New Challenges for NFPs

The Not for Profit sector will be faced with a new set of challenges arising from a burgeoning population in the coming years, according to Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan who opened the Communities in Control Conference in Victoria.

The conference focused on ‘Reclaiming Communities in a Selfish World’ and looked at the rise of social media and how communities can work together for a common good.

Peter Ryan said the NFP sector was tackling challenges head on during a time where numerous reforms were taking place.

“Communities are grappling with big challenges, like unprecedented population growth, housing affordability, an ageing population, rapid advances in technology, and a very tight funding environment,” he said.

Ryan said the Coalition Government was taking steps to reduce the regulatory and compliance burden placed on community organisations, support the sector to diversify its resource base and build capacity, engage with philanthropy and the business sector and support workforce development initiatives.

He said the significant changes the sector would notice would include the changing role of volunteers.

“The way people want to give time has changed, moving away from direct delivery roles such as Meals on Wheels to more flexible approaches which use existing skills,” he said.

The outcomes of the Equal Remuneration Test Case for workers in the Social and Community Services industry will deliver improved wages, but also increased costs for much of the sector, Ryan said.

“All of us, with our different roles and focus need to work together, and be more flexible wherever we can, to remain relevant and responsive – and ready to deliver for the communities we serve.”

It was announced at the conference that Victoria’s annual Not for Profit summit would be held in Warragul on Wednesday, October 9 with the theme being 'Actions and Sustainability'.

Guest speakers included the President of Alzheimers Australia and community advocate for a range of NFP organisations Ita Buttrose OBE, the CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society's National Council of Australia John Falzon and former Victorian Premier and community activist Joan Kirner.