Is there a burning issue you want to see Australia’s politicians taking action on for the good of the Australian charities and not-for-profit sector? Have you dreamed of asking them about it face-to-face in front of an audience of hundreds of people?

It may sound too good to be true, but this is precisely the opportunity being offered to three people at this year’s Community Council for Australia’s Pre-Election Forum, being held on Friday 10 May at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Each of the last two federal elections the Community Council for Australia (CCA) has organised a Pre-Election Forum at the National Press Club where the major political parties have outlined their policies for the charities and not-for-profit sector. This year, CCA is taking this Pre-Election Forum to the sector at the Connecting Up Transform Conference.

David Crosbie, CEO of CCA, will facilitate the Pre-Election Forum from 8.45am-10.10am. The ALP’s shadow minister for charities and not-for-profits Dr Andrew Leigh and Greens spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert have already agreed to participate, with the Coalition representative yet to be finalised.

Thanks to Connecting Up, Infoxchange, and Pro Bono Australia, you have a chance to directly put your question to the key politicians shaping the future of charity policy in Australia.

We are seeking your questions. What is it that you would most like to ask these politicians about the future of the Australian charities and not-for-profit sector?

All questions are to be submitted to deborahs@communitycouncil.com.au by COB on Monday 6 May.

A panel of judges including: Pro Bono Australia editor Wendy Williams, Deborah Smith from CCA, and Krystian Seibert, industry fellow at the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne University, will select the three best questions.

Each of the three winners will be offered a free two-day pass to the Transform Conference and will be invited to personally put their questions to the politicians as part of the Pre-Election Forum on 10 May.

This is an important event where the charities and not-for-profit sector can hear from politicians and raise the big cross-sector issues that are impacting charities and not-for-profits across Australia.

A strong charities and not for profit presence will send a message to all federal politicians about the importance of the sector.

You can register to attend the Transform Conference – including one-day passes for Friday - here.

About Connecting Up

Connecting Up Inc was established in 1981 as Community Information Support Service of SA Inc. (CISSsa). CISSsa was established as the peak community information agency in South Australia, providing essential community services information in a variety of print and, later, electronic formats. CISSsa later changed its name to Community Information Strategies Australia and is now Connecting Up Inc.

Connecting Up’s purpose is to help our fellow not-for-profits leverage the digital world to positively impact their communities. The digital world is ever expanding beyond IT software and hardware, digital marketing, fundraising to new and innovative service delivery and understanding / measuring impact.

We have a long history of affordable software, hardware, educational events and more recently group consulting. We believe that not-for-profits with the right tools and skills can and do achieve great things. We work in partnerships with over 40 organisations to deliver high quality products and services specifically meeting the nuanced needs of the not for profit sector.

Connecting Up's and TechSoup New Zealand’s services are available in Australia, New Zealand and throughout the South Pacific. In addition, Connecting Up also helps to develop relationships with business, community and government sectors for the development of the not-for-profit sector.

Connecting Up is a part of the Infoxchange Group.