SIMNA 2017-18

A Year In Review

Introduction

This is Social Impact Measurement Network Australia Ltd.’s (SIMNA’s) second Annual Review. It is a story of the progress we have made in the year from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018. It is through this report that we show you, our members, what we are doing and the extent to which we are fulfilling our strategic objectives. We also show you how we reflect on our performance and how we use this information to inform future decisions. Reflecting back on the year, we have a lot to celebrate. Our Organising Committees have hosted 18 knowledge-sharing events across six States. This is a considerable achievement for a small organisation, supported predominantly by volunteers. We continue to identify and share the knowledge of the leaders in the social impact measurement space. This report first highlights our vision and purpose – the direction are we heading in. After that we present headline statistics to give a snapshot of the size, breadth and activity within our network. We then dive into a bit more detail and report on outputs against goals as set out in our strategic plan, presenting a detailed review of our events. We encourage you to provide your feedback on how we are doing and how you could contribute to SIMNA. Please email us: info@simna.com.au.

Our vision is to achieve the best possible outcomes for all Australians, our communities and our environment

through the consideration of social impact measurement in decision-making by all organisations

Our purpose is to grow a vibrant network of individuals and organisations that embrace, practice,

share knowledge and promote social impact measurement

Vision Purpose

From 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018:

234 Members (all) 1500 Online Community 5 Organising Committees

Averaged 40 people per event18 Knowledge-Sharing Events Published 10 Newsletters

SIMNA Members at 30 June 2018

Individual Members

128

Small Organisations< 10 employees

14

Large Organisations> 10 employees

18

Performance Across Priority AreasHigh-level numbers only tell part of the story. In this, our second review, we continue to report predominantly on activities and outputs. Over time, we hope to see this section embedded with more data and stories that reflect our outcomes – that is, how we have influenced our members’ ability to undertake social impact measurement for decision making.

Priority Area 1: Strengthen organisational foundations. Build the essential structures, capabilities and resources where they are needed · We secured a $100k philanthropic grant ($50k per annum, for 2 years) from Equity Trustees. Payments effective from July 2018· Had the support of our contractor, Lisa McGhee (now employee) from November 2017, for ~3 days a week· Managed the members' management system to support knowledge sharing, connect members and automate new member payments · Continued to establish, test and explore different avenues for internal communication at Board and Committee level, using tools like Slack

Priority Area 2: Enable strong networks. Grow a strong international network, built around a core members network that is a conduit for information and collaboration

· Active volunteer numbers grew from 36 to 44, connecting experienced social impact measurement practitioners across the country · Instigated bi-monthly 'Committee Chair Catch-Ups' (videoconferences) · Established the Foundation Members Committee · Instigated bi-monthly 'Committee Chat' Newsletters for Committee Volunteers· Began process of centralising management of SIMNA events and finances

Performance Across Priority AreasPriority Area 3: Create platforms for knowledge sharing and capacity building. Be a hub for sharing knowledge and connecting to capacity building activities such as training and consulting · We shared 10 Newsletters to promote SIMNA events and social impact measurement news. On average, more than 30% of our community in Australia (>450 people) read each Newsletter· We formalised our partnership with Social Value International (SVI), which gives SIMNA members access to the SVI members' website with 100s of social value and SROI reports

Priority Area 4: Promote excellence in impact measurement. Build broad awareness about the importance of impact measurementand promote best-practice. · SIMNA Committees published 10 post event blogs on the SIMNA website, sharing the learnings and key take-away reflections from their events · We shared the stories of our three 2017 SIMNA Award winners through our Newsletter and website · Together with the NSW Organising Committee, we planned the 2018 SIMNA Impact Awards as a standalone event (which was held in October 2018), securing sponsorship for the event and all the awards

SIMNA Organising Committees: Review of Events

2017-18 Committee Members: Poppy Wise, Matt Bevan, Rachel Christie, Erandi Samarakoon Events:1. SIMNA Heads to Western Sydney, September 20172. How to Tell Your Story Using Social Media, December 20173. Measuring Success of Place-Based Approaches, April 2018

NSW

QLD 2017-18 Committee Members: Jerry Marston, Swain Roberts, John Dalgleish, Geoff Woolcock, Richard Hundt, Natasha Doherty, Melanie Butcher, Sara Parrott, Mike Myers, Craig Furneaux, Andrew Hamilton Events:1. 'The Christmas season is a tragedy of ever-increasing inputs and ever-dimishing outcomes', December 20172. Social Benefit Bonds - Lessons From the Front Line, March 20183. Measuring Success and Social Impact - Insights from the UK Affordable Housing Sector, June 2018

SIMNA Organising Committees: Review of Events

2017-18 Committee Members: Janine Phillips, Craig Bradbrook, Susan-Rooney Harding, Helen Sheppard, Kuntal Goswami, Michael White Events:1. Talking SROI: The What, The How, The When? July 20172. Innovation and Impact: Knowing We've Made A Difference, October 20173. Third Friday Conversations (Monthly)

SA

WA 2017-18 Committee Members: Ric Dale, Ali Sumner, Naysa Brasil Teodoro, Emma Tomkinson, Lee Partridge, Nolan Stephenson, Marilyn Royer, Jonathan Smith Events:1. Measurement Hotseat, July 20172. Measuring Impact: How the Minderoo Foundation has developed indicators and benchmarks to measure progress toward systemic change, October 20173. Evaluation Strategies for Systems Change, February 20184. What If? Exploring The Counterfactual, May 2018

SIMNA Organising Committees: Review of Events

2017-18 Committee Members: Katya Andreyeva, Marli White, Max Lynam, Jen Riley, Caroline Sanz, Maya Romic Events:1. Applying Outcomes Thinking to Public Health and Wellbeing, August 20172. The SVA Fundamentals for Impact, October 20173. Pathways to Impact Measurement, November 20174. Lessons for The Field: Client Outcomes In The Changing AOD Environment, April 20185. Actionable Impact Management, May 2018

VIC

Other In Canberra, SIMNA members organised 1. I'm Doing An Impact Evaluation, What Evidence Do I Need? in November 2017

What Next for SIMNA?

1. Strengthen Organisational Foundation: * Build the essential structures, capabilities and resources where they are needed.

2. Enable Strong Networks:* Grow a strong international network, built round a core members network that is a conduit for information andcollaboration.

3. Create platforms for Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building: * Be a hub for sharing knowledge and connecting to capacity building activities such as training and consulting.

4. Promote Excellence in Impact Measurement:* Build broad awareness about the importance of impact measurement and promote best-practice.

These objectives are the same as those outlined in the 2016-17 Annual Review. We will continue to progress these in the coming year.