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Call for papers now closed

The call for papers has now closed and we'd like to send our sincere thanks to all applicants. We have received some really robust responses and look forward to sharing the whole program with you on WEDNESDAY 15 December...

Call for papers

Social Enterprise for
Wellbeing and Mental Health 2011

Call for papers

Presentations: The conference will incorporate both oral presentations (up to 20 minutes) and workshops (1.5hrs). Applications are being called both for presentations and workshops.

Timeframe: Abstracts will be required by Friday 10 December 2010. Please send to the conference organiser, Kerry Grace Evolve Network Australia via kgrace@evolvenetwork.com.au or PO Box 323 Bowraville NSW 2449.

Abstract detail: Abstracts should utilise the application form which can be obtained from the conference organiser and include no more than 2 A4 pages of supporting evidence.

Presentation content:
The conference organisers are calling for presentations which encompass the subject matter of the conference including:

* The context of social enterprise in community wellbeing

* Social enterprise as a tool for early intervention in mental health

* The interface of social enterprise participants and health / social service practitioners

* Innovation in service delivery (with focus on mental health) via social enterprise

For further information please contact the festival coordinator Kerry Grace on 0404887473 or e-mail kgrace@evolvenetwork.com.au

Social Enterprise Context

The 2010 FASES (Finding Australia's social enterprise sector) report Barraket, Collyer, O'Connor and Anderson 2010 provided insight to Australia's Social Enterprise Sector.

The following is an excerpt from the report:

How many social enterprises operate in Australia?

Based on our research and previous findings of the Giving Australia project (Department of Families and Community Services, 2005), we estimate that there are up to 20 000 Australian social enterprises. The Giving Australia project (Department of Family and Community Services, 2005) found that 29% of not-for-profit organisations have some kind of business venture. Current data suggests that Australia has 59 000 economically significant not-for-profit organisations (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009). Our estimate takes into account that some not for profit organisations have multiple business ventures and that not all social enterprises are incorporated as not-for-profits.

Conference brief

Social Enterprise for
Wellbeing and Mental Health 2011

Conference brief

Social Enterprise for Wellbeing and Mental Health 2011 is a conference based in the Nambucca Valley (NSW) which will be held on 24 and 25 February 2011 followed by a community day on Sunday 27 February. The conference will explore the role of social enterprise in community wellbeing and how it can be utilised as a tool for early intervention in mental health.

The conference will be held over three days the first two days will be a ticketed activity and the final a community based festival day.

During the first two days a range of speakers we will introduce the concept of social enterprise and discuss its role in community life. Following speakers will then explore the role of education in social enterprise and go on to discuss micro finance and finally the National Broadband Network and its potential implications.

Day one will also showcase a broad range of social enterprise projects.

On the second day of the conference delegates will participate in workshops and site visits through the Nambucca Valley. Sites will encompass the Men’s Shed, Community Garden, MiiMi Creations, MiiMi Volunteer Hub, the Bowraville Offsite Learning Centre and local arts spaces.

Why the Nambucca Valley? The geographic area has long been recognised for its social disadvantage. Through a collaborative effort local service providers have commenced the development of a new approach which builds on the strengths of the community. The approach enables organisations to work together rather than in isolation. Through this approach many social enterprise activities have developed. These include MiiMi Creations (a textile business), Bowraville Producers Market, the Men’s Shed, Macksville Community Garden and the Youth Services Frrresh Mobile Café.

Other local projects will also be showcased and these include the historical society and MiiMi’s Volunteer Hub.

Current stakeholders: The concept and initial stages of the conference have been arranged in collaboration by TAFE NCI (Outreach), MiiMi Aboriginal Corporation, Nambucca Valley Community Services Council, Nambucca Valley Children’s Group, Commonwealth Carelink and Respite service, Interrelate and several other local stakeholders.

Conference development to date has been coordinated on a pro-bono arrangement with Evolve Network Australia.

What will the conference look like?

Day one: Thursday 24 February 2010
Plenary session in Bowraville showcasing a range of speakers
Evening entertainment, Masquerade Ball

Day two: Friday 25 February 2010
Site visits and optional workshops
(additional workshops for general community will also be held on this day)

Day three: Sunday 27 February 2010
Community festival day incorporating entertainment, information stalls and children’s activities.

Ticket cost: Early Bird rate $250 Full ticket price $380: Community festival day free

Would you like to be involved?
Want to support Social Enterprise for Wellbeing and Mental Health 2011? Here’s how:

* Register to attend the event
*Register your staff as a development activity
* Ask the festival coordinator about our partnership packages
* Tell everyone you know about it
*Apply to present your innovative project at the conference
*Host an information stall on the community festival day
*Apply to deliver a workshop
*Provide feedback

For further information please contact the festival coordinator Kerry Grace on 0404887473 or e-mail kgrace@evolvenetwork.com.au