IF you may have a spare ninety minutes every three months, a desire to help others, and are engaged in community issues across the Central Highlands, then Cafs may have the perfect opportunity for you.<\/p>\n
The child and family support organisation needs at least five new volunteer members for their community advisory committee, with the group tasked with providing feedback on Cafs activities and profile.<\/p>\n
\u201cParticipants offer an individual perspective and reflect community views regarding Cafs services and operations,\u201d said committee chair and Cafs board member Jayne Ferguson.<\/p>\n
The committee was created three years ago as a means of closer collaboration with people across the region.<\/p>\n
CEO Wendy Sturgess said committee members can be Cafs\u2019 \u201ceyes and ears\u201d and champions out in the community, discussing the work and needs of the organisation with their networks and gaining additional grassroots perspectives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really want to be on track, meeting the needs of the local community, not just in our service provision, but how we communicate with the region,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also important as part of our quality governance framework, but we are excited to do it, because it\u2019s good practice to check in and get feedback from as many different people as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Committee members could provide feedback and share ideas on issues from the annual report to foster carer recruitment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not looking for subject matter experts,\u201d Ms Sturgess said. \u201cWe provide a lot of information about what it is that we do. Come on board and you\u2019ll be supported, with opportunities to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cafs board is aiming to bring together a diverse committee of people but would particularly like to see more young people get involved.<\/p>\n
All voluntary positions on the committee will last for an initial 12-month period, with feedback and ideas directly communicated to the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really enjoy the meetings,\u201d said Ms Ferguson. \u201cFor some members it\u2019s a learning curve but they all enjoy each other\u2019s company and there are lots of laughs. It\u2019s quite relaxed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have conversations, something to eat together, make connections, and have great conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those on the committee will be able to demonstrate they are committed to supporting vulnerable children and families, but they don\u2019t have to have been a Cafs client.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an hour-and-a-half, four times a year, and it\u2019s a great thing to have on your resume to say you\u2019ve given back to the community,\u201d Ms Sturgess said. \u201cIt might even be a gateway for people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a highly trained organisation, and a safe, inclusive and welcoming place to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Contact serena.eldridge@cafs.org.au for more information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IF you may have a spare ninety minutes every three months, a desire to help others, and are engaged in community issues across the Central Highlands, then Cafs may have the perfect opportunity for you. The child and family support organisation needs at least five new volunteer members for their community advisory committee, with the […]<\/p>\n