Social Impact Measurement Network
29 November 2012 at 9:22 am
A national network established to develop connections, collaboration and best practice learning in the field of social impact measurement in Australia will launch in December.
The Social Impact Measurement Network Australia (SIMNA) will launch on December 3, 2012 having established chapters in Sydney and Melbourne, and is currently developing chapters in other states.
SIMNA has been established with the support of the Centre for Social Impact, and the launch of the network will be hosted at PwC in Sydney.
“SIMNA has been established to respond to the growing need for transparency and reporting on the outcomes from the activities and investment in the social sector from both the government and private sectors, the move towards integrated reporting and community expectations,” the National Convenor Martina Lyons said.
Lyons is a Sydney based independent consultant in marketing and business management.
The concept, she says, was first muted when Lyons attended an event on Social Return On Investment (SROI) earlier this year with Matt Bevan, from UnitingCare Ageing.
“SIMNA has developed from active stakeholders in the field, with the need for the network highlighted at informal meetings earlier this year," Lyons said.
“We conducted a national survey of the Not for Profit, commercial, philanthropy, practitioner and government sectors, which revealed that that the creation of a network to support the development of social impact measurement is timely.
“Of the people responding to our survey, 76%of respondents said that one of the most important functions that SIMNA can do is to create opportunities for sharing ideas and knowledge transfer,” Lyons said. “63 per cent want education and training in social impact measurement and SIMNA will support this and more.”
Lyons will work out of the Centre for Social Impact for two days a week to develop the Network.
The Network will be launched at a one-day Forum will include speeches, presentations and case studies from some of the pioneers of, and experts in, social impact measurement.
Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO of Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) will deliver the keynote speech.
For more on the launch event go to www.simna.com.au/ or contact Martina Lyons at martina@simna.com.au
