A Nnual Rep Ort 2011-12
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Annual ReportAnnual 2011-12 Council of Social Service of New South Wales The Council of Social Service of New South Wales We act as a channel for consultation with (NCOSS) is the peak body for the social and government and between parts of the non- community services sector in New South Wales. government sector with common interests and NCOSS works with its membership on behalf of diverse functions. disadvantaged people and communities towards achieving social justice in New South Wales. NCOSS is a membership organisation. Members range from the smallest community services to the NCOSS was established in 1935 to promote largest major welfare agencies, state and regional cooperation in the provision of community level peak councils, churches, hospitals, local services and influence social legislation. Today our government and consumer groups. constituents are: • disadvantaged and low income people and NCOSS can be contacted at: communities in NSW 66 Albion Street • our members Surry Hills NSW 2010 • other peak community service agencies in NSW phone: (02) 9211 2599 • service providers fax: (02) 9281 1968 • other agencies working in the social policy and email: [email protected] social services field website: www.ncoss.org.au • individual members interested in social policy and social service issues . Published November 2012 NCOSS provides an independent voice on welfare © Council of Social Service of New South Wales policy issues and social and economic reforms and is the major co-ordinator for non-government ISSN: 0313-4091 social and community services in NSW. Contents Council of Social Service of NSW .........................................................................3 President’s message .............................................................................................4 Director’s message ................................................................................................5 NCOSS Board .......................................................................................................6 NCOSS staff 2011-12 .............................................................................................7 The Year in Review: 2011-12 ...............................................................................8 Influence and Advocate for public policy on social issues in NSW ..................8 Develop the knowledge and capability in the community sector ....................10 Build a well resourced and capable organisation that is a recognised and respected leader on social issues ............................................................12 NCOSS submissions and reports ............................................................... 11 Significant meetings 2011-12 .......................................................................13 NCOSS events and activities ......................................................................15 Resources, publications and other services .............................................16 NCOSS speeches and presentations ..........................................................17 NCOSS sector and other involvements .....................................................19 Treasurer’s report ..............................................................................................21 Financial statements .........................................................................................22 Members and affiliates ......................................................................................36 NCOSS Annual Report 2011-12 Council of Social Service of New South Wales Who we are Our vision The Council of Social Service of New South Wales (NCOSS) NCOSS has a vision for a society where there is social and is the peak body for the social and community sector in economic equity, based on co-operation, participation, NSW. We were established in 1935 to promote cooperation sustainability and respect. in the provision of community services and influence social legislation. Our guiding principles Today NCOSS provides an independent voice on social NCOSS is committed to: and economic policy issues and reforms and is the major co-ordinator for non-government social and community 1. Integrity and Respect services in NSW. We act as a channel for consultation with 2. Collaboration, partnership and cooperation government and between parts of the non-government sector 3. Distinction through enterprise and initiative with common interests and diverse functions. 4. Community partnership and mutual development NCOSS also provides and facilitates organisational 5. Diversity of cultures, ideas, organisations and peoples development services and products designed to improve the 6. Accountability, transparency and accessibility effectiveness and viability of not for profit human services organisations. Our goals 1. Influence and advocate for public policy on social Statement of Purpose issues in NSW 2. Develop the knowledge and capacity in the community NCOSS will provide leadership to the social and community sector services sector in NSW by working with our members and others to influence public policy to achieve social justice for 3. Build a well resourced and capable organisation that is disadvantaged people and communities. a recognised and respected leader on social issues NCOSS Annual Report 2011-12 Page 3 President’s Message t has been another exciting and between specific policy arenas and the Idemanding year for NCOSS and the broad sweep of government work. So Board with many significant reviews and NCOSS has a particular opportunity proposals to consider, analyse and respond and obligation to develop a new way of to at both a state and national level while approaching the social policy process – a also building robust relationships with a policy process framework (development, new State Government. analysis, implementation and evaluation) taking into account the cross sectoral While this externally focussed work of nature of the contemporary context. NCOSS has continued, the year has also This has been discussed by NCOSS over seen the NCOSS Board commence a strategic some time but now is the moment to review of the organisation with the key respond to this challenge and reposition purpose of addressing the challenges posed NCOSS to provide a cross-sectoral policy to NCOSS and the sector that have emerged framework that no other organisation over the past decade or so. has the capacity or mandate to do. This The political and policy environment has undergone will be valuable to all our partners, members, government significant change since the beginning of the 21st century and the NSW community. With this in mind the Board and and the NCOSS Board and the organisation itself must make staff, are determined to reposition NCOSS in this strong and changes if NCOSS is to continue to have impact and be a purposeful way. vibrant, energetic and relevant advocate for persons living This ‘internal work’ by NCOSS has opened the opportunity with disadvantage in NSW. to reflect on how we operate as an organisation that is This changed environment is characterised by: proud of our history and optimistic for our future. Although challenging, the Board and staff have engaged in this process • More organisations in the advocacy and policy space. in a co-operative and positive way seeking to build on our Some of these are large and well resourced for policy strengths and address our weaknesses. What is evident and advocacy work and some have very specific from the process so far is the strong and shared belief that interests or projects to advance. There are many NCOSS can and should be the best advocate for low income, advocates in the space that NCOSS occupies and this vulnerable and disadvantaged people that it can be. poses challenges to our influence. • More policy and change is being driven by and I am proud to be the President of a Board whose members from Canberra and NSW has a different agenda are committed to the cause of social justice and to the work of and differently arranged bureaucracies and agency NCOSS. Their support, wisdom and guidance are invaluable relations than in the past. and I thank them for their tremendous contribution. The • There is more engagement by the business sector NCOSS Director and staff remain deeply dedicated to the in the social services sphere through corporate organisation and their expertise and experience are reflected social responsibility initiatives or directly through in the high regard with which NCOSS is held. On behalf partnerships with NGOs. of the Board I would like to acknowledge and thank them heartily for their efforts. The Board has reaffirmed the core purpose and raison d’etre The social policy landscape is being reconstructed, with the of NCOSS as a policy advocacy organisation that has social gap between rich and poor growing and a reduction in the justice, equity and human rights as its core values. We are distribution of resources to the most in need. Cross portfolio clear that it is the Board’s responsibility to give direction, policy understanding, development and analysis together leadership and support to the Director and the staff to best with robust advocacy by organisations such as NCOSS are achieve the aims of NCOSS and to assist in translating how crucial to bringing about a fairer and just NSW. This annual the core values and aims can best be advanced at different report is a testament to our efforts in the past year. points in time, different contexts and with different groups. Eileen Baldry NCOSS