2011 - Informing the Australian nonprofit sector

Hear from two dynamic Australian philanthropists, thinkers and doers who will share their thoughts on what influences giving and how it might operate better in this country.

Terry de March discusses social investment and the social finance realm, with reference to charity funding.

Mark Stephens talks about his work on Blue Carers road safety and sustainability program and the initiative of making fleet safety a core function of fleet management.

Matthew Turnour discusses the problems of categorizing charities as existing for public benefit, engaging with examples from the United Kingdom.

Lesley Harris, The Myer Foundation Intern, shares about her experience and research she has undertaken over the last 6 months at the Foundation. Colin Ball, author of the controversial new book 'It's The Community, Stupid!' talks with Jazz Meyer from ACPNS about his views on the radical change needed in the Third Sector.

Dr Jill Franz from QUT School of Design will provide an insight into the Livingin Project, a collaborative project involving the not-for-profit community organisation Kyabra, QUT and a group of design practitioners and consultants. Nick Ward will share about his new UK based charity, Friday People, set-up to help create paid work, training and mentoring for unemployed young people.

Prof Myles McGregor Lowndes will provide a brief examination of the latest data on tax-deductible giving in Australia by individual taxpayers as claimed on their 2008-09 tax returns. Dr Oonagh Breen's presentation from the Reforming Fundraising Regulation Conference on fundraising regulation in the UK and Ireland.

Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP opens the Reforming Fundraising Regulation Conference by recognising the unique strengths of the nonprofit sector and the critical role that fundraising plays in preserving the independence and innovation of nonprofit organisations. Robert Fitzgerald will give his presentation on the place of fundraising regulation in the wider Australian nonprofit reform agenda.

Andrew Thomas joins us to speak about the tax structures for giving to charities, family foundations and donor advised funds in the US and Australia. Philippa Hawke discusses how a global movement of diverse children's telephone and online counselling services developed consensus on a set of minimum standards for their organisations.

Linda Lavarch, recently appointed Chair of the Federal Government's newly formed Not-for-Profit Sector Reform Council, joins us to discuss the purpose and proposed activities of the council. Dr Wendy Scaife will discuss donations to the Premier's Flood Appeal and giving to disasters in general. Dr Sharon Newnam speaks about her research into car fleet safety and driving behaviour in and by nonprofit organisations.

Prof Myles McGregor-Lowndes speaks about the recently announced Treasury consultation paper on a new national regulator for the not-for-profit sector. Bob Wyatt will provide a summary of his thoughts and recommendations for the Canadian voluntary sector and chats about his ideas on how a nonprofit umbrella (or peak) organisation should operate.