AMSA 5 th National Conference – Ballarat October 28, 2013

1. AMSA 5th National Conference – Ballarat October 28, 2013

2. Background • The Victorian Men’s Shed Association was established in 2005 and incorporated in 2007. • Since then there has been substantial government and community, financial and social investment in Men’s Sheds. • The number of Men’s Sheds in Victoria has expanded rapidly over the past five years. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

3. Who we are … • Our vision • The VMSA’s vision is: • ...for all Victorian men to be happy and healthy contributors within their local community • Our mission • The VMSA’s mission is: • ...to provide a forum for Victorian sheds to network, exchange ideas, share experiences, and promote wellbeing • Our values • The VMSA’s values are: • Diversity and inclusiveness: we welcome men from all walks of life and encourage their fullest participation. • Respect: we respect our members, the community ownership of sheds, and our grass-roots spirit and ethos. • Friendship: we enjoy conversation, camaraderie, mutual understanding and trust. • Honesty and integrity: we strive to be transparent and open in all that we do. • A supportive culture: we act collegially and cooperatively, and look to bring out the best in one another. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

4. The core activities of the VMSA Committee are: • promote and publicise Men’s Sheds throughout Victoria. • provide a forum for Victorian Men’s Sheds to exchange ideas, share experiences, network and find support. • represent Men’s Sheds to Governments, Non Government Organisations (NGOs), and Funding sources • provide start up information and advice for new Men’s Sheds • such as training, OH&S, funding, insurance • provide a line of communication between individual Men’s Sheds and across different levels of government • work with the Australian Men’s Shed Association to represent the interests of Victorian Sheds VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

5. The VMSA committee reports that it has struggled to keep pace with the rapid growth of Sheds and demands for advice, support and leadership. • The volunteer effort required to meet current levels of demand from the Shed community is unsustainable. • VMSA Committee members are representative of the Shed community and do an excellent job, however • VMSA recognises that it does not have the full range of skills and resources to meet the expectations of Men’s Sheds. • Underpinning this business plan we acknowledged that: The wider Men’s Shed ‘movement’ is characterised by its grass-roots ethos, volunteerism, and collaborative approach. It is critical that these aspects be maintained and strengthened. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

6. What we did…2013 • Cube Management Solutions was engaged to consult with the VMSA committee, Sheds and stakeholders, and develop a three-year business plan. • The focus was to: • Ascertain the skills and capabilities required of the VMSA committee • Understand the administrative and corporate support needed to continue to support local Sheds. • Identify innovative, low-cost approaches to supporting Sheds across Victoria. • The report provided: • Acomprehensive overview of the consultations and recommendations. • It was used as the basis for the VMSA Business Plan which was developed in consultation with the VMSA committee during June/July 2013. • The Business Plan now provides guidance to the VMSA committee on a range of operational and strategic matters. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

7. How was it done? • Cube conducted 24 one-on-one interviews over February, March and April with members and key stakeholders. • Cube administered an online survey over April, garnering 308 responses. • Cube consulted with approximately 60 Shedders and stakeholders across four regional forums in April. • Cube conducted follow-up telephone interviews with VMSA committee members in late April and May. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

8. What did we find out? As expected, resourcing and sustainability was a fundamental concern among those consulted: Administrative or Executive Officer support (either part or full-time) is increasingly critical to the organisation’s success, and a ‘force multiplier’ that significantly increases the impact of volunteers on the committee. Sustainability: A need to reduce dependence on any single source of funding. Widening the VMSA’s resource base (e.g. drawing on Shedders’ networks and connections to secure in-kind support and sponsorships) is crucial. Recruitment and succession planning –A key focus Involves bringing together the right mix of people on the committee with the right skills, for the right reasons VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

9. Key Findings & Insights – main issues VMSA and its stakeholders raised a range of other ‘first-order’ issues, including: Managing the tension between the VMSA’s grass-roots ethos and the need for greater professionalism. Striking the right balance between ‘managing up’ and advocating for Sheds, while still finding time to ‘assist down’ and respond to requests for help, advice and resources. Deciding between a ‘minimal’ approach of paid staff who support the committee on a limited basis, and a ‘maximal’ approach of a proactive staff that grasps opportunities as they arise (e.g. media engagements) and reports to the committee as a Board. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

10. Key Findings & Insights – main issues Concerns regarding relationships and partnerships between Shedders and stakeholders and other organisations: Ensure Shedders are treated like men and not as ‘clients’ with deficits that need to be rectified by professionals. Managing strategic partnerships with state and local government (e.g. DHS and MAV), health providers and health promotion charities (e.g. beyondblue and Foundation 49), and the private sector. Focusing on the quality of activities/programs offered by Sheds and the ‘quality of the experience’ for shedders, while helping sheds to manage the risk/reward balance for project-based work where funded agency activities risk ‘taking over’ from Shedders. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

11. Key Findings & Insights – main issues The ‘positioning’ and reputation of Sheds Risk of Sheds and shedding being typecast as insular, ‘inward-looking place for old blokes’ or else as disability or aged care facilities without their own sense of ownership and identity. Value in acknowledging the role of women in the shedding movement: both those directly assisting and running Sheds, as well as those encouraging men to becoming involved in the first place. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

12. Key Findings & Insights – members’ consultations and priorities Stakeholders suggested VMSA’s priorities should be communication, providing a forum for sharing resources and information, and acting as a peak body. Similarly, in order of priority, Shedders requested VMSA focus on: –promoting Sheds within the Victorian community; –providing a forum for ideas, experiences, and networking ; –advocating to government and non-government organisations; –providing up-to-date news; –providing start-up information; and –assisting with training, OHS, insurance, accessing grants and fundraising. Some Shedders expressed confusion between VMSA and AMSA membership, and wished for greater clarity on fees, membership and insurance. Many thought that start-up help and advice was a critical support, despite AMSA’s resources and activity on this matter. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

13. Strategic directions Members and stakeholders value: Our ability to provide a forum for sharing resources and information. Our leadership role as a peak body that represents the interests of Victorian sheds. In recognition of this, the VMSA Committee has prioritised three strategic directionsfor the next three years. Each strategic direction responds to the needs and priorities of our members and partners, as established through a comprehensive membership survey, four regional focus groups and targeted one-on-one consultations, and includes a range of supporting actions and projects: VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

14. Fostering the development and sustainability of Men’s Sheds in Victoria: • The ongoing sustainability of Men’s Sheds in Victoria is a primary concern of the VMSA. We aim to: • Provide our members with relevant advice, assistance and training, complementing the work of AMSA at the national level. • Support Men’s Sheds and their management committees to meet the challenges they face. • Provide training programs to strengthen governance and leadership capability in Sheds. • Develop the capabilities of Sheds by sharing start-up information, brokering advice on training, occupational health and safety, insurance, accessing grants and fundraising. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

15. 2. Advocating on behalf of Sheds to government, private and community-sector organisations: • Shedders – as well as our stakeholders – value the leadership role that VMSA plays and its influence as a peak body. The VMSA will continue to: • Lead and represent the interests of Victorian Men’s Sheds to government and non governments organisation , business, and partners. • Work with partner organisations on mutually beneficial initiatives. • Promote the benefits of becoming involved with Men’s Sheds throughout Victoria. • Promote the benefits of improving the wellbeing of Victorian men. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

16. 3. Providing opportunities for bringing Sheds together to share and learn: • It was established that Communication is one of the VMSA’s most valuable activities. • The VMSA will continue to provide a point of contact to: • Build relationships between members through our website, newsletter, face-to-face visits, regional meetings and events. • Keep members up to date with news across the state. • Ensure Shedder’s ideas, experiences, projects and resources are communicated across our membership. • Give Shedders the opportunity to interact atregular state gatherings and events. • VMSA representatives also attend regional ‘cluster’ meetings. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

17. In conclusion • It is important that the VMSA remains vibrant, viable and community-focussed: maintaining our grass-roots ethos while representing and supporting Men’s Sheds in a professional manner. • This strategic plan: • Outlines the direction of the VMSA over the next three years. • Will be reviewed at least annually, with new initiatives identified, prioritised and resourced according to the needs of the VMSA Committee and its membership. • Will ensure Victorian Men’s Sheds and members will directly benefit from the work and activities that we have prioritised over the life of this plan. • Key initiatives and responses are all subject to the availability of both human and financial resources to support the VMSA Committee’s delivery of these strategic aims. • Funded Position: The volunteer-run VMSA Committee will continue to require support from a funded position, which will in turn require the full support of the VMSA Committee in delivering this Strategic Plan. VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013

18. Where to from here? • Adopt a new constitution • Executive Officer recruitment process • Annual General Meeting • Marysville/Triangle Shed November 29, 2013 VMSA Presentation at 5th National Men's Shed Conference, Ballarat October 2013