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The AIDS Council of SA Inc. Our vision is: Phone: (08) 8334 1611 64 Fullarton Road PO Box 907 |
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Hello and welcome to our July edition of ACSA Update: our monthly e-news.
Update is designed to keep our community members, stakeholders and other interested parties informed of the advocacy and policy development work of ACSA. Each month we will provide our readers with up to date information on publications, resources, emerging issues and events.
ACSA Strategic Plan
ACSA is currently developing a new strategic plan. For ACSA, with a 23 year history, strategic planning encourages examination of established directions and strategies for contemporary relevance and results. Our aim in developing a new strategic plan is to focus ACSA’s vision and mission in response to a changing environment and to ensure that we are all working toward the same goals. It’s also about building commitment and embracing public accountability and public support through engaging key stakeholders (staff, community, volunteers, funders) in the regular process of identifying priorities and evaluating strategies in the pursuit of enhancing the health and wellbeing of our communities.
The first step is gathering stakeholder views via a web survey on knowledge, experiences, and vision for the organisation. Your opinions are vital to the ongoing success of the AIDS Council of South Australia, and will be treated confidentially and respectfully.
You can access the survey at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WlPirK9fePPaZN2QtgQwxQ_3d_3d
Board members wanted
ACSA is seeking Board members at its AGM on 20 October 2009. There are three vacancies – two ordinary Board members and a Treasurer. The Board is comprised of ten community members from all backgrounds and walks of life, representing a wide variety of views and skills. They volunteer their time to govern the activities of ACSA and to promote the organisation in the wider community. ACSA has over thirty staff in its program areas of Gay Mens Health, Sex Industry Network, SA Voice for Intravenous Education and Information Services and an operating budget of $1.8m pa.
Becoming a member of a community Board such as ACSA can of course be personally rewarding and adds to your CV, but at times can be tough and not very glamorous. Boards are faced with serious and challenging issues on an everyday basis. Membership requires a significant contribution of time, creativity and patience. To minimise potential frustration and disenchantment, it is important that prospective board members have all of the following three characteristics.
1. Ability to work co-operatively
Although diversity of viewpoints should be actively encouraged on boards, it is important that board members know how to work co-operatively and reach consensus on key issues.
2. Personal commitment to the organisation's mission
Although you would normally expect this to be a given in a community organisation, people join boards for a variety or reasons. People can be enormously flattered to be asked to stand as a Board member and are looking for prestige. You can make a significant contribution as long as you are committed to the organisation's mission and are prepared to work at achieving key objectives.
3. A sense of humour
Voluntary service is important but it should also be fun. The ability to laugh and use humour appropriately, especially in the boardroom, can help diffuse tense situations and bring members closer together. A board that can laugh at the right times is usually one that can step back, that can move on and take a balanced, more objective approach to its decision-making.
Please contact John Yates, ACSA President on 0432 059 014 for more information.
Executive Director
shane.dinnison@acsa.org.au
0423 159 699
Positive Services Forum
The Positive Services Forum was held in Sydney on 11-12 June 2009. About 60 service providers from around Australia attended this very successful event. Topics included ageing and HIV, mental health, health maintenance / early intervention, and a breakfast session on criminal prosecutions involving HIV transmission. Listen to presentations on the AFAO website and view presentations on Slideshare.
Help create a better state
As we head towards the next State election on 20 March 2010 it is time to consider our individual roles in shaping the future of South Australia. In these days of financial turmoil and increasing social disadvantage it is important to remain focused on the positive aspects of our community and the great developments and progress we have made as a society.
Each and every South Australian has the right and the ability to have some influence on the democratic cycle of government. Historically, South Australia has implemented innovative approaches to all manner of social challenges: the first place in the world to allow female candidates to stand for election to Parliament, and among the first to allow women to vote.
As our politicians begin to consider their priorities and start constructing their platforms (which they will use to entice your vote) they are at their most receptive, so now is the best time to influence their thinking. With the right policies we can secure the long term future of our State and make the people the foundation stone of policy in South Australia. SACOSS, the peak body for social services in SA is committed to long term preventative policy that builds strength and inclusion to ensure that the prosperity of our State is shared with all South Australians. ACSA is a member of SACOSS.
This website can help you to develop your own strategy and actions in the lead up to the election in March 2010.
ACON seeks new CEO
Stevie Clayton, the CEO of ACON, Australia’s largest community-based GLBT health and HIV/AIDS organisation, has announced her resignation after almost a decade in the top job.ACON President Mark Orr has paid tribute to Stevie Clayton OAM for her significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of the community. Mr Orr says Ms Clayton has been an outstanding leader of ACON in her nine years as CEO and has been a key player in NSW and Australia's response to HIV.
National Day of Action for Same Sex Marriage
| Date: | Saturday 1 August, 2009 |
| Location: | 11.00am Parliament House |
| Details: | Jason Virgo 0432694680, jwvirgo@gmail.com |
Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference 2009
| Date: | 9-11 September 2009 |
| Location: | Brisbane |
| Details: | http://www.ashm.org.au/News.asp?NewsID=380 |
| Important Deadlines: | |
| Accommodation booking deadline: | Wednesday 5 August 2009 |
| Standard Registration: | Thursday 27 August 2009 |
Making Links Conference 2009
Sustaining Communities in Tough Times, 17 - 18 November, University of Melbourne
Two major challenges face the world today: the global economic crisis and environmental sustainability. Both are already having an impact on peoples’ lives and livelihoods. Community organisations have already expressed concern that the most vulnerable in our societies will be hardest hit. Community organisations also face the challenge of keeping their operations going in tough financial times, and at the same time trying to be part of the environmental solution, rather than part of the problem.
Making Links Conference 2009 asks: how are non-profit organisations meeting these twin challenges?
Fact Sheets
A series of new or updated fact sheets have recently been completed on the following topics:
Alcohol and Other Drug Use in South Australia
A Statistical Report Prepared for the Review of Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services in South Australia 2008
HIV tests & treatments
This updated booklet describes the currently available antiviral drugs for the treatment and management of HIV infection, and is designed for all people with HIV.
Copies can be ordered by e-mailing Rose Magdalene
National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Report
Click to read AFAOs briefing paper
Chief Executive Officer, ACON
Peer Education Coordinator, Hep C Council of SA Inc.
The final tally for Bingay was a whopping $11,758. This is a great boost to the Red Ribbon Bobby Goldsmith Fund, and will support The Hive, the community food store that operates out of the Positive Living Centre. The fund will also be able to increase the amount of direct financial assistance we can offer HIV positive people to assist with their medical costs.
Our thanks go to David Campbell and his team at the Cabaret Festival for partnering with ACSA for this fundraiser, and of course, the fabulous Mitzi Mackintosh and Naomi the butch barrel girl. We’d also like to thank the many sponsors who provided prizes over the two nights: The Jam Factory, Wallis Cinemas, Bodies Kneaded, State Theatre Company, City Gym, Garage Bar, Pulteney 431, Dragonfly, Pink Sofa and Miss Gladys Sym Choon.
Submit events, resources and job vacancies to the ACSA Update by contacting the Publications Coordinator