Reflections

If someone had told me everything that we would achieve as an organisation and as a sector in 2024, I don't think I would have believed them. For SECNA, as a grassroots organisation with a tiny team of part-time staff (but a huge number of engaged, passionate, energetic members), the highlights have been astounding

- We grew from 326 members at the end of 2023 to 550 so far this year
- We presented at the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Procurement Practices and most of our recommendations were adopted by the committee
- We hosted our second Social Enterprise Festival with over 70 social enterprises and more than 800 attendees in the heart of Sydney
- We hosted 25 business for good lunches, brunches and breakfasts in 10 locations across NSW and ACT (and they remain one of the most energising events I attend)
- We spoke at countless conferences, awards and events about the power of social enterprise and how every dollar you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want
- We reached a nationally shared definition of social enterprise with other peak bodies
- We became a local verification partner for People and Planet First
- We advocated to government and big businesses on social enterprise issues, resulting in one NSW government department changing their grant criteria to include not just not-for-profit organisations but social enterprises, an ASX-listed company redesigning their pre-accelerator to put more funding into social enterprises and less into their own overheads for it, and a conference organiser offering free tickets to social enterprises and considering adding a social enterprise speakers slot next year
- Three SECNA members were nominated for an Australian of the Year award, and so, so many others won awards in their industry, community or business group
- We supported more than 25 social entrepreneurs (and counting) through peer mentoring and another 22 social enterprises (and counting) through data and impact measurement suggestions, as well as giving feedback to impact measurement tool developers to make improvements that meet the needs of social entrepreneurs, thanks to grants from the City of Sydney
- We launched a two year Women in Social Enterprise program, with 190 women already involved out of 500 we aim to bring into the social enterprise 'tent' so that we can champion, connect and advocate for them, thanks to a grant from Women NSW
- We consulted members on everything from membership models with Social Enterprise Australia to our FY25 strategy, to what to ask of government in 2025 to the program design for Women in Social Enterprise
- We continued to hold meet and greets for new members as well as current members based on impact areas including disability and circular economy
- Our operations team continued to grow with new staff (Maxx Silver and Mark Thackray) and volunteers joining us

I'm sure I am forgetting much more because it has been a whirlwind of a year - all heading in the right direction.

Thank you for being part of it. Thank you for all the encouraging phone calls, emails and text messages. Thank you for sharing your challenges and your frustrations with us (and I'm glad we could help with some of them!). Thank you for sharing your wins and the joy you get from your work with us (it inspires us every day).

Two years into this role, I'm more convinced than ever that the time for profit-maximising behaviour is well and truly past its use-by date, and the time for businesses that put people and planet first is now.

Wishing you all a moment over the festive season to catch your breath and reflect on the journey to date and where we all go from here.

Best wishes,
Kylie and the team - Bec, Maxx and Mark (and our amazing Board)