Community Development
Bill Mathers (Donna)
(Geelong)
This portfolio is basically about looking at how we as Lions can work better in our local communities.
AIM:
To improve the relevance and involvement of Lions by encouraging and developing linkages and engagement between Lions and local communities, government and key community stakeholders.
The environment, in which we work as service clubs, has and will continue to change. If Lions is to remain relevant and of value to the community, then we must continue to be in touch with what the needs of the local communities are and how we can best deliver our services to them. This may require us to change our thinking and how we currently operate.
Many Lions Clubs are finding that assisting those who are disadvantaged or in need, is no longer an easy task. We are increasingly being requested to financially support other welfare or charity organisations. We as Lions are accustomed to raising our own funding to address specific community problems. We then have to virtually compete with other organisations that are government funded.
The Community Development Portfolio is looking at how we can work with our communities, key agencies and stakeholders and the three tiers of government, federal, state and local government to produce better outcomes for Lions and the communities we serve.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Establish and identify the key community stakeholders by Local Government Area (LGA).
- Establish contact lists of relevant contacts by LGA.
- Identify community initiatives and activities that the involvement of Lions would be mutually beneficial.
- Visit and actively promote this project to Clubs.
- Provide details of agencies and relevant contacts to Clubs.
- Provide information to Cabinet and to Clubs on local community initiatives.
- Promote Lions within Local Communities and inform Cabinet of opportunities for Lions within local communities.
- Report to Cabinet on the progress of this project.
If you have any ideas or questions on Community Development, please do not hesitate to contact me.