Hi Circle of Friends,
We’re hoping this lands in your reading time before turning off your computer for 2023. It has been one year since the steering committee was created with clear terms of reference to ‘make this thing happen’. We’ve got about one more year to bring people together for a Forum that will constitute the CD Institute (the name is yet to be decided).
Lots have been going on - and here are a few highlights
We built a web site (thanks Rachael Donovan) – see www.communitydevelopmentinstitute.com.au
A strategic engagement special interest group has been set up and has been having strategic meetings with all sorts of people (mostly via zoom) nationally. This is all part of our developmental journey of deep listening, and understanding how different people, groups and organisations see the CDI. Thank you Helen Betts for being the convenor.
The finance special interest group has managed to find 30K which starts to resource some of this developmental work going forward. At this point, we have received start-up funds from Anthony Kelly and Carmel Daveson, as well as funds from Deception Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Caloundra Neighbourhood Centre, Community Living Association and Queensland Water and Land Carers Association. We are awaiting donations from other like-minded organisations who have promised to donate to this important initiative. We have also been successful in a NED grant of $15,000. Peter Westoby and Susan Allan made the submission early this year. If you or your organisation is interested in making a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website www.communitydevelopmentinstitute.com.au/getinvolved and see the information at the bottom of the page. Thank you Patricia (Trish) Ferrier for being the present convenor.
We held a ‘critical conversation’ workshop at the October Community Development QLD Conference. Approximately 45 people attended the critical conversation session and there was overwhelming support to continue this work. Susan Allan and Helen Betts facilitated this workshop.
The first regional gathering on the Sunshine Coast was held in September 2023. A dozen passionate community development practitioners attended, and there was strong identification with the need for a CD Institute to support community development and community activism on the Sunshine Coast. Thank you Howard Buckley, Natasha Odgers and Bea Rogan for hosting this event with Maria Tenant's facilitation. The organisers of this event are happy to share what they learnt about hosting such an event. Please contact Bea Rogan bearogan7@gmail.com
Going forward
As one of our Circle of Friends, please keep letting others know about the CDII. Direct them to the website to subscribe. If you haven’t subscribed to the website, please also do so. There is a CDI brochure available for you to download and distribute to colleagues and others connected to your networks. You might like to include the brochure or your link to it in your next newsletter.
Contact Carmel, our convenor, carmeldaveson@outlook.com.au if you are interested in organising a face-to-face or online conversation with us in your region or sector. The purpose of these forums is to enable different regions to have a voice in the development and ongoing work of the CDI. Thank you to those people who have indicated interest in convening regional or sector discussions. The Strategic Engagement Special Interest Group will continue working with you in 2024.
In February 2024, we are holding a planning meeting to discuss the next steps in the hope of forming your Institute. We will keep you informed of the outcome of the planning day in the next Communique.
Thank you for your ongoing participation and support. We look forward to connecting with you again in 2024.
Warm regards,The CDI Steering Committee
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