mySalvos

Things to Know

The Tidds reflect on their time in Australia as they prepare to go back home

Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd spoke at length with Assistant Editor-in-Chief Scott Simpson about the highs and lows of their experience in Australia and the ways that it has strengthened their faith. Sit back and enjoy this 30 minute video.

Eva Burrows College’s new video

Eva Burrows College is The Salvation Army's education and learning centre in Australia. They bring decades of frontline experience in social work, community and people services, ministry and mission, and integrate it with the Army’s expertise in education. Watch their new video featuring Major Deborah Robinson, Head of College, to find out more.

Red Shield Appeal Update

The Red Shield Appeal Weekend Tally peaked at $4.33m and volunteers will continue collecting to reach the target of $8m grassroots campaign.  This amount contributes to our national overall goal of $79m.

“We had 50,000 volunteers actively campaigning for us and I want to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the Red Shield Appeal.  Despite our challenges over the last 12 months, it’s so encouraging and reaffirming to be in touch with our supporters and hear stories of transformation,” Lt Colonel Neil Venables, Secretary for Communications said.

Major Bruce Harmer, Public Relations Secretary for Victoria was collecting at an intersection in Melbourne on Sunday when he was approached by a woman who had completed the residential Bridge Program three years ago, when Major Harmer was manager of the service in Sydney. 

“You probably don’t remember me,” she said to him and talked about the role the Salvos had played in her recovery.  She expressed her appreciation and deep gratitude for The Salvation Army who had helped to turn her life around. “She proudly introduced her young son and husband to me and it was clear that her life had been transformed.”

“It’s stories like these that keep us motivated to fundraise because the money continues to help more people like her,” said Major Harmer.

The Red Shield Appeal received substantial media coverage, including being featured on Today Extra, Sunrise, Alan Jones, The Morning Show and ABC news.  Watch the video from Studio 10’s interview with Majors Beth and David Twivey here.

After the Election

• For the first time, The Salvation Army actively campaigned in the lead up to the recent Federal Election to bring about greater equality and fight injustice by highlighting issues of poverty, homelessness, family violence, alcohol and other drugs and employment with the Make Your Vote Count campaign website.  Thank you to everyone who took part in the campaign - the website was visited over 5,500 times and a number of our key issues became important discussion points in the election. 

• Now that the government and new Cabinet are settling, The Salvation Army is working to deliver on our strategic imperative of Strengthen the Army’s Voice on National Issues, by making immediate connections with Ministers, their staff and Departments. Through these connections The Salvation Army will continue to work collaboratively with government to address hardship and injustice.

Accessing Printing – THQ Blackburn

• The print room formerly at THQ Blackburn has closed and will not reopen.
• The Procurement Team is currently looking at preferred suppliers for all printing requirements nationally and more information will be provided.  Until that time, people are encouraged to use existing external suppliers.

Things to Do

Prayers available for National Reconciliation Week, 27 May – 3 June 2019

As part of The Salvation Army commitment to the process of reconciliation with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, Divisional and Territorial Leaders have written prayers for each of the eight days. 
The prayers are available on MySalvos Toolkit for all corps and other mission expressions and can be shared on social media.
 
Further information

• Watch this one minute animation to learn more about spiritual and social justice underpinnings of National Reconciliation Week
• Contact Shirli Congoo, GM Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministry, email shirli.congoo@aue.salvationarmy.org

Our People Count - Territorial Requirement for Volunteer Records

As announced by Chief Secretary, Colonel Mark Campbell Our People Count is a new territorial requirement which will be facilitated and supported by the Volunteer Resources team. This initiative is focussed on collecting and centrally storing information on our ongoing volunteer workforce in NSW, ACT & Queensland.

Managers of volunteers in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia will be required to continue current practices.

Reasons for Our People Count

The main reasons for Our People Count are to

• Inform Managers of Volunteers of their key legal responsibilities and assist them to meet these requirements
• Smooth the transition to Salvos Workday, the national system where all TSA workforce records will be managed from 2020

Other key benefits are to

• Connect directly with Managers of Volunteers to understand their objectives and to provide direct ongoing support
• Create an understanding of volunteer involvement across TSA for planning, reporting and funding applications

Volunteers not in scope for Our People Count

 The following volunteers are not in scope for Our People Count

• Red Shield Appeal volunteers
• Short-term/event volunteers
• Salvos Stores volunteers
• Aged Care Plus volunteers
• Salvos Legal volunteers

Implementation Approach

The Volunteer Resources team will facilitate and support Our People Count. It will be implemented in in two phases:

• Phase 1 - May - July 2019 - Community engagement, social mission and non-corps mission expressions
• Phase 2 - July - September 2019 -  Corps-based expressions

What Managers of Volunteers need to do

Managers of volunteers in Community Engagement, Social Mission and non-corps mission expressions should have received the Volunteer Registration Record spreadsheet. If not, they should contact the Volunteer Resources team.

It doesn't matter what level of records are currently maintained - complete volunteer records or no records, the Volunteer Resources team will actively support Managers of Volunteers to fulfil the requirement of Our People Count.

Further Information

• Read the Our People Count Fact Sheet
• Email queries to the Our People Count team at volsystem@aue.salvationarmy.org or phone (02) 9466 3181 

For the Calendar

• Chapel services for Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd 

Thursday 13 June 2019, Blackburn THQ
Friday 14 June 2019,  Redfern THQ

• Farewell and Salute Reception for Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd

Sunday 16 June 2019
614 Corps, 69 Bourke Street, Melbourne

3.00pm for an informal reception with light refreshments      and featuring Salvos Big Band, Waverley Timbrels, Just        Brass ensemble and soloist Luke Inglis

4.00pm for Farewell Salute to formally express the              Territory’s thanksgiving to God and appreciation for their      leadership

All invited and no need to rsvp

• Chapel to introduce and welcome our new leaders, Commissioners Janine and Robert Donaldson

Thursday 4 July 2019, Blackburn THQ
Thursday 11 July 2019, Redfern THQ

• Welcome and Installation of the new Territorial Leaders, Commissioners Janine and Robert Donaldson

Sunday 14 July 2019  (Further details to come)