Red Leather #63 - special edition

Welcome to this special edition of Red Leather. I don't do these often, but I wanted to let you know about 2 opportunities that need your input right now.

Do you know of local community organisations that need money for small, medium or big infrastructure programs? Each electorate in NSW is eligible to apply for up to $400,000 for local infrastructure programs. For details see below - applications close 10 August so you need to act now.

The second is an event I am organising on 4 September at Parliament House. There will be a one day conference on how new technologies (known as Web 2.0) can improve collaboration and participation and help to deliver better government in NSW. This event will be held online as well as at Parliament House.

I've provided an outline below of both these initiatives. If you need any more information, please contact my office.

Regards
Penny

1. The NSW Community Building Partnership program

As part of the 2009-10 State Budget, the Rees Government introduced the $35 million Community Building Partnership program.

The program will provide funds for local councils and not-for-profit organisations such as charities, sporting, social and environmental groups for the building of local community projects that will help support local infrastructure and jobs and deliver positive results for the community.

Between $300,000 and $400,000 will be invested in every electoral district to stimulate local economies and jobs in local areas.

For more information and an application pack please have a look at the Community Building Partnership website: www.communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au.

Or for any questions you may have about eligibility or any other aspect of the program you can email cbp_enquiries [at] communitybuildingpartnership [dot] nsw [dot] gov [dot] au or phone the government's enquiry line on (02) 9228 4232.

2. NSW Sphere - Gov 2.0 in NSW

On 4 September 2009, I will be hosting a special event in the NSW Parliament Theatrette.

Inspired by the PublicSphere events run by Senator Kate Lundy, NSWsphere will have a range of speakers and panels that exploring how Web 2.0 has the power to transform our models of democracy at a state level, as well as improving collaboration, participation and service delivery in NSW.

New technologies are already changing the way individuals connect and interact with the state as well as how we connect and interact with each other. It's time for us to discuss what that can mean for our governments and our parliaments.

We want your ideas, your input and your participation.

To get involved: check out the NSW Sphere page on my website, post on Twitter with the hashtag #nswsphere. If you're interested in giving a (maximum) 15 minute talk, or would like to get involved in any other way Cathy [dot] brown [at] parliament [dot] nsw [dot] gov [dot] au in my office.

When: Friday 4 September 2009, 9 for a 9.30am start  till 4pm.
Where: Parliament House, Macquarie St Sydney - full details on the RSVP page.