Women in for-purpose leadership, young people and buy now pay later, and a new deputy CEO

All the latest news from the Councils of Social Service of Australia.

ACOSS

ACOSS and the COSS Network have extended the deadline for this year’s Australian Community Sector Survey until this Friday 1 October. The Australian Community Sector Survey is the longest running survey of the community sector – by the community sector – for the community sector and communities we serve. This 2021 survey is a vital opportunity for us to compare changes in the community sector between 2019 and now. The survey covers the impacts of changes to funding structures, demand on services, emerging needs and pressures and sector priorities. It takes roughly 10-15 minutes to complete, but will have a long lasting influence on how we shape our advocacy. Take the survey here. 

WACOSS

WACOSS is excited to announce that, after more than 16 years in the Australian Senate, Rachel Siewert will be joining the WACOSS team as the new deputy CEO. As a senator, Siewert worked closely with the COSS network and has always been a staunch advocate for the vital role of the community sector in the Australian community, consistently demonstrating a true commitment to supporting local communities to achieve change. Her work as chair of the Community Affairs References Committee helped shine a light on so many injustices; from Robodebt, which was subsequently found to be unlawful, to the inquiry into violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability, which called for a royal commission that eventually came to pass.

QCOSS

QCOSS is holding a Q&A on Queensland’s vaccination rollout with state director for the COVID-19 vaccination taskforce, Bronwyn Nardi. It will be exploring the barriers in Queensland’s vaccination rollout and discussing what still needs to happen to ensure we protect Queensland’s most vulnerable community members. Register now.

TasCOSS

The TasCOSS 2021 Conference preliminary program is now available and features a thought-provoking line-up of speakers who will explore the incredible adaptability displayed during COVID-19 and how the community services industry can harness these stories and opportunities to best support our communities to thrive. Program highlights include appearances from activist Carly Findlay OAM and futurist Bernard Salt AM. Find out more and register for the TasCOSS Conference (2-3 November 2021).

SACOSS

Registrations are open for SACOSS’s upcoming Liveable Futures conference (18 November) which will look at new opportunities to ensure a decarbonised economy is inclusive and does not leave people behind. This conference will explore how the low carbon transition can address existing disadvantage by including the experiences and voices of those most impacted by climate change.

NCOSS

Commissioned by NCOSS, in partnership with Youth Action, new research reveals how and why young people across NSW are using increasingly popular Buy Now Pay Later platforms. Findings show higher use by young people in regional areas and those with disability – important issues for further exploration. Check out the results here.

ACTCOSS

Are you working in communications in the ACT not-for-profit sector? Looking to connect with others in your field, share knowledge and learn from each other? Come along to the ACTCOSS CommsNet meetups. Here you can chat, share your work and current challenges, and discuss comms topics such as strategy, member engagement, social media, ICT, branding and more. Click here to learn more.

VCOSS

While data on income and employment status isn’t currently collected in Australia when a person is vaccinated, data matching through Medicare and other government services could allow this information to be obtained and analysed. Earlier this month, VACCHO chief executive Jill Gallagher and representatives of the C-19 Network of Melbourne based community health agencies, used the VCOSS Vaccinating Victoria forum to call for more data around the vaccine rollout to be released. Read more here.

NTCOSS

The Women in For Purpose Leadership Series brings together Territory women working in the for purpose sector. As part of a cohort of talented women, you will learn from current leaders and influencers as well as each other. Session four (5 October) will focus on equity in leadership, and will be facilitated by NTCOSS CEO Deborah Di Natale. Click here to learn more.

This article was contributed by ACOSS Community Hub.