Two years of growth and achievments – For Purpose

15 January 2016

It’s hard to believe that almost two years have passed since I was lucky enough to be awarded a Great Ydeas Grant at YWCA Canberra’s Round the World Breakfast event in 2014, to pursue a pilot project called For Purpose.

Like many Great Ydeas Grant recipients, my project has evolved and grown over time, and has been a catalyst for me to meet and work with a range of talented people in both Canberra and beyond.

For Purpose now supports people working in the not-for-profit or for purpose sector to connect, create and innovate. We do this through our regular professional development workshops and events, our alumni network, and coaching and advisory services.

At the centre of For Purpose is the belief that we need to invest in the people who work to create a healthier, safer and more socially connected community, to make the greatest impact in addressing social challenges.

We also believe that learning does not start and stop at our professional development sessions. This is why we keep people connected beyond these experiences through the For Purpose Alumni Network.

Last year we hosted a series of popular full day bootcamp events, exploring topics such as advocacy, government relations, strategic communications, and business planning. At the end of the Bootcamps, participants walked away armed with new knowledge and practical tools to help them work more effectively and more innovatively.

This year For Purpose will bring some of Australia’s most renowned not-for-profit leaders together for our inaugural Summer School.

Held from 17-19 February 2016, the Summer School will be hosted by the Canberra Innovation Network, with more than 100 sector professionals expected to attend.

The event will provide a unique opportunity for people working in the not-for-profit sector to connect with one another, learn new skills, and take away a set of practical tools to help their organisations tackle some of Australia’s biggest social issues.

For purpose professionals work to overcome our most significant social problems. So we need opportunities to come together to brush up on our skills, and engage with other like-minded individuals.

The Summer School will bring together for purpose professionals from a wide range of areas and causes to focus on enhancing their communications, strategy development, and policy and advocacy skills, which are fundamental to all organisations’ ongoing sustainability and viability.

The event comprises a series of interactive skills development workshops and expert panel discussions, tackling issues and challenges. Attendees will also have a unique opportunity to come together and network with peers and leaders from around the country.

I’m looking forward to meeting even more fantastic for purpose professionals at the Summer School. I hope that you will be one of them!

Event details

Date: 17-19 February 2016, 9am-5pm

Venue: Canberra Innovation Network, Level 5, 1 Moore Street Canberra

Cost: $149 for a day pass, or $349 for a pass to the whole Summer School

Confirmed panellists and workshop facilitators include:

• Tim Arnold, Business Advisor
• Maiy Azize, ACT Greens Territory and Federal Campaigns Manager
• Elise Burgess, Head of Communications, Voiceless
• Gemma Carey, NHMRC Fellow, RegNet Australian National University (ANU)
• Clare Conroy, Trainer and Event Producer
• Troy Cuthbertson, Day Editor, ABC News Canberra
• Ben Duggan, Founder – Raising Hope Education Foundation
• Rohan Greenland, General Manager Advocacy, National Heart Foundation of Australia
• Jeremy Henderson, Media and Communications Manager, Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education
• Rod Little, Co-Chair, National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
• Jessica May, Chief Executive Officer, Enabled Employment
• Zoya Patel, Corporate Relations and Advocacy Manager, YWCA Canberra
• Sarah Pearson, Chief Executive Officer, CBR Innovation Network Ltd
• Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Marymead Child and Family Centre
• Sally Rugg, Campaigns Director, GetUp!
• Tom Swann, Researcher, The Australia Institute; ANU fossil fuel divestment advocate
• James Tew, Video Entrepreneur
• Luke Toy, General Manager Public Affairs, Kidney Health Australia

Tickets are now on sale and are strictly limited. Bookings can be made through the For Purpose website.

I’d like to thank YWCA Canberra for continuing to support For Purpose by auspicing the project, and for helping promote the work we do.

If you’d like to find out more about For Purpose, or to get in touch, visit:

Website: www.forpurposeaus.com

Twitter: @PurposeAus

Facebook: Facebook.com/PurposeAus

Tags: Advocacy, For Purpose, great ydeas