Digibiz does it for me

Dear Networkers, 

Yesterday got off to a marvellous start.  I attended a 7.30am event - Social Media B31Masterclass - organised by the wealth and experience embodied in Geraldine Carr-Macfie.

And Masterclass it was indeed!  I am sure we could have heard more and asked more questions but social media, how to use it, and understand it was well covered by some very talented presenters which included Dr Helen Thompson [Director, Centre for eCommerce and Communications (CeCC)], Erin McCluskey [Creative Director of Yum Studio], Jordan McPhan [Director of JRM Social, DigiBiz’s young and dynamic eMarketing consultant], and Noelene Gration [Director of Ascend Public Relations& Communications].

I have come home with a more detailed understanding of social media, its marketing utilization, and the length of its reach.

One thing I was pleased to note.  I don't mean to be sexist or female chauvinist with these remarks - but I think it is worth a comment.  Two-thirds of the packed conference room were female.  I counted them.  The presenters were all female.  

For me, this was noteworthy because I come from a generation of women who had to fight men for the computer/s.  In fact, computers cost many women their jobs and downgraded some very important administrative skills for which many people to-day still have regard but the particular skills are almost non-existent.  Men had never shown a territorial interest in typewriters - manual, electric, golf-ball, memory - but when computers came on the scene so many men used to think they had a divine right to computers.  

Is this female dominance a peculiarity of social media?  I don't know  - but figures are quoted about the number of older females who use Facebook. 

Women, in the main, are social creatures and good communicators; good at articulation and verbalization.  Perhaps, social media is a natural fit - even for the busiest of women.  Perhaps, we have found our niche with Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest and...

But how best to use this media? Can we use it constructively? Can we generate income? Yesterday proved the point for me.  Social media is a new world - a new world which brings a similar impact to Christopher Columbus discovering the world was round with the discovery of the Americas.  Human communication has reached a new level.  It is no longer flat and limited and its extent bounded by a sign saying "Here be dragons!".  Communication is now curved, extensive, and - so it seems - boundless as it criss-crosses the known universe on earth and in space.  

And if, perchance, you think I exaggerate. I don't. Dr Helen Thompson showed us the new ways we can look at our world, our continent when she displayed for us UB Spatial. Prowl around this site and you will see what I mean.

Postscript:  This marvellous free seminar was made possible the Australian Government and it provides for our government a means of promoting the NBN and getting Australians ready to make the best use of this first-class service. Please get on the Digibiz mailing list so you too can participate in this free training.

As I finished this post, an email popped into my GMail from Gerrie which Networkers might find useful ~~~~~~~~

Greetings DigiBiz friends,

Thank-You

Your participation in the DigiBiz B31 Social Media MasterClass this morning invigorated this learning opportunity.  We hope that you also enjoyed sharing information and hearing tips from our Panel of Experts- the wonderful Erin, Jordan and Noelene.

Please find attached our DigiBiz ‘Internet Use Policy’ and ‘Social Media Policy’ templates to assist you in creating a policy for use in your business.  Our ‘DigiBiz Social Media Tips Sheet’ will be published online over coming days.

Register now for more DigiBiz:

‘Social Media Mentoring’ is now advertised on the DigiBiz website and is open for registrations:http://www.digibiz.net.au/cb_pages/register_for_mentoring.php

OR

If you need help with the basics of Social Media / want to explore any of our other topics- browse our site for Workshops and register:  www.digibiz.net.au

OR

Contact us to tell us what new Digital Enterprise topics we could introduce. If the demand is there we can respond and tailor workshops to industry needs. We will continue to advise you of new initiatives through Social Media and on our website.  DigiBiz Updates will be forwarded via email.

Breaking News:

An updated version of Eric Qualman’s ‘Social Media Revolution’ has been released: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXD-Uqx6_Wk

The statistics are astonishing but at Digibiz we miss the ‘punchy’ music of old.  We encourage you to go onto Twitter or facebook and tell us what you think.

We welcome your input and feedback as we continue to build Digital Enterprise capabilities in businesses and across the Central Highlands community.

Kind regards,

Hayley  &   Gerrie

Digital Enterprise Centre for eCommerce and Communications, University of Ballarat

Ph:  03 5327 6437

Email:    h.collins@ballarat.edu.au  

                 g.carr-macfie@ballarat.edu.au

Ballarat rallies to stop TAFE cuts next Tuesday 21 May 12 noon - Ballarat School of Mines, Lydiard Street

Please help the Ballarat community to stop cuts to its TAFE.
We want, need you all there.
Ballarat students, people, businesses, community needs TAFE.

Ballarat needs a wide range of 
TAFE courses available to everyone.

TAFE can be the beginning of a new life or an embarkation on adult life.
Don't deny, by your absence at the rally, this important education.

Please be at the University of Ballarat School of Mines Campus
Lydiard Street, Ballarat
Tuesday 21 May at 12pm.

If you would like to have an A3 poster emailed to you,
please email me at
misseaglesnetwork@gmail.com

SAVE TAFES FROM TED'S CUTS - Actions continue to build across Victoria

On Thursday, a group of Ballarat People travelled to Melbourne for the Rally to save TAFEs in Victoria.  A number of us are on the Save TAFE Ballarat Committee - and that includes Miss Eagle.  We massed outside the State Library in Swanston Street, moved along Swanston Street and up Bourke Street to Spring Street which brought us out directly in front of Parliament House.

For those who don't do rallies and demos in Melbourne, I must tell you what a wonderful venue Parliament House is for such events.  It has tiers of broad steps.  Sometimes people are on the steps, sometimes - especially when there are thousands as ours were - the whole intersection is closed off.  The design of the steps gives our friendly police somewhere to line themselves to prevent enthusiasts from dashing up the remaining steps to storm Parliament itself.  Conversely, the steps are great because friendly, supportive pollies can come out to greet us and support us.  You will see photos of them carrying their placards at the very top of the steps ... where the rest of us weren't.  I think perhaps a parliamentary venue being designed at this point in history might not be designed in such an accommodating way for protest!

TAFE staff and students rally in protest of Baillieu Government funding cuts

Two comments on this report - 

1. it ignores that community people such as me were present; people who have no connection with TAFE except that we are supporters and don't want them destroyed.
2. It puts the numbers at hundreds.  This is a vast underestimation.  I believe there were in excess of 1,000 people with a possibility of getting on or close to 2,000. Some have estimated 4,000 which could be possible.  And some enthusiasts have said 6,000 - but I suspect not.  

Angry protests as Baillieu defends TAFE cuts in times of uncertainty

Baillieu risks backlash on TAFE cuts 

TAKE IT TO TED - FIGHT THE TAFE CUTS

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Campaign continues....

On September 6, the Victorian Parliament is spreading itself around Central Victoria.  It is not just visiting but actually holding sittings in Bendigo and Ballarat.  Bendigo is playing host to the Upper House - the Legislative Council of Victoria.  Meanwhile, the Legislative Assembly is coming to Ballarat. 

The Ballarat SAVE TAFE committee intends to ensure a warm, warm welcome for our State legislators and defunders of youth and further education.  Details of the Ballarat Sittings are on the link above - including bus timetables from Ballarat Railway Station to the Mount Helen campus of the University of Ballarat.  The rally is scheduled for Thursday 6 September at 1pm at the Mount Helen campus.  

To be confirmed:

Could Networkers please provide advice of what is planned for Bendigo?

We had people at a wonderful public meeting held recently in Geelong. If Networkers in Geelong see this post, could you please advise what is happening in your area?

I believe, but have yet to re-confirm, that two Save TAFE campaign shuttle buses will be running a continuous loop to and from the Ballarat city centre.  There will be two locations for departure from the city.

Any information you may have on meetings, actions, protests in regional Victoria could Networkers please email misseaglesnetwork(at)gmail(dot)com 

Join the campaign to Save TAFEs:

TAFE 4 ALL

TAFE cuts Ballarat

Save our TAFE community action group - Gippsland

Thousands protest TAFE cutbacks - Bendigo Advertiser

Save TAFE - save The Gordon

 REMEMBER -

TAKE IT TO TED!!!

Related articles

• TAKE IT TO TED: Join the campaign wherever you are in Victoria to save TAFEs.
• Will this coalition survive?
• Staff, students to protest TAFE cuts
• Vic govt must support TAFE sector: Evans
• Victorian TAFE cuts will suffocate state's productivity
• Thousands protest against Vic TAFE cuts
• Vic's Swinburne to close campus, cut jobs

Aboriginal Affairs Victoria - Governance Training 3 Day Workshop

Aboriginal Affairs Victoria

Governance Training 3 day WORKSHOP

AAV are pleased to announce the next Governance Training Workshop to takeplace in Melbourne from 30 Nov to 2 Dec 2010in partnership with Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) and The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC).

The 3-Day Governance Training workshops are specifically tailored towards board members and senior staff of Indigenous community organisations and LIN's.  A number of governance issues and topics are covered in the  3-day workshop including:

•   board member roles and responsibilities
•   identifying conflicts of interest
•   understanding your legal obligations
•   effective board meetings
•   understanding your constitution / rules

All training, travel, meals and accommodation (if required) are fully sponsored by AAV.
To apply, complete the nomination form attached (see below for brochure and form) and return to AAV before November 16.

Please note, 

places cannot be reserved without a written nominations 

due to the high demand for places.

Once nominations are received 

AAV will make contact with individuals to confirm places.

For more information contact 

Marita Schlager - Community Agent on:

9208-3252 or

email:   AAV.Governance@dpcd.vic.gov.au

Thank you for your continual support and promotion of the Governance

Training Program - we look forward to seeing you at the next workshop.

Cheers, Marita and Gavin

Gavin Somers

Senior Policy Officer

Aboriginal Affairs Victoria

Department of Planning and Community Development

Ph: (03) 9208-3253