Victorian State Government

Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD)

• Office of the Community Sector

The Office of the Community Sector's website is now live. It is intended to inform the not-for-profit, community sector of news, events and progress on actions in the Victorian Government's Strengthening Community Organisations plan. The Office of the Community Sector is headed by its director, Lynne Wannan AM. 

• WorkSafe Victoria 

WorkSafe’s Volunteer OHS Guidance Handbook is now available to download from their website.

Organisations like Volunteering Victoria provided input in the development of this publication, along with WorkSafe’s Fact Sheet for Community service volunteer boards and committees and a brochure - Volunteers in community services.

Send additional comments on this guidance to Volunteering Victoria and we will pass them on to WorkSafe.

Federal Government

Re: the Henry Review and related information from Sen the Hon Ursula Stephen's office -

The Government's Henry Review of the Australian tax system has issued its first consultation paper that draws from public submissions and consultations with major representative organisations.  

The consultation paper outlines the key emerging issues and, through a series of specific focusing questions, sets the foundation for further community engagement into 2009. 

Below is the link to the consultation paper's brief chapter on non profit organisations: 

http://taxreview.treasury.gov.au/content/ConsultationPaper.aspx?doc=html/publications/Papers/Consultation_Paper_Summary/Chapter_7.htm 

Information on how to respond to the questions raised in the non profit chapter and participate in the review can be found at: 

http://taxreview.treasury.gov.au/content/ConsultationPaper.aspx?doc=html/publications/Papers/Consultation_Paper_Summary/How_to_Participate.htm

Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)

• Volunteer Management Program (VMP) Information

• Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS)

ACOSS, in conjunction with the State and Territory COSSes, will be running forums on the development of a national compact over the next two months. 

Details of the forums for Victoria are yet to be confirmed and we will be publishing information as soon as we receive them. In the meantime, check the ACOSS website at information that’s already available, including background papers.

• My Connected Community: MC²

Connecting Communities: the second wave (CC:2nd wave) is the Victorian government’s strategy to bridge the digital divide. It is an initiative to overcome the barriers to reaping the social and economic benefits of using the internet and related technologies among disadvantaged individuals and communities. 

Part of Connecting Communities: the second wave is a website, My Connected Community (MC²) This website offers community organisations access to a range of free, easy to use web-based services. Once you register to be a member of MC², you can establish a website; publish materials online; participate in forums; post photos; hold polls; chat; inform members of events, meeting agendas/minutes and activities; and communicate with communities of like interest elsewhere via the internet.