Youth Leadership in Australia

03 September 2012: The Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (the Commission) has released the findings from its fourth biennial survey of children and young people living in foster care in Queensland. More than 2000 children and young people responded bringing the total number of surveys completed since 2006 to more than 13,000.

   The surveys generate a rich source of longitudinal data on children's and young people's placement histories, perceptions of their health, wellbeing and school, as well their views on many aspects of their care experience including their current placement and carer, having a say in decision making, support from the department, the Commission's Community Visitors, and preparation for leaving care.
   Analyses reveal that nearly all respondents continue to feel safe, treated well and happy in their placement. Data also confirm steady improvements over the years in some aspects of foster care such as decreases in reports of having unresolved health problems or difficulties at school and increases in reports of having education support plans and leaving care plans.
   However, the survey findings also highlight ongoing challenges for the child protection system to provide necessary support to children and young people in care. Many continue to experience considerable instability in their lives due to numerous placement changes, do not see their Child Safety Officer as often as they would like, feel left out of decisions and do not know why they are in care. Also concerning are high levels of anxiety with more than 30% of young people and 40% of children saying that they worry a lot or all of the time. Analysis of more than 1000 comments revealed that the most common source of worry is the safety and wellbeing of their family.
   Findings from the research are being used to inform policy and practice among stakeholders in the Queensland child protection system. The research also demonstrates to individual children and young people that they have an important voice in shaping the future directions and priorities within these systems.
   The 2011 Views of Children and Young People in Foster Care Survey: Overview and Selected Findings is available from the Commission's website at http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/resources/publications/views/Views-of-Child....

Event Manager / Fundraising Assistant
Project Australia 

Position Summary
The Event Manager/ Fundraising Assistant will have the double but complementary role of organising and promoting various events as well as providing some assistance to our Executive Director.

Time commitment: 3-5 hours a week on a flexible, permanent basis. More intensive commitment will be required during peak periods leading up to an event.
Remuneration:  This position is undertaken in a voluntary capacity. Relevant training will be provided subject to funding availability.
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Sydney area (largely working from home)

About Project Australia
Project Australia is a community organisation helping people launch not-for-profit initiatives that focus on Australian needs and utilise existing assets.

The innovation we support cuts across twelve theme areas: environment and sustainability, health and wellbeing, media and social enquiry, technology and society, youth issues and empowerment, employment and opportunity, culture and creativity, community and social services, democracy and civil society, human rights and social justice, Aboriginal issues, and education and critical thinking.

We are a progressive social enterprise, free from political or religious influence, founded in 2006 and mostly run by volunteers. Our team currently includes a one-day per week Executive Director, ten volunteers and six committee members. We also employ a General Manager for our Speakers' Bureau, one day per week. We operate out of Sydney, but our team and work is national.

We provide four linked services:

1. uThinc Speakers' Bureau: Hear new ideas and encouraging stories from some of Australia's most exciting social innovators.
2. Tools4Good: Access over 1000 tools to help kick-start, support and grow your Australian community project.
3. StartGoodStuff: Develop your project plans through use of our online collaborative platform and built-in templates.
4. SI Consulting: Receive free consultancy covering all aspects of starting and sustaining a successful not-for-profit.

Position Scope

From program/product launches to social and fundraising events, the Event Manager will plan and publicise the occasion to bring the right people to the right place, at the right time.

As a Fundraising Assistant, the team member will provide some general assistance to the Executive Director from fundraising strategy development to grant seeking and marketing planning.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

As an Event Manager (80%)

• Researching markets to identify opportunities for events.
• Producing detailed proposals for events (e.g. timelines, venues, suppliers, legal obligations, staffing and budgets).
• Agreeing to and managing a budget.
• Securing and booking a suitable venue or location.
• Ensuring insurance, legal, health and safety obligations are adhered to.
• Coordinating venue management, caterers, stand designers, contractors and equipment hire.
• Organising facilities for car parking, traffic control, security, first aid, hospitality and the media.
• Identifying and securing speakers or special guests.
• Planning room layouts and the event programme.
• Coordinating staffing requirements and staff briefings.
• Selling sponsorship/stand/exhibition space to potential exhibitors/partners.
• Liaising with marketing and fundraising colleagues to promote the event.
• Liaising with clients and designers to create a brand for the event and organising the production of tickets, posters, flyers and any other promotional materials.
• Coordinating suppliers, handling client queries and troubleshooting on the day of the event to ensure that all runs smoothly.
• Overseeing the dismantling and removal of the event and clearing the venue efficiently.
• Post-event evaluation (including data entry and analysis and producing reports for event stakeholders).

As a Fundraising Assistant (20%)

• Identifying and researching potential fundraising opportunities.
• Assisting the Executive Director in developing a two-year fundraising strategy.
• Liaising with various stakeholders for profile raising and fund raising events.
• Assisting the Executive Director with fundraising campaigns.
• Assisting the Executive Director in enhancing our donor giving program.
• Identifying and researching potential income revenue through grants.
• Assisting the Executive Director with the sales of products for fundraising.

Skills and interests
To be a good Event Manager/Fundraising Assistant, you will need to:

• Have excellent time management and organisational skills 
• Be enthusiastic, self-motivated and outgoing 
• Be able to establish productive relationships with people at all levels 
• Have good communication and presentation skills 
• Be able to gather and interpret information 
• Be commercially aware and customer-focused 
• Have a positive and adaptable approach to challenges 
• Be innovative and creative to distinguish your event from those of others 
• Have knowledge of sales, marketing or copywriting 
• Have an understanding of budgeting and financial management 
• Be able to work as part of a team 
• Be able to work well under pressure
• Possess an eye for detail

Experience and Qualifications
Although experienced applicants are sought, please note that Project Australia is also encouraging anyone who has limited or no experience in Event Management and Fundraising to apply for the role. As an organisation mainly run by volunteers, Project Australia encourages its team members to develop skills and knowledge in their roles for their own professional development. Any team member will be provided with collaborative support in performing their roles.

• Previous experience/qualifications in event management desirable
• Previous experience/qualifications in project management desirable
• Previous experience using customer relationship management software desirable
• Previous experience/qualifications in marketing desirable
• Non-for profit organisational experience desirable

Apply now
If you feel you meet these criteria, or would love to grow into this position, please email your cover letter and resume to Donnie Maclurcan at exec@projectaustralia.org.au.
Please do not hesitate contacting us for further information.


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This position is advertised on a rolling basis until it is filled.

Grassroots Coordinator (Communications)
National Live Below The Line Team 
Oaktree Foundation

Job Outline
Oaktree is looking for a highly motivated and passionate individual to undertake the role of a grassroots coordinator.
As part of the Live Below the Line (LBL) State team, Grassroots coordinators will be responsible for the effectively implementation of a State Live Below the Line Strategy, including:

• Operational planning of the campaign, 
• Promotional and community building activities and events, 
• Liaising/communicating internally with the rest of the State Oaktree Branch, 
• Develop and promote the Oaktree brand and Live Below the Line campaign, 
• Any other adhoc duties as required by the Live Below the Line Manager. 

In particular, the Grassroots Coordinator (Events) will be responsible for: - Ensuring all events run in the lead up to and throughout the campaign are on message and effective, - Organising fundraising and advocacy events around the state, including media events,

• Developing a comprehensive events strategy prior to the beginning of the campaign,
• Supporting any LBL participants who may run events in their local community. 

Key Performance Indicators
The success of the LBL Grassroots Coordinator (Events) will be measured by the:

• Quality of planning and preparation for an effective promotions strategy for the campaign. 
• Level of engagement and support from individuals and groups, such as universities and schools. 
• Level and success of extensive promotions of LBL to all diverse sectors of society. 
• Successful running of LBL events 
• 2012 State targets reached (Sign Ups, participants, funds raised) 

Skills required
It is essential that the LBL Grassroots Coordinator (Events) has: - Experience with effective teamwork and collaboration

• High level of personal organisation and efficiency 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Vision and passion, integrity and humility 
• Understanding of how to run an event 

It would also be beneficial to have:
- Experience running successful advocacy and fundraising events - Understanding of how to work with media outlets - A basic understanding of a variety of issues regarding poverty, aid, development and the Australian political system.

What you get out of it
The LBL Grassroots Coordinator (Events) will gain a number of skills and experiences, including but not limited to:

• Opportunity to develop as a key volunteer within The Oaktree Foundation, thorough professional training and mentoring. 
• Opportunity to learn valuable teamwork, communication, management and professional skills. 
• Opportunity to gain first‐hand experience within an international aid and development organisation. 
• Opportunity to develop a network of similarly passionate young people who too, are passionate about making a positive contribution to society and also changing the world, and 
• Working in a fun, dynamic, and rewarding environment. 

Time Commitment
The necessary time commitment for this position s 10-12 hours per week until July 2012. This will start lower, but increase in the lead up to the campaign (May). This commitment includes:

• Fortnightly Branch or Whole Team Meetings, - Weekly LBL Team meetings, - Regular meetings with the LBL State Manager, - Regular emails and phone calls, - A minimum of 6 hours per week in the Oaktree Tasmania Office 
• It is expected that you will also play a key role (within your time commitments) to participate within other Oaktree state programs and projects. 

As the Tasmanian Oaktree Office is based in Hobart, we are looking for someone in Southern Tasmania.

Reports to State Live Below the Line Manager

To Apply
All applicants are required to submit;

• A current CV of no more than 4 pages 
• 2 referees (written or provided) 
• A cover letter of no more than 2 pages, outlining the applicant's characteristics and skills.

For additional information about Oaktree and our initiatives, be sure to visit our websites;
www.theoaktree.org Oaktree Foundation main website
www.livebelowtheline.com.au Live Below the Line website

Lodging an Application
Applications will be taken on a rolling basis. Candidates will be notified if they are successful to the next round within a week of lodging their application. Applications will close on Wednesday 9th Novermber.
All applications must be received in full by this time by the Amy Fogarty, LBL State Manager, at a.fogarty@theoaktree.org

Questions
All questions are to be directed to the Tasmanian LBL Manager: a.fogarty@theoaktree.org

AYCC is currently looking for two incredible individuals to become the next Queensland State Coordinators. These are a senior leadership roles within the AYCC, responsible for leading our volunteer team in Queensland and building the youth climate movement in Queensland. With Power Shift 2011 being held in Brisbane in October 2011, the opportunity to become Queensland State Coordinator is an unprecedented chance to take ownership over a rapidly growing branch of AYCC, with significant personal and professional development opportunities.

For a full position description see the website. To apply or for more information please contact Ahri Tallon, Queensland Coordinator. Applications close October 21st.