Past Events

Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, economic recession, and significant government stimulus spending but decreasing revenue, this year's South Australian state budget will be difficult. It will also be crucial to our sector and to the people we support.

The SA State Budget will be delivered on 10 November and will reveal all the government's spending and revenue initiatives. These will be detailed in the Budget Papers which are released with the budget and contain a wealth of data and more detail than you might get from just watching the media.

This training session will help you understand what is in the budget papers and how to find the information you need.

We will cover:

• What happens on Budget day
• The contents of the Budget Papers and how to read them
• Where to find the details of new measures
• Departmental goals for the next year
• Traps for new players
• SACOSS' plans for budget analysis

The training session is designed for those going into the budget lock-up or needing to read the budget papers or get detailed budget information for the first time.

The session is free and is available to all community groups, but RSVPs are required.

To register click here 

SACOSS AGM and Board / Policy Council Elections 2019

Join us for the SACOSS Annual General Meeting 2019, where will will be launching our Annual Report for 2018-19 and our "Working to Make Ends Meet" report on Low-income Workers and Energy Bill Stress.

The "Working to Make Ends Meet" report is unique in that focuses on the energy affordability challenges of households whose main source of income is employment, but who are still living below the poverty line. It traces the issues and challenges arising from being part of the under-recognised cohort which we identify as “waged poor”.

When: Wednesday 20 November, 3.30pm - 5.00pm
Where: Marjorie Black House Community Room, SACOSS, 47 King William Rd, Unley

Drinks and nibbles will be provided following the meeting for members to make the most of this networking opportunity. Register your attendance here.

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Voting for SACOSS Board and Policy Council

Elections are held when a number of nominations for positions on the SACOSS Board or Policy Council exceeds the number of positions vacant in any given category. This year there is a requirement for elections in the following categories:

•  SACOSS Board
•  SACOSS Policy Council
  
  • Persons nominated by non-goverment community service and/or health agency with annual revenue more than $5m (Large NGO)
  • Persons nominated by non-goverment community service and/or health agency with annual revenue less than $5m (Small NGO)

No election was required for the categories of Peak Organisations, Aboriginal Support, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Support (CALD), Non-metropolitan organisations and Individual member.

A vacancy remains for the Aboriginal Support and the CALD Support category. Policy Council will seek to fill these vacancies.

On Budget Day SACOSS staff and many of our member groups will have people in the Budget lock-up all afternoon examining the detail behind the budget spin. Come and join our 2019-20 State Budget Night Briefing 6.00-7.00pm on Tuesday 18th June. This will be a chance to digest, deconstruct, and to contribute any insights into the likely impacts for our sector. RSVP here – refreshments and pizza provided.

This workshop will provide participants with critical insights from experienced advocates about how to successfully influence decision makers and have your views both heard and acted upon. The workshop will cover topics including how to be effective in meetings, working with diverse perspectives and sectors and government and parliamentary liaison. Participants will have the opportunity to explore what makes a successful advocate and the sessions will be designed to maximise group participation and discussion.

Tony Smith, Chief Executive of the UK Consumer Council for Water, will be a workshop participant and key adviser. Tony’s early career was in strategy and marketing, implementing business turnarounds in oil, aerospace, automotive and fast-moving consumer goods businesses. Later Tony joined the utility sector where he has he has led corporate strategy, corporate services and stakeholder relations, customer service, investment programme and PFI procurement and delivery and competitive market business development.

To register: email angela@sacoss.org.au and please specify any dietary requirements.

11.00am

Working with government and parliament

Cate Mussared, Chief of Staff, Office of Mark Parnell MLC (confirmed)

11.45am

What are the keys to effective advocacy?

Mark Henley, Manager Advocacy and Communications, Uniting Communities (confirmed)

12.30pm (lunch - 30 mins)

1.15pm

Working with diverse perspectives, both within and across sectors

Karen Van Gorp, Senior Policy Adviser, Business SA (confirmed)

2.00pm (afternoon tea - 10 mins)

How to be effective in meetings

Greg Ogle, Senior Policy and Research Analyst, SACOSS (confirmed)

2.55pm (close)

Wrap up

Jo De Silva, Policy Lead, SACOSS (confirmed)