Hi MDJL,

Firstly, I want to congratulate you on a very professional looking document. The format you have used made it very easy to read and comprehend. Well done!
In terms of content I especially like your proposed action plan of expanding campaigns and fundraising overseas. This is a highly innovative idea and would ensure ACF greater stability in donor contribution during a time when Australia’s own support may not be sufficient to sustain the organisation.

Our team also had the same recommendations of seeking government and corporation support. We also felt that this would be a likely avenue for donor contribution as it targets the social responsibility these bodies should have to our country and its people.

Finally, well done again on producing a fine report. It was a pleasure to read. All the best for the competition.

Jessica on behalf of HSC

Dear Judge,

Thank you for reviewing our submission. In response to your question, we believe the investment in virtual space concepts such as wikis will provide an innovative platform to empower volunteers, assist ACF and volunteer collaboration, and form an online community that both extends the reach of campaigns and ensures volunteer support continuity in an economic downturn.

Information and Campaign Support:
To firstly attract and maintain volunteer support, the wiki should be a source of information and guidance for the public to access. This can include videos, podcast, text and discussions. Campaigns such as the ‘land ownership handover campaign’, videos from the Murray Darling River as well as the Climate Change presentations effectively inform viewers of the wiki to the issues.

It should also include information links between awareness campaigns and action campaigns. The interest and awareness created by ACF campaigns such as the “Inconvenient Truth Promotional Campaign” can be harnessed into action by directing interested people to the wiki that links to other related campaigns such as the GreenHome Makeover.

Success Stories and blog support from corporate supporters, volunteers and members should also be included. The Success Stories create a story to promote wiki discussion while the blog support provides a platform for volunteers to respond and post their own experiences with ACF.

Story like those of Belinda O’Brien’s Maldives story (as in the annual report) and Mrs Porter’s (winner of the GreenHome Challenge) provide inspiration and guidance on how volunteers and members have worked towards environmental sustainability, their hurdles and how they have overcome them. It can be an easily accessed source of information to promote and maintain volunteer support during a downturn.

This maximises the benefits of the interest created by ACF campaigns by translating such interest into volunteer support and action.

Wiki for ACF suppporting Companies:
To encourage and maintain company support during a recession, ACF supporting companies can also post to their profile on the wiki, detailing how they are supporting ACF and its environmental conservation goals. This is an excellent way to learn from each other, cultivate and maintain a professional relationship between corporate supporters and ACF, while providing additional incentives for companies to be involved with ACF through the publicity benefits of the wiki.

The wiki can also provide a platform for companies to document their workplace giving program. The employees can blog their workplace giving experience thereby increasing the media and publicity benefits of workplace giving to ACF. This makes it more attractive for companies to offer workplace giving programs with ACF.

For user management, we suggest that the wiki is viewable by the public but posting and editing can only be done by registered volunteers/members/corporate supporters while administrative rights remain with ACF. This maintains ACF control of the wiki and its integrity.

In summary:
By investing in virtual spaces concept of wikis and discussions, the wikis creates an interactive and collaborative environment for individuals and companies to document information, their experiences and corporate engagement with sustainability. ACF can rely on this information storehouse to maintain campaigning and volunteer support during an economic downturn.
Kind Regards,
Danny Mau
On Behalf of MDJL Risk Consulting