Social Entrepreneurs

Interesting article in the New York Times about Social Entrepreneurs. People interested in this field now have the opportunity to learn on the job via the School for Social Entrepreneurs in Sydney and now Melbourne. It's a coupe for those of us who have worked across sectors, and hopefully there will be some future options to access these and other courses for those of us living in Tasmania.

SOCIAL TRADERS

Set up around 3 years ago, Social Traders is a non profit organisation whose mission it is to support the emerging and established social enterprise sector. While some of its programs are focused on Victoria, such as The Crunch, many have relevance Nationally. Today I met with its Director, David Brookes to find out more about what they are doing and the potential opportunities in linking to the work in Tasmania.
Funded by the Victoria Government and a private donor, this fantastic team are working hands on with social enterprises, research organisations such as the Queensland University of Technology and others who are working in the field.
The resources they are developing include the Social Enterprise Builder; a step by step tool to developing a social enterpise and the Social Enterprise Finder; a listing of social enterprises across the country.
Leading the way in many respects, Social Traders is a useful and practical resource for those toying with the idea of social enterprise and those who want to build their ventures.

Social Enterprise in Melbourne

I have a couple of days in Melbourne to explore some of what is happening around creative social enterprises. There has been much publicity about Social Studios and Grace McQuilten has a track record for some really exciting social enterprise operations. So I am hoping to catch up with Grace.

Today I caught up with Joe Pascoe, Director of Craft Victoria, a non profit arts member based arts organisation. I had checked out what they were doing through their website, but there is nothing like seeing the real thing. They have a beautiful shop that sells art and craft products produced by members of the organisation. There is an adjoining gallery and behind the secret door, more gems with an extensive library and offices for the staff. The focus of this organisation is on curatorial, community and commerce and between the accessible website and classy shopfront at 31 Flinders Lane, they are combining these beautifully. There is a membership of more than 8000 and a distribution list of more than 7000, which means these guys have fantastic community support for the work they undertake. Really enjoyed catching up with Joe and will certainly be heading back to the shop to do some shopping.

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT IDEA?

Expressions of interest forms are now available for those wanting to work with the Branching Out team.

Throughout the project we have been approached by wildlife sanctuaries, tourism businesses, artists, galleries, artist cooperatives and other creative people who are wanting to develop a social enterprise to support their work. While our time with the two pilots; Interweave Arts and TRA-K Sheffield, winds down in the coming months we are keen to find others who want to develop, market and get their product, service or event out there.
So email kylie@tasregionalarts.org.au so we can send you a form (1 page with 2 questions-simple)

Enterprise Development

There is little doubt that branching out has identified the need for greater hands on support for artists and arts organisations. The result of a little bit of expertise aimed in the right direction has enabled our two pilot groups to achieve some of their goals. But how do we support this work, how do we fund it and how do we do it?
In late 2009 I was drawn to Ripples on the Zambezi, a book written by Ernesto Sirolli that illustrates the damage that individuals can do when not invited by communities.
In partnership with Tasmanian Council of Social Services, we brought Ernesto to Tasmania in August last year to speak at the Regional Arts Australia Conference. Anyone who has heard him knows what a passionate, straight shooting speaker he is. His model of working with entrepreneurs resonates with me as I continue to hear stories of disillusionment, frustration and despair from artists, writers, performances and creative thinkers who are trying to do it all.

Ripples on the Tasmanica

What a massive week it was and I am still recovering. I was lucky enough to be one of 15 participants in the Trinity of Management workshop run by Ernesto Sirolli. Gathering in a room with key people from Lifeline, Migrant Resource Centre, entrepreneurs and others we listened to the principles of this approach which has been honed over the past 25 years.
What a huge reservoir of knowledge this team has, having worked all over the world from Africa to Cornwall, UK. The Trinity of Management training reinforced the approach of focusing on individual strengths and gathering the skills around you that are lacking.
'Do what you love to do and find others to do the things you hate'. It's such a simple approach, but goes against the individualist approach that current business models take.
Three days of debating, discussing and sharing stories was fantastic and is only the beginning.
The training fits perfecting with Branching Out, which has identified gaps in the industry and the need for new approaches. With financial support from Rio Tinto, the Myer Foundation and the Department of Economic Development this was an invaluable training opportunity.
Ernesto will be back in September and we will continue to work with TasCOSS and other stakeholders to progress the opportunities. Watch this Space!!!

Event/Project Management Workshop

This Project Management Workshop offers an invaluable toolkit for you to build a framework for systematic planning, monitoring and reviewing to help you get and keep control of your work, improve efficiency and effectiveness and reduce stress.

Highly regarded presenter, Jill Gael, returns with another session of her practical and realistic Managing Projects Workshop, in partnership with the Australia Business Arts Foundation. Make sure to bring all your realistic event frustrations and specific problems because that’s what Jill wants to work on with you.

The Program will cover:

·         Key elements from planning and scoping through to completion as well as what these and other things mean.

·         Best ways to work to meet timelines and be within budget.

·         How to keep project workers, volunteers and other stakeholders well informed and on track for success.

·         Ways to manage and minimise Identified risks.

·         How to be creative when something unplanned arises.

·         Wrapping up well.

·         Evaluating projects.

If you are on the committee or board of management, a paid or volunteer member of an event/arts organisation, then this is a terrific opportunity for you to pack your skills toolbox with a shed-full of tricks and techniques to enable your event to stand out in a crowded calendar.

Events Tasmania, as part of its Event Development Program, provides this workshop free for Tasmanian event/arts organisers. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided.

Launceston

Friday 1 July 2011

9.30am – 4.30pm

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery @Inveresk

2 Invermay Road, Inveresk

Parking is available in the main car park for $4 all day.

Hobart

Monday 4 July 2011

9.30am – 4.30pm

Royal Society Room,

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

19 Davey Street entrance (on water dock side of building)

Register at info@eventstasmania.com or 03 6237 6431 before Monday 20 June 2011. Places are filling fast.

For more details go to   http://www.eventstasmania.com/event_development_program/day_workshops/Managing_Projects_Workshop