Thank you for being part of the ‘Empowered Communities: Next Steps’ Convention 2022
It’s amazing, watch what happens now!
What people said about the Convention:
“Thank you for organising such an impressive Convention! Our new female independent MPs are just outstanding! Movers and shakers in the truest sense of the words. It was great to share experiences and stories and to learn from other groups across the country.” Nicole Gale
“Huge congrats! The CIP Convention was an outstanding, inspiring declaration of people-powered democracy!” Michelle Cowan
“What is happening in Australian politics today is the most important and hopeful social experiment in democracy happening in the world at the moment, and unless we recognise that, we are going to lose it”. Tim Dunlop
“Great weekend of sharing knowledge, in-sighting hope and harnessing People Power. Congratulations & thank you.” Tess Egan
“THANK YOU ALL - Zoe, Kate, Mon, Kylea, Sophie, Allegra, how lucky are we to have you in our world, in our country - totally inspiring! Cathy McGowan goes without saying you are the most amazing catalyst for the greater good. Thank you will never be enough.” Jacqueline M
“Such a fabulous Convention - thank you to all for making it happen #empoweredcommunities are on the rise - positive change is happening and its so refreshing & uplifting to be involved.” Rebecca Clarke
“People, passion, renewal, generosity, hope, trust, laughter, tears (joy) fun, refreshing, inspiring. Thank you for investing in us.” @calsaff
“A fabulous weekend of learning and sharing. The future is looking brighter already!” Sonia Powell
“This gig is one of the most awesome, powerful and well organised I’ve ever attended - grateful, thanks you amazing team!” Pennie Scott
Convention recordings
What it means to be a Community Independent
Our new Independents MPs share what it means to them to be a community independent and how they intend to work with their communities. What do they ask of their empowered communities so they can stay engaged? What mechanisms will they put in place to ensure their communities have more collaborative access to them? Every electorate is different and we hear how each Independent will broaden the connection they already have to encompass the rest of their community.
Facilitator: Cathy McGowan
Panel: Kylea Tink MP, Kate Chaney MP, Dr.Sophie Scamps MP, Zoe Daniel MP, Dr Monique Ryan MP and Allegra Spender MP
Keynote: Climate and Integrity
Zali Steggall and Helen Haines are lighthouses for the Community Independents movement. Hear about the compact they have with their communities, and how they collaborate to pursue the key national issues of Climate and Integrity. They share what is entailed in developing and tabling a Bill including consulting widely with experts and the community, the strategic work required, and what they have, and can achieve in the future as community independents.
Facilitator: Tina Jackson
Panel: Zali Steggall OAM MP, Dr Helen Haines MP
Insider tactics: how to get things done with MPs and peak bodies
The panel discusses what peak bodies are and how they relate to MPs, as well as how politicians work with peak bodies. They give practical examples of how peak bodies can be a conduit between the community and their MP, and how communities can work with peak bodies to further their issues and get things done.
Facilitator: Cathy McGowan
Panel: Rebekha Sharkie MP, Andrew Wilkie MP and Peter Strong (former CEO of Council of Small Business Australia)
Reimaging Politics: empowered communities working with their MP to get things done
Community Independents herald a fundamental shift in the relationship between constituents and their representatives. The Panel explores how different electorates are approaching a new way of doing politics, including practical examples of how to foster community conversations, participation and solution finding in collaboration with MPs.
Facilitator: Alana Johnson
Panel: Kath Naish (Wentworth), Sue Barrett (Goldstein), Ann-Charlott Paduch (Warringah)
What about the Senate?
Exploring what it means to have a Community Independent in the Senate from a personal, electorate and national perspective. The Panel discusses how the Senate works and the opportunities for input into decision making, and canvases the potential benefits and opportunities for having Community Independents in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Facilitator: Cathy McGowan
Panel: Sen David Pocock, Claire Doube (ProACT)
Community organising
The Panel focuses on engaging with the community, how to inspire, how to build teams, how to establish a community group and different models for doing this. Speakers discuss the ‘Voices’ journey, other activist group approaches and what to think about if you are just starting out.
Facilitator: Alana Johnson
Panel: Mark Kelly (Vote Tony Out), Sue McKinnon (Hughes), Denis Ginnivan (Voices), Sue Frick (Voices of Kooyong)
Making a safe seat marginal and next steps
The panel explores how to hold your Party MP to account, what being a ‘Shadow’ representative means and political action by community groups.
Facilitator: Cath McGowan
Panel: Nicolette Boele (Bradfield), Alex Dyson (Wannon), Hanabeth Luke (Page)
Key support pillars for community politics
The Panel canvasses the support and help available for community campaigns and organising, legal considerations and what can go wrong and how to mitigate risk, tools to help with community organising, strategic considerations, getting messaging right and the importance of social media and digital communications.
Facilitator: Tina Jackson
Panel: Byron Fay (C200), Kiera Peacock (Marque Lawyers), Anthony Reed (Populares)