Women of Influence - 100 women making a difference

The Australian Financial Review have announced their AFR/Westpac 100 Women of Influence finalists - Australian women who are using their influence to make a difference in business and society. Covering many sectors of business and industry and ranging from young leaders to established icons... the list really does showcase the immense talent of women in this country.

Here is a full photo listing and for more information on the listing and awards click here

Congratulations to all on the list!

Leadership in the Community Sector - Looking beyond the numbers

A recent report released by ACOSS (Australian Council of Social Service) - Reflecting gender diversity: an analysis of gender diversity in the leadership of the community sector - showed that the sector leads the way in workplace gender equity, with women in the sector make up 60 per cent of senior management and hold over 50 per cent of board director roles.

Looking beyond these numbers, the report details some interesting findings:

• The comparatively higher representation of women in senior roles is occurring mainly in smaller organisations
• Gender equity on boards does occur, but not until women make up 95% of the staff of the organisation
• High representation of women in the workforce does not automatically lead to equality of opportunity for women

Bickley Blog reader Anne, a member of the not for profit community, sent us in her views on the report:

"It was pleasing to note a recent report that found that the not for profit community welfare sector is a leader in promoting women to boards and senior management positions.  This is in contrast to other sectors where leadership positions for most women remain a distant reality.

As a long time worker in the not for profit community welfare sector I would have to comment that my experience is that organisations would run for years with women at the helm, often as volunteers.  As the organisation grew and became more significant senior roles would receive funding and would become attractive as a permanent position.  It was not unusual then, after the position was advertised, that a man would be appointed.  

I am aware that today many not for profit community welfare organsiations are still run on a voluntary basis by women.  These women manage budgets, co-ordinate services, roster volunteers and report to a Board of Management.  They often also act as the receptionist! They are unsung heroes.

It is to be hoped that there is a serious trend for women to be able to aspire to paid leadership roles in the not for profit sector.  This would, at one level pay tribute to all those women who over the years have undertaken those roles as volunteers.

It would also be interesting to know how many women on boards in the not for profit sector are receiving realistic sitting fees."

Thanks Anne, for your thoughts! We would love to hear from other readers on this - have you worked in the not for profit community? What are your experiences?  Are you one of the "unsung heroes" leading in a voluntary capacity?  Post on our facebook, tweet us on twitter or leave a comment below.

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On the Horizon - Professional Communication and Learning from Leaders

A couple of great events coming up for women in Adelaide and Perth, Australia...

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Professional Communication Workshop | Hosted by Women in Engineering
Friday 19th October 2012 | Perth, Western Australia

Need to brush up on your communication skills? Want to project a communication image that commands respect? Would you like to learn to handle conflict, difficult people and confrontations with composure? Join Suzanne McKenzie for a 1 day workshop designed to help you communicate confidently and professionally in a range of workplace situations.

For further details and to register, visit the Engineers Australia website

Learning with Leaders | Hosted by Women on Boards
23rd October 2012 | Adelaide, South Australia and 25th October | Perth, Western Australia

Listen to the stories of a CEO, an entrepreneur and a new ASX director as they speak about their experiences to leadership, important shaping influences and key influencers, and their lessons learnt.  For further information and to find out who is speaking in your city, visit the Women on Boards website.

***LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE REMINDERS***

Book now to attend the international leadership and management conferences happening in Perth this December. Listen as leading international academics speak on the latest research in business and leadership fields and get involved in the discussion and debate.

26th Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference
Wednesday 5th - Friday 7th December 2012 | Perth, Western Australia

Register now for the ANZAM Conference 2012. Early bird rates are available until 30th September! Further information and registration at www.anzamconference.org

Planning to attend ANZAM? 

Stay on, enjoy a few more days of Western Australian sunshine and attend ...

The 11th International Studying Leadership Conference (ISLC)
10th and 11th December 2012 | Perth, Western Australia

The ILSC conference theme is "Leadership at the Crossroads?" reflecting the often conflicting demands, expectations and applications of leadership in increasingly globally complex and unpredictable climates.

Abstract submissions are due in 30th September! Further information can be found at the conference website.

The Bickley Blog always loves to hear from you! If you have an event that would interest our readers, please contact us with the details.  

You can find us on facebook or tweet us on twitter: @thebickleyblog