Staff Matters March 22, 2019 Issue 197 Week 38
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF
STRATEGICALLY PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Last weekend, Afford’s Board and Executive Team gathered together in Afford’s QLD South District for our Annual Strategic Planning Conference. Afford’s Board of Directors, Ross Fowler, Alan Travers, Mario Bellantonio, Mike Allen, Cliff Haynes and Eva Ballai, and Executive Team Steven Herald, Casey Hailes, Stephanie Forsyth, Rosie Barletta, Gordon Griff and Christina Emmanouel, along with QLD South District Manager, Allan Sio, spent the weekend laying a strong plan for Afford’s direction over the next 12 months. Afford is very grateful for the support and guidance of the Board, who generously volunteer their time and expertise to fulfil the mission of Afford.
In This Issue 1
This shows that there is significant room for Afford to grow in these markets and our Executive Team used this Strategic Planning weekend to nut out all the opportunities available to bring more person-centred disability supports to Australians.
Joke of The Week
2
Afford's History In Print
3
New Adventures And Opportunites For Maureen
Your Guide To Saving On Easter Goodies
New Appointments
The Annual Conference is essential in ensuring that Afford, as an organisation, moves forward and remains relevant in supporting our clients, families and carers as Australia’s leading disability service provider. In NSW, disability supports is estimated to grow from 78,000 people in 2016 to 142,000 in 2019, with similar figures expected for the Victorian market. In QLD, Beenleigh, Brisbane and Caboolture/Strathpine service regions are expected to experience the largest growth in the number of people receiving supports.
Strategically Planning For The Future
4
Youth Love Our QLD South Club Afford! Upcoming Events Selfies of The Week
The central goal for Afford’s 2018-21 Strategic Plan is to become a Tier One service provider that provides $150m worth of support nationally, under four key pillars: 1. Grow quality customer support 2. Build capability to improve financial security and support future growth 3. Leverage disability and community networks to offer a broader range of services 4. Create a workforce and workplace culture that drives success Each state was analysed for opportunities for growth and areas where we can improve on service offerings. With a strong financial position, Afford is fortunate to have resources to be able to re-invest in new facilities to offer more services in more regions across Australia's eastern states. In addition to talking about how businesses are performing within our organisation, discussion also focussed on our strong and unique culture. Over the past few years, Afford's teams and tribes mentality has gone from strength to strength and it is this culture that confirms our success and market leadership. We are so pleased to be able to provide our employees a wealth of Employer of Choice offerings that create greater job and life satisfaction each and every day - a commitment which was strongly reaffirmed at the Strategic Conference. There were many positive initiatives actioned and plans put in place during the Strategic Planning Conference weekend, which all staff, clients a carers alike will se benefits from.
REMINDER
Don’t forget to send your clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to Marketing@afford.com.au
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Cassie Hicks POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Southport Hub - QLD South FAVOURITE SONG? Valentine by Casey Barnes FAVOURITE MOVIE? Lion King FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Fishing FAVOURITE FOODS? Gnocchi or chocolate IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Dolphin WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Moreton Island IF YOU HAD THE POWER WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Make basic needs more affordable IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Basic dog training SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I used to train racing horses
March 22, 2019 Issue 197
AFFORD'S HISTORY IN PRINT Afford's history, which spans more than 65 years, has been written, collated and professionally printed and bound as a stunning 213 page Afford History Book. The book itself is a showcase of all the major milestones and events in Afford's history. Engaging storytelling coupled with amazing images from today and years past truly paints a picture of all that Afford has accomplished throughout its history. Afford's vibrant and inspirational story of compassion, growth, cooperation and leadership has laid strong foundations from which the organisation has been able to prosper and deliver vital supports and services to those with disability in the community. Spanning more than six decades, Afford began as The Poliomyelitis Society in 1952 to support individuals and families affected by the epidemic of Poliomyelitis (polio) from the 1930s through to the 1960s. Through the ages Afford has progressed, adapted and grown to become a leader in disability services in Australia today under the NDIS. Thanks to creative design and content development from our Marketing team and detailed knowledge and insight for the written element of the book from our CEO, Steven Herald, Afford's History Book is a proud representation of where we started and what we have become. Be on the lookout for your email link to the History Book.
YOUR GUIDE TO SAVING ON EASTER GOODIES Easter is coming up and there's no better way to save on Easter goodies than by purchasing with Afford Rewards. The long weekend is coming, so it's the best time to take advantage of bargains and discounts through Afford Rewards. Pick up some yummy chocolate Easter eggs from Woolworths, Coles and more and use your Afford Rewards to save on your shop. Enjoy savings on a celebratory drink from Dan Murphy's, get outdoors with your new footy with discounts from Rebel, or spend the long weekend with a mate or loved one at Hoyts movies and buy tickets for just $11 through Afford Rewards! There's such a variety of retailers and businesses offering great bargains through Afford Rewards. Make sure you don't miss out! Access Afford Rewards via www.affordrewards.com.au or download the app on App Store or Google Play.
www.afford.com.au
March 22, 2019 Issue 197
Staff Matters NEW ADVENTURES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAUREEN
As an Employer of Choice, we make every effort to present staff with opportunities to develop their skills, grow as professionals and progress in their careers. With our expansion into Queensland and Victoria driving even further growth of our organisation, there are new and exciting options for all staff to consider. Through our Step Up Program, employees have the chance to challenge themselves and take on responsibility to enhance their skills set.
P EM
OF
LOYER
CHOICE
Maureen Brown is one of our Step Up success stories who has been a vital member of our amazing Human Resources team in our Minchinbury Head Office in New South Wales. Due to restructuring of the HR Department to separate ever growing Training and Recruitment, Maureen Brown has stepped up into the National Training and Engagement Manager role which will see her make the move to our Queensland office to join our QLD South team on the Gold Coast. Maureen has been with Afford for three years, joining in April 2016 as the Recruitment Coordinator. Within 12 months, she took on the training portfolio as well as being appointed Recruitment and Training Manager. Maureen built the internal recruitment team and has been responsible for a recruitment desk, conducting the induction / Orientation days across all states, and has also been responsible for PACES, Employer of Choice initiatives and organising bi-annual Staff Conferences and Client Free Weeks, among many other duties. It is a natural step for Maureen to move into the National Training and Engagement Manager position, where she will be building the profile of both training and engagement across the business. She is already in planning phase to introduce many new and exciting initiatives over the next few months. Maureen will still be visiting Head Office frequently when it comes to conducting NSW based inductions, as well as attending meetings and conferences throughout the year. "I am absolutely thrilled about this opportunity within Afford as it allows me to 'spread my Afford wings' and really give Training and Engagement a core focus. As we continue to grow, the need for training and engagement multiplies 10 times more!" Maureen commented. "I am determined to set up processes that will be the envy of any competitors, as well as continue to be 'THE company that everyone wants to work for' due to our ongoing and growing investment in training and professional development. I will also be introducing more engagement and rewards incentives for our fantastic staff who continue to go over and above every single day." "For those of you who know me, I love engaging with our staff, and there is no better platform than my new role. I hope to be able to deliver a more streamlined and proactive training model moving forward." If you are looking for brightness of future with Afford and you feel that you may be suited to join one of Afford's interstate teams, please contact the HR department at hr@afford.com.au.
New Appointments We would like to congratulate the following Affordians on their new appointment: • Kim Nguyen – Property Manager • Audrey Falvey – Interstate Team Leader, Allied Health • Tamara Dunn – Customer Care Manager, QLD South
• Donna Clarke – Customer Care Manager, QLD South • Kristy Mehrtens – Customer Care Manager, QLD South
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
March 22, 2019 Issue 197
YOUTH LOVE OUR GOLD COAST CLUB AFFORD We've launched a range of new services across borders this month, with a special Club Afford coordinated for youth on the Gold Coast. The Saturday program has been modelled on the already established Club Afford that has been run across Sydney for several years now, but the Gold Coast program is geared more towards allowing young adults, aged between 12 and 18 years, to get together to explore their local community. The first event was held on 9 March with Afford staff welcoming new members, Caleb and Connor. The duo met for the first time at our Club Afford event and travelled together to Burleigh Beach in Burleigh Heads to watch the 2019 Youth Surf Life Saving Championship. The Championship is a three day tournament where competitors aged 11 through to 15 years old compete in events such as a 1km sand run, 2km sand run, beach flags and sprint, surf race and surf board events, beach and board relay and many more! During intermission of events, North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club put on public events which interested Caleb and Connor. There were also stalls around the beach with a range of products and services covering apparel, nutrition and other free giveaways. For the remainder of the day, Caleb and Connor had a friendly competition between themselves to find out which of them could collect the most high-fives overall as they enjoyed their day! A great new social initiative for a younger market which reflects the needs and demands of individuals and families in the region. Well done Queensland South team for being innovative and appealing to the needs of locals.
Reminder!
• Be actively involved in client activities.
Engaging with your clients each and every day supports their individual growth, learning and success. • Always speak with your clients and engage in their interests.
• Make sure each and every one of your clients is enjoying and stimulated by the activities and programs on offer.
Please remember our duty of care for our clients.
• Encourage clients to achieve their goals. • Support client independence in every day skills and choices.
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
leburn tribe Selfie Above: Ing trick's Day! Pa St g celebratin
Pawsome Se lfi Griff with fu e Above: Gordon r baby, Geo rge.
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1-31
National Epilepsy Month
26 March
Purple Day
30 March
Earth Hour 8:30pm
30 March
Dr Appreciation Day
31 March
MS Melbourne Cycle
1-10 April
National Seniors Week
www.afford.com.au