Challenges and Solutions in the Rapid Growth of one of Australia’s Largest Sheds

1. Challenges and Solutions in the Rapid Growth of one of Australia’s Largest Sheds Speakers Barry Cheales Norm Thursby Rick Beasley

2. Where is Buderim? Noosa Buderim National Conference 2013 Ballarat

3. Snapshot of Buderim • Popular retirement location • High level of community involvement • Scarcity of suitable Shed sites • Sponsored by Buderim Rotary Club National Conference 2013 Ballarat

4. Time Line • Nov 2010 First members signed up Registered with AMSA as a developing Men's Shed • Mar 2011 In excess of 80 firm expressions of interest received • June 2011 Open for activities one day per week at 53 Mill Road • Feb 2012 Membership reaches 150 - Waiting list introduced. • June 2012 Open for activities 3 days per week – membership reopened. • Sept 2012 Open 5 days per week, membership reaches 230. • Dec 2012 End of first full year of independent operations Membership peaks at 274 • July 2013 19 different activities with 26 individual groups National Conference 2013 Ballarat

5. Growth in Membership National Conference 2013 Ballarat

6. Challenges • Rapid growth in membership • Need for a Shed • Need for equipment • Need for activity Team Leaders • OH&S policies and procedures • Community expectations National Conference 2013 Ballarat

7. What worked for us • Open dialogue with stakeholders • Communicate with the members • Foster social interaction • Celebrate any progress • Lobby Local & State Government members RAPID GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP National Conference 2013 Ballarat

8. What worked for us • Generous benefactor (Dr Bill Glasson) • 500 sq m of floor space and 2 acres of land • Turning the property into a Shed unified the group • Fund raising became a priority • Movers and shakers came to the fore • Central location gave us visible presence NEED FOR A SHED National Conference 2013 Ballarat

9. What worked for us NEED FOR EQUIPMENT • Publicise the need • Follow up the offers • Deal with the rubbish • Be honest but considerate • Protect members equipment on loan National Conference 2013 Ballarat

10. What worked for us • Encourage diversity of activities • Encourage grass roots ownership of activities • No volunteer Leader – no activity NEED FOR ACTIVITY TEAM LEADERS National Conference 2013 Ballarat

11. What worked for us • The enthusiasm for action means procedures got left behind • Formal competency assessments were lagging • Membership frozen to allow systems to catch up • Use of the AMSA model allowed a quick & effective introduction of OH&S systems OH&S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES National Conference 2013 Ballarat

12. What worked for us COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS • Excellent publicity gave us a high profile • Able to provide a much needed service to other community groups • Assisted Local Council with garden maintenance • Careful not to compete with local contractors • Cleared out many backyard sheds National Conference 2013 Ballarat

13. Summary • Promote the Shed locally then ride the growth wave • Find premises quick the bigger the better • Encourage new activities – enthusiasm drives progress - under control • Get OH&S procedures done early • Keep communicating – a Shed is a great rumour mill • Lobby the Politicians and Councillors hard National Conference 2013 Ballarat

14. THANK YOU Q & A

15. Video National Conference 2013 Ballarat