Council AGENDA

Urgent Business

Wednesday 9 March 2016

Commencing 7 pm

Council Chamber, Moreland Civic Centre, 90 Bell Street, Coburg

Urgent Business Council Meeting9 March 20161

1.Urgent Reports

DCS11/16Sponsorship Request - Rotary Club Of Coburg Cultural Diversity Week Celebration (D16/73341) 3

Urgent Business Council Meeting9 March 20161

DCS11/16Sponsorship Request - Rotary Club Of Coburg Cultural Diversity Week Celebration (D16/73341)

Director Corporate Services

Governance

Executive Summary

The Rotary Club of Coburg is holding an event on 23 March 2016 at the Harry Atkinson Arts and Craft Centre to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day (CDWHD). The aim of the event is to bring the Rotary community closer to the multicultural communities within Moreland and further understand each other’s culture and celebrate the diversity within the municipality.

The Rotary Club of Coburg is seeking sponsorship of $1000 from Council to assist with covering the costs for catering of cultural food and other logistical costs such as hiring a sound system, cutlery and others materials.

The Club sought funding via Council's Quick Response Grant and the event did not meet the criteria, nor did it meet the criteria for funding through the Celebrating Grants Program. The Club was then offered to apply for a Membership Activity Grant, however did not take up this offer as they were advised by officers that they would be unlikely to qualify as a certain percentage of their members did not reside in Moreland.

This application has now been assessed under Council's Sponsorship and Donation Guidelines (DCS33-CL). The recommendation below is based on the assessment of the application against the criteria. Given that this is a newly adopted policy, Council has the opportunity to consider the outcomes for this example.

Recommendation
Council resolve to advise the Rotary Club of Coburg that they are ineligible for sponsorship of $1000 to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day as their application does not meet the criteria under Council's Sponsorship and Donation Guidelines.

REPORT

1.Policy Context

This request for sponsorship has been assessed against the criteria set out in Council's Sponsorship and Donation Guidelines (DCS33-CL).

2.Background

The Rotary Club of Coburg is holding a lunch to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day (CDWHD). It aims to raise awareness about the CDWHD with Rotary Clubs by celebrating diversity. The theme of the event is ‘Our Diversity is our Strength’. The program will bring diverse ethnic communities from Moreland and beyond together, develop better understanding between rotary members and others.

The Club sought funding of $1000 from Council through its Quick Response Grant and Celebrating Grants Programme, however the event did not meet the required criteria.

3.Issues

The Rotary Club of Coburg believe that there is a perception in the community that Rotary Clubs are traditionally of mainstream composition. It is hoping that with the support of Council it can send the message of social inclusion; educate the Rotarians and the local community that we all belong to one community and diversity is the way of life in Moreland and Victoria. This event is also hoping to send the message that we are no more “us and them” but we all are “us” and we all are “them”.

The program for the event is:

The Chairperson, Ms Helen Kapalos VMC, will deliver a keynote address focusing importance of multiculturalism and diversity and how Victoria has transformed from celebrating diversity to embracing diversity.

Rotary Club will talk about the local work in Moreland and how the club looks to embrace diversity.

The interaction program will provide opportunities for Rotarians, faith and community leaders to understand each other’s perception and develop working relations.

Various local leaders, community members and faith leaders from different areas are invited.

The application for $1000 sponsorship of the event has been assessed against Council's Sponsorship and Donation Guidelines. Any application is assessed against the following criteria:

Directly benefits the Moreland community,

The proposal maximises community benefit,

Addresses the needs of the community,

Aligns with Council initiatives; or

Support a humanitarian relief effort.

To apply for a donation or sponsorship organisations must:

Be not-for-profit and managed by a volunteer board/committee of management.

Have no outstanding debts owing to Council.

Propose an initiative which will benefit the Moreland Community.

Although the Rotary Club of Coburg meets all of the above criteria they are ineligible for funding because the funds sought are being used for operational costs i.e.: catering and hire of equipment.

Human Rights Consideration

The implications of this report have been assessed in accordance with the requirements of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.

4.Consultation

Officers in Arts and Culture, Youth Services and Governance were consulted in the preparation of this report.

5.Officer Declaration of Conflict of Interest

Council Officers involved in the preparation of this report have no Conflict of Interest in this matter.

6.Financial and Resources Implications

The $1000 sought is to be used to fund lunch for 50 guests (entree, main, dessert) at $25/head (excluding the 20 Rotary members). If funding were to be granted, this sponsorship would be funded from the Mayor and Councillors budget.

7.Implementation

Officers will advise the Rotary Club of Coburg of Council's decision.

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

Urgent Business Council Meeting9 March 20161