Latest Training Sessions

For Managers & Supervisors Developed in the Illawarra by an Aboriginal-led and informed action research project, this two-part training module is a comprehensive and practical employment toolkit for those in the community services sector seeking to increase employment opportunities for Aboriginal people. It is aimed at mainstream organizations. When: Two (2) half-day sessions, Monday, November 14, & November 21, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. The toolkit will: Assist an organization or individual in identifying what they are doing well in their cultural competency, where they might improve, and some strategies to get there. Promote the development of cultural competency in employment practices, policies, and processes to encourage Aboriginal applicants to apply. Encourage the development of culturally respectful policies and processes to improve retention rates of Aboriginal workers and Aboriginal service users. Promote strategies to improve links between Aboriginal people and the generalist service sector. Upon completion, participants will have information […]

Training for Aged Care Workers This reflective practice, delivered in partnership with South Coast wellness and reablement professionals, offers practical takeaways for aged care workers to implement with clients and provides conversation starters. It helps identify continuous opportunities for your service and gives concrete steps to better meet the needs of older people while maintaining or improving individuals’ physical, mental, cognitive, and communication capabilities. Book your place here

For Board Members, Managers and Finance Teams Understanding Financials: Emphasizes the importance of financial literacy for effective governance and decision-making. Key Financial Statements: Covers the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement, explaining their roles in evaluating financial health.Assessing Performance: Discusses how to determine organizational success through financial ratios and benchmarking. Board Meetings: Focuses on presenting and interpreting financial reports for the board, ensuring effective financial oversight.  Linking to Planning: Highlights the connection between financial performance and strategic planning. Fraud Prevention: Provides guidance on identifying and preventing financial fraud, with an emphasis on internal controls and board accountability. Led by the esteemed training Peter Masterson from Community Industry Group,   Join us at Community Industry Group head office and learn from the best to take your not-for-profit organisation to the next level. Book your place here

For not-for-profit board members, managers & coordinators Get on Board Training is your essential resource for learning how to build and motivate effective boards and committees of management. Led by the esteemed training Peter Masterson from Community Industry Group, our program covers crucial topics such as board recruitment, succession planning, ongoing viability, and member induction, retention, and support. Gain invaluable insights and practical strategies to ensure your board’s success and sustainability. Join us at Community Industry Group head office and learn from the best to take your not for profit organisation to the next level. Click here to book

For not-for-profit board members, managers & coordinators Get on Board Training is your essential resource for learning how to build and motivate effective boards and committees of management. Led by the esteemed training Peter Masterson from Community Industry Group, our program covers crucial topics such as board recruitment, succession planning, ongoing viability, and member induction, retention, and support. Gain invaluable insights and practical strategies to ensure your board’s success and sustainability. Join us at Community Industry Group head office and learn from the best to take your not for profit organisation to the next level. Click here to book

Calling all Disability Services and Providers, join the monthly EDIN group on TEAMS! Once a month, the disability sector in the Eurobodalla gathers to share informationand generate ideas. ‘EDIN’ seeks to pool resources and expertise to deliver exceptional services and opportunities for individuals with disabilities in our community. To join us, please send me an email with the subject line “Add Me!” to: pposouthern@cigroup.org.au    

Calling all not-for-profit CEO’s and executives! What journalists are really like – and what they want from you. The differences between what print and electronic media journalists want from you. How to handle an interview – preparation and staying in control. Communicating with the media – preparing effective media releases, alerts, invitations etc. How to utilise the media to promote your organisation’s best interests. Case studies of how organisations I have worked for have successfully utilised the media. Issues management – strategies for managing “bad news” This training facilitator is Nick Hartgerink, he is an Illawarra-based journalist, media consultant and writer. Nick was publicist/media manager for Wollongong’s 1987 world champion motorcycle racer Wayne Gardner throughout his Grand Prix racing career (1985-1992). He was Editor of the Illawarra Mercury from 1995 to 2001, when he established his own media consultancy. Since then he has consulted to more than 80 leading national and Illawarra-based […]

For community & support workers. Make ethical decisions, evaluate and implement realistic care / case plans. Gain practical tools and strategies to enhance your decision-making skills and apply critical thinking in your daily practice. Learn how to evaluate and implement realistic care and case plans while maintaining ethical standards. This workshop will empower you to make informed decisions that positively impact both your clients and your organisation. Don’t miss the opportunity to strengthen your professional practice and contribute to better outcomes for those in your care! Click below to secure your place. Book your place here

For Community & Support Workers. This workshop aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of domestic squalor, including its distinction from hoarding, contributing factors, impacts on individuals and communities, and effective approaches for assessment and support. Participants will gain practical tools and insights for addressing domestic squalor in their professional practice. Monica Lord from Flourish Therapy & Consulting is facilitating this training.  Monica is the owner of Flourish Therapy & Consulting, the founder of the Australia Centre for Hoarding, Squalor, and Clutter, and a passionate, enthusiastic Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. Monica holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Griffith University, a Master of Youth Mental Health from the University of Melbourne, and is a current PhD Candidate at Griffith University. Monica has 15 years of direct clinical experience working with children, young people, women, and families, and has spent 8 years running her own private practice on the Gold Coast. Monica is […]

For Board Members, Managers and Finance Teams Understanding Financials: Emphasizes the importance of financial literacy for effective governance and decision-making. Key Financial Statements: Covers the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement, explaining their roles in evaluating financial health.Assessing Performance: Discusses how to determine organizational success through financial ratios and benchmarking. Board Meetings: Focuses on presenting and interpreting financial reports for the board, ensuring effective financial oversight. Linking to Planning: Highlights the connection between financial performance and strategic planning. Fraud Prevention: Provides guidance on identifying and preventing financial fraud, with an emphasis on internal controls and board accountability. Led by the esteemed training Peter Masterson from Community Industry Group, Join us at Community Industry Group head office and learn from the best to take your not-for-profit organisation to the next level. Book your place here

Community Industry Group and the Disability Trust are hosting a Human Resources Community of Practice meeting. We’re bringing together professionals from various not-for-profit organisations to discuss and share experiences, successes, and challenges. Thursday 4 April 2024, 1.30pm for 2pm with a 3pm finish at the Kids Wish Centre, 39-41 Willinga Road, Flinders, NSW. Please RSVP by emailing admin@cigroup.org.au with your name and organisation details.

We’re thrilled to announce the release of our latest Annual Report, showcasing a year filled with incredible projects, engaging training sessions, and meaningful experiences within our community sector. During Nicky’s 12-month sabbatical, we were fortunate to have Anna Bacik step in as CI Group’s interim CEO, steering the organisation with remarkable capability and enthusiasm. A Big Thank You to Our Members! For three decades, you’ve been the backbone of our mission—supporting social justice, dedicating yourselves to not-for-profits, and fostering a deep connection with our organization. Here’s to 30 years of shared memories and community impact! As we delve into our history, the CI Group team remains committed to representing our members and communities. We’re actively seeking new avenues to ensure our regional voice resonates at state and national levels, influencing decisions that shape our sector and communities. Community Industry Group 2022/2023 Annual Report

We have a new position available to join our team. Policy and Project Officer – Southern NSW Part time (21 hours per week), SCHADS Award – Grade 4 Community Industry Group, the peak body for community organisations in Southern NSW, is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Project and Policy Officer to join our friendly, collaborative and productive team. The Policy and Project Officer will provide support for not for profit organisations and assist in the development and implementation of policy, research, and advocacy initiatives. By building relationships with the sector, the successful candidate will identify or develop capacity building activities, resource materials and information for our members and stakeholders. We are looking for someone with a commitment to social justice who will strengthen the capacity of community organisations to deliver quality services to individuals, families and communities experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage. To be successful in this role you will have experience and […]

All members are advised that an annual general meeting of the members of Community Industry Group will take place: Thursday 23 November 2023 10:00am – 12:30pm At Inside Industry, Springhill Road, Coniston NSW Join us as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary at the 2023 Annual General Meeting. There will be cake! We look forward to celebrating with you and sharing all the highlights of our last year – and our last 30 years with you. After the short formal meeting, we hope you will join us for a very special presentation from a Senior Officer from BlueScope Steel. In June 2022 BlueScope announced it had appointed world-leading architects and urban designers, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), to develop a Master Plan for the Company’s 200 hectares of excess landholdings adjacent to the Port Kembla Steelworks. The plan will be officially launched in November and includes some very exciting opportunities for community use […]

A Brilliant Idea Individual A Brilliant Idea Team Above & Beyond Individual Above & Beyond Team Business Partnership Sector Star of The Future Leadership

The 2023/24 NSW Budget has left the community services sector and low-income individuals disappointed. While there are some positive aspects, such as investments in the Women’s Health sector, funding for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, and support for the Out of Home Care sector. A desire for greater investment in Early Intervention Programs and more substantial assistance for energy poverty through the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) program is needed. Read the full media release: 2023/24 NSW Budget Disappoints Overall  

We are excited to announce our Community Service Awards Night Finalists across our 7 categories. A Brilliant Idea Incredible work by these individuals who have rocked our community sector. We want to show our gratitude to you and the oragnisations you represent. A Brilliant Idea Team These teams have shown incredible perseverance, strength and creativity. We are very excited to recognise and celebrate your achievements. Above & Beyond Individual The time and work by these incredible individuals needs to be recognised and celebrated! Let’s take a moment to be proud of the people in our community sector and support each others achievements! Above & Beyond Team We are so proud of the continued work of our teams in the community sector, they have truly gone above and beyond! Business Partnership This award celebrates the collaboration between non-for-profit organisations and local business on community projects. Leadership These finalists have embodied leadership, guided […]

We celebrated NAIDOC week with this years theme ‘For Our Elders’. Our team had the privilege of chatting with Elders across the many events. Cath Daly who did a fantastic job at coordinating the Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre NAIDOC celebration shared a powerful statement that resonated with our team – “every time we lose an elder, we lose a library”. Aboriginal Elder Colleen shared her thoughts on the Shoalhaven NAIDOC fun day with us. “My name is Colleen. I have come from the Shoalhaven area. I was asked to raise the flag today in honor of my Dad who started all this NADOIC many years ago”. “I think its a beautiful day today I am so happy to see all the community out gathering. Yeah so I met a lot of family, I have a lot of family here today. It’s a good day” Colleen shared. At the Shellharbour City Council NAIDOC […]

Community Industry Group is excited to be announcing our 2023 Community Service Awards Night. Our friends at BlueScope were quick to put up their hand to be our Pearl Sponsor for the Community Industry Group Community Service Awards. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Community Industry Group as the peak organisation for community service providers in Southern NSW. To celebrate, we are hosting the awards at a ceremony on Friday 22 September 2023 at 6:30pm in The Grand Hall of the University of Wollongong. The traditional 30th anniversary gift is Pearls, and everyone knows that pearls are formed from small grains of sand that persevere to create something beautiful and valuable. Just like everyone in the community service industry! So expect lots of pearl references. One of the highlights of the previous awards was having the business community there to support the not-for-profit sector, and see the outstanding work being done in […]

Community Industry Group CEO Nicky Sloan comments on the 2023 Federal Budget in our recent Media Release The centrepiece of this year’s budget is a $14.6 billion cost of living package, but with inflation at record highs eating into the pay packets of workers and driving up the cost of essentials, much of the relief is targeted at specific segments of the population. For the regular Illawarra family, this means some of the benefits will flow through to their household budget, and some won’t. Read our Media Release or the full article – The Illawarra’s haves and haves-nots in 2023 federal budget

We are now offering our Become an Incredible Non-Profit Board Chair training online! After successful in person sessions we are excited to announce we have now opened two online sessions for our CIGroup Board Chair Training! One on Thursday 18 May at 5:30pm – 7:30pm, and, Wednesday 14 June 5:30pm – 7:30pm. This is a great opportunity to get FREE (for CIGroup members) training with our amazing trainer Judy Daunt. We hope you can make one of these sessions and enjoy it from the comfort of your own home! See the flyer with all information and booking – Board Chair Training | Online

Research by the University of Canberra’s National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM), commissioned by the NSW Council of Social Services, has analysed 2021 Census data to examine the extent of poverty throughout the state. See what our CEO Nicky Sloan has to say about the matter in our Media Release – Unacceptable Levels of Poverty in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and South Coast.

Community Industry Group is pleased to announce that after an absence of 12 months, Nicky Sloan is returning to her role as Community Industry Group’s CEO. Nicky is back with new experiences and knowledge she gained from her time working as an executive on the formation of the new national peak body for aged care, Aged and Community Care Provides Association (ACCPA). While Nicky was away Community Industry Group was incredibly grateful to Anna for taking over at the helm of the region’s peak body. Anna has done an exceptional job of leading the team and the sector through many changes and challenges. From everyone at Community Industry Group we want to express our thanks to Anna for her devotion to the role, and her passion for the community services sector. Nicky is excited to be back and is looking forward to catching up with everyone in the community.

A report that highlights concerns of our community service organisations Our March 2023 Temperature Check Infographic is here! It is our largest survey response yet! We received 72 responses from 70 organisations that provide essential services to people in our communities. Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey, your responses have created a picture of what the key concerns of our community service organisations are. The sectors represented include children, youth and family, housing and homelessness, domestic and family violence, aged care, disability, mental health, culturally and linguistically diverse and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. The Temperature Check provides an overview of the areas that need support and where changes need to be made. Check it out here!