Board Builder Conference: Better Boards - Better Outcomes
The leading national conference for community boards, committees and governing councils. Featuring the Treasurer of Australia, The Honourable Wayne Swan.
Strong organisations are driven by strong boards - boards that are organised, efficient and knowledgeable. Good boards get your group moving on the right road. Bad boards can make your group lose its way.
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Northern Rivers Finance Officers Network
This is a region wide forum which meets every two months (the venue is not fixed).  The forum members are finance officers or bookkeepers of non-profit organisation in the Northern Rivers region. At the next meeting the forum is focussing on audit requirements and risk management, with an auditor/accountant doing a presentation on these issues. It may be that people just want to link into sessions from time to time and that’s fine.  Joining the distribution list will ensure people know what’s coming up. We are new and have only had two meetings (both of them great) and the next one is to be held from  2-4pm on 17 February 2009 in Lismore (contact Trish Evans on 66201830 or 0447212245 for details and to join the distribution list).
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Guidelines for the use of physical activity for community development purposes
The NSW Premier's Council for Active Living has released a their final report on the use of physical activity for community development purposes. This resource combines current research in this area with expertise and practical experience to identify key elements that need to be incorporated into physical actvity/active living programs aimed at community engagement. For more information and to access report, click this link: http://www.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au/building_stronger/vibrant/pcalresources.html
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Lismore Interagency Meeting Dates for 2009
Dates for the Lismore Interagency Meeting for 2009 are listed below. All meetings are to be held at Lismore City Council chambers at 9.30AM - unless otherwise notified:
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Our Community

Our Community is a website and newsletter which focuses on the issues and needs of the community services sector. Our Community is a social enterprise that provides advice and tools for Australia's 700,000 community groups and schools, and practical linkages between the community sector and the general public, business and government. There offerings include:
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Building the Country - Small Communities Awareness Fund
The Office of Rural Affairs is calling for applications for the $450,000 Small Communities Awareness Fund to assist small communities to establish or supplement an internet website promoting their town and tourism attractions. The $450,000 Small Communities Awareness fund is part of the NSW Government’s $85 million ‘Building the Country’ funding package.
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2009 Twin Towns Community Foundation Challenge
$150 000 funding for Tweed Shire community projects. Opens 1 February closes 30 April.
The Twin Towns Community Foundation are holding the Community Challenge again this year. There is no funding limit, projects can be as small or as large as the need determines (max available $150 000 in total). A brief overview of the project along with budget request is all that is required in the first instance - if the Foundation Board like your idea they will get back to you for further information.
For details go to the Twin Town Services Club website and follow the direct link. Information will be posted on the 1 February 2009 www.twintowns.com.au
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SMART 1 Collecting and Recording Data
31 March @ Ballina. SMART 1 - Collecting & Recording Data, a training course is developed by the SAAP National Data Collection Agency to assist agencies in participating in the National Data Collection. The Collecting & Recording Data training course has been designed primarily for agency workers who wish to learn and improve their skills and knowledge around:

• the definitions used in the National Data Collection; and
• using the SMART program to simplify the process of collecting, recording and submitting data.

For more information click here.
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Working with Aboriginal Children and Families
25 & 26 March 2009, 2 days at Goonellabah. This course is designed to enhance participant’s awareness of Aboriginal history, heritage and culture and analyse the implications of these for service delivery. In particular it focuses on the analysis of the cumulative effects of welfare intrusion and discriminations on contemporary Aboriginal clients and communities. As a result participants will be able to work in collaboration to provide high quality services for Aboriginal people and improve workplace partnerships for more informaiton click here.
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Coaching and Mentoring
11 &12 March 2009,  2 days, Goonellabah. This course while having a strong theory and research grounding, focuses on providing the necessary managerial coaching and mentoring skills for course participants. It will enable you to give appropriate and constructive support for those with whom you work. Four major coaching functions form the core of this workshop.
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Better Boards, Better Outcomes
31st March, 2009 - Ballina. This course, put on by the  Aged & Community Services Association of NSW & ACT, offers practical tools for improving board performance through the strategic planning process. This workshop is for organisations that have already grasped their legal/ethical/governance responsibilities and want to drive the success of their organisations through improved Board and Senior Management Performance.
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Mental Illness in the Community
March 2nd – 6th 2009. Remind Training & Education

This will be a full day training session from 9am to 4.30pm, addressing the following areas:
* Core knowledge of mental illness
* Stigma regarding mental illness in the community
* Medication issues
* Dealing with difficult client behaviour
* Living with mental illness: Carer or consumer perspective

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Defining Pathways Workshops
February 19th (afternoon) and 20th (morning) 2009. Physical Disability Council of NSW's (PDCN) workshops can help people with a disability to achieve your goals and make things happen. Workshops will be presented in two parts and are offered free of costs for participants. PDCN will present Defining Pathways workshops in: Lismore @ Lismore Worker’s Club

If you, or someone you know wishes to attend a Defining Pathways Workshop you can register by: calling 1800 688 831 or email to admin@pdcnsw.org.au
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Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) - Free Training

Does your work involve contact with people who use Amphetamine Type Stimulants such as speed? Free National Training is on offer from Darwin to Hobart and many places in between. Training has been scheduled for Lismore in July/August. Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) are amongst the most commonly used illicit drugs and their impact can be significant.
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Parenting Program
12th February to 26th March 2009. Family Support Network are running a 7 week Parenting Program:

• Based on Kate Birch Pleasurable Parenting
• Enrich family and social relationships
• Increase understanding of children’s behaviours and how to respond effectively
• Strengthen confidence in parenting
• Bookings essential

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Community Services Work III (CHC30802)
Starts:Wed, 11 Feb 09 for 9 weeks.  This qualification applies to community work delivered through a broad range of services which provide support to individuals and groups.  This level is appropriate for support workers, caseworkers and client contact officers.  Generally, these positions have direct contact with clients, identify presenting needs and refer to appropriate services and support. Funding for this course is available under the Federal Government's PPP program. Ask staff for eligibility guidelines.
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Community Services Work IV (CHC41902)
This qualification applies to community work delivered through a broad range of services which contibutes to the development of community capacity through community consultation,public education,health promotion and advocacy.

At the completion of this qualification the student will be able to work within a professional team to support the development of community.This qualification defines the knowledge and skills for Community Development workers who work under the guidance of others.

Funding for this course is available under the Federal Government's PPP program. Ask staff for eligibility guidelines.

• Location: Lismore ACE
• Time:3 days per week 9:30 AM-3:00 PM

Starts:TO BE ADVISED.
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Community Services Work IV (CHC41902)
This qualification applies to community work delivered through a broad range of services which contibutes to the development of community capacity through community consultation,public education,health promotion and advocacy.

At the completion of this qualification the student will be able to work within a professional team to support the development of community.This qualification defines the knowledge and skills for Community Development workers who work under the guidance of others.

Funding for this course is available under the Federal Government's PPP program. Ask staff for eligibility guidelines.

• Location: Lismore ACE
• Time:3 days per week 9:30 AM-3:00 PM

Starts:TO BE ADVISED.
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Mental Health Healing Process
Commences: 4 February 09. Julie Tallard Johnson’s Eight Stage Healing Process for Families & Carers of People with Mental Health Problems. This program will introduce participants to alternatives to common patterns of coping.

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Refugee Studies Summer School
23 - 26 February 09. This four day intensive program will cover:

• Community Consultations Using 'Storyboarding' (2 days)
• Identifying and Responding to On Arrival and Early Settlement Needs (1 day)
• Working with Vulnerable Groups and Strategies to Move Forward (1 day)

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Family Centre Courses/Seminars Feb - April 09
Interrelate Family Centre Courses/Seminars Feb - April 09

Course Titles:

• Seasons for Growth
• Making Choices
• Parents Not Partners
• Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends
• Positive Parenting
• Ideas for Parenting Teens
• The Challenge of Disciplining Your Children

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Education for families & carers of people with mental health problems
12 & 19 March,(2 Thursdays) Goonellabah, contact Fiona Murray, Ph 6628 6416 or 0437 371191

Foundations is a FREE two-day education course run by Carers NSW for friends, families and carers of people with mental health problems.Foundations will enable carers to meet others in similar situations, learn more about mental illness and the mental health system, learn how to enhance their coping skills, how to access local services and much more all within a safe and supportive environment.
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Exploring Loss and Grief
12th Feb – 2nd April 09. What is loss and grief?  How has it affected me?
Loss and grief can affect many areas of men’s lives – including death of loved ones, the loss of family, loss of health, relationships, home, employment, and the loss of the closeness, support, identity, or meaning, that can go with them.
How can I deal with it? What if I don’t?
These group sessions will give men the chance to identify and explore the impact of loss and grief on their lives and to discover and share positive ways of rebuilding and transformation.
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Women Exploring New Directions - Ballina
6th Feb – 3rd April 2009. The ‘Boundaries’ Group are a group for women who have experienced family violence or abusive relationships.WEND aims to provide a supportive environment for Women to Explore New Directions in:

•    Wondering about boundaries, what do they look & feel like?
•    Discovering Internal boundaries, safety and appropriate self care
•    Assertiveness, & 'I" statements
•    Early messages, what I have carried from childhood & how these may influence my relationships
•    How can I look after me, nurture and make healthy choices for my family and myself?

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Women Exploring Anger
5th February – 2nd April 09. WEND aims to provide a supportive environment for Women to Explore New Directions in:

•    How can I create respectful relationships, what is the difference between anger and abuse?
•    What different kinds of anger have I experienced?
•     Learning to manage anger, how do I express anger while keeping those around me safe?
•    Where do I hold anger in my body?
•    Past hurts & how these may influence my relationships and ability to express myself?
•    How can I look after me, nurture and make healthy choices for my family and myself?
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Women Exploring New Directions- Lismore
3rd February – 31st March 2009. ‘Boundaries’ is a group for women who have experienced family violence or abusive relationships. WEND aims to provide a supportive environment for Women to Explore New Directions in:

•    Wondering about boundaries, what do they look & feel like?
•    Discovering internal boundaries, safety and appropriate self care
•    Assertiveness, & 'I" statements
•    Early messages, what I have carried from childhood & how these may influence my relationships
•    How can I look after me, nurture and make healthy choices for my family and myself?
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ABS Training: Accessing ABS Information
On 20 February 2009, a representative of the Australian Bureau of Statistics will be presenting 2 hour seminars to increase participant's ability to access ABS information, including the wealth of free data available on the ABS website. These seminars introduce participants to the full range of Census 2006 products available, and the range of ABS services and help available. The CData Online component of the session introduces participants to the CData Online product which allows you to create your own customised tables of census data. This data is then able to be graphed and mapped.
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Widjabul Early Childhood Strategy – Project Worker
15 hrs/wk SACS Award
YWCA NSW Northern Rivers seeks a suitably qualified and experienced person to support the Project Coordinator with the planning and delivery of the ‘Goori Women’s Yarning Circle’ and the development of culturally appropriate resources to be used in early childhood settings. Applications close 4:30pm 30th January 2009
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Online Employment Vacancies

Northern Rivers local appointed to Panel of Community Care Experts
A new committee has been formed to provide expert advice on Home and Community Care (HACC) services such as community transport, meals delivery and various in-home supports. The HACC Program funds services that enable older people and young people with a disability to continue living in the community. Minister for Ageing and Disability Services Paul Lynch said the seven members of the NSW HACC Advisory Committee all had experience in community care and brought a cross-section of perspectives, from consumers and service providers.
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Transport Infrastructure & Services Inquiry - NRSDC to Respond
NRSDC will respond to the Inquiry into the investment of Commonwealth and State funds in public passenger transport infrastructure and services. The closing date for submissions into this inquiry is at the end of February.  This inquiry provides an opportunity to inform the Federal Government of the disadvantages rural and regional residents face when compared to metropolitan service and infrastructure provision.  Submissions can be made directly to the Standing Committee or forwarded to Linda Lomman (click to contact) Transport Development Project for incorporation in the Northern Rivers Social Development Council's response.
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Northern Rivers Community Transport - New Contact Numbers
Northern Rivers Community Transport has new contact phone numbers. Their original numbers will remain on number redirection for a period of time to ensure calls reach us.
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Ballina Youth Activity Centre
The Ballina Disctricts and Community Services Association's (BDCSA) Youth Activity Center runs the following activities:

• Afternoon Homework and Social Activities.
• 3 on 3 Basketball
• Skateboarding program
• Graffiti and Drawing Work-Shops
• Aussie Hip Hop Dance work-shops
• Youth Week Skate and dance comps
• Indigenous Art and Dance work-shops
• Hip Hop Music creation and production
• -including beat making, song writing, recording etc.
• Healthy living Fitness, weights, and nutrition Work-shops
• Instrumental Music program – Battle of Bands
• Life Skills Work-shop – Cooking, Budgeting, Drivers license, Employment & Education Referrals.

Call Rashid Habib for details on how to get involved

BDCSA Youth Activity Center
32 Swift St
Ballina NSW

Phone: 0448737863