Workshops for Women's Organisations

The QV Women’s Centre seeks to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of women’s organisations to continue to achieve their objectives and make a difference to the Victorian community.

During 2008-09 the QVWomen’s Centre conducted a survey to explore the major challenges faced by women’s organisations in achieving their goals.

A total of 41 diverse women’s organisations completed the survey; each differing in their organisational structures, strengths, size, purpose, programs and activities across Melbourne and greater Victoria.  The results revealed that funding, operational planning, governance and communication are the areas where these organisations require most assistance.

A full report on the survey results can be found here.

Armed with this information, the QV Women’s Centre developed a three-year workshop program to address these challenges, building on the existing skills, experience and leadership of women and women’s organisations.

Generous donations made to the QV Women’s Centre’s Shilling Wall and Fund, along with the support of the Helen Macpherson-Smith Trust, have made the Women’s Capacity Building Workshop Program possible. Click here to find out how you can support the Shilling Wall and Fund today.

Over three years the program will deliver seven free capacity building workshops. Additionally, the QV Women’s Centre will develop and publish two new Workshop Kits for women’s organisations and update the existing ‘Working with Government’ Workshop Kit.  The Workshop Kits will be published online to share information and activities with the wider community.

The workshops:

• Working with Government and Parliament
  

Developed and delivered in 2009-10, the Working With Government and Parliament Workshop has been updated in 2011.  This workshop provides crucial information about the workings of parliament, government and media, and how to use this information to influence public policy and create social change.

• Funding Futures

Successfully developed and piloted in 2010 with the Workshop Kit to be published in 2011.  This workshop focuses on approaches and strategies to enhance your organisation’s funding profile and success, with practical examples, activities and ideas.

• Operational Planning

Currently being developed by the QV Women’s Centre.

We’ve experienced a high level of interest for the workshops from female leaders and women’s organisations from both metropolitan and regional Victoria.  To date, 77 women from 53 organisations have participated in three successful workshops held by the QV Women’s Centre. 

Participant evaluations show that the workshops increase an individual’s skill and confidence, as well as contribute to their organisation’s strength.

On completion of the three-year program, the QV Women’s Centre will formally evaluate and assess the impact of the workshops at a community level.  We look forward to presenting those results as they become available.

For more information, contact