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ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 1 of 18
ANZTSR Newsletter
2012
Volume 18
Issue 4
Welcome everyone to the December 2012 issue.
From the Newsletter Editor
This is our last newsletter for 2012. It provides readers with a ‘taste’ of the 2012 Conference,
‘Sustainability and the Third Sector’, which was held in Hobart from the 22nd
to the 24th
of
November. Thanks to those who contributed to this edition. I wish all readers the
compliments of the season and look forward to working with you in 2013.
Dr. Phil Saj
University of Adelaide Business School
North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia Email: [email protected]
Introduction
The 2012 Australian and New Zealand Third Sector Research Incorporated conference,
‘Sustainability and the Third Sector’, was held at the Baha’i Centre of Learning for Tasmania
from November 22nd
to 24th
2012. The conference was officially opened by The Hon Mark
Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, abd Minister for Social Inclusion.
Keynote speakers at the conference were Robert Fitzgerald AM (Productivity Commissioner
and Chair of the ACNC Advisory Board), Professor John Mohan (Deputy Director of the
Third Sector Research Centre) and Glen Appleyard (Member of the Not-For-Profit Reform
Council). More than sixty papers were presented by researchers from universities and third
sector organisations. The conference also included panel discussions from a range of third
sector practitioners and social entrepreneurs. What follows are reports from delegates on
each of the conference events. Photographs were provided by Rosemary Hermans, Lorraine
Kerr, Patricia Webster and Phil Saj.
A
ustralian & New Zealand
Third Sector Research
Incorporated
C/- Sharron Skelly
School of Psychology, Social Work & Social Policy University of South
Australia GPO Box 2471 Adelaide, SA 5001.
Ph: (08) 8302 4840
Fax: (08) 8302 4377
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.anztsr.org.au
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 2 of 18
Welcome Event and Registration – 6.30pm Wednesday November 22nd
Dr Sue King, Dr Heather Douglas and Dr Yu Xing Students from St Michael’s Collegiate School Hobart
The sound of a string quartet filled the foyer of the Tasmanian School of Art. The music,
played by a four students of the St Michael’s Collegiate School Hobart, provided that
wonderful mix of intensity and relaxation that only the baroque provides. The scene was set
for delegates to assemble. And so we did- stretching out after the flight to Hobart, catching
up with colleagues not encountered for some time, making new connections, or simply
enjoying the conviviality. After a few words of welcome from the Chair of ANZTSR,
Professor Ed Carson; the conference organiser, Dr Megan Alessandrini; and the editors of
Third Sector Review, Dr Rosemary Leonard and Dr Ruth Phillips; delegates continued to
enjoy the music, the company, and the cool Hobart evening.. (Phil Saj)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference Opening – 8.45 am Thursday November 23rd
Professor Ed Carson, Chair of ANZTSR
Proceedings commenced with a few words from the Chair, Professor Ed Carson, including
an acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the country around what is now Hobart, the
Mouheneenner. Delegates then welcomed to the podium the Honourable Mark Butler MP,
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, and Minister for Social Inclusion, who, in a broad
ranging address formally opened the conference.
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 3 of 18
Opening Address: The Honourable Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and
Ageing, and Minister for Social Inclusion - 8.50 am Thursday November 23rd
The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion.
Minister Butler began by noting the key characteristics of the Australian third sector,
highlighting the ways in which, historically, third sector agencies have worked together,
playing a central role, not only in the provision of services, but in contributing to civil society
and promoting social inclusion. “The third sector has become a quintessential part of the
Australian social fabric”, he said. In the near future, according to Minister Butler, key issues
will be the co-operation between the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments,
and the reduction in ‘red tape”, including standardisation of service contracts. Importantly,
the Minister noted the recent significant growth in third sector employment and flagged as
critical issues workforce development and volunteering.
The Minister explicitly acknowledged the importance of third sector research. He also
advised that the Commonwealth Government has asked service providers to align themselves
with researchers so that programmes can be evaluated. He expressed the desire to engage
with third sector scholars who produce evidence based research in order to establish, “what
works and what does not”, particularly in respect of innovation. As well, he noted the recent
announcement that the Australian Bureau of Statistics would produce satellite accounts that
will properly measure the economic contribution of the third sector.
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 4 of 18
In closing, the Minister advised delegates that legislation is to be introduced into Federal
Parliament to ensure that not-for-profit organisations are not prohibited from engaging in the
public policy debate and advocating strongly. He noted moves by the Queensland
Government to “gag” not-for-profits that are in receipt of government funding. (Phil Saj)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key Note Speaker Thursday November 22nd
: Mr. Robert Fitzgerald AM, Productivity
Commissioner and Chair ACNC Advisory Board – 9.15 am Thursday November 22nd
Mr. Robert Fitzgerald AM, Productivity Commissioner and Chair ACNC Advisory Board
Robert Fitzgerald commenced his wide ranging address by posing the question, “Are we
there yet? Noting the relentless development of the case for sound regulation of the third
sector, beginning with the Industry Commission of 1995 and up to and beyond the 2010
Productivity Commission Report, he acknowledged that the sector has consistently endorsed
the reform agenda over this twenty seven year period.
Robert Fitzgerald also noted that Australia’s third sector is 200 years old. For much of this
time it has taken the lead in service provision and policy development, but recently it has
often lagged government. He noted also that the sector is not just concerned with service
delivery - its contribution is deeper. The sector is growing (at least 7% per annum according
to the Productivity Commission, but the true figure will be known when the upcoming ABS
satellite accounts for the sector are produced. A key concern for the sector, and for
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 5 of 18
government, is the development of evidence based evaluations, in particular, concerning the
impact of third sector organisations. Philanthropists and also the broader community wish to
know if the sector delivers value for money.
Has the time come? Just about, it seems. The establishment of the Office of the Third Sector
within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet provides the essential “receptor’ in
government, but further consolidation of reform is needed by way of co-operation between
the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. (Phil Saj)
Social Traders Panel with Mark Daniels Thursday November 22nd
-10.00 am Thursday
November 22nd
Mark Daniels from Social Traders
Mark Daniels from Social Traders presented a session on social enterprise practice and
policy with a practitioner and a policy officer from the Tasmanian Department of Economic
Development.
Social enterprises have a mission to create social and public benefit, trade to achieve their
mission, and generate a substantial proportion of the organisation’s income (approximately
50% for established organisations) and are either nonprofit or for-profits that reinvest most of
their income to achieve their public benefit purpose. Social Traders acts as an intermediary,
offers patient loans to new social enterprises to support their development, facilitates the
development of appropriate outcome and impacts, builds capacity in the sector, supports
research, and connects with other intermediaries in the sector such as SVA, Social Firms
Australia, School for Social Entrepreneurs.
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 6 of 18
There are 3 main types of social enterprises: 1: those functioning to create employment for
disadvantaged people; 2: those organising direct services; and 3: those generating income to
support the function of nonprofit organisations. There have been significant developments in
the social enterprise space over the past few years, including a significant commitment by the
WA government in establishing a social innovation investment fund. Three current issues for
the social enterprise sector are:
managing mission and money,
supporting alliances to development skills exchanges, and
developing suitable policy frameworks and infrastructure to support the sector.
(Heather Douglas)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NGO Practitioners Panel: Experiences of Sustainability in the Third Sector. Mr Tony
Reidy, TasCOSS; Mr Noel Mundy, Mission Australia TAS; Ms Therese Taylor,
Colony 47; and Ms Maxine Griffiths, Lifeline Tasmania - 1.45 pm Thursday November
22nd
Dr Megan Alessandrini introducing Ms Therese Taylor, Ms Maxine Griffiths
Mr Noel Mundy and Mr Tony Reidy
Four diverse Tasmanian human service agencies came together to present an important panel
in which they explored their understanding of the issue of sustainability of the human
services in the future. TasCOSS, Mission Australia, Colony 47 and Lifeline Tasmania have
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 7 of 18
much, including size, history and the essence of their mandate, which distinguishes them
from one another. Their presentation of the challenges of economic survival (including very
frank discussions of the strategies they were engaging in to ensure longevity), of staff
recruitment and retention and of mission review and adaptation were thought provoking.
Strikingly, the presentations shared an emphasis on the centrality to their future of not just
responding to the immediate and pressing needs of their clients (whether direct or in the case
of TasCOSS more indirect) but of engaging, with credibility, in advocacy in the community
and specifically the political arena. An increased and broadened community appreciation of
the complex needs of most service recipients and a recognition of the intensity of work
required to address these needs were seen as essential for the sustainability of the sector.
This powerful message from the sector confronted conference attendees who had heard in the
opening addresses about the challenges for the sector in maintaining credibility in an
outcome focused environment. (Sue King)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Irons Bonorong Park A Social Enterprise: Community Responsibility to Save Our
Wildlife - 4.30 pm Thursday November 22nd
Mr Greg Irons from Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary “The fruits of labour”
ANZTSR has always encouraged the participation of practitioners and as part of the
conference we heard from Greg Irons from Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, which is an
example of a one of the interesting hybrid organisations that are emerging. Bonorong
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 8 of 18
Wildlife Sanctuary is a home for injured wildlife and is supported by 800 trained volunteer
rescuers across SE Tasmania who make 4,500 rescues each year. Most animals and birds are
rehabilitated and returned to the bush. It is totally supported by visitors to the Sanctuary,
donations and volunteer labour. Three years ago Greg Irons took over a struggling wildlife
park which was registered as a sole trader enterprise so, officially, it is a for-profit
organisation, but he is running it along cooperative lines where all employees are trained in
all aspects of the organisation and engage in joint decision-making including the setting of
wages. They keep wages at a basic wage level to maximise the resources for directly
assisting native wildlife. Despite its form of incorporation, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is a
social enterprise where all staff and volunteers are committed to saving Tasmania’s unique
fauna. (Rosemary Leonard)
Cocktail Party at Government House - 6.00 pm Thursday November 23rd
Dr Megan Alessandrini, The Governor of Tasmania, Mr Peter Underwood AC and
Mrs Underwood, and Dr Phil Saj
On Thursday at 5.30 we all jumped on a double-decker bus to travel the short distance from
the conference venue to Government House, on the Queens Domain. Fifty conference
delegates and partners were cordially invited to a reception to mark our conference in the
wonderful surrounds of Tasmania’s palatial Government House.
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 9 of 18
Each guest was formally announced and introduced to the Governor and Mrs Underwood,
and canapés and light refreshments were served. Mr and Mrs Underwood were very
hospitable and opened up several rooms for guests to stroll around. The ballroom had several
huge chandeliers with over 4000 crystals each and a huon pine floor. Surprisingly, although
nominally a softwood, the floor has stood up well to two hundred years of wear and tear.
The conservatory enjoyed a vista of the bridge and River Derwent, and the ladies room,
though relatively small, had hand-painted wallpaper and period furniture. The finest of all
was the dining room- with mahogany dining table and chairs, and a number of enormous
portraits. The mirrors are apparently original, and remain awe-inspiring, despite evidence of
some 'silvering’ around the edges.
We are very grateful for the generosity and friendliness of Mr and Mrs Underwood who
showed a great interest in ANZTSR and our research. Delegates were most impressed by this
fairy-tale location and the charm of our hosts. (Megan Alessandrini)
Conference Dinner – Blue Skies Restaurant 7.30 pm Thursday November 23rd
Smiles all round and plenty to talk about at the conference dinner
Thursday’s events provided a pretty hard act to follow. There were outstanding key note
addresses, practitioner presentations and research papers; a ride on a Red London Bus to
Government House; and a beautiful reception there. Undaunted, however, and in fine form
and true spirit, delegates enjoyed a wonderful dinner on Hobart’s renowned waterfront at
Blue Skies Restaurant. (Phil Saj)
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 10 of 18
Key Note Speaker Glen Appleyard, Not-For-Profit Reform Council - 9.00 am Friday
November 24th
Mr Glen Appleyard from the Not-for-Profit Sector Reform Council
The Not-for-Profit Sector Reform Council was established by the Federal Government in
December 2010 with the objective of helping to drive sector reform. It comprises people
from around Australia who have made a significant contribution to the third sector. In his
address to the conference, Council Member, Mr Glen Appleyard highlighted the following
priorities: the National Compact, streamlining of funding arrangements for service
providers, the establishment of the ACNC, the statutory definition of a charity, taxation
reform, governance, workforce planning, social investment and volunteering. (Phil Saj)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACNC Task Force Panel Dr Fiona Tweedie & Dr Joyce Chia- 10.00 am Friday
November 24th
Dr Joyce Chia and Dr Fiona Tweedie took the opportunity of participating in the conference
to present an update on the ACNC research agenda and plans for engaging with the third
sector research community. As part of the process of outlining the ACNC Implementation
Task Force projects, including the recent release of an overview paper, they described steps
taken to date to establish a network of colleagues through teleconferences and a possible
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 11 of 18
Dr Fiona Tweedie and Dr Joyce Chia from the ACNC Taskforce
listserve. They described the Task Force’s work on the production of a map of the
regulatory landscape and a regulatory impact statement.
After outlining the significant developments, Joyce and Fiona engaged in a lively exchange
with the audience members about data collection and prospects of generating open data in
this area. Audience reaction was positive but also appropriately critical, including querying
the merits of increased regulation of the charity organisations. They reiterated the messages
of Robert Fitzgerald, about the need for a champion for open data, and Minister Mark Butler
about the importance of evidence-based policy and planning, and concluded with a plea for
engagement by the third sector research community in lobbying for broader understanding of
the new regulatory regime. (Ed Carson)
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 12 of 18
Delegates listening Dr Fiona Tweedie and Dr Joyce Chia from the ACNC Taskforce
The ceiling of the main hall in the Baha’i Centre for learning Tasmania (photo Lorraine Kerr)
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 13 of 18
Concurrent Sessions Thursday November 22nd
and Friday November 23rd
Sessions commenced at 11.30 on the Thursday November 23rd
and continued till 3.30pm on
the Friday. At each session, which ran for ninety minutes, three papers were presented and
discussed. Given the diversity of third sector research, it was no mean feat to schedule the
papers in the way they were. Papers covered a range of issues including advocacy,
sustainability, civil society, accounting, organisational governance, social economy and
social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, criminal justice, gender, philanthropy, organisational
studies, youth issues, and homelessness. A feature of this year’s conference was the strong
showing of presentations by practitioners as well as academics. (Phil Saj)
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 14 of 18
Professor John Mohan, Professor of Social Policy at the University of Southampton and the Deputy Director of
the Third Sector Research Centre
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 15 of 18
Key Note Speaker Professor John Mohan Third Sector Research Centre, University of
Southampton, University – 1.45 pm Friday November 24th
Professor John Mohan was the keynote speaker on Friday afternoon. He is both a professor
of Social Policy at the University of Southampton and the Deputy Director of the Third
Sector Research Centre (www.tsrc.ac.uk). John leads a quantitative research team and we
were lucky enough to hear him present on is his current studies on volunteerism, giving and
the trends around these themes.
The address began with a discussion around how the role of the third sector, and the focus of
more direct policy engagement in the UK, has become more prominent. There has been an
opening up of public services and everything is contestable. This has meant that charities,
social enterprises and voluntary organisations can run services and there has been a focus on
localism and decentralism, a shift to devolve power to local government.
John Mohan noted that times have changed and there have been both reductions in direct
support for the third sector as well as marketisation of public services. John questioned
whether communities, “come when they are called”. His research and other surveys found
that there is not a trend either way but rates of volunteering are relatively stable. 25-30% of
people in the survey volunteered monthly with nearly half at least annually, however, the real
participation rate may be higher.
It was interesting to hear about ‘The Big Society’ which is a discourse taking place in the UK
that will have important policy changes that other countries should watch with a keen eye as
to the ways it will impact the development and delivery of welfare provision.
(Rosemary Hermans)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Concluding Plenary: Ed Carson – 4.15 pm Friday November 24th
All good things must come to pass, and so it was with ANZTSR Hobart 2012. But this “end”
held some significant highlights. Following a few concluding remarks by the Chair, Professor
Ed Carson, delegates enjoyed the opportunity to mark successes in the Early Career
Researcher Prize, the contribution to ANZTSR by Professor Jenny Onyx, and presentation to
the conference organiser, Dr Megan Alessandrini.
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 16 of 18
Early Career Researcher Prize
Ms Courtney Webber (left) with the Editors of Third Sector Review, Dr Ruth
Phillips (centre) and Dr Rosemary Leonard (right)
The 2012 ANZTSR Early Career Researcher Prize for the best paper by a person who has
completed their PhD within the last five years was awarded to Ms Courtney Webber , a
University of Tasmania post graduate student in the School of Government, for her paper
titled, “Public Consultation in Tasmania: Changing Relationships between Government and
Community Sectors”. The prize was a book, ANZTSR membership for a year, and assistance
to develop her winning paper for publication. The runner up, who was awarded a certificate
of commendation, was Marion Cornish from University of Western Sydney for her paper
titled, “Exploring Social Networks of Non-Executive Company Directors in Australian Third
Sector Organisations”.
Ms Marion Cornish (centre) with the Editors of Third Sector Review, Dr Ruth
Phillips (left) and Dr Rosemary Leonard (right)
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 17 of 18
Professor Jenny Onyx Recognised for her Contribution to the ANZTSR
Professor Jenny Onyx (centre) with Ms Courtney Webber (left) who presented the commemorative badge,
And Associate Professor Wendy Earles (right) who spoke on Jenny’s contribution to third sector research
The final plenary session on the 23rd
was an opportunity to mark Professor Jenny Onyx’s
twenty years of service and leadership in third sector research, in Australia and
internationally. Jenny’s contribution in the development of ANZTSR, and in particular her
encouragement and mentoring of others to achieve in research and publication has had a
significant impact. She was presented with an ANZTSR logo commemorative badge to mark
the occasion. Congratulations, Jenny and thank you for your wonderful contribution!
(Wendy Earles)
ANZTSR Newsletter 2012 Volume 18, Issue 4. Page 18 of 18
Thanks to the Conference Organiser Megan Alessandrini
Professor Ed Carson, Chair of ANZTSR with Dr Megan Aleassandrini
Last, but by no means least, delegates expressed a heartfelt “thanks” to Dr Megan
Alessandrini who steered the conference from inception through to the highly successful
event that it was.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANZTSR thanks the following for their support in holding the 2012 conference: The
Governor of Tasmania, Mr Peter Underwood AC and Mrs Underwood, Baha’i Centre of
Learning for Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart Bookshop, St Michael’s Collegiate
School Hobart, and MCI Australia.