Leaders Connect

A word from the Acting CEO 

Happy end of June!

We are thrilled to have 59 SA Councils and Subsidiaries signed up for Organisation memberships with LG Professionals SA for the next year and beyond – thank you to each and every one for your commitment to developing your staff and providing them with a fundamental partner in their whole of career journey. Not sure if your organisation is a member? Please click here to check - if your organisation has a membership you can activate your personal membership FOR FREE – see instructions here.

Registrations are now open for our Community Managers Network Conference ‘Made to Measure’ (more details below), as well as Expressions of Interest for the 2021 Rural Management Challenge. Both of these represent excellent professional development opportunities and I urge you to consider sending yourself and your teams.

As a new financial year fast approaches we are busy planning and programming for a huge year – please let us know if you have any ideas for events, themes, topics – anything at all. We are your association, and we value your input!

Wishing you all time to reset, rest and reflect as we rush towards July.

Rhiannon

June 2021
Edition 117

News Flash

COMMUNITY MANAGERS NETWORK CONFERENCE 'Made to Measure'
Friday 20 August 2021
Adelaide Convention Centre

Registrations are now open for the Community Managers Network Conference 'Made to Measure'.

Local Government is changing. The demand for services is increasing and revenue is becoming more stretched; our industry is increasing in complexity and residents are demanding increased accountability. Measuring performance is critical so that we can have access to data which allows us to establish baselines, benchmarks and goals. The right data will allow us to make informed decisions about performance and direct scarce resources towards areas of improving customer satisfaction.

Measuring in the community space is more than just numbers of participants, it is about measuring the social impact of programs and activities and the change in our communities.

The conference will delve into the what, when, why and how of measurement, and how data can inform effective decision making for the benefit of our communities.

The full program will be released soon.

RURAL MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE - EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST TODAY!

Expressions of interest are open for the 2021 Rural Management Challenge. 

The Rural Management Challenge presents a great opportunity for regional councils to develop their staff through an accessible and cost effective developmental program. The Challenge is designed to stretch comfort zones and expand skill sets, delivering many benefits to team members. As some tasks or issues may be outside the team members' usual role, it provides the perfect opportunity to broaden their understanding of different areas of the organisation. 

The 2021 event has tentatively been scheduled to be held on Thursday 18 November 2021 in the Adelaide CBD.

We are your association, and we are here to support you on your career journey.

Not a member? Check here to see if your council or subsidiary is a member - if so, you can activate your membership for free!

We've put together a list of 10 great reasons to join as a member of LG Professionals SA - see the full list here.

1. CONNECT WITH THE BEST
Our member community is comprised of the leaders of today and tomorrow. You will make crucial connections to people and ideas which can take your career to the next level.

Upcoming Network Events

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT NETWORK FORUM - Data Collection
Friday 9 July 2021

Join the Continuous Improvement Network for their first forum for 2021. We are pleased to offer this forum in person and virtually, subject to any government restrictions. In person registrations are exclusive to LG Professionals SA Members.

We welcome Stephen Yates, Nathan Petrus and Paul Emes as guest speakers for our Continuous Improvement Network Forum on Data Collection. 

WOMEN'S NETWORK FORUM - Anything is Possible
Friday 23 July 2021

Join the Women's Network for their third forum for 2021. We are pleased to offer this forum in person and virtually, subject to government restrictions. In person registrations are exclusive to LG Professionals SA Members.

We welcome Pepper Mickan, Megan Renzella and Renee Platt as guest speakers for our Women's Network Forum, Anything is Possible.

Member Profile -
Proudly sponsored by

Sorana Dinmore

This month we caught up with Sorana Dinmore, General Manager Corporate Services at City of Marion about her role, LG Professionals SA membership, and the General Managers Network. 
 
What is your role and what does it involve?

As the GM Corporate services, I don’t quite have typical days. Change is part and parcel I guess of the job as we’re undertaking a large digital transformation program and so there are different areas requiring focus on any given day. An important part of my portfolio is also finance and procurement which pose challenges, enquiries from elected members, etc. Read more...

New Members

Welcome to our 130 new members! Click here to see the list.

We look forward to providing support and professional development opportunities through every stage of your local government career.

International Exchange Program - Member opportunity

Local Government Professionals Australia offers Australian local government officers international exchanges with local government peers in the US and New Zealand annually. The two-week exchanges involve attendance at in-country local government conferences and a one-week workplace visit to a peer’s local government.

With mutual borders reopening to Australians and New Zealanders, Local Government Professionals Australia is offering one member from the LG Professionals network in WA, SA, Tasmania, NT or Victoria a unique opportunity to participate in an International Professional Exchange.

This two-way exchange, in collaboration with Taituara, between an Australian and New Zealander counterpart sees members of LG Professionals State Associations or those with a National Council Package networking with local government practitioners overseas and learning about best practices that they can apply in their own organisations and communities.

For any queries please contact the International Program Manager, Alex at Alexandra@lgprofessionalsaustralia.org.au or on (02) 6230 1824.

Sponsor Insight

At Statewide Super our members have always been our number one priority and we’re constantly striving to deliver more value. With Statewide Super, our members are in good hands. Here’s why:

We’re local and take our personalised service seriously

We provide our members with quality, local service, both face-to-face and over the phone.

We offer super education at your fingertips

Take a look at our schedule of complimentary online and in-person education sessions available to members and non-members.

Find out more

Check out our 5 reasons to join Statewide Super. For further information contact us on 1300 65 18 65 or via email.

Statewide Superannuation Pty Ltd ABN 62 008 099 223 (AFSL 243171) Trustee and RSE Licensee of Statewide Superannuation Trust ABN 54 145 196 298 (“Statewide Super”). In deciding whether to acquire or hold a Statewide Super product, consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) available at statewide.com.au. For more information visit statewide.com.au.

This information contains general advice which doesn’t consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before investing, consider the appropriateness of this general advice to your personal circumstances. You may also wish to obtain independent financial advice.

Statewide Super holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) that allows it to provide both general and personal financial advice. For further information and a copy of the applicable Financial Services Guide, visit statewide.com.au or call 1300 65 18 65.

We caught up with one of this year's Emerging Leaders cohort, Dayle Arblaster, Business Support Officer - Corporate Services & Innovation at City of Mitcham to find out how he's finding the program so far.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?

As someone who is relatively new to the sector, I saw the Emerging Leaders Program as a fantastic opportunity to learn more about Local Government. It represented a chance to meet with like-minded peers from across the sector, understand the challenges they are facing, and learn from their experiences with new ideas and approaches. The Uni SA modules offered through the program were also of interest as leadership concepts around leading change and shaping culture are particularly important in a Local Government context.

What was your biggest takeaway from the opening retreat?

During the opening retreat of the 2021 program the participants enjoyed getting to know each other and understanding more of what to expect as the program progresses. For me, the biggest takeaway was that leaders must constantly check in on their assumptions, not only about the environment and those around them but themselves. Leaders need to seek contrary data to challenge their assumptions and beliefs to see things from a different perspective and explore new approaches. This is particularly important within the ever-changing sector we all operate in.

What are you most looking forward to as the program progresses?

I am particularly looking forward to the Rural Perspective module. As someone who has had very little exposure to rural Councils, I am interested in how community needs and expectations differ to metropolitan Councils. The Uni SA modules have been very valuable, so I am looking forward to the upcoming module on Leading Change within our organisations and the community. I also look forward to the project group presentations during the program graduation and hearing from my peers on their key takeaways throughout the duration of the program.

Our short courses have been curated to equip the sector's staff with the skills essential to deliver on the reform agenda of efficiency, performance and continuous improvement.

We are currently taking expressions of interest on all short courses and once there is sufficient interest a course date will be scheduled. Below is a list of all short course offerings:

• Conflict Resolution
• Customer Service in a Compliance Environment
• Managing your Time, Energy and Priorities
• Performance Coaching
• Powerful Business Writing
• Negotiation Skills
• Introduction to Project Management
• Advanced Project Management

Network News 

LG Professionals SA Members are invited to join one of our many Networks.

Networks are groups of professionals who share a common interest or experience. We run a comprehensive range of Network meetings and forums throughout the year, offering staff the opportunity to learn and develop whilst sharing and networking with peers from their own and other councils and subsidiaries, across the state.

Our Networks include:

• Women's Network
• People and Culture Network
• Community Managers Network
• Continuous Improvement Network
• General Managers Network 
• CEO Network

Below you will find all upcoming Network Forums and Meetings.

If you would like to know more about our network offerings you can reach me at tahlia@lgprofessionalssa.org.au or phone 8291 7994.

Tahlia Willey
Network and Program Officer

People and Culture Network 
Monthly Catch Up
Thursday 8 July 2021
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Virtual (via Zoom)

For Network Members Only - contact Tahlia for more details

Continuous Improvement Network Forum: Data Collection
Friday 9 July 2021
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Mobilong Suite, Local Government Centre - 2 Seventh Street, Murray Bridge

Women's Network Forum: Anything is Possible
Friday 23 July 2021
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The FARM Centre, 40 Hanson Street, Freeling and via Zoom

Community Managers Network Committee Meeting
Friday 30 July 2021
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
LG Professionals SA Office, 5 Hauteville Terrace, Eastwood and via Zoom

For Network Members Only - contact Tahlia for more details

We are proud to be supporting the Local Government Emergency Management Seminar which will be held on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 September 2021.

With keynote presentations from Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons of Resilience NSW, this year’s program will explore the importance of not only supporting our communities in emergencies, but also each other.

Make sure you save the dates in your diary. More details will be released soon.

Please contact Rhiannon for further details on corporate partnership opportunities.

The full conference program is now available for the 2021 National Congress & Business Expo!

See what's in store for local government professionals live in Canberra this August over three days with the newly released event program including three days of presentations and networking.

Join hundreds of your local government peers to learn from this stellar line-up of experts and change-makers and to network and build relationships across the sector nationally.

About Local Government Professionals Australia, SA

LG Professionals SA is a not-for-profit member based association representing professionals working in local government in South Australia. 

We have the ability to link and connect people from different councils who may not otherwise form relationships or share. 

Our high quality professional development programs and networking events are uniquely local government – reflective of the culture of the sector and sensitive to the needs of its professionals. 

The content of our events and programs are informed by our members and people who genuinely care about the sector. 

We provide a safe and supportive environment in which to grow and learn while creating opportunities to make time away from the office to work on the business or on self. 

We award and acknowledge achievements of excellence.

We are proud to be part of a national Federation of State based Local Government Professionals Australia organisations, supported by a national office dedicated to supporting the National Local Government sector.

LG Professionals SA   5 Hauteville Terrace, Eastwood SA 5063   Phone: 08 8291 7990
www.lgprofessionalssa.org.au

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