a year in review 2016-2017 women leading through philanthropy CONTENTS it’s what’s on the inside that counts a year in review 2016-2017 Thank you from Society of Women Leaders CONTENTS Interim Co-Chairs Anita Pahor and Susan Wynne 4 it’s what’s on the A message of support from Australian Red Cross CEO Judy Slatyer 6 inside that counts Our vision 7 Transforming lives: the impact of our philanthropy 8 Young Parents Program 9 International Aid Workers 11 Migration Support Programs 14 Empowering communities in Indonesia 16 A daily phone call for people living alone 18 A year of action: philanthropy, education and friendship 20 Our members, very special gentlemen and supporters 23 Strategy, planning and leadership 24 About Red Cross 26 Inside cover image: Australian Red Cross deployed Aid Worker Jess Lees as part of a Field Assessment and Coordination Team to Somaliland. 3 Anita Pahor & Susan Wynne Co-Chairs Society of Women Leaders thank It has been our privilege to lead this remarkable circle of giving during the YOU past few months, together with Interim Partnership Advisers Rowena McGilvray and Kate O’Callaghan. One of the privileges and responsibilities of being a member of this circle of giving is becoming more educated about humanitarian issues that face our communities. We gain access to the world’s best minds and most active agents of humanitarian diplomacy. Australian Red Cross CEO Judy Slatyer and her senior staff personally share their vision for the organisation with us and discuss their plans to mobilise even more people in the Australian community to commit to humanitarian values. Ours is a genuine partnership with common goals. In a time of so much global volatility and vulnerability, it’s refreshing to be part of a movement marked by compassion, humanity, kindness, collegiality as well as efficiency and clarity of purpose. We are inspired by the focus and commitment of Red Cross workers who dedicate their lives to assisting people in need, and who meet with us and speak at our unique events so that we can be better informed about the evolving landscape of humanitarian issues. From the aid workers who say goodbye to the comfort of their homes and the people they love to serve in conflict zones, desiring only to bring relief from suffering; to the case workers who patiently work alongside young women who are determined to put their lives on track; the volunteers who check on the wellbeing of elderly people every day and provide 4 a year in review 2016-2017 a friendly ear; to the sanitation worker in East Indonesia who spends time with children teaching them simple hygiene practices that can save their lives. Their efforts build a more just, compassionate and healthy world. We are proud to back these humanitarians with our funding. Our circle of giving has had another active year of raising funds, advocating for humanitarian issues and holding events to spread the word. It’s exciting to be stewards of something that’s bigger than ourselves and that will outlive all of us. We are, each and every one of us in this circle, entrusted with something important that we will hand to the next generation of female philanthropists. Thank you for your contribution as a member in our unique circle of giving this year. Many of you have given much valued time and advice to the Society of Women Leaders and to Red Cross this year in addition to your financial investment. We are so thankful that the circle’s philosophy allows us to supplement our financial contribution with input from our specific areas of expertise so that we can give as little or as much as our schedule allows from year to year. We hope that you have been inspired along the way. We know that you have a choice when it comes to your giving and philanthropy and our hope is that you will choose to continue to support the work of Australian Red Cross through this circle. We know that you will enjoy reading updates about the impact of your contribution in this Year in Review. You are part of a community of impressive, caring and dynamic women who have collectively achieved much during the first few years and we have ambitions to do much more. We want to be the best, most innovative and well-run circle of giving in the world. On behalf of our fellow Women Leaders and our sponsors, we acknowledge and congratulate Judy Slatyer, the Australian Red Cross Board, volunteers and staff for their significant contributions. The world is a better place because of you - may you never tire of doing good for others. Thank you for your leadership in philanthropy and for your support of our stewardship as leaders of this unique tribe. Yours, Anita Pahor Susan Wynne Interim Co-Chair and Founding Patron Interim Co-Chair and Member 5 Judy Slatyer CEO Australian Red Cross message from Recently I came across a leadership philosophy called Warriors of the Human Spirit. Members of this tribe are leaders who put service over self. They display unshakeable faith that people can be generous, creative and kind. When asked how they do it, they will tell AUSTRALIAN you about “discipline, dedication and the necessity of community”. These three attributes so aptly describe the model of philanthropy that our Society of Women Leaders brings to RED CROSS life - valuing focus and clarity, collaboration and community. I’m grateful to be surrounded by Warriors of the Human Spirit every day and I know that this essence is what powers the Society of Women Leaders. I want to thank each of you as Members of the Australian Red Cross Society of Women Leaders for continuing to make it possible for Red Cross to empower and support vulnerable people around Australia and overseas. Women, children and families facing adversity now have better access to health and community services, companionship and care, because of your passion for change. I look forward to working with you next year as we consolidate and grow the impact of this unique circle of giving. Thank you again, Judy Slatyer Red Cross CEO 6 a year in review 2016-2017 A world where vulnerable women and children feel safe, supported and our VISION empowered to succeed. The Australian Red Cross Society of Women Leaders is part of a growing global movement of female philanthropists. It is based on a model of philanthropy that originated in the United States called the Tiffany Circle and now has more than 970 members in the US, Canada, the UK, The Netherlands and soon Switzerland. Importantly, our ethos is about creating a legacy for our children and our children’s children. Together, we are committed to advancing the humanitarian mission of Australian Red Cross. Our pooled funds, networking and volunteering efforts help to save and improve the lives of vulnerable women, children and families around Australia and overseas. Our circle of giving: • Makes a measurable impact on important issues facing our communities, both locally and further afield • Improves the lives of vulnerable women, children, families and communities • Builds strategic alliances for change • Lends our voices to the issues we believe in most • Leads and facilitates change through philanthropy. 7 transforming lives: The Australian Red Cross Society of Women Leaders is a volunteer collective of women who give time and funds to the causes we believe in most. We pledge to pay an annual THE IMPACT membership fee of $10,000 and we all vote on where our pooled funds will be placed. Our Society of Women Leaders not only wants to see change taking place, we want to be a OF OUR catalyst for change. By pooling our funds, our impact is tangible. We see results and know that our contributions have directly made a difference. We are giving vulnerable women, PHILANTHROPY children and families the support and resources they need to thrive. This year, the Society of Women Leaders funded the following Red Cross programs: TOTAL RAISED IN FINANCIAL YEAR 2016-2017: $414,000 • $73,300 to support asylum seekers facing to help them stay living at home, safely destitution, many of whom are women and independently. and families. • $150,000 to the Young Parents Program, • $42,000 to aid workers, specifically supporting teenage mums to develop supporting two female aid workers who parenting and life skills. International Aid Worker Emma were deployed to the East Africa crisis. • $112,328 to our Indonesia health project, Brathwaite speaking at a Society of • $36,372 to Telecross which provides a helping mothers and children in remote Women Leaders event on the issue of violence against health workers. wellness call each day to elderly people communities in East Indonesia. 8 a year in review 2016-2017 program update: Australian Red Cross Young Parents Program (YPP) is about improving the capacity of young parents with complex needs aged 13 to 25 to live and parent YOUNG PARENTS independently. PROGRAM YPP takes a strengths-based early intervention approach, building the capacity of vulnerable young parents to live independently in appropriate housing, develop parenting skills, and break the cycle of intergenerational trauma, abuse and neglect. It was the first Red Cross program to be selected by the Society of Women Leaders for priority funding when the circle of giving was initially formed. This financial year, we provided $150,000 of our pooled funds to the direct delivery of the Family Education and Community component of YPP, helping children reach developmental milestones and supporting parents to access vocational and educational opportunities. • More than 70 babies and children were screened for developmental progress or delays, allowing YPP staff to integrate targeted activities into playgroup and child-minding sessions to nurture any at-risk areas of development.