SkillsBank Gippsland is a program which links the skills and experience of Gippsland Community Leadership Program graduates with not-for-profit Gippsland organisations and community groups which need assistance with specific projects.
Graduates can contribute to not-for-profit organisations in Gippsland by:
- Joining a board;
- Providing pro bono advice and/or support as part of a project team;
- Mentor a CEO or senior staff member;
- Public speaking.
SkillsBank Gippsland brokers this process by inviting eligible organisations to register their needs and finding Graduates with appropriate interests and skills to meet those needs.
SkillsBank Gippsland gives preference to requests for assistance which:
- demonstrably add value to an organisation and the Gippsland community;
- require Graduates to give advice and support to an organisation's staff and/or members;
- offers opportunities for the continuing learning and leadership development of graduates.
SkillsBank Gippsland can provide:
- assistance with organisational development issues and strategic review;
- advice on public profile, marketing and sponsorship;
- ideas' seassions to help clarify plans and projects;
- guest speakers on a variety of topics;
- advice and support for one-off events;
- membership of boards, councils or committees of management; and
- specific advice relating to Graduates' particular professional skills.
SkillsBank Gippsland does NOT help with projects seeking:
- to lobby governments;
- requesting direct financial assistance;
- to provide most of the project's benefits outside of the Gippsland region;
- work that is clearly part of the day-to-day activities of an organisation;
- pro bono assistance if the organisation has a capacity to pay for consultancy advice.
The emphasis is on advice and support. Graduates all have work, family and community commitments. The purpose of their voluntary contribution to an organisation is to support and strengthen the capacities of staff or members, rather than to undertake significant hands-on work themselves. The ideal project works on an immediate problem for the organisation so that it is in a stronger position to tackle similar projects or problems by itself in the future.