Members
Member engagement
Networks and Committees
Vision 2020 Australia works closely with its member organisations to develop policies, strategies and submissions aimed at improving the eye health and vision care of all Australians. Members of Vision 2020 Australia are able to contribute to this process by participating in one or more of the following.
Member Forums
Member Forums are held yearly in different capital cities, and representatives from all member organisations are encouraged to attend. At these events, members participate in priority-setting for the forthcoming year and can influence the Vision 2020 Australia advocacy agenda. Longer-term strategic planning and organisational issues are also considered at the forums. Issues which are identified at Member Forums are often referred to committees and working groups for further development and discussion.
Networks
There are two networks - an Advocacy Network and a Marketing and Public Relations Network. Both networks encourage informal and ongoing communication between members and Vision 2020 Australia. These have resulted in a number of cooperative activities.
The Advocacy Network was established in July 2006. It has been used to discuss and resolve contentious issues impacting on the sector and to develop key advocacy messages.
The Marketing and PR Network contributes to a central calendar of events and activities, enabling opportunities for collaboration to be identified and utilised.
Major benefits of both networks include collaboration, information-sharing and an environment for informal communication.
Committees
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee and the Global Committee provide specific forums for these specialised policy areas. Meetings are held quarterly in capital cities around Australia and bring together member organisations that work either internationally or with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Members of these committees have expertise and knowledge to share.
The Vision Initiative Steering Committee provides expert advice and support to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies required to achieve the Vision Initiative's objectives in Victoria.
Working Groups
Initiatives emerging from any of the above often require specialist knowledge and a focussed commitment of time and resources. Working Groups are formed for such initiatives and consist of interested members and coopted experts. Meetings are held as often as required for the project. The following are some examples of working groups.
World Sight Day
Globally, a theme is decided for each World Sight Day. Through the CEO, the Marketing and PR Network recommends to the Vision 2020 Australia Board how best to tailor the global theme to suit the Australian environment. Members from the network volunteer to form a World Sight Day Working Group with a maximum of 10 representatives. Groups have been formed annually since 2005.
Low Vision and Rehabilitation National Working Group
The Vision 2020 Australia Low Vision and Rehabilitation Working Group was formed during the inaugural Vision 2020 Australia Member Forum. The advocacy efforts of this group are aimed at achieving a more strategic approach to government policy and planning for low vision and rehabilitation services.
The working group assisted in the development of a submission to the Community and Disability Services Ministers' Conference (CDSMC). The Working Group continues to meet on relevant low vision and rehabilitation issues.
The Children's Working Group and the Older Australians' Working Group
Vision 2020 Australia's Strategic Plan 2009-11 continues to address prevention and early intervention and focus on low vision and rehabilitation. Strategic planning identified specific population groups who are at particular disadvantage, including children and the ageing population. As a result, two working groups were established in 2008 and meet bi-annually in Canberra coinciding with the Parliamentary Friends Group dinners.
Parliamentary Friends Group for Eye Health and Vision Care
Established in 2007, the Parliamentary Friends for Eye Health and Vision Care works to support the sector to achieve its goal to eliminate avoidable blindness and improve vision care. The Group is co-chaired by Dr Andrew Laming MP, Member for Bowman and Senator Dana Wortley, South Australia. The Group convenes bi-annually at Parliament House and brings together members of Vision 2020 Australia, relevant government bodies, parliamentarians and other stakeholders.
For more information on the Parliamentary Friends Group for Eye Health and Vision Care please contact the Advocacy Team on 03 9656 2020.
Testimonials
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and your team on what was from my perspective a very successful Member Forum in Brisbane. It was great for me to meet and network with a range of eye health stakeholders from across Australia, as well as develop a better understanding of the issues and broader strategic direction of Vision 2020 Australia." Stephen Vale - Eye and Ear Hospital, August 2008
"Thank you for the chance to attend this year's dinner [Parliamentary Friends Group for Eye Health and Vision Care]. I really enjoyed the speakers, and the opportunity to meet members of your board. It was an informative evening, giving real incentive to keep up the battle to work for better eye health." Senator Claire Moore, March 2008
"Thanks for organising an excellent dinner Jennifer et al. Good company and interesting opportunity to discuss ongoing things affecting us all. Thought we were lucky with the guests on our table but then heard other tables saying the same thing. Excellent! Well done." Centre for Eye Research Australia, March 2008
"I am so impressed with the quality and quantity of work and activity that your small team is creating - you are certainly a good example of what a group of outcomes-focussed people can achieve, "with a little help from your friends"! Frances Gentle, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, November 2007
