Day one highlights
Day one was all about learning, growing and networking with like-minded sector colleagues.
Delegates were able to attend a range of masterclasses covering various topics including IT Strategy for Digital Transformation with Marcus Harvey and Sophie Souchon from Infoxchange.
Marcus and Sophie shared valuable insights allowing delegates to gain a greater understanding of their organisation’s digital capabilities and how to navigate common challenges to improve operations.
Attendees departed the session feeling informed, empowered and excited to begin or expand upon their digital transformation journey.
Roland Dillon and Dr Jemma King from McKinsey & Company ran a masterclass focusing on building leadership capabilities. Attendees explored ways to build resilience, how to increase psychological safety across the sector and how to build solid leadership foundations to increase an organisations impact.
Marketing know-how is crucial for not-for-profits, so we knew that Kate vanderVoort from Social Mediaology would bring plenty of food for thought to her masterclass. Attendees were highly engaged throughout this interactive session, which covered digital marketing strategy, and content creation with a focus on the not-for-profit sector.
Day two highlights
Day two of the Connecting Up conference started with a bang as Peter McNamara, President of the Australian Council of Social Services delivered an inspiring, highly motivational keynote to more than 150 delegates from across the not-for-profit sector.
McNamara urged the sector to keep fighting and stay focused on what they’re seeking to achieve, reiterating the importance of a strong, resilient sector as we begin to come out of what has been an incredibly challenging few years.
He praised the sector for the “amazing work” that has been carried out during the COVID-19 period, despite ongoing roadblocks, funding constraints and shifting priorities.
McNamara highlighted the need to keep pushing the benefits of digital transformation, and that it was important for the sector to share knowledge and support one another in making the most out of the digital resources available to them.
He concluded his keynote by urging delegates to continue advocating for the most vulnerable people in the community, and to keep pressuring governments for ongoing support, improved policy and engagement with not-for-profits and charities.
Kat Warboys, Director of Marketing APAC at Hubspot proved to be very popular as she spoke to a packed room for the second keynote of the day.
Warboys’ presentation focused on the importance of using digital technologies efficiently to vastly improve customer experience and exceed customer expectations.
The idea that the traditional marketing funnel may not be the gold standard was explored intensely during the session, with Warboys encouraging marketers to consider a flywheel strategy instead. This strategy sees the customer’s wants, needs and ever-changing behaviours placed in the centre, dictating a dynamic marketing strategy that constantly realigns with those expectations.
Jodi Kennedy, GM of charitable trusts and philanthropy at Equity Trustees joined the conference for the final keynote of the day discussing fundraising and philanthropy.
Kennedy highlighted the unprecedented demand and subsequent strain placed upon the charity sector over the past two years.
These challenges were compounded by job and stock market insecurity, along with a lack of disposable income from both the community and corporates leading to a downturn in philanthropic donations.
Kennedy encouraged the sector to promote trust-based philanthropy, highlighting exactly how funds are used as a way of “honouring and empowering” the sector.
Kennedy pressed that the time is now for charities to start ramping up their calls for donations as things begin to stabilise, noting that Australians are a very charitable society and willingly give when they are able.
Delegates were then treated to a passionate pre-election panel on Thursday afternoon, with Greens Senator Janet Rice and Labor’s Shadow Minister for Charities Andrew Leigh discussing the changes they’d like to see made across the not-for-profit sector post-election.
Moderated by David Crosbie, CEO of Community Council Australia, the two politicians used the platform to directly address how they would improve the sector should they gain traction in the upcoming election.
Leigh passionately spoke of his drive to improve the sector, saying that he was excited to potentially drop “shadow” from his title should Labor form government.
Should there be a change of government on 21 May, Leigh vowed to work alongside charities and to leave political beliefs at the door saying that “restoring the freedom of charities to advocate on issues that are important to them” is something that a Labor government would prioritise.
Senator Rice spoke of the need to urgently reform fundraising laws, and that she was hoping to provide charities and the not-for-profit sector with a more dominant voice should the Greens hold the balance of power in the senate.
Rice drove home the Greens’ proposed funding increases for homelessness and community services, along with an increase in funding to the many disability advocacy agencies throughout Australia.
Of course, Senator Rice spoke of the connection between the worsening climate crisis and the direct impact a lack of action has on the most vulnerable members of our community.
“It’s older Australians, those who are unwell, those who can’t afford insurance who are being hit the hardest by the effects of climate change, and it’s then the community sector left to pick up the pieces,” said Rice.
Day three highlights
Reverend Tim Costello AO opened day three of the Connecting Up conference with a passionate keynote discussing the overall state of play and outlook for the charity and not-for-profit sector.
Costello urged the sector to unify and collaborate to truly demonstrate how power in numbers can deliver greater impact.
He emphasised the importance of going back and reflecting on the core values that bring us together as a sector and using that trust, respect and connectedness with the community as drivers to achieve more, especially during these challenging times.
Maximus International Associate Director Jaque Qian facilitated the Friday panel session, “The Great Reframe”. Jaque was joined by David Spriggs, CEO of the Infoxchange Group, Alon Cassuto, Head of Insights at Maximus International, Beau Vigushin, Executive Director of Equity, Inclusion and Customer Experience at Arts Centre Melbourne and Colonel Winsome Merrett, Chief Secretary at The Salvation Army.
The group discussed the importance of collaboration and planning as the not-for-profit sector prepares for what is set to be an exciting, yet challenging decade to come.
Melissa Osborne, Head of National Security at Amazon Web Services addressed delegates after lunch delivering a keynote on security.
Melissa discussed the many facets of cyber-security, reiterating the importance of this crucial area of digital technology which is easily overlooked. Attendees left this session feeling highly motivated to evaluate their organisations cyber-security health and empowered to improve their current systems.
The leadership keynote and final address of the day was delivered by Cassandra Hatton, Executive General Manager, Strategy, Innovation and Organisational Development at the St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria.
Cassandra’s keynote placed immense importance on the power of connection when it comes to effective leadership, as she explained how best to engage and motivate your workforce to deliver meaningful impact.
Her passion for nurturing emerging leaders, particularly young women, certainly left a positive impression on attendees as she rounded out the keynote sessions of the conference.
Joining delegates to close out the conference for 2022 was The Honourable Dr Tien Kieu MP, Member for South Easter Metropolitan, Australian Labor Party.
Dr Kieu spoke of his passion for digital technology and how he looks forward to seeing the sector lean further into digital transformation in the short-term, to deliver greater impact over the long-term.
Deputy Chair of the Infoxchange Group Linda O’Brien delivered an emotive closing address to attendees, noting her observations over the past two years and how she is looking forward to observing a newfound sense of energy across the charity and not-for-profit sector.
Connecting Up and Infoxchange would like to extend their thanks to all in attendance and are looking forward to the 2023 conference, which is certain to be our biggest and best yet.