Migrant advocate tackles tough topics in this week’s Not-for-profit Agenda

Roumeliotis will headline tomorrow’s Community Directors quarterly news webinar, the Not-for-profit Agenda. 

The free live event, which runs from 12.30pm AEDT tomorrow (Thursday, October 29), is a one-hour lunchtime show for not-for-profit leaders broadcast online via Zoom. 

Hosted by Community Directors journalist Matthew Schulz, the latest episode features a live Q&A with Roumeliotis, who is the chief executive of Settlement Services International (SSI), a powerhouse organisation that supports more than 56,000 people a year.  

SSI began as a Sydney-based refugee support organisation, but over the past 25 years it has expanded to become a national not-for-profit with the purpose of creating a more inclusive society through a range of services, many program areas, a strong revenue base and more than 1200 workers. 

Ahead of her appearance this week, Roumeliotis said not-for-profits and charities played a vital role in the big issues facing the nation, including countering the toxic debates and political division highlighted by the alleged attack on the independent federal MP for Indi, Helen Haines. 

“This is a challenging time to lead a not-for-profit,” Roumeliotis said.  

“We’re navigating rising community need alongside big national debates about migration, social cohesion, housing and the role of government. Our sector sees first-hand how these issues affect people’s lives, and that gives us both an opportunity and a responsibility to help shape the solutions.” 

Roumeliotis is set to address the sector’s approach to dealing with governments, how organisations can increase their collective influence, and why a national migration summit is needed.  

Roumeliotis has been a vocal sector advocate, recently calling on the government to stop treating the not-for-profit sector as “second-class citizens”. 

“I’m looking forward to talking about what strong leadership looks like in this environment, why I believe our sector needs to use its collective voice more confidently, and why Australia needs a more constructive, evidence-based conversation about migration.”  

Roumeliotis is also the vice-president of the Australian Council of Social Service, and she holds a long list of other appointments. She is the recipient of many awards, including Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year in 2017. 

Alongside a live Q&A with Roumeliotis, the October episode of Not-for-profit Agenda will feature video reports from: 

• Maree Sidey of Philanthropy Australia on how community organisations can adjust their fundraising strategies to take advantage of generosity 

• Andrew Leigh, Charities Minister, on strengthening community in an “age of outrage” 

• Dylan Smith from Community Foundations Australia on a billion-dollar community-driven funding reboot for the not-for-profit sector 

• Jess Scully of the RadicalXchange Foundation about the opportunities for not-for-profits to take charge of the AI revolution 

• Melissa Smith, chief executive of She Gives, on the growing power of women in giving 

• Nathaniel Diong, chief executive of Future Minds Network, on how a new generation of philanthropists thinks 

• David Michell from the Tough Guy Book Club on the club’s mission to put “real decent conversations” for men back into pubs 

• Rachel Power, Deloitte economist, on research that shows social enterprises how to prove they’re helping people to get jobs. 

More information

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