First Nations Reference Group EOI

Express your interest

First Nations individuals and First Nations-led organisations have contributed valuable resources and materials to Understorey to date. Understorey is a digital commons: an online resource available to all, and shaped by all who choose to take part. It is a place to learn and exchange about social enterprise. It’s also a place to navigate the sector. It does this to help social enterprises thrive and contribute to a better future.

This group will play a crucial role in guiding and shaping content on Understorey, ensuring it remains relevant, respectful, and continues to evolve meaningfully.

If you are interested in joining, review the Key Information section below and apply by completing this EOI. We are seeking EOIs from First Nations people with expertise related to social enterprise. Applications close on Tuesday, 22 October 2024, and we aim to appoint members by Monday, 4 November 2024.

Key information

Overview

SEDI is the Social Enterprise Development Initiative - an initiative of the Australian Government. SEDI education and mentoring will grow participation and capability in the Australian social enterprise sector. It will do this to help the social enterprise sector contribute to a better future. Social Enterprise Australia is the SEDI Education and Mentoring Coordinator. It will:

• Commission learning and peer mentoring communities,
• Curate leading practice materials, tools, or training modules, or commission new ones where gaps exist,
• Point to and bring these elements together in one site online - Understorey - and help people navigate the sector, and
• Ensure sector input and ideas inform Understorey’s development. This will include rural and regional, First Nations, and culturally and linguistically marginalised voices.

Understorey will host, point to, and integrate with a range of quality resources about social enterprise.

Social Enterprise Australia will not re-invent what exists and works well to meet sector needs. It will identify and fill key gaps.

Purpose

A First Nations Reference Group will be established to provide guidance to Social Enterprise Australia in its efforts to develop and curate relevant First-Nations related information and educational resources for the Australian social enterprise sector ("the Sector"), as part of the SEDI Education and Mentoring Coordinator program ("the Program").

Objectives

• Review and advise on information and education components of SEDI and its support of learning communities, including specific content.
• Help source materials and provide insight on resource gaps.
• Help identify knowledge and practice gaps experienced by social enterprises.

Membership 

• The group will have 4 members representing diverse expertise, experience, and perspectives relevant to social enterprise.
• Members will have experience working with social enterprises and be equipped to provide expert/informed reviews of Sector-based information and educational resources.
• Members will serve an initial term of one year, with the possibility of renewal or extension based on mutual agreement.
• Members will be asked to sign an agreement/letter of engagement with SEA covering the scope and terms of their roles, ways of working, code of conduct, and contracting terms.
• Membership will not restrict Members or associated entities from tendering for other Program-related contracts/services.
• Membership will be published on the Understorey website.

Meetings and engagement 

The group will meet regularly (the frequency is to be determined), with additional meetings convened on an 'as-needed basis'. The kickoff meeting will provide a space for the group to develop their terms of reference and decide on what engagement best looks like moving forward. 

• Meetings will be held virtually, with agendas and supporting materials circulated in advance.
• SEA will provide relevant support to all meetings.
• Minutes will be taken and circulated to members following each meeting.

While approvals are not delegated to the groups, a record of Members' support and dissent with respect to proposals and recommendations will be maintained.

Members will provide lived experiences and guide the Program in a way that is driven by community. Members will be asked to provide 12 hours of their time to support the Program per year. Members will be offered a fee of $3,300 per year, including GST (or $3,000 GST exclusive), paid in half-year instalments in advance.

To apply, please complete this form.

If you have any questions, please send an email to christina@socialenterpriseaustralia.org.au.

Last updated: Friday 11 October 2024