A word from the President It is with gratitude that I announce Taryn Sexton’s resignation as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Local Government Professionals Australia, SA. Taryn will leave us on Friday the 2nd October. Since 2010, Taryn has played a critical role in the development, growth and success of the organisation, and while we will miss her leadership, we wish her the best of luck in her future. Taryn’s ten years of dedicated service involved many significant accomplishments and I thank her for the unwavering commitment, passion, enthusiasm and motivation she has devoted to the role.
The Board is hopeful and excited for the next chapter of LG Professionals SA, as we continue to support our members and develop and recognise local government people. To that end, Rhiannon Grebenshikoff has been appointed as Acting CEO for an initial period of four months. We are confident in Rhiannon’s ability to maintain a stable and effective organisation while the Board continues to work on a few key priority areas in order to fulfil our vision: “We develop Local Government people”. If you have any questions or concerns during this transition process, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Best wishes, Paul Sutton President
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September 2020 Edition 108
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A word from the CEO
This is my last article for Leaders Connect as I move on to my next chapter. I leave LG Professionals SA with immense gratitude for having had such a rewarding role for over a decade. I have witnessed the amazing and humble work you do for our communities and the spirit of sharing and support you have for one another. I have celebrated with you at Awards nights, and watched you learn and grow at dozens of learning events and programs across the years. To all the Presidents, Boards, Network Chairs and Committees I have had the privilege of serving, I thank you so much for all you have taught me and for your confidence in me. To our corporate partners and sponsors, I commend and thank you for the role you have played in developing the sector's people through your invaluable support of the Association. To the staff, you are all incredibly skilled and passionate about what you do and I leave knowing our members are in capable hands. To all of you, I hope our paths cross again and with happy and successful local careers and good health.
Taryn
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Special General Meeting A Special General Meeting will be called for the purpose of changing the constitution. Date: Monday 19 October 2020
Time: 10:00 AM (via Zoom)
Followed by Prospective Board Member Information Session
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Annual General Meeting Date: Thursday 19 November 2020 Time: 4:00 PM* (in person or via Zoom, depending on restrictions*) *time and location are subject to change and final details will be included in the Official Notice of AGM Please keep an eye on your emails for more information.
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Scholarships for women affected by COVID
Have you applied for a career-enhancing scholarship in South Australia yet?
Thanks to the Australian Government funding through the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Office for Women, LG Professionals SA are pleased to be able to offer two scholarships to the value of $1500 each. These can be used towards the registration fee for either the Strategic Management Program or the Executive Leaders Program.
Applications close Friday 9 October.
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20th Annual Leadership Excellence Awards
Nominations will be opening soon for our 20th Annual Leadership Excellence Awards Program. Please remember, there is no project too small! We are looking forward to reading about all of the fantastic initiatives you have undertaken in the last 12 months.
Award Categories for 2021 will be:
- Emerging Leader of the Year
- Excellence in Cross Council Collaboration
- Community Partnerships and Collaboration
- Excellence in Local Economic Development
- Excellence in Environmental Leadership and Sustainability
- Leadership in Community Services and Development
- Excellence in People and Culture
- Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery
We are pleased to also introduce the following new categories for 2021:
- Excellence in Disaster Recovery / Emergency Response Management
- Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
- Excellence in Customer Service or Experience
Further information, including category eligibility and criteria will be released in the coming weeks.
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Upcoming Programs & Events
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This short course, spread across two convenient 2 hour virtual
sessions will provide you with the knowledge and skills to improve your time
management approach to your daily and weekly workload—work smarter, not harder!
You’ll dive into issues that are preventing you from reaching optimum
effectiveness and develop a range of techniques and strategies to better manage
your time and get more out of your day.
Program runs Wednesday 21 October and Wednesday 28 October via Zoom.
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IGNITE Program - Coming soon
The Ignite program is a leadership learning path for supervisors, team leaders and coordinators in local government. The program spans 12 program days, and is delivered over 11 months in a live virtual classroom. It has been designed to engage participants by regularly reflecting and debriefing on the local government challenges they face, and sharing strategies which have been successful or failed, all in the spirit of learning.
Registrations open soon
Program Commences Tuesday 2 February 2021
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Strategic Management Program - Registrations open
Developed in partnership with UniSA and local government experts, the Strategic Management Program (formerly known as the Professional Leaders Program) will help you build high-level leadership and management skills within a local government context, and learn the technical skills required to manage business functions and enhance innovation, strategic thinking, business acumen and operational excellence.
Program Commences
Monday 30 November 2020
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Executive Leaders Program - Registrations open
With a complex and continuously evolving sector, it is now more essential than ever that local government is prepared for the future. New services, new skills, local and global impacts and the ever-changing digital landscape have fundamentally changed expectations of both the nature and delivery of services.
This program is for accomplished Executives (Chief Executive Officers, Directors and General Managers and other Senior Leaders) in regional and metropolitan councils and subsidiaries who are seeking to expand their thinking and leadership impact.
Program Commences
Tuesday 2 February 2021
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We caught up with one of this year’s Emerging Leaders Program cohort, Nick Noack, Operations Business Manager at District Council of Yankalilla to find out how he's finding the program so far.
What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?
A few years ago, I was fortunate
enough to participate in the Management Challenge. I got a lot out of the
program and it sparked an interest in career development and progression. One
of the things that really resonated with myself was a lot of the CEOs and
Executives that spoke, and I have since spoken to, participated in the Emerging
Leaders Program. It was these conversations which lead me to look further into
the program and decide to participate after seeing the value they gain from it.
The most recent module focused on 'A Rural Perspective' – what were some of takeaways from this module?
I enjoyed the Rural
Perspective Module. It was really interesting to learn how sporting hubs and
community groups were so integral to sustainability of rural communities. With
these facilities and groups being a key indicator to the health of a community
and the impacts rural communities are experiencing with reducing populations.
My biggest takeaway for the day was around attracting industry to the rural
areas. It wasn’t necessary attracting the industry but attracting a workforce
skilled enough to support industry and growth. How the shortage of skilled
workers, professionals and executives in the regions inhibits industry growth,
with businesses struggling to recruit the right people with the skill set for
the job. The flow on effects then impacts economic growth and exacerbates the
decline of population in the regions as people move to find work.
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What are you most looking forward to as the program progresses?
This year’s program, as with the
rest of the nation, has been impacted by the Covid-19 Restrictions. We have had
to undertake some of the modules via Zoom to meet with social distancing
requirements. While this has been a valuable experience presenting
opportunities such as how we meet each other for group work, and should be a part
of the program going forward. With restrictions beginning to lift it will give
the emerging leaders cohort a chance to meet face to face and engage with our
peers in person. So as the program progresses, in addition to the content, I am
looking forward to building on the networking opportunities going forward.
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New Members Welcome to all of our 143 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.
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Industry Trends
The Psychology of Leading in Uncertain Times
From global boardrooms to small start-ups, right now there is a demand across all workplaces for level-headedness, empathy, and effective leadership. Are there causes for concern? Absolutely. From hitting numbers, to juggling family responsibilities, and the economic outlook, more burning questions keep emerging every day. Read more...
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Like the rest of the local government sector the COVID pandemic created an uncertain period for the LGFA. During the height of the crisis the LGFA strived to ensure that the services we provide to the sector continued with little or no impact to them.
In early February the new LGFA CEO, Davin Lambert, gave staff the ability to work from home. This new work life balance initiative also had the added benefit of providing the LGFA with a strong business continuity strategy.
When the State Government announced social distancing measures to curb the spread of the virus the LGFA was well placed to offer a seamless transition for our clients as all the technology, equipment and processes were already in place to do so.
In early May, the LGA wrote to the LGFA and asked if we could provide assistance to the sector during and after the COVID emergency. The LGFA Board workshopped a number of different support options and in the end decided to offer higher rates on at call deposits and discounted loan facilities over a three-year term which is available to the sector until 31 December 2020.
If you wish to know more about the support package please go to our website www.lgfa.com.au or call us on 8223 1550.
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Movers and Shakers
Victoria MacKirdy has been appointed National President of LG Professionals Australia.
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Network News
Whilst our networks may not currently be able to meet in person, that certainly hasn't stopped the information sharing, support and connections being made.
Below you will find all of the 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
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Continuous Improvement Network Informal Catch Up
Friday 9 October
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Virtual (via Zoom)
For Network Members Only - contact Tahlia for more details.
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People and Culture Network Forum: Lessons Learnt from 2020 Thursday 15 October
9:15 AM - 12:15 PM Virtual (via Zoom)
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Women's Network Forum: Becoming Self Aware with Self Care Thursday 23 October
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Virtual (via Zoom)
This event is now at capacity.
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Community Managers Network
Committee Meeting
Friday 6 November
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Virtual (via Zoom)
All network members welcome!
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CEO Network Forum: In Conversation with the Minister
Friday 6 November
10:30 AM - 3:15 PM
The Gallery, 30 Waymouth Street
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LG Professionals SA Sponsorship and Corporate Partnership
Do you work for or know an organisation who would be interested in sponsoring LG Professionals SA? If so, please contact Rhiannon at rhiannon@lgprofessionalssa.org.au to pass on their details.
As a not for profit association, LG Professionals SA rely on the support of sponsors to be able to continue to deliver the range of high quality events and professional development programs that we are known for.
Partnering with sponsors also creates opportunities for our members to learn, build relationships and receive best value.
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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.
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