plenary

MACHS

COMMON GROUND CONFERENCE

Plenary Session: Tom Gleeson, Gary Dowsett, Matthias Englebert, Pierre Monty, Norman Radican, Ricky Poole, Jules Van Kekem

Recommendations from the public forum:

Volunteering:

Recognition of minority groups who do volunteer but not recognised
Low-income people can’t afford costs of volunteering – approach Centrelink.

Work, Stress & Good Health

Work – organizations to look at group transport, better kitchen facilities
Open to job-sharing opportunities - and flexible work arrangements.
More detail provided to government on current negotiations in the public service association. A need to evaluate the processes for establishing the necessary mechanisms to respond to participant involvement in flexible work arrangements.

Engaging Men

Collaborative ventures not venues

Un (der) employment

Form a casual workers association

Masculinity and Spirituality

Experiential exploration of spirituality - creating more opportunities for that to happen.

Parenting & Fatherhood

Disciplining a child in public – does disciplining a child equal abuse? – What is the community definition of child abuse?
Challenging values, re. What is it to be a man?
Gay & Lesbian parenting – recognition.

Enterprising communities

Men’s Groups – practical activities as well as social functions

Community Action in the South

Focus on action – audit/survey of community services for men and request action
Need for "Men’s" Groups to be developed in the south
If a men’s place is to be developed investigate chargeable services that the centre could provide.