th National Conference Ballarat October 28 2013 Background The Victorian Mens Shed Association was established in 2005 and incorporated in 2007 Since then there has been substantial government and ID: 503259
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Slide1
AMSA 5
th
National Conference – Ballarat October 28, 2013Slide2
Background
The
Victorian Men’s Shed Association was established in 2005 and
incorporated
in 2007. Since then there has been substantial government and community, financial and social investment in Men’s Sheds.The number of Men’s Sheds in Victoria has expanded rapidly over the past five years.
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide3
Who we are …
Our
visionThe VMSA’s vision is:
...for all Victorian men to be happy and healthy contributors within their local community
Our missionThe VMSA’s mission is:...to provide a forum for Victorian sheds to network, exchange ideas, share experiences, and promote wellbeingOur valuesThe VMSA’s values are: Diversity and inclusiveness: we welcome men from all walks of life and encourage their fullest participation. Respect: we respect our members, the community ownership of sheds, and our grass-roots spirit and ethos.Friendship: we enjoy conversation, camaraderie, mutual understanding and trust. Honesty and integrity: we strive to be transparent and open in all that we do.A supportive culture: we act collegially and cooperatively, and look to bring out the best in one another. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide4
The core activities of the VMSA C
ommittee are:
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013
promote
and publicise Men’s Sheds throughout Victoria.provide a forum for Victorian M
en’s
S
heds
to exchange ideas,
share experiences,
network and find support.
represent
M
en’s
S
heds
to Governments, Non Government Organisations (NGOs),
and Funding sources
provide
start up information and
advice
for new
Men’s
S
heds
such as
training, OH&S, funding, insurance
provide
a line of communication between
individual
M
en’s
S
heds
and
across different levels of
government
work with the Australian Men’s Shed Association to represent the interests of Victorian
ShedsSlide5
The VMSA committee
reports that it has struggled to keep pace with
the rapid growth of Sheds and demands
for advice, support and
leadership.The volunteer effort required to meet current levels of demand from the Shed community is unsustainable. VMSA Committee members are representative of the Shed community and do an excellent job, however VMSA recognises that it does not have the full range of skills and resources to meet the expectations of Men’s
S
heds
.
Underpinning this business plan we acknowledged that: The
wider
Men’s
Shed ‘movement’ is characterised by its grass-roots ethos, volunteerism, and collaborative approach. It is critical that these aspects be maintained and strengthened.
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide6
What we did…2013
Cube Management Solutions was
engaged to consult with the VMSA committee, Sheds and stakeholders, and develop a three-year business plan.
The
focus was to:Ascertain the skills and capabilities required of the VMSA committee Understand the administrative and corporate support needed to continue to support local Sheds.Identify innovative, low-cost approaches to supporting Sheds across Victoria. The report
provided:
A
comprehensive overview
of the
consultations and recommendations.
It was used as the basis for the VMSA Business Plan which was developed in consultation with the VMSA committee during June/July 2013. The Business Plan now provides
guidance to the VMSA committee on a range of operational and strategic matters.
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide7
How was it done?
Cube conducted 24 one-on-one interviews over February, March and April with members and key stakeholders.
Cube
administered an online survey over April, garnering 308 responses.
Cube consulted with approximately 60 Shedders and stakeholders across four regional forums in April. Cube conducted follow-up telephone interviews with VMSA committee members in late April and May. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide8
What did we find out?
As
expected, resourcing and sustainability was
a fundamental concern among those consulted:
Administrative or Executive Officer support (either part or full-time) is increasingly critical to the organisation’s success, and a ‘force multiplier’ that significantly increases the impact of volunteers on the committee. Sustainability:A need to reduce dependence on any single source of funding.Widening the VMSA’s resource base (e.g. drawing on Shedders’ networks and connections to secure in-kind support and sponsorships) is crucial. Recruitment and succession planning –A key focusInvolves bringing together the right mix of people
on the committee with
the right
skills,
for the right
reasons
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide9
Key Findings & Insights – main issues
VMSA
and its stakeholders raised a range of other ‘first-order’ issues, including:
Managing
the tension between the VMSA’s grass-roots ethos and the need for greater professionalism. Striking the right balance between ‘managing up’ and advocating for Sheds, while still finding time to ‘assist down’ and respond to requests for help, advice and resources. Deciding between a ‘minimal’ approach of paid staff who support the committee on a limited basis, and a ‘maximal’ approach of a proactive staff that grasps opportunities as they arise (e.g. media engagements) and reports to the committee as a Board. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide10
Key Findings & Insights –
main issues
Concerns regarding
relationships and partnerships between Shedders and stakeholders
and other organisations: Ensure Shedders are treated like men and not as ‘clients’ with deficits that need to be rectified by professionals. Managing strategic partnerships with state and local government (e.g. DHS and MAV), health providers and health promotion charities (e.g. beyondblue and Foundation 49), and the private sector. Focusing on the quality of activities/programs offered by Sheds and the ‘quality of the experience’ for shedders, while helping sheds to manage the risk/reward balance for project-based work where funded agency activities risk ‘taking over’ from Shedders.
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide11
Key Findings & Insights – main issues
The
‘positioning’ and reputation of
S
hedsRisk of Sheds and shedding being typecast as insular, ‘inward-looking place for old blokes’ or else as disability or aged care facilities without their own sense of ownership and identity. Value in acknowledging the role of women in the shedding movement: both those directly assisting and running Sheds, as well as those encouraging men to becoming involved in the first place. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide12
Key
Findings & Insights – members’
consultations and priorities
Stakeholders
suggested VMSA’s priorities should be communication, providing a forum for sharing resources and information, and acting as a peak body. Similarly, in order of priority, Shedders requested VMSA focus on: –promoting Sheds within the Victorian community; –providing a forum for ideas, experiences, and networking ; –advocating to government and non-government organisations; –providing up-to-date news; –providing start-up information; and –assisting with training, OHS, insurance, accessing grants and fundraising. Some Shedders expressed confusion between VMSA and AMSA membership, and wished for greater clarity on fees, membership and insurance. Many
thought that start-up help and advice was a critical support, despite AMSA’s resources and activity on this matter.
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide13
Strategic directions
M
embers and stakeholders
value:
Our ability to provide a forum for sharing resources and information. Our leadership role as a peak body that represents the interests of Victorian sheds.In recognition of this, the VMSA Committee has prioritised three strategic directions for the next three years. Each strategic direction responds to the needs and priorities of our members and partners, as established through a comprehensive membership survey, four regional focus groups and targeted one-on-one consultations, and includes a range of supporting actions and projects:VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide14
Fostering
the development and sustainability of
Men’s
S
heds in Victoria: The ongoing sustainability of Men’s Sheds in Victoria is a primary concern of the VMSA. We aim to: Provide our members with relevant advice, assistance and training, complementing the work of AMSA at the national level. Support Men’s Sheds and their management committees to meet the challenges they face.Provide training programs
to strengthen governance and leadership capability in
Sheds
.
D
evelop
the capabilities of
Sheds by sharing start-up information, brokering advice on training, occupational health and safety, insurance, accessing grants and fundraising.VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide15
2.
Advocating
on behalf of Sheds
to government, private and community-sector organisations:
Shedders – as well as our stakeholders – value the leadership role that VMSA plays and its influence as a peak body. The VMSA will continue to:Lead and represent the interests of Victorian Men’s Sheds to government and non governments organisation , business, and partners. Work with partner organisations on mutually beneficial initiatives.Promote the benefits of becoming involved with Men’s S
heds
throughout Victoria.
P
romote
the benefits of improving the wellbeing of Victorian men.
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide16
3.
Providing
opportunities for bringing Sheds
together to share and learn:
It was established that Communication is one of the VMSA’s most valuable activities. The VMSA will continue to provide a point of contact to: Build relationships between members through our website, newsletter, face-to-face visits, regional meetings and events. Keep members up to date with news across the state.Ensure Shedder’s ideas, experiences, projects
and resources
are communicated across
our membership.
Give
Shedders
the opportunity
to interact at regular state gatherings and events. VMSA representatives also attend regional ‘cluster’ meetings.
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide17
In
conclusion
It is important that the VMSA remains vibrant, viable and community-focussed: maintaining our grass-roots ethos while representing and supporting Men’s S
heds
in a professional manner.This strategic plan:Outlines the direction of the VMSA over the next three years. Will be reviewed at least annually, with new initiatives identified, prioritised and resourced according to the needs of the VMSA Committee and its membership.Will ensure Victorian Men’s Sheds and members will directly benefit from the work and activities that we have prioritised over the life of this plan. Key initiatives and responses are all subject to the availability of both human and financial resources to support the VMSA Committee’s delivery of these strategic aims. Funded Position:
The
volunteer-run VMSA Committee will continue to require support from a funded position, which will in turn require the full support of the VMSA Committee in delivering this Strategic
Plan.
VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013Slide18
Where to from here?
Adopt a new constitution
Executive Officer recruitment process
Annual General Meeting
Marysville/Triangle Shed November 29, 2013VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013