YMCA Victoria Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2017

YMCA VICTORIA

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2016 – 2017

OUR BUSINESS The YMCA was established in Victoria in 1853 as a response to the difficult social conditions created by the Industrial Revolution. The original contemporaries that worked to develop the Y within Victoria supported the idea that ordinary people, working together, could have an extraordinary impact on community life. More than 160 years later we continue to respond to community needs, working within the areas of community services, aquatics and recreation, health and wellness, youth services, camping and children’s programs.

As a community not-for-profit our vision is clear, and it effectively drives our core business.

With the Y, everyone can be healthier, happier and connected to their community; and help those who are not.

At the YMCA, communities come first. We believe in the benefits of physical activity, and building community connections. As such, we work with government as well as corporate and community partners who are also committed to improving the health and happiness of all Victorians.

YMCA Victoria is one of the largest not for profit, community organisation within Victoria, employing in excess of 6,000 staff members, and with 1,200 volunteers.

One of the key drivers in establishing our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is to identify how many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff we have. To date, informal research shows we have less than1%.

YMCA Australia is a federation of 24 member associations across Australia. Each is governed by a local voluntary Board of Directors elected by its members, to enable YMCAs to have local community relevance and impact.

Within the state of Victoria there are eight member associations. YMCA Victoria is the largest member association in Australia, and is focused on statewide initiatives, impacting on 75 municipalities from approximately 150 locations. This RAP focuses on the activities and strategies for YMCA Victoria for 2016-2017.

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OUR RAP YMCA Victoria recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first peoples of this continent and the islands of the Torres Strait. In doing so, we acknowledge our shared history; recognise the right to self-determination and the importance of connection to and access to country. We acknowledge and respect distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural differences, beliefs, values and languages.

Through walking together and working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the YMCA will seek to address systemic issues of political and social exclusion, economic disadvantage, and health inequality. We also support and recognise the strengths, skills and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the YMCA and to the Australian community.

At our biennial National Convention in Queensland in November 2010, every YMCA Member Association across Australia unanimously endorsed a national commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. That statement of commitment includes the following passages: Our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be achieved by our Member Associations through: • Achieving greater understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures Building knowledge, understanding and respect across the YMCA is fundamental to our commitment.

• Advocating for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples In particular, we are committed to upholding the rights of YMCA staff, volunteers and program participants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.

• Enhancing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve social inclusion, economic participation and health equality The YMCA is well positioned to promote and facilitate these opportunities through our suite of programs, services, training and employment pathways.

• Developing respectful and meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations Partnership development that is respectful and sustainable with long-term vision will be critical in meeting our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

These aspirations have been embedded in the standards by which YMCAs hold each other accountable and YMCA Victoria is committed to achieving these goals.

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YMCA Victoria will work towards Reconciliation Australia’s five dimensions that are identified to measure reconciliation in Australia.

Source: The State of Reconciliation in Australia – Reconciliation Australia

YMCA Victoria inaugural RAP was endorsed by Reconciliation Australia in January 2016. Since this time we have started our journey through building partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations. Our staff have also started their journey of understanding by attending cultural awareness training, as well as attending significant events and festivals.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group (EDI WG) will continue to champion our RAP. This group is made up of our CEO, Chair of our Board and senior managers from various departments.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group was established following YMCA Victoria running an internal program ‘Y Respect Gender Project’ from 2012-2015. This project, funded by VicHealth as part of their Creating Healthy Workplaces Program, provided an opportunity for YMCA Victoria to explore the potential for addressing issues of gender equality and representation. An emerging theme during this project was that gender equity was one of a number of areas of equality, diversity and inclusion where YMCA Victoria has potential to improve. For example: Across Australia 27% of the population identify as not born in Australia, but only 14% of our staff identify as not born in Australia.

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In some areas, such as Carlton, 67% of the population were born overseas, but only 14% of the staff in the Carlton centre were born overseas.

It is estimated that 2-3% of the population are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians, but less than 1% of our staff are.

19% of Australians are people with any type of disability, but we have no data for what percentage of our staff fall into this category.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group has reviewed and updated previous access and inclusion strategies and in 2016, senior management endorsed the new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. This strategy will form the basis on the way all YMCA Victoria staff and volunteers work in this area. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group will oversee the roll out of these strategies and provide guidance, recommendations and resources on all equality, diversity and inclusion strategy issues and ensure the sustainability of projects and processes into the future.

Our RAP Working Group, which consist of members from our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group as well as local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the community, will continue to provide advice, input and oversee the roll out of our Reconciliation Action Plan.

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OUR PARTNERSHIPS/CURRENT ACTIVITIES Community Partnerships: YMCA Victoria currently works with: Korin Gamadji Institute; AFL Sportsready; Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS); Wurundjeri Tribe Land Cultural Heritage Council Inc; Koorie Heritage Trust and other localised agencies.

Internal Activities/initiatives: Korin Gamadji Institute For more than five years YMCA Victoria, in partnership with the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) and Richmond Football Club, delivered the Richmond Emerging Aboriginal Leadership (REAL) programs which are designed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 14-17.

According to the 2011 ABS data, in Victoria Year 10 to 12 retention rates for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and non-Indigenous students was about 51% and 82% respectively. The aim of the REAL program is to support the development of young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples into community leaders by actively working to improve Year 12 completion (or equivalent qualification) and develop pathways to employment. YMCA continues to work with KGI and Richmond Football Club on empowering young Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander young people.

Surfing Victoria and AFL Sportsready – Play it Safe By The Water and Strapper Surfboards.

The first Surfing Victoria Indigenous traineeships were completed from YMCA Anglesea Camp in late 2012. Course participants become qualified surfing coaches to open up career prospects on the south coast of Victoria.

Australian Electoral Commission & Museum of Australian Democracy – Closing the Gap, Indigenous Electoral Participation Program.

The YMCA National Indigenous Youth Parliament is held in Canberra every 2-3 years (2012, 2014 & 2017) and gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people the opportunity to learn about Australia’s democracy and to have a say about Australia’s future. Young people from around the country are able to meet other Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, undertake leadership training and talk about issues that affect them and their communities. National Indigenous Youth Parliament is also an educational program with participants learning about how laws are made and what they can do to influence change in their communities.

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RELATIONSHIPS

Developing respectful and meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.

YMCA Victoria is committed to developing partnerships that are respectful and sustainable with a long term vision and understand that these components are critical to meeting our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Actions

Deliverable

Timeline

Responsibility

1. Maintain and support our RAP Working Group, made up of senior management, staff, volunteers and a minimum of two representatives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

A RAP Working Group that is operational and provides advice, input and oversees the roll out of our Reconciliation Action Plan.

Oct 2016

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) working group (WG)

2.Continue to engage and identify local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations or individuals

Database of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and stakeholders continues to be updated.

3.Participate in and celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW)

Board Oct 2016

General Manager

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island organisations are contacted with the intent to build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships.

Jan 2017

RAP WG

Continue to develop our database of RAP organisations and other like-minded organisations we could approach to connect with on our reconciliation journey.

Feb 2017

EDI WG

27 May –

RAP WG Board Senior Management

NRW is promoted to all our staff and volunteers who are also encouraged to attend events and functions.

3 June 2017

Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our staff.

Members from our RAP WG, Board and Senior Management attend a community event or organise an internal event to recognise and celebrate National Reconciliation Week.

4. Continue to raise internal awareness of our RAP

Our commitment to Reconciliation and our plan are continually communicated internally. Our plan is embedded into our induction strategy – Welcome to the Y, and presented to our Board, Senior Management, State Office and our sectors ensuring they have an understanding of how they can contribute to our RAP.

Quarterly – Jan 2017 April 2017

CEO EDI WG

July 2017 Oct 2017

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RESPECT

Achieving greater understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.

YMCA Victoria believes it is fundamental to our commitment that all our staff and volunteers develop a respectful and knowledgeable understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.

Actions 5. Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning and development opportunities

Deliverable

Timeline

We have captured baseline data on our employee’s current level of understanding around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions.

Oct 2016

Cultural respect training has been identified and sourced. Included will be links to the Share Our Pride resource.

Oct 2016

Responsibility General Manager – People and Culture RAP WG EDI WG

Dec 2016 All senior managers have attended cultural respect training within first year of our inaugural RAP endorsement.

Dec 2017 Cultural respect training is delivered to our Board and 8% of our staff and volunteers.

Jan 2017 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement and RAP information included in our induction and orientation material.

6. Participate in and celebrate NAIDOC Week

RAP Working Group participates in a community NAIDOC Week event, or holds an internal event.

1st Sunday – 2nd Sunday in July 2017

Our staff are provided opportunities to participate in local NAIDOC Week celebrations.

General Manager

RAP WG

Continue to raise awareness and share information with our staff on the meaning of NAIDOC Week which includes information about the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

EDI WG

Encourage our staff’s continued engagement to NAIDOC Week by promoting community events in our local area.

7. Acknowledge Traditional Custodianship of the land at YMCA events and meetings, including arranging Welcome to Country for formal events

RAP Working Group to assist with the development of guidelines and tools to be distributed throughout the YMCA. These guidelines will raise understanding of the meaning and significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols, such as Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment of Country, to our employees.

Each YMCA sector will continue to learn and understand who are the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters in their local area.

Continue to scope and update a list of local Traditional Owners of the lands and waters within our organisations sphere of influence.

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Nov 2016

RAP WG Board Senior Management

OPPORTUNITIES

Enhancing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve social inclusion, economic participation and health equality.

YMCA Victoria is committed to developing partnerships that are respectful and sustainable with a long term vision and understand that these components are critical in meeting our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Actions 8. Create more opportunities to engage with and increase our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce, both paid and unpaid

Deliverable We have captured baseline data on current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to inform future developments.

June 2017

Through engagement with existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff a proposal for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation is scoped.

June 2017

Pilot different approaches to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island employment including; work experience, volunteering, traineeships, etc.

Advertise career opportunities throughout relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media.

9. Consider supplier diversity

Timeline

Advocate to National procurement team about using Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers and how our organisation can develop an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity strategy.

Develop an understanding of the mutual benefits of procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.

Dec 2017

Responsibility General Manager – People and Culture

RAP WG

Jan 2017 – Ongoing

Jan 2017

CEO EDI WG RAP WG Procurement Manager

Develop a strategy for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.

Investigate opportunities to become a member of Supply Nation.

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TRACKING AND PROGRESS Actions 10. Continue to secure and maintain a high level of organisation-wide commitment to meeting milestones

Deliverable

Timeline

RAP updates are a standard agenda item within our Equality Diversity and Inclusion meetings.

Monthly throughout 2017

Quarterly reports tracking our progress are provided to our Board and Executive meetings.

March, June, September and December 2017

Our RAP milestones are included in our organisations SMART plan and reported on quarterly.

Responsibility RAP WG General Manager

EDI WG

February 2017

Continue to define resource needs for RAP development and implementation.

Continue to define systems and capability needs to track, measure and report on RAP activities.

11. Report achievements, challenges and learnings to Reconciliation Australia for inclusion in their annual Impact Measuring report

We have completed and submitted our RAP Impact Measurement Report to Reconciliation Australia.

12. Review and refresh RAP

Review and refresh RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements.

Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal review and endorsement.

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September – Annually

November 2017

General Manager RAP WG EDI WG RAP WG General Manager

THE JOURNEY TOGETHER ARTIST: NADA ALDOBASIC Nada Aldobasic is a proud Gunditjmara woman who works and volunteers for YMCA Victoria. As part of YMCA Victoria’s Reconciliation Action Plan, Nada designed this artwork, titled The Journey Together as her representation of what reconciliation looks like among the organisation.

The ochre background represents hope and joy, as well as being grounded and connected.

In the centre of the work is ‘The Gathering’, representing the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. It symbolises the connection staff and volunteers have with each other and their communities. The half circles represent both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people teaching and guiding non-Indigenous people, and non-Indigenous people teaching and guiding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Above and below ‘The Gathering’ is ‘The Flow,’ which represents individual journeys collectively flowing forward and coming together. Through knowledge, tradition, history, and a vision of the future together as one, these flowing lines represent YMCA Victoria’s staff, volunteers, participants and communities.

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2016-2017 YMCA VICTORIA RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN To learn more, please contact: James Wynd General Manager YMCA Victoria Email: james.wynd@ymca.org.au Mobile: 0419 346 362 YVO 384