The future of charity

Dan Pallotta is an enigmatic speaker and entrepreneur from the US who has been committed for many years to finding better ways to support not for profits. I was lucky enough to hear him speak in San Francisco last year and he really challenged the current situation for many community based organisations.
His book Charitable describes the inequity between profit making and charitable organisations and he suggests that there needs to be a complete shift in our thinking about giving and management.
So check out his website and the new venture he has began which combines ethics, non profits and marketing.

Branching Out has been working with two pilot organisations (Interweave Arts and TRA-K, a volunteer branch of Tasmanian Regional Arts based in Sheffield) to explore social enterprise and its’ potential to build sustainability, strength and new opportunities for the organisations.

Early in the project we identified the need for new approaches that could meet the needs of individuals and groups, as existing programs focused almost entirely on individual and organisational skill development. Our consultation indicated that this approach was not sustainable or realistic for many, especially given the amount of work that was already being undertaken. This situation was impacting on the capacity of the organisations to maintain current operations and expand programs and services.

Rather than operating as consultants or mentors, we developed and then implemented a facilitating and coaching service whereby people with the relevant skills became part of the groups and projects; injecting the right skills at the right time. The response from the pilots was immediate and we soon saw a ripple effect as they achieved many of their identified goals. These groups had already been contributing enormously to the cultural, social and economic life of their communities; they just needed a little assistance to go to the next stage.

The approach we have taken has elements similar to the Sirolli model whereby Enterprise Facilitators work with individuals and communities to develop enterprise. We have found there is a need for the type of work we have been doing and increased skills within Tasmania and a willingness to look at new models to respond to these needs. That's why we are partnering with TasCOSS to present the Sirolli training. It's not the only solution but it is a valuable addition to learning within the sector. If you are interested in undertaking the training please email tim@tascoss.org.au 

Future of social enterprise and the arts

We are being approached weekly by arts organisations interested in social enterprise and developing ideas that can benefit them. Today is the launch of the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Study, which has seen the arts being very well represented.www.socialenterprisetasmania.blogspot.com It's exciting to see what is possible when you combine ideas, creative and productive minds together.

TRA-K Celebration

Dr Ernesto Sirolli Training Opportunity

PASSION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INVIGORATING LOCAL ECONOMIES
3 Day Trinity of Management® Training
by Dr Ernesto Sirolli of the Sirolli Institute
Presented by Tasmanian Council of Social Service Inc and Tasmanian Regional Arts Inc.
June 15-17, 2011 (inclusive)
Venue to be confirmed (location-Launceston)
Numbers are limited, so please book your place ASAP

Who should participate? People who have a passion for helping their region and clients grow and prosper, whose work brings them into contact with people with ideas, opportunities and passions, and would like additional tools to help those people move their ideas forward.
These include: Local government officers; Chamber of Commerce and local development organisation personnel; Community Relations/Sustainable Development Personnel in the corporate sector; rural advisors; community and social support organisations; arts organisations; migrant settlement services, etc.
For more information please contact Kylie on 0439 262 344 or email kylie@tasregionalarts.org.au

Telling stories

On Tuesday 5 April, the Australian Stories of Social Enterprise publication was launched – a result of a collaboration between The Centre for Social Impact and Parramatta City Council. It is the first of its kind in Australia.

The stories explored in the book cover a diverse range of social enterprises, from recycling mattresses, to street coffee carts, cafes and restaurants, renewable energy, printing, digital technology and many more.

Thirty-five face-to-face interviews with thirty-three organisations were conducted between 2009 and February 2010. The stories presented provide a snapshot of the interviewees’ perspectives on their own and their organisations’ experiences.

The book is attached below.

Please contact csi@unsw.edu.au for more information

On the Road

Thursday morning and the Getz is packed for the trip up North. First stop Launceston's Interweave Arts to workshop the latest business plan and talk marketing opportunities. It's always invigorating and rewarding working with Kim Schneiders and James Newton of Interweave Arts and with our Community Business Facilitator, Warren Butler. It's a varied and dynamic team. We take a slightly different approach to the norm, using language that fits with the organisation while still accommodating the world of business. The focus is on long term vision with short term achievable and much needed outcomes. Interweave has already got most of it together, but becoming part of their team through the project has allowed them to access different skills and resources.
A few hours later and we finalise the plan which will provide the organisation with valuable information for future funding applications while being a useful working document for the team. It is fascinating to see just how much Interweave has contributed to the Northern Tasmanian community. 

Public Art produced by Interweave at Inveresk

Kim, Kylie, James and Warren at The Studio at Inveresk

A quick catch up with Yo-Anne Eastley from Tasmanian Polytechnic to talk about their students making Interweave badges as part of their enterprise program. Many of their students have already been involved in the Interweave studio program, so it's building on an existing relationship. The badges have been a sell out, so more are being produced, and the Interweave art cards have been extremely popular.
A quick coffee and it's on the road again to help out with the Material Girl exhibition which opens in Burnie. 
Catch up up with the team at the TRA Latrobe head office including Theresa Beck-Swindale, the coordinator of Material Girl. With more than 50 entries, the Burnie Arts Council gallery is looking fantastic. Details of the winners are on the Tasmanian Regional Arts website.  But here is a little teaser from the opening night.

Material Girl Photos

It was a fantastic evening, as you can see. The next day I dropped into the Working Art Space in Sheffield. It's the other pilot group we are working with. The newly installed heat pumps looked great and the team were excitedly talking of the new lighting and the potential of having movable gallery petitions.
I just happened to be there as a life drawing workshop was about to begin, so guess who became the model-clothes on of course. It is amazing what is included in my job description. It was great to chat with the participants and see the expertise of the tutor Kerry Martin. 

Setting up for the workshop

It was another successful road trip and a reminder of the incredible passion and interest in artists by regional communities. Thanks for having me guys and I look forward to the next trip.