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OUR ROLE |
Mornington Peninsula Community Connections is an independent, non-profit, and free management advisory service for small community groups on the Mornington Peninsula.
Community Connections was established in recognition that many small grass-roots community groups play a crucial role in building a community's capacity to contribute to the achievement of a more effective and more caring society. However, often these groups are restricted in their efforts because of limited access to financial, staffing and other resources. Small community groups, like their larger counterparts, may require outside expertise and support from time to time, but usually they cannot afford private consultants. Community Connections provides small groups with access to a free consultancy service. Promoting the interests of grass-roots community groups with government, business and community organisations is an equally important role of Community Connections. |
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ELIGIBLE GROUPS |
Groups eligible for support from Community Connections include:
Generally, to qualify for support, these groups will have democratic decision-making processes, will have been established by local residents, will be managed and operated by volunteers, sometimes with the assistance of employed workers, and will possess a consistent record of new membership. Sometimes requests for support are received from groups operating in areas other than the Mornington Peninsula. Assistance is provided to these groups when the local workload permits. |
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AREAS OF SUPPORT |
Because the focus of Community Connections is on empowering groups, its emphasis is on assisting them to undertake tasks for themselves. Resources provided by or through Community Connections are used to enable groups to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and reputation to benefit them over the longer term. |
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FUNDING |
In July 1997 The Body Shop in Australia funded Community Connections through Barrie Thomas, co-owner of the Australian franchise of the company. In November 1999, Community Connections became independently funded when Barrie disposed of his Australian interests in the company. He has maintained his commitment to fund Community Connections through the Triple A Foundation. | |
ADVISORY GROUPS |
Community Connections consults a variety of individuals and organisations for advice about the directions of the service.
These include members of the community groups supported by the service, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Monash and Massey (NZ) Universities. Reports about the progress of the service are provided to members of a local reference group. |
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CONTACT DETAILS |
For more information contact John Murphy: PO Box 58, Mt Martha Victoria 3934 Telephone: (03) 5988 4309 Fax: (03) 5988 4089 Email: jmurphy@alphalink.com.au |
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