About Us Vision Statement
Tasmanian Men's Health and Wellbeing Association, Inc.- Vision Statement 2010
1. About the Organisation
The Association was formed in 1996, with a primary focus on promoting and supporting the health and wellbeing of men through:
- peer support groups throughout
- participation in activities and events by men and boys, their families and the community; and
- provision of information and advice to influence the policy of other community organisations and government agencies.
Our priorities and activities are informed by a state-wide men’s health consultation process. The most recent consultation (concluding in 2002) identified three main health concern areas for men. These were:
- relationships;
- communication; and
- access to information and education.
In the past five years, the work of the Association has included adapting the men’s support group model to develop a very successful group-work mentoring program for boys in grades 9 to 11 who are having difficulties with a range of personal and family issues.
In 2008, the Tasmanian Men’s Gathering was coordinated and facilitated by the Association for the eleventh time. In 2007, we developed and ran our first men’s leadership training program.
Based on our experience, the Association has prioritised the establishment and operation of a men’s advocacy and support service as a key strategic direction, which is reflected in this plan.
This is a shift in direction for the organisation from its current community development and facilitation role, which involves supporting men’s groups, and activities and events for men and boys - on a volunteer basis. Our plan is to move toward a service delivery role with paid staff and a full-time office.
2. Our Vision
‘A healthy and inclusive society where the roles of men in family and community are valued and honoured.’
3. Our Principles and Values
We believe in:
- actively contributing to the physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing of men, boys and their families
- building stronger families, through men and boys who are physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually healthy
- promoting a sense of belonging and community for all people involved in the organisation and its activities and services
- leading and positively influencing the wider community’s perceptions and attitudes regarding men’s roles, responsibilities, value and contributions
- developing a community that understands how men think and provides an opportunity for emotional and spiritual connection between men
- developing a community that celebrates masculinity and promotes men and boys feeling good about themselves.
We value:
- straight-talking, honesty, truth and the provision of positive role modelling in all our dealings with men, women, and children
- passion, assertiveness, acceptance, confidence, and respect
- a strong community in which men and boys can develop and thrive
- the health and wellbeing of men and their place within families and society.
4. Objectives
Our objectives are:
1. to provide personalised support, referral and development services to men, boys and their families
2. to provide services, group activities, events and projects designed to support and develop men, boys and their families
3. to inform, educate and support the community to understand and respond appropriately to the needs and aspirations of men and boys
4. to work with local, state and national governments, peak bodies and community organisations to influence the policies, practices and delivery of services that impact on men and boys and their families
5. to prepare the organisation to employ staff and commence a service delivery role.
5. Our Plan
Objective 1: to provide personalised support, referral and development services to men, boys and their families
Strategies:
To achieve Objective 1 we will:
- Design and deliver a Men’s Legal and Support Service, by:
-determining the services to be provided
-establishing a service to respond to the health, wellbeing, support and advocacy needs of men and boys (including relationship separation support)
-developing a business plan
-establishing a service advisory committee to support and challenge the work of the service.
- Develop and/or distribute information and resources, by:
-developing information sheets and resources
-accessing information and resources from other individuals and organisations
-distributing and/or make available information and resources.
Outcomes:
What will we achieve?
- a personalised and professional health and wellbeing service
- access and referrals to other services as appropriate
- information and resources available to individuals and families.
Indicators:
How will we measure our success?
- the number of clients using the services
- the number of clients with positive outcomes
- feedback from referring/referral agencies.
Objective 2: to provide services, group activities, events and projects designed to support and develop men, boys and their families
Strategies:
To achieve Objective 2 we will:
- Support group activities, events and projects, by:
-acting as direct provider
-facilitating provision by other individuals and organisations
-working in partnership with other individuals and organisations.
- Create access to men’s groups and peer support groups, by:
-supporting the formation of groups
-supporting the facilitators of groups
-providing referral and support for established groups.
- Provide experiences for men and boys that celebrate masculinity and explore the roles and contributions of men by:
-organising and/or supporting and/or facilitating an annual men’s gathering
-organising and/or supporting and/or facilitating other events, activities and projects.
- Support the development of men’s roles in strong and nurturing family relationships by:
-encouraging and supporting networks, mentors and mentoring programs for boys and men
-providing, education and training programs and activities
-developing and implementing fatherhood programs through partnerships and joint activities/events with other organisations
-developing and implementing an annual fatherhood program.
- Build the skills, confidence and capacity of men and boys to participate in broader men’s sector and community sector networks and processes by:
-providing strong and nurturing leadership training.
- Support and promote the positive transition of boys to adulthood by:
-developing and implementing mentoring programs in schools
-undertaking effective liaison and engagement with schools and the Department of Education, Catholic Education Office and Independent Schools Council
-involvement and activities with organisations involving boys and young people.
Outcomes:
What will we achieve?
- increased skills, confidence and self esteem of men and boys
- greater recognition, acceptance and equity of men and boys roles in the community
- reduction in real and/or perceived barriers to participation in men’s groups
- increased awareness of and participation in men’s groups
- Increased skills, confidence and self esteem of men and boys
- increased presence of fathers and/or male role models and mentors in the lives of young people.
Indicators:
How will we measure our success?
- the number of activities, events and projects
- the levels of participation in activities, events and projects
- the feedback and evaluation from activities, events and projects
- the number of men’s groups
- the changes in behavior, attitudes and practices.
Objective 3: to inform, educate and support the community to understand and respond appropriately to the needs and aspirations of men and boys
Strategies:
To achieve Objective 3 we will:
- Create awareness and recognition of the organisation as a key provider of services and support for men, boys and their families in
-promoting and marketing the organisation
-participating in community events and activities.
- Influence community perceptions and attitudes toward fairness and equity for men and boys by:
-re-defining roles and responsibilities of men and boys
- advocating for the needs and issues relating to men, boys and their families
-providing information and responding to requests from the media.
- Develop and promote education, training and development programs and activities to men and the wider community by:
-developing and implementing training and development programs and activities.
Outcomes:
What will we achieve?
- strong recognition of our brand
- a high level of understanding of what we do and how we do it by the community
- a fairer and equitable society for men and boys
- increased access to quality services by men and boys resulting from effective referral and service provision
- high levels of participation and results from effective, well recognised and high profile programs
- an increased media profile
- recognition by the media as an organisation with useful, professional and credible information.
Indicators:
How will we measure our success?
- changes in community attitudes and behaviour
- results of awareness campaign of issues affecting boys
- number and results from leadership training opportunities for men
- number of engagements with the community and key stakeholders
- number of media articles
- number of approaches by the media
Objective 4: to work with local, State and national Governments, peak bodies and community organisations to influence the policies, practices and delivery of services that impact on men and boys and their families
Strategies:
To achieve Objective 4 we will:
- Create awareness and recognition of the organisation as an access point to the men’s movement in
-acting as a clearing house and contact point for information and research regarding the health and wellbeing of men and boys
-promoting and marketing the organization.
- Create awareness and recognition of the organisation as a key stakeholder in the area of men’s health and wellbeing by:
-maintaining a professional web page
-promoting and marketing the services and activities the organisation provides.
- Influence policies and practices of peak bodies, Government and key stakeholders by:
-advocating for the needs and issues relating to men, boys and their families
-participating in Government and service provider reviews
-promoting and supporting the development of mentoring programs in schools
-liaising with schools and the Department of Education, Catholic Education Office and Independent Schools Council.
- Build strong and effective relationships with other individuals and organisations that influence the health and wellbeing of men and boys by:
-seeking partnerships and collaboration with organisations that support, contribute to and build on our work
-actively participating in partnerships, networks and peak bodies at a local, State and national level.
- Raise awareness of men’s health and wellbeing issues, available support and service delivery gaps by:
-participating in community, government and service consultation and review processes.
Outcomes:
What will we achieve?
- strong recognition of our brand
- a high level of understanding of what we do and how we do it by key stakeholders
- peak bodies, government and key stakeholders seeking our contribution to developing and reviewing relevant policies and practices
- active and effective participant in networks and partnerships
- positive influence on the attitudes and practices of partner organisations, networks and key stakeholders
- improved policies and practices in community organisations and Government agencies particularly in relation to services and support for men and boys.
Indicators:
How will we measure our success?
- participation in key policy development, for example, domestic violence review
- current and up to date web page
- number of partnerships and collaborative arrangements
- feedback from participating organisations
- number of contacts with community organisations and Government agencies
- changes in attitudes, policies and practices of other organisations
- number of approaches to participate in policy development and service reviews
- papers written and contributions to policy development, such as domestic violence or mental health legislation
- numbers and types of mentoring programs in schools
- employing an Education Liaison Officer for boys education
Objective 5: to prepare the organisation to employ staff and commence a service delivery role
To achieve Objective 5 we will:
- Implement an annual operational plan by:
-conducting an annual planning workshop, involving all key stakeholders.
- Document a policies and procedures framework by:
-engaging a contractor to draft policies and procedures, in consultation with the Board.
- Manage an annual budget by:
-drafting a budget for Board approval.
- Acquire required funding and resources to achieve goals by:
-developing and implementing a resource plan.
- Apply high level submission writing and resource acquisition skills by:
-training, developing and mentoring key members of the Board.
- Become an employer of choice in the community sector by:
-providing a safe, healthy and flexible workplace
-implementing effective governance practices and management structures within the organisation
-developing an innovative culture which finds creative responses to the needs and aspirations of men, boys and their families
-creating a stimulating and satisfying dynamic and synergies between the staff and the Board/organisation.
Outcomes:
What will we achieve?
- a capable organisation with the capacity to meet its vision
- a financial viable and sustainable organisation
- development and implementation of relevant plans, policies and budgets
Indicators:
How will we measure our success?
- secured financial resources
- skilled, efficient and respected staff
- low staff turnover
6. Where to find us
Tasmanian Men’s Health and Wellbeing Association
Post Office Box 1
ROSNY
Phone: 03 6223 6900
Website: www.tasmen.org.au
TasMen gratefully acknowledges the support of the Mental health Council of Australia who administered grant funding on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Health & Aging
(This statement is Tasmen's vision for what we would like to see happening in the Tasmanian Community to support men and boys. Currently we are unfunded, but are working strategically to develop a funding base, and instigate programs. To get involved please contact us.)