The Disability Information and Resource Centre

May 30 & 31, 2011

Moonee Valley Racing Club, Members Gate 1
McPherson Street, Moonee Ponds, Melbourne VIC

Communities in Control is the biggest annual gathering of community sector workers, volunteers and supporters – each year bringing together a stellar list of speakers and 1300 delegates to listen, debate, network, exchange tips and strategies, and recharge.

Since its inception in 2003 the conference (which is now described by many as a ‘movement’) has provided a platform and outlet for the very premise of Communities in Control – that for communities to survive and thrive, they must be in charge of their own destinies; that they must be given practical support to set their own priorities, design their own approaches, and create their own solutions; and that to do this will ultimately create safer, healthier communities.

Cost: $298 (inc GST).

Significant discounts are also available for group bookings (10 or more).

For more information call 03 9320 6800 or visit www.ourcommunity.com.au/cic2011.

SACOSS invites you to join them on the 5th and 6th of August at the Shores Function Complex for their colossal Defining Strength | Delivering Innovation conference! With an exciting program of over 30 inspiring international, interstate and South Australian speakers, the event will focus on two key questions facing the health and community services sector:

1. What is genuinely innovative?
2. How do we define our strength?

Have a look at the conference flyer.

For a detailed list of speakers, the full program, and registration details please visit www.sacoss.org.au/events/conference2010/ or contact Conference Coordinator Kate Braham on (08) 8305 4211 or kate@sacoss.org.au.

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has launched a resource kit to support the campaign for funding of higher wages for community sector workers.

ACOSS has been working with the Employer Reference Group to develop a campaign for funding of higher wages. The purpose of the campaign is to support the community sector seeking commitments to fund decent wages from both government and private sources of funding. The campaign for funding needs to build support for decent wages in the community sector, in anticipation of higher wages resulting from the equal remuneration application for social and community sector and disability workers across Australia, currently before Fair Work Australia.

The resource kit contains:

1. Information about the campaign and how you can help
2. Joint statement in support of equal remuneration for social and community sector and disability workers
3. Fast Facts about the campaign for funding
4. Template letters for you to send to members of parliament from employers and organisations, from employees, and in relation to private sources of funding
5. Contact lists for MPs and suggestions of non-government funders to approach
6. Information on how to convene advocacy meetings
7. Q&A: how to respond to objections
8. Checklist for lobbying activities

Click here to download the Resources Kit

The campaign for full funding of decent pay is sponsored by the Australian Council of Social Service, National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS, National Shelter, Queensland Council of Social Service, Relationships Australia and South Australian Council of Social Service.

The campaign is coordinated by the Australian Council of Social Service. To provide financial support for the campaign or for further information, contact ACOSS (email SectorDevelopment@acoss.org.au or ph 02 9310 6200).

SACommunity (formerly Infosearch) is South Australia’s community information resource. Its purpose is to enable you to

• find out about help available from government, non-government and community services throughout SA
• find out how you can connect with and get involved in your community

The February 2010 SACommunity newsletter contains news and information on organisations in the SA community sector and can be viewed here.

Jobseeker is a targeted employment website, focused solely on jobs in government, human services and the community and not-for-profit sector. Jobseeker contains the latest vacancies throughout Australia in the areas of:

• Alcohol and other drugs;
• Administration (mainly at not-for-profit organisations;
• Care services;
• Community development;
• Counselling;
• Disability work;
• Health and allied health;
• Housing;
• Mental health;
• Social work;
• Support work and
• Youth work

Jobseeker is part of Infoxchange Australia a non-for-profit community organisation with a mission to use ‘technology for social justice‘. It provides a range of low-cost IT services to not-for-profit organisations and community groups including website development, computer training, and Internet connection services.

Check out the Jobseeker site to search for and advertise positions.