eNews is the fortnightly bulletin distributed by Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development.

It informs local residents, community organisations and groups about upcoming events, conferences, training and submission deadlines, as well as any relevant news.

In this issue:

• Inner City Cadre Project
• Connect Sydney Strategic Planning Training
• KLC Community Workers Legal Education Series/a>
• FONGA Raising Profile of the NGO Sector
• On-Line Community Map – we now need your details
• Harmony Day 2013 – Many Stories One Australia
• SBS Radio Schedule Launch
• Cultural Knowledge Workshop on Italian and Russian-speaking Communities
• Quote of the Week
• Subscribe

Inner City Cadre Project

The Cadre project has been described as Mental Health Neighbourhood Watch. The project involves participants undertaking three days of interactive discussion focusing on how to interact with people with mental health issues. Further mentoring and support continues on in to the future.

The project aims to help educate community members and reduce stigma linked with mental illness, to assist people with a mental illness and develop coping and support strategies for mental health consumers, their carers, friends and neighbours.

Three days of free training will take place across the inner city at venues in Glebe, Redfern and Woolloomooloo over the next couple of months. The training is open to anyone who cares about other people and wishes to learn techniques to help people undergoing mental ill-health.

Connect Sydney Strategic Planning Training

The City of Sydney, in partnership with Inner Sydney Regional Council, is holding ‘Planning for your Organisation’s Future’ Strategic Planning Training Session on April 19th 2013 from 10am-4pm.

In this ever changing operating environment, community organisations need to ensure they look ahead at what is likely to occur and plan accordingly. This practical, hands on session will cover a basic planning process that will enable any organisation to better link their plan to their budget and accountabilities and minimise the risk of crisis.

KLC Community Workers Legal Education Series

The next KLC community workers workshop will be conducted by a solicitor from the Kingsford Legal Centre and will be on: Power of Attorney and Guardianship (i.e how it works, when you need it and what to do)

When: Tuesday 23rd April 2013
Time: 10am to 12pm
Where: Kingsford Legal Centre Meeting Room

FONGA Raising Profile of the NGO Sector

NCOSS’ Forum of Non-Government Agencies (FONGA) has developed a working group to look at raising the profile of the sector to government and the wider community.

One of the projects the working group has drawn together is a document that outlines ‘24 Hours in the Day in the Life of a Community Sector Organisation.’ This provides a snapshot of the variety and intensity of the work covered by the sector.

If your organisation could possibly submit a line or two outlining the work done by your staff, it would help us to build a better, more complete picture of the diversity of the sector. You do not need to do the whole 24 hours – just pick one particular project at one particular time and write a sentence about the work.

Here is an example of what some organisations have already provided.

• 6am-7am Wake CCU clients, and offer them some tea, toast, showers and referral to case. (Mission Australia men’s service #1)
• SM travels to Narrandera for an 11.00 am meeting for Family Case Management, Local Management Group. (Mission Australia Family Services – Regional)
• Travel to Walgett for staff supervision. (Mission Australia Youth – Regional)
• Executive Officer sets up the meeting room and prepares breakfast (Volunteer Referral Service)
• 25 volunteers assist 25 people with disabilities to prepare for the day at Camp Breakaway, providing essential respite for these people -building their confidence and self-esteem, providing essential social networking and human relationships. (Breakaway)

On-line Community Map – we now need your details

Inner Sydney Regional Council is in the process of creating an extensive online map of community services in the Eastern Suburbs and Inner City. The map is very easy to read and navigate and will list each organisations details and services.

In mid-March we held a consultation to discuss the map and to look at ways to make it as user-friendly as possible. In order to make it as comprehensive as we can, we need to know the details of your organisation, the type of organisation you are e.g. mental health, aged care, neighbourhood centre and a brief description of your services, and a website if you have one.

Harmony Day 2013 – Many Stories One Australia

The Junction Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with the Shack Youth Service is celebrating Harmony Day 2013 on:
Date: Monday 15th April 2013
Time: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Venue: The Shack and Junction Neighbourhood Centre
Shops 1 & 2, 669 – 673 Anzac Parade, Maroubra
Next door to the entrance to the Bowen Library

There will be entertainment, craft activities, henna hand painting, displays and free morning tea. There will also be some activities for children but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Speakers will include Paul Fenech, star and writer/director/producer of Housos SBS TV Series and movie and former Play School Presenter, actor and writer Joy Hopwood.

SBS Radio Schedule Launch

The Ethnic Communities Council of NSW (ECC), in partnership with SBS Radio, invite you to a special information evening on April 16th to discuss the launch of the new SBS Radio schedule. After the first major review in almost 20 years, SBS, the world’s most multi-lingual radio broadcaster will launch its new schedule on April 29th.

SBS will broadcast in more languages than ever before (74 in total) with six new languages being added. Audiences will be able to access these services via digital radio, digital TV, online streaming, podcast and mobile phones via SBS Your Language App. SBS staff will be present to outline the changes and provide in-language resources for the benefit of attendees and their communities.

Attendance is free and light refreshments will be provided.
Date: Tuesday April 16th
Time: 5:30 – 7:30pm
Venue: Ethnic Communities Council of NSW
21 Cope St (Cnr Wellington St) Waterloo

Cultural Knowledge Workshop on Italian and Russian-speaking Communities

HACC, HACC-like and disability services providers are invited to attend the Cultural Knowledge Workshop on Italian and Russian-speaking Communities. Get to know cultural practices of Italian and Russian speaking backgrounds in a practical way.
Date: Tuesday, 7th May 2013
Time: 10am – 12:30 pm
Venue: Building 3, 142 Addison Road Marrickville (Free parking available)

Quote of the Week

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.

Charles R. Swindoll (1943–)