How you spend your time defines who you are. Volunteer FRANKSTON COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND INFORMATION CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2008 68 Playne Street, Frankston, Victoria 3199 Telephone: (03) 9768 1600 ABN 95 426 151 625 InspirationInspiration andand ValuesValues Mission Statement “The Frankston Community Support and Information Centre Incorporated is committed to provide the citizens of Frankston with high quality services based on social justice to support their social, emotional and physical well being.” 40 years service to the community In 1966 a project known as the Church and Frankston Citizens Advice Bureau became Life Movement was formed to make people autonomous and self-managing in April more aware of the needs of the Frankston 1977 with its first Annual General Meeting community. A public meeting was called by taking place in August of that year. the Movement in 1967 at what is now the Frankston Campus of Monash University. In 1993 the membership voted to change At this meeting the Frankston Community the name of the organisation to Frankston Welfare Committee was formed, with one Community Support and Information of its first projects being to establish a Centre as it was felt that this name Citizens Advice Bureau. provided the community with a better understanding of the organisation’s role In August 1968 the Bureau began and activities. operating, directed by the Frankston Community Welfare Committee until 1973 This year the Centre celebrates 40 years when a subcommittee was formed to take of continuous service to the Frankston over the administration and planning community through the commitment of 2 responsibilities of the Bureau. The countless volunteers over the years. How you spend your time defines who you are. Volunteer 4 Chairman’s Report ContentsContents 5 From the Manager ContentsContents 6 People — Our Main Resource Being Innovative Scope of Volunteer Roles Volunteer Training 8 Emergency Relief Program Municipal Emergency Management Plan 10 Frankston Community Appeal Christmas Gift Wrapping 11 Reaching our Community Frankston Volunteer Partnership Public Internet Access Project Volunteer and Community Safety Project Count Me In Project Tax Help 14 Information Resources Brochures Client Database ER Book Reprint Websites Mornington Peninsula Community Connections Getting Involved 16 Our Partnerships 18 Governance and Management Committee Members Board of Trustees Staff 21 Service Milestones Recognition of Service Life Members Honorary Member Social Activities 22 Treasurer’s Report Statement of Financial Performance Statement of Financial Position Audit Report Material Aid Trust Fund Material Aid Fund — Audit Report 28 Volunteer Commitment Monetary Value of Volunteer Commitment Volunteers 2007 — 2008 30 Operational Statistics 31 Acknowledgements 3 Frankston Community Support and Information Centre l Annual Report 2008 Chairman’sChairman’s ReportReport Presentation of the 2007 – 2008 Annual information and processes necessary to Report marks the 40th anniversary of the maintain their very high standard of Frankston Community Support and management. Once again, I thank my fellow Information Centre. Its growth and success Committee of Management members for has been a remarkable achievement and I their support, dedication and unqualified wonder if those who founded it could ever enthusiasm in carrying out their duties. have imagined it as it is today. The marvellous thing about this organisation is Our partnership with the Frankston City that it has never been passive; always Council continues, currently working to looking for and implementing ways to establish a Volunteer Resource Service and improve services. It is pleasing to report fulfilling a long-term vision the Centre has this philosophy continues with the agency had. Thanks go to Frankston City Council for taking on more projects that benefit their continued support, without which we Frankston residents. would not see our 41st Anniversary. Following the storms and subsequent I also acknowledge the fine work by our blackouts in April, our staff and volunteers manager, Vicki Martin. Vicki is a remarkable worked with Council and DHS on disaster professional lady, who always has a vision and recovery. This was a sudden incident we had seeks ways to improve the agency or new to deal with, but as usual, the staff and projects to enhance our service. Maureen volunteers took the challenge in hand and Macer, Coordinator of Volunteers, continues performed brilliantly. Both Frankston Council to carry out her difficult task with complete and DHS recognised the agency for the high professionalism and dedication and we are standard of assistance given to people indeed fortunate to have her on the team. affected by the incident. Recognition and Marion Lester, our Special Projects appreciation of the agency continues to Coordinator, has again produced first class grow, with many other agencies requesting promotional material and the popularity of information and support, particularly from our website is testament to her special our Manager Vicki Martin. Frankston Council skills. Mark Bolton, Volunteer Resource now involves the agency in numerous ways. Service Project Officer is part of our team and has done a tremendous amount of work The Strategic Plan is currently under review on the project, which is reflected by the and, as part of our Continuous Improvement, progress made. (subject to funding) the Committee of Management has approved a review of the As usual, our volunteers continue to be the organisation, which will be very useful for front line of the organisation. They provide us to identify where and how we can do services to people, often in less than ideal things better. The Committee of conditions and always with good grace, Management continues to provide strong dignity and professionalism. To our band of leadership in addition to supporting the volunteers a huge thank you for another year Manager. Our subcommittees also play a of service carried out just brilliantly. very important role as the varied expertise of committee members is maximised. Throughout the year, the Manager and Coordinator of Volunteers have attended various training courses and seminars, John Tame 4 equipping themselves with the latest Chairman, Committee of Management How you spend your time defines who you are. Volunteer FromFrom thethe ManagerManager This year commemorates 40 years of service The Department of Families, Housing, to our community — a marvellous Community Services and Indigenous Affairs achievement by the hundreds of volunteers increased the organisation’s Emergency who have dedicated their time to provide Relief Program Grant for assisting people residents of Frankston City with this in crisis to $189,995.00. This contributed essential service. to the total of $211,539.02 in relief which was distributed on 5,305 occasions with Our partnerships characterise what we are 1603 being new clients. Our Community about — working with others; including all Appeal, now in its 17th year, benefited 1054 levels of government, business, organisations people with 301 hampers last Christmas. and individuals to achieve our common goals The Centre’s Material Aid Trust funds, cash of providing the community with high quality donations and in-kind support received from services based on social justice. business, schools and organisations made this achievement possible. We continue to build on our role to supply relevant information to our diverse community A major achievement this year was with the Internet being an important tool for ensuring all experienced interviewing staff this task. Each year our website grows in successfully completed the course popularity with residents and people working Emergency Relief Work — a further in and outside of Frankston, accessing accreditation to Assess and Deliver information that may assist with their work Services to Clients with Complex Needs. or personal interests. Staff and visitor safety has been enhanced The Public Internet Access Project focuses after the National Community Crime on giving visitors an opportunity of accessing Prevention Program grant provided for the Internet free of charge. During the project installation of video surveillance to help period 1400 people utilised this facility. Such monitor and deter antisocial behaviour was the success of the project that the within the Centre. Centre plans to install a second computer for public use next year. Unquestionably, the strength of the agency continues to be the staff, volunteers, Working to establish a volunteer resource trustees and partnerships. A wonderful service in partnership with Council has been aspect is the skill and enthusiasm of the a passion of this organisation for many years volunteers who make the Centre not only because of our collected knowledge and a successful organisation but also a experience in volunteering and working with fulfilling place to work. My sincere thanks volunteers. We appreciate that participation go to my two co-workers Maureen Macer in community life goes a long way towards and Marion Lester for their commitment creating healthier individuals, families and and dedication to the organisation, to the communities. We look forward to this service Chairman John Tame and Committee of operating sometime in 2009. Management who give me their undivided support. Our work in the emergency relief area continues as a benchmark for other organisations with publication of the second edition of Emergency Relief, A Guide for Small Community Groups.