Social Enterprise News

QSEC Reset and Recover with Impact Media release 29 September 2020 

Queensland’s economic recovery needs impact businesses that are run well, supported from the startup phase through to maturity, are able to access social procurement opportunities, and can access the right capital at the right time.

Like many small to medium sized businesses, many social enterprises have been hard hit by recent economic challenges. However, unlike many businesses, social enterprises go beyond business as usual to deliver social, environmental and cultural benefits for many marginalised and underrepresented people in our community.

Thanks to the support of the Queensland Government, QSEC has recently called for expressions of interest to secure Regional Activators to help deliver the Reset and Recover with Impact Project.

Gaala Watson, QSEC Management Committee Member and Membership Committee lead and assessment panellist said that, “The Regional Activators will be contracted to research needs for social enterprises in regional areas, develop relevant workshops and tools to assist where necessary and create a collaborative environment for social enterprises to reset their impact in their communities.”

Ms Watson continued: “We are excited to announce the three successful candidates for the following areas:

Far North Queensland: Dr. Crystal Williams.
Central Queensland: Strong Communities cohort Charmaine Tolhurst, Crystal Robson and Natalia Muszkat.
Darling Downs: Daniel Johnsen.

“Social Enterprises are well placed to convey the needs of these unique communities and to actualise the value of working collaboratively,” Ms Watson said. “QSEC is excited to be working alongside our valued members to position social enterprise firmly on the map for local economic solutions.”

The Reset and Recover with Impact Project is due to begin as soon as practicable, with an expected conclusion prior to Christmas 2020.

Media Release 2020 QSEC 
Reset and Recover with Impact Project: Announcement of the Regional Activators
Image by Hayden @aitchjames_ from Unsplash 

DOWNLOAD Reset and recover with Impact 2 pager 

Download Media Release: Activators Announced Reset and Recover with Impact 

Download media release pdf

What if changing the world was as easy as popping to the shops?

Social enterprises are businesses created to do good. They come in many forms, from coffee shops to law firms, selling a wide range of products and services. Each one exists to help solve a problem in our community.

Like many businesses, social enterprises have suffered through the recent economic downturn. However, uniquely, these businesses often serve the most disadvantaged in our communities through job placement, social connection, cultural exchange and environmental benefits. The delivery of these impact services is really how social enterprises make a big difference.

That’s why the Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC) has welcomed funding support from the Queensland State Government to undertake an awareness raising and promotion campaign to support Queensland social enterprises at this critical time.

Chair of QSEC Emma-Kate Rose said, “Social Enterprises are businesses specifically designed to go beyond business as usual. What if changing the world was as easy as popping to the shops? Every time you spend a dollar in a social enterprise, you’re providing $3 back into the communities that social enterprises support. They employ on average 15 people per enterprise and help keep local dollars in the local economy.”

“On the eve of the first anniversary of the Queensland’s inaugural Social Enterprise Strategy, and QSEC’s seventh year of operation, we are calling for social enterprises to stand up and be counted, and for consumers to locate their local social enterprise to take positive action with every transaction to make the world a little better, “ Ms. Rose continued.

To hear the social enterprise stories of impact, get involved and find out more, visit https://positivetransaction.com.au/ today.

Click here to see the Positive Action with Every Transaction hype reel

#positivetransaction/#socialenterprise/#supportsocial

Media: Elise Parups Executive Officer QSEC elise@qsec.org.au

At the September 9 Special General Meeting, QSEC members joined the Management Committee by video conference and on site at The Capital to vote on Special Resolution 1 - for Transfer of Incorporation to Company Limited by Guarantee. The resolution was successful, and includes adopting the new constitution upon transfer, finalising an extensive process of shaping the future of our governance practices. The Committee thanks everyone for their valued attendance and for helping QSEC along the path to a stronger organisation and sector.

Jerome Walker, Secretary

Reset & Recovery with Impact Summary Document

Identifying social enterprise local economic solutions through COVID

DOWNLOAD - Reset 2 pager.pdf

BRIEF

Queensland’s economic recovery needs impact businesses that are run well, supported at the startup phase, are able to access social procurement opportunities, and can access the right capital at the right time.

This project assists social enterprises (SE) in three regional areas: FNQ, Central Qld and Darling Downs. Resources will be delivered by a regional activator to help pivot SE businesses to emerge from the COVID-19 period with job opportunities, new markets and connected communities using an"Action Lab" approach.

CO-OPERATIVES NATIONAL LAW BILL 2020

Great news today for our QSEC Co-operative members!

QSEC welcomes news of the adoption of Co-operatives National Law (CNL) in the Queensland Parliament today.  The CNL represents a nationally-harmonised scheme of legislation regulating co-operatives.  The new bill provides an improved regulatory environment supporting co-operatives as a business and enterprise structure and will include a reduction in regulatory burdens, increased operational flexibility, and consistency in co-operatives legislation across the Australian states and territories.

Read the full PRESS RELEASE and the EXPLANATORY NOTES for the Bill.