 State Budget Submission.
Following each budget VCOSS writes an analysis of the Government’s spending commitments.
CEO and President Forum
The CEO and President Forum meets three times a year and is open to all VCOSS leaders, to discuss the long term development of the community sector and develop a stronger shared voice on issues of mutual concern.
Peaks and Statewide Networks Forum
VCOSS hosts a bi-monthly forum of statewide and peak bodies to engage with cross-sectoral policy issues, and to coordinate collaborative advocacy on shared concerns and sector involvement with the DHS Human Services Partnership processes.
Community Sector Futures Task Group
The Community Sector Futures Task Group (CSFTG) held a successful 'Futures Forum' on November 8 2007 with over 50 people attending from a wide range of organisations. It was great for Minister Batchelor to see such a high level of interest in the Sector Futures discussion as he considers the recommendations of the SCOP report.
Follow the link below to the first CSFTG newsletter for a full update on the event.
Download CSFTG Newsletter December 2007
Download CSFTG Newsletter December 2007 (PDF version)
The CSFTG is pleased to formally announce the publication of the first of its planned series of Occasional Papers, ‘Shaping the Future of the Victorian Community Sector: Scenarios and Issues for Consideration’, prepared by Jo Barraket for the Community Sector Futures Task Group in July 2007.
The paper presents three alternative scenarios for the future of the sector – a worst case, a middle path and an ideal scenario - and challenges us to consider our ability to influence the future of the sector
- Will the sector exist in its current form?
- How can the sector secure its ideal future? Through partnerships, or independence?
- Do we need a Third Sector Council?
Follow the link below to Occasional Paper No. 1.
Occasional Paper No. 2 'Why we do what we do: The democratic role of the sector in society' prepared by Joan Staples, Visiting Fellow in the Faculty of Law at UNSW, is now available. The paper contends that a sustainable future for the sector is dependent on a clear understanding of the democratic role and value of the sector; that if this understanding is clearly held by the public (or community) and by governments, it provides the critical basis for negotiation on equal terms of the operational and systemic changes that are necessary for a strong and healthy sector.
Follow the link below to Occasional Paper No. 2
Download Occasional Paper No 2: 'Why we do what we do: The democratic role of the sector in society'
For more information, contact: Marina Henley, Policy Officer, Community Sector Sustainability, on e: marina.henley@vcoss.org.au or p: 9654 5050 or m: 0400 877062.
About the Community Sector Futures Task Group
The CSFTG was set up to develop a 'whole of sector' approach to our collective, and is chaired by the VCOSS President’s nominee, Paul Linossier, CEO of MacKillop Family Services, with ten other representatives from peak bodies, small and large service providers and advocacy organisations. All VCOSS members for whom we have email addresses have been advised of the opportunity to express an interest to participate. Once the participation in the group is determined, regular updates from its monthly meetings will be posted to our website.
The Sector Sustainability Task group, who ran a process in the lead up to State Election 2006 to articulate the sector's needs to all political parties. The Sector Sustainability Task Group has since been re-aligned into the new Community Sector Futures Task Group.
Download Sector Sustainability Task group (SSTG) State Election Scorecard (2006)
Download Sector Sustainability Task group (SSTG) State Election Scorecard (2006)
Community Sector Sustainability Futures Project
VCOSS is hosting a strategic visioning exercise for 24 sector representatives to start exploring what a common twenty year vision for our non-profit community sector could look like. Swinburne University Institute for Strategic Foresight, with support from ANZ Trustees, are helping with the process and all reports will be posted on the VCOSS website. The process will be completed by late April 2007 and will entail the publication of a discussion paper for consideration by the sector, government and other sectors such as philanthropic organisations. This process is aiming to open up and clarify some long running themes, in dialogue with key groups and sectors.
download Victorian Community Sector Sustainability Project: Situation Analysis Report ( July 2007)
Victorian Government’s Action Plan: Strengthening Community Organisations
In response to the Stronger Community Organisations Project (SCOP) and State Services Review of Not-for-Profit Regulation, the State Government has announced a plan of 25 actions to strengthen community organisations (to get the a copy of the action plan click here). The three year plan will be enacted through a new Office for the Community Sector in the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Two background papers that informed SCOP propose a workforce capability framework and examine the economic and social contribution of the nonprofit sector
Strengthening
Workforce
Capability -
A capability framework for the Victorian
Community Sector
The Economic and Social Contribution of
the Not–for–Profit Sector
VCOSS Submissions to the SCOP and tate Services Authority Review processes:
Submission to Stronger Community Organisations Project
VCOSS Submission to State Services Authority Non-Profit Regulatory Review