Making Change - Strategic Uplift Program

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The Making Change Strategic Uplift Program offers leaders of creative groups, collectives and organisations the opportunity to undertake deep strategic change as part of a community of practice.

This program will provide you with the opportunity to think strategically and plan purposefully – whether that is a specific project, programming for the next 12 months or to help develop your ‘plan on a page’.

The program is designed to simplify the planning process for existing organisations grappling with critical challenges, sustainability, ongoing support and accountability, or to help new organisations and collectives start off on the right foot. 


Key dates

  • Expressions of Interest (EOI) open: Mid-July 2024
  • EOI close: 30 July 2024
  • Selection by panel and notification: 7 August 2024
  • Program begins – first meeting: by end of August 2024
  • Program ends: March 2025
  • Submissions to be made via email to Evelyn Whitelaw at ewhitelaw@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

The intended outcomes of the program are to:

  • Deliver tailored strategic advice to key organisations, groups or collectives
  • Improve the sustainability of these organisations and enable them to access new opportunities
  • Enhance the strategic and leadership skills of those leading those organisations
  • Develop a community of practice across the region.


For this pilot program, one organisation from each LGA (Local Government Area) will be selected through this EOI process to participate in the following:

  • Two half day (or one full day) strategic planning sessions with Future Tense and Regional Arts Victoria producing nine month action plans
  • An in-person gathering for all participants to meet and share their specific goals, challenges and plans of action
  • Monthly online group check-ins where each organisation shares achievements, challenges, and discusses next steps
  • A final in-person gathering to share achievements and celebrate successes and learnings.


Organisations/groups/collectives will be selected for this pilot based broadly on the following criteria:

  • Readiness
  • Need for strategic uplift
  • The group constitutes a leading or important creative connector for their community.

 

Q&A

Who is this program for?

Key creative organisations, groups or collectives who operate within the Surf Coast Shire Council. This can be a not-for-profit organisation, a for-profit business, or a collective.

What are the dates of this program?

This program will start with a meeting in late August 2024 and conclude in March 2024

Does it matter how long we have been operating?

No, this program is suitable for brand new collectives as well as groups/organisations who have been operating for years.

How many people are selected for this program?

Only one organisation, group or collective per LGA (Local Government Area). This is a pilot program, so it may run again in the future.

Do I need to apply for the development of a strategic plan or can it be for a specific project?

No, you can apply for strategic advice on a specific project or organisational strategic plan.

Can everyone in my group/organisation attend the session?

This program is intended for the leaders/leadership group in your organisation/collective.