Seminars on workplace relations law for NFPs

Not-for-Profit Network is holding a series of seminars in May on 'Understanding the Fair Work Act: Simplifying the new Workplace Laws for NFPs'.
The new workplace relations law will commence from 1 July 2009, and will have an immediate impact on an employer's legal relationship with their employees. The seminars will be tailored to the NFP sector, and the issues covered will include:

• Expanded unfair dismissal application
• Minimum employment standards
• New 'modern' awards
• Alterations to workplace agreements and bargaining
• New transfer of business provision (including outsourcing/insourcing)
• New 'general' employee protections
• Increased union right of entry to workplaces
• Transitional provisions (treatment of current agreements in the new system)
• New tests and the new Workplace Authority.
  

The seminars will be held in CBD locations in Sydney on 4 May, Brisbane on 8 May, Melbourne on 12 May, Adelaide on 13 May, and Perth on 19 May.
Visit the Not-for-Profit Network website here for more information and to register.

Australian Angels go worldwide

The Australian Association of Angel Investors (AAAI) has become a foundation member of the World Business Angels Association (WBAA), alongside the national angel associations of USA, China, the UK, India, Spain, Chile, Italy, France and the United Arab Emirates.
The formation of the WBAA is the culmination of collaboration over the last few years among the leaders of federations of angel groups from around the world, who are responding to signfiicant international activity to address the challenge of the funding gap for early-stage businesses.
AAAI chairman, John Mactaggart, said, "WBAA, as a platform for exchange of information and development of the angel investor market around the world, will provide an entry point for investors and entrepreneurs looking for angel groups worldwide. The WBAA will educate and inform policy-makers and market intermediaries about angel investing."
Mactaggart said the AAAI believes that the WBAA is a great response to the current international financial crisis.
"In Australia, as elsewhere, entrpreneurial buinesses and innovation are seen as critical contributors to economic recovery and international competitiveness. These vital contributors are in danger of failure due to the challenges in accessing early-stage finance. As with venture capital in the 20th century, in the 21st century it is important to raise the awareness of the angel capital asset class, it is important for governments to invest in this driver of recovery and it is important to recruit new angel investors to the market at a global level," Mactaggart said.
Some of the key objectives of the new association are to promote the professionalisation of the angel market through the fostering of new groups and associations and coordinating research produced on the angel market worldwide.

Omega-3 Centre appoints new executive director

The Omega-3 Centre (O3C), an Australian and New Zealand health association, has appointed Andrea Mortensen as its new executive director.
Mortensen, who replaces Monique Cashion, has worked in senior corporate nutrition roles for many years, leading Meat and Livestock Australia's renowned nutrition marketing and R&D programs, as well as undertaking nutrition consultancy roles in consumer and healthcare commuications and public affairs.
On Mortensen's appointment, Professor Ian Brown, chairperson of the O3C, said, "Andrea's background in nutrition and dietetics and breadth of industry experience will ensure the O3C continues to strengthen its position as the leading authority on omega-3s, as well as drive awareness of the health benefits of optimal intakes of omega-3s."
Mortensen will play a key role in the development and implementation of communication programs this year, with a focus on maternal and infant health, and ensure the O3C's position and scientific comunications are represented at a regulatory level.
The O3C has also reappointed five scientific advisers to ensure the organisation remains up to date with the latest research and regulations:

• Professor Andy Sinclair, Deakin University – Scientific Adviser, Research
• Dr Laurence Eyres, Auckland University – Scientific Adviser, Lipid Chemistry
• Dr David Roberts, formerly Australian Food and Grocery Council – Scientific Adviser, Policy and Regulatory Affairs
• Dr Peter Nichols, CSIRO Food Futures Flagship – Scientific Adviser, Seafood
• Wendy Morgan – Scientific Adviser, Nutrition.
  

Property Council of Australia elects new president

Grocon CEO Daniel Grollo has been elected the new national president of the Property Council of Australia.
Grollo takes over from Victor Hoog Antink, CEO of DEXUS Property Group, who had previously served a two-year term and stepped back into the chair following the departure of GPT boss, Nic Lyons.
"Victor very kindly took on the Presidency in October 2008 to ensure the Property Council styed totally focused on advocating the property sector's interests as the economic downturn took hold," Grollo said.
He said the Property Council has a very clear agenda for speeding up the recovery of the property sector, with government engagement a high priority.
"The global financial crisis has awakened politicians to the needs of the investors who create jobs and retirement security for Australians. The key issues for the new Property Council board are restoring liquidity, reducing taxes, cutting red tape, nation-building investment and moderning property investment vehicles," Grollo said.
A new Property Council national board was elected last week, comprising:

• Victor Hoog Antink, CEO, DEXUS Property Group
• Ian Armstrong, Chief Executive Officer, Perron Group
• Andrew Bird, Director and Chief Investment Officer Property, AMP Capital Investors
• Daryl Browning, Chief Executive Officer, ISPT Pty Ltd
• Carolyn Chudleigh, Partner, Holding Redlich
• Rod Fehring, CEO, Lend Lease Prime Life
• Mark Ford, Chairman, Cbus Property
• Justin Hazell, Principal, Holcon
• Denis Hickey, CEO Residential, Stockland
• David Hutton, CEO Lend Lease Retail and Communities – Asia Pacific, Lend Lease
• Bob Jordan, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand, Westfield Group
• Mitchell Nielsen, Managing Director, Indigo
• Michael O'Brien, Acting CEO and COO, The GPT Group
• Darren Steinberg, Head of Property, Colonial First State Global Asset Management
• David Wooldford, Chief Executive/MD Austrlaia, Knight Frank (Australia) Pty Ltd.

$500 million in grants available for not-for-profits

Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, today announced that $500 will be invested in not-for profits to strengthen these organisations and build community resilience.
Applications are now open for the Jobs Fund, which will provide grants of up to $2 million for not-for-profits to undertake projects that invest in local community infrastructure and build social capital, via two separate streams:

• The Local Jobs stream provides $300 million funding over two years for community infrastructure projects with a focus on promoting environmental-friendly technology and heritage.
• The Get Communities Working provides grants worth $200 million over two years for innovative employment and social projects that build community resilience. The funding will commence on 1 July this year.

$11 million of the Get Communities Working stream is available for temporary financial assistance to not-for-profit organisations whose donor base is under pressure as a result of the economic downturn.
“These grants are an opportunity for non-profit organisations to build community partnerships and invest in innovative projects that create employment opportunities and strengthen community resilience in areas vulnerable to high levels of unemployment and disengagement," said Senator Stephens.
“The Fund also responds to the reality that some organisations have experienced reduced donation levels and suffered the loss of corporate sponsors.”
Not-for-profit organisations, employment services providers, industry associations, unions, peak bodies, regional development agencies, local, state and territory governments and community organisations are eligible to apply for funding.
Projects must address one of the four following areas:

• create jobs or retain people in jobs at risk due to the downturn;
• build skills for the future;
• build community infrastructure or improve community amenity which generates local jobs; or
• provide seed funding for social enterprises to start up, maintain or expand services, generating jobs and improving community services.

Senator Stephens encouraged all non-profit organisations to submit proposals for the first round of the Jobs Funds by the application due date of 22 May 2009.
Guidelines can be downloaded from: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Pages/JobsFund.aspx.

Associations Forum releases program for national conference

Associations Forum, a member organisation for not-for-profits, has released the program for its 2009 National Conference, to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 29-30 July.
The conference features keynotes from John Graham, CEO and president of the American Society of Association Executives; Jim Pealow, managing partner of the Association Management Consulting and Evaluation Services, Canada; Robin Lokerman, president Asia Pacific, CEO Institutional Division, MCI Singapore; and Associate Professor John Rasa, director of the Australian Centre for Leadership Development.
The two-day program is also jam-packed with parallel sessions covering topics including finances, marketing, lobbying and strategic partnerships, governance, technology and membership acquisition and retention.
Visit www.associations.net.au to download the program and registration form.

REIA elects new President

The Real Estate Institute of Australia has elected a new President, David Airey.
Airey is currently Deputy President of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA), and is a licensed agent and auctioneer with over 30 years experience in the real estate industry. He joined the REIA Board in 2006, and was elected Deputy President in 2008.
Airey replaces Noel Dyett, who has held the role of President since 2007, while the role of Deputy President will now be filled by Chris McGregor, who is an REIA Board member and has served on the Real Estate Institue of Tasmania Board sine 1989.
As his first order of business, Airey has the banks in his sights.
"The issue of housing affordability will remain high on the REIA agenda. While the Federal Government and the Reserve Bank of Australia are responding to affordability issues, I will be urging banks to also play their role following the decision by some of the banks not to pass on this week's RBA cut in full," he said.
"The RBA does not cut interest rates without reason, they are doing what they see fit to take the financial pressure off households around Australia and to address the global economic crisis. This week's decision by the RBA to cut official interest rates should have been welcome news for those contemplating home ownership and existing home owners," Airey said.

Peak body for building industry appoints new CEO

The Australian Institute of Building (AIB) has appointed a new CEO, Robert Hunt.
Hunt joins the AIB after several years in senior managemnet positions with organisations such as the Australian Medical Association and Medicines Australia.
AIB national president, Patrick Toomey, said Hunt's appointment is a significant step forward for the Institute.
"The AIB's Board has set an ambitious business plan for the Institute over the next three years and Hunt's appointment is crucial for the successful implementation of this plan," Toomey said.
Speaking at the Institute's recent Council meeting, Hunt said, "The AIB has an important role to play in the building and construction industry and I believe it crucial, at this time, that the Institute continues to provide strong support to its members and the industry."
Hunt replaces former CEO Troy Williams, who decided to step down from the role after four years to accept a senior appointment with a not-for-profit organisation in his home state of Queensland.
Hunt will be based in the Institute's national office in Canberra.

Productivity Commission study on contribution of not-for-profit sector

In March, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen and the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector Senator Ursula Stephens announced that the Productivity Commission (PC) will examine the contribution of the not-for-profit sector to Australian society.
The PC has been asked to assess how the not-for-profit sector's contributions to Australian society are currently measured and these measures can be improved.
The Government has also asked the PC to identify ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of community organisations, and to consider options for improving the delivery of government-funded services by these organisations.
Dennis Trewin AO, formerly the Australian Statistician and head of the Australian Bureau of Statistics from 2000 to 2007, has been appointed to the PC as an Associate Commissioner for this study. The PC will deliver a final report by the end of 2009.
The terms of reference of the study outline the scope of the review, which will include:

• An assessment of the extent to which the not-for-profit sector's contributions to Australian society are currently measured, the utility of such measurements, and the possible uses of such measurements in helping shape government policy and programs, as well as alternatives to or improvements in these measurements;
• The identification of any unnecessary burdens or impediments to the effective operation of community organisations, inlcuding unnecessary or ineffective regulatory or governance requirements;
• A consideration of options for improving delivery of government-funded services by community organisations, including improved funding, contractual and reporting arrangements;
• An examination of the changing nature of relationships between government, business and community organisastion in recent times, their general impacts, and opportunities to enhance these relationships to optimise outcomes by the sector and its contribution to society;
• An examination of extent to which tax deductibility influences both decisions to donate and the overall pool of philanthropic funds; and
• An examination of the extent to which tax exemptions accessed by the commercial operations of not-for-profit organisations may affect the competitive neutrality of the market.
  

The study is considered a key step in fufilling the Labor Government's election commitment to maximise the sector's contribution to social inclusion, employment and economic growth.
Senator Stephens said, "The study will help improve the way in which the not-for-profit sector operates and make it easier for organisations working in the sector to be effective."
As part of the review process, the PC will provide an opportunity for public participation through submissions, and information can be found here.
While the terms of reference specifically refer to organisations in the business sector, presumably including professional associations, there does seem to be a heavy emphasis on the community sector, perhaps understandably given the social inclusion policy agenda. But will this skew the outcome of the study, and will the contributions of professional and business organisations be appropriately represented?