Tuesday 18th October
Well,what a night for all the wrong reasons. Jet Lag has kicked in for many of the team with some being awake from 2am, myself from 4am. a hearty breakfast was no substitute for lack of sleep.
Today we spent the day discovering the Corporate workings of YMCA Victoria at the Copropate Office. We arrived there at 9.15am and were met by Ang and Lyndsay of Victoria YMCA. We introduced ourselves to the team and talked about our work in the UK.
One of the things which Greg mentioned was the purchase of a Private Swim School and how they have maintained the brand of the school which contributes to the possibility of a 'House of Brands' in the future. The school provides swimming lessons and preventing drowning.(King Swim).
Ang presented on "welcome to the Y" a presentation for new members of staff. strong acknowledgment of the country which is an understanding of the heritage of indigenous people.
Y Victoria has 7 health clubs, childcare and holiday programmes, skateparks, swimming pools with a strong focus on community. "communities are better because we are in it".
Y Victoria impact: 160 locations with 6500 staff and 1500 volunteers.
The mission of YMCA Victoria is in three focus areas in Australia, Healthy Living, empowering young people and social impact.
Healthy Living: health and fitness, aquatics, camps
Empowering young people: advocacy, education,
Social Impact: global work, evidence based work,
Y Victoria does not own much of its real estate. it is leased via the Government or others.
Cinzia, Group Manager for engagement was the next to present to us. Her responsibility is for marketing, communicationss, engagement, brand, fundraising and digital.
She talked about their Father's Day fun run and brand campaign. A public facing event built on the fact that the YMCA invented Father's Day. It was promoted through camps, gyms, local media connecting staff to the event, building the experience on the day. A YMCA village on the day promoted the variety of services provided by the YMCA.
We then had a presentation from Greg Jennings - Acting CEO.
he focused on Mission Alignment - developing areas in childcare and camps.
One of the things which Greg mentioned was the purchase of a Private Swim School and how they have maintained the brand of the school which contributes to the possibility of a 'House of Brands' in the future. The school provides swimming lessons and preventing drowning.(King Swim).
Consideration is being given to whether the YMCA should brand some of their programmes differently to meet the programme users expectations.
Gerard Bolger - Corporate Planning and Performance
Gerard spoke about YMCA = business as usual + new work - stop doing stuff to do the new.
In relation to this he stated that they are always looking at doing more new things but when they ask what will we stop doing to facilitate new things if was difficult to identify areas of work they would stop doing.
In relation to this he stated that they are always looking at doing more new things but when they ask what will we stop doing to facilitate new things if was difficult to identify areas of work they would stop doing.
Bringing teams together to plan projects and then dispersing once it is launched.
We also heard from Lexi on the use of ITC in large organisations and the HR function challenges of running large organisations.
So a long first day but lots of learning for all of us from the UK.
Early night for most and a hope of a good nights sleep.
Extra large Brandy mixed with Port Malcolm, that should do the job.
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