![Study reveals what Australians really think of the community sector](https://www.communitydirectors.com.au/uploads/general/Articles/_large/DiversityMelbourne_Crowd_iStock-1086630220_2024-07-17-035105_xuwe.jpeg)
Study reveals what Australians really think of the community sector
Posted on 17 Jul 2024
New research has laid bare Australians' vastly differing attitudes towards the community sector.
Posted on 09 May 2024
By Matthew Schulz, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia
One of the most powerful tools any community group can have is the ability to inspire and mobilise support for the benefit or development of the greater community. This doesn’t just mean recruiting volunteers – it can also mean rallying support from institutions, other not-for-profit groups, government agencies and media outlets.
Making the world a better place is the reason why most not-for-profits exist, yet achieving that goal is not always so straightforward.
Long, hard and persistent advocacy is often needed to push those in power to accept changes or reforms.
The 2017 decision to allow same-sex couples to marry was a watershed moment for the country’s equal rights movement. Many progressives believed it heralded a new era of inclusion and acceptance. Yet many of those same campaigners and Indigenous rights advocates were left to grieve after the Voice to Parliament referendum was soundly defeated in October last year.
Despite the setback, First Nations advocates have not stepped away from their desire to improve things for Australia’s first people, and we expect many of those same voices to dust themselves off for yet more battles in the future.
Not so long ago, charities were battling attempts to crimp their advocacy, prompting the formation of a coalition of 100 organisations under the Hands off Our Charities banner, which fought attempts to silence activism.
These days, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits commissioner Sue Woodward is much more accepting of charities’ rights to advocate, last year declaring, “We recognise that advocacy is an activity that often helps charities achieve their purpose. Charities can and do advocate.”
At the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA), we support the aim of many organisations to steer policies, laws and public opinion in a direction that will help their mission.
This is why we’ve developed a great free library of resources on campaigns, lobbying, organising, and working with the media.
Tap on the links below for comprehensive information on advocating well.
Getting started in advocacy
Posted on 17 Jul 2024
New research has laid bare Australians' vastly differing attitudes towards the community sector.
Posted on 17 Jul 2024
Charities Minister Andrew Leigh was put on the spot this month in ICDA’s quarterly newscast, the…
Posted on 12 Jun 2024
If you’re not careful, your annual general meeting (AGM) can be a deadly dull affair: the bare…
Posted on 12 Jun 2024
The end-of-year reporting process and the audit that comes with it are often seen as a challenging…
Posted on 12 Jun 2024
Annual reports have a bad rap, with many people thinking of them as dull and dusty doorstops.
Posted on 12 Jun 2024
AGMs are sometimes seen as irritating annual bureaucratic hurdles, as meetings that must be held…
Posted on 14 May 2024
Nearly 1000 coders, data scientists and artificial intelligence experts have converged to witness a…
Posted on 09 May 2024
Not-for-profits wanting to win the political and influence game can boost their negotiating power…
Posted on 09 May 2024
I recently wrote about the impotent campaigning of the Yes campaign. The current debate and…
Posted on 09 May 2024
A foremost expert in helping not-for-profits build better connections with government decision…
Posted on 09 May 2024
Many in the philanthropic and charity sectors have tremendous policy reform ideas that would help…
Posted on 09 May 2024
One of the most powerful tools any community group can have is the ability to inspire and mobilise…