Read the full annual report - Queensland Council of Social Service

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Key outcomes During 2010-11, QCOSS initiatives made a real difference for individuals experiencing poverty – and for the sector that works with them: Action to reduce hardship • The first edition of our Cost of Living Report saw the government initiate improved reporting on concessions. Mt Isa QUEENSLAND Cairns Emerald Dalby Toowoomba Townsville QCOSS at work Bundaberg Brisbane With staff in nine locations we held forums and development activities across Queensland. IPSU professional development activities delivered QCOSS staff locations Flood visits/consultations HCAP forums/consultations Network support delivered Access to interpreter forums • We influenced improved consumer protections for disadvantaged people in the electricity and gas market, and improvements in support available. Making gains for the community sector • In 2009, we contributed to influencing improved wages for many sector workers and we continue to lobby for improved wages and funding for the sector. Disaster response • Our special eNews series communicated important and timely recovery information. • We made 15 visits to disaster-affected areas to hear first hand about issues. • We made a submission to the Floods Inquiry and a supplementary budget submission outlining recommendations for recovery. Homelessness coordination • We were responsible for coordinating focused and improved outcomes through collaboration between NGOs and governments. • The sector identified opportunities to improve homelessness responses within existing resources. Better services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples • Our Indigenous Professional Support Unit provided professional development for staff of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s services as they navigate the new early years learning and quality frameworks. • We worked alongside the Qld Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Services Coalition in its aim to reform the services system. • We launched and began implementing our Reconciliation Action Plan. Practical help for the sector • We hosted the Community Door website which saw traffic increase by over 50 per cent. More than 830 users now interact in its ‘Network Spaces’. More professional presence on the world wide web • QCOSS launched its new website in June 2011. Quality work, continued demand • QCOSS’s reputation and position, and the quality of its work, clearly contribute to our ability to secure projects that will improve the lives of vulnerable Queenslanders – this year we have gained funding for: - The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Services Coalition’s Access all Areas campaign and their Sector Development funding. - Our Community Indicators project under the Natural Disaster Resilience Program. - Consumer Advocacy Panel projects focused on our Energy Advocacy work. 4 Annual Report 2010-11
Director’s report It was very sad to leave QCOSS at the end of June 2011 but I was really proud to look back on what had been an incredible year for the sector and for QCOSS. Our members did such a wonderful job during the floods and cyclone and they are still doing it in the aftermath. It will be a long road to recovery but I know they can do it. QCOSS was proud to work with the sector to identify local community needs immediately after the disasters and we advocated strongly for additional funding and a more effective recovery response. Although flood and cyclone recovery dominated the year there was more to be proud of in 2010-11. Our list of outcomes (left) attests to that. For me one of the year’s great achievements was being able to re-establish our regional presence through the creation of our homelessness planning and coordination team. While the floods forced us to postpone our regional engagement forums, we were fortunate to have our homelessness coordination workers spread across the state, working directly with the sector. Jill Lang - Director QCOSS effectiveness 2010-11 Overall performance as a peak body During the year we did the groundwork to ensure QCOSS remains relevant and provides excellent advocacy for those experiencing poverty and disadvantage. A new management structure, financial stability and a new strategic plan all came together to hopefully give you greater clarity about the outcomes we seek to achieve and assurance that we will achieve them. At the advocacy level, the year was dominated by our advocacy for flood relief. And government now actively engages with QCOSS on this, as well as the multiplicity of issues faced by people experiencing poverty. We will continue to advocate for the great work that the community services sector does and can do in the future. Our views are highly sought by the media, and increasingly we are invited to community and business forums or briefings with politicians and senior bureaucrats. We are asked for our opinions and our proposals are influential. While it was sad for me to leave QCOSS, the Board has recruited a new Director Mark Henley. And of course there remain the excellent staff team and Board to back him up. I wish QCOSS members, staff and Board all the very best for the future. 60% 50% 40% 30% Jill Lang Director 20% 10% 0% Very Effective Quite Effective Not Effective Don’t Know Not Sure QCOSS Member and Stakeholder Survey 2011 5
Page 1: ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11
Page 4 and 5: QCOSS would like to thank its Board
Page 6 and 7: Vision, purpose & values Our vision
Page 10 and 11: Responding to a summer of disasters
Page 12 and 13: Policy advocacy highlights Campaign
Page 14 and 15: Low income consumer advocacy Ensuri
Page 16 and 17: Sector development Leading and advo
Page 18 and 19: Communications and member engagemen
Page 20 and 21: Growing stronger children’s servi
Page 22 and 23: Coalition ensuring Indigenous acces
Page 24 and 25: Leadership, governance and manageme
Page 26 and 27: Governance committee report This ha
Page 28: Financial Reports 24 Annual Report
Page 32: 28 Annual Report 2010-11
Page 51 and 52: Bowen Neighbourhood Centre Boystown
Page 53 and 54: Murrie Watch A.T.S.I Corp Nambour C
Page 55 and 56: Helen Delaney Helen Twohill Helen W

Read the full annual report - Queensland Council of Social Service

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?