BOND UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S NETWORK

2014 ACTIVITY REPORT

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 2

OUR MISSION

Mission The Bond University Women’s Network (BUWN) seeks to be an inclusive network of women and those who value and respect women, from the Bond community. We aim to empower the women of the Bond community to connect and make a difference, instilling a sense of compassion, care and community as respected and valued members of the University. BUWN endeavours to achieve this by supporting and assisting Bond women with their own development, as well as providing a forum to promote all causes for the betterment of women and families. Most importantly, we celebrate women for all that they are and all that they do.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Wow! What a fabulous journey we had together in 2014. Under our theme of ‘Women Securing Our Future’, we learnt and shared stories about ensuring our financial health, the importance of girls’ education, protecting our identities in a digital world, preserving our heritage, improving our physical and emotional wellbeing and enhancing our research careers. We provided support to communities overseas, in the Solomon Islands and at home, and through our support of the White Ribbon Australia campaign against violence against women. During 2014, the BUWN membership has increased from approximately 70 to 291 members. Our registered membership includes current and past Bond staff, students, alumni and community members.

Our 2015 theme is ‘Pay it Forward’. I am sure that all of us have personal stories about how our life journeys have been positively impacted on by the generosity of others who have shared their experiences, provided support and advancement opportunities to us. Sometimes, it is the smallest acts of generosity that make the greatest difference to the lives of others. We encourage all members of the Bond community to ‘Pay it Forward’ in 2015 as a means of supporting Bond women with their own development and for the betterment of women and families more generally.

Another priority for us in 2015 is to further embrace Bond Alumni, students and our male colleagues. We would love to hear your suggestions about how we can ensure that we are as inclusive as possible. Thank you again for your support in 2014 and I am sure that our continuing momentum will ensure yet another exceptional year for BUWN.

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 3

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The 2014 committee was comprised of:

Chair Keitha Dunstan

Pathways & Partnerships Sharon Solyma (Jessica Webb)

Academic Simone Kelly

Terri Mottershead

Professional Staff Carolyn Tudehope

Felicity Simpson

Students Ashley Stark

Jessica Budd

Secretary Vesna Bragagnolo

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 4

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

BUWN Website

• A refreshed BUWN Website • An updated BUWN Committee Membership • Regular BUWN News items • A new BUWN Events page • An online BUWN Membership Registration page

BUWN Occasional Collection Newsletter

• Launch of a BUWN members newsletter • 15 newsletters distributed in 2015

BUWN Community Support

• Iumi Tegeda Solomon Islands Project – donation project and raffle • White Ribbon Australia Campaign – donations

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 5

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

BUWN Women in our Community Facebook

• Launch of a BUWN Facebook site • 173 pages likes

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 6

2014 EVENTS

March 7th BUWN International Women’s Day Morning Tea

The first event of the year celebrated International Women’s Day and introduced our new 2014 Committee. A morning tea for staff and students held at the University Club was well received with approximately 70 members attending the event.

June 26th BUWN Breakfast Seminar – Sustainable and Stress Free Financial Health

The first of our breakfast seminars was presented by Dr Simone Kelly on the topic ‘Sustainable and Stress Free Financial Health’ with approximately 59 members attendance. Dr Kelly’s presentation highlighted the importance to women of focusing on making sound financial decisions to determine their future, rather than their future determining their decisions.

September 19th BUWN Speak up Forum – Women Securing our Future

The inaugural Speak Up Forum entitled ‘Women Securing our Future’ focused on women's personal security, health and wellbeing, and their environment. The three keynote speakers included Senior Constable Kathryn Collins - Fraud and Cyber Crime Group, Queensland Police Service, Dr Deborah Wilmoth - Clinical Director, Faculty of Society and Design and Dr Lynne Armitage - Associate Professor, Faculty of Society and Design. The MC for the event, Bond Student Sophie West, represented the Iumi Tugeda Solomon Islands Project and provided a interesting outline about the work of the student group and how it is making a difference within the Kirakira Solomon Islands community. The event had

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 7

approximately 102 attendees with fundraising activities raising money for this student group.

October 17th BUWN Women in Research Breakfast Seminar

With presentations by Drs Tamara Zunker, Katrina Bramstedt and Vicki Bitsika approximately 61 members were in attendance to receive personal insight into a group of women and their experience in pursuing a career in research. The seminar also provided an overview of the projects that are currently being undertaken at Bond University and ran in conjunction with Research Week 2014, celebrating those involved in world-class research and innovation.

December 8th BUWN White Christmas High Tea

Our final event of the year saw approximately 100 members review the year and share personal and professional highlights over a glass (or two) of champagne at the University Club. The focus of the event was to raise funds for White Ribbon Australia, an organisation focused on stopping violence against women. The event encouraged the men in our community to join in raising awareness as well and being part of the movement towards positive change.

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 8

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE

The Revenue raised and Expenditures made during 2014 are as follows:

BUWN Revenue – Sponsorship and Donations Bond University

- Pathways and Partnerships $6,043 - Office of Research Services $1,000 - Events $80

Office Max $3,250 Aon Hewitt $500 Lynda.com $75 Billabong $275 Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts $100 Financially Fabulous $200 Woman Kind $125 Queensland Police Service – Fraud & Cyber Crime Group $50 Lexmark $100 Total Revenue $11,798

BUWN Expenditure International Women’s Day Morning Tea $528 Sustainable & Stress Free Financial Health Breakfast Seminar $1,138 Speak Up Forum

- Gift Bags $2,500 - Catering $2,313 - Prizes $885 - Tea and Coffee $750

Women in Research Breakfast Seminar $1,285 White Christmas High Tea $2,299 Total Expenditure $11,798

Funds Raised at BUWN Events For Iumi Tugeda Solomon Islands Project at the Speak Up Forum $900 For White Ribbon at the White Christmas High Tea $347 Total Funds Donated $1,247

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 9

CLOSE

The 2015 committee is comprised of:

Chair Keitha Dunstan

Corporate Sharon Solyma (Jessica Webb)

Academic Staff Simone Kelly

Vacant

Professional Staff Carolyn Tudehope

Vacant

Students Ashley Stark

Jacqui McGrath

Alumni Vacant

Vacant

Secretary Vesna Bragagnolo

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 10

2015 PROPOSED EVENTS

Date Event Description 6 March International Women’s Day

Cocktail Party A cocktail party will be held at the ADCO Amphitheatre with guest speaker Leann Wilson, Bond University Indigenous Fellow & General Manager of Regional Economic Solutions to launch our ‘Pay it Forward’ 2015 theme. Leann will be speaking about her life journey, her career success and how she is paying it forward. The student charities for this event will be the Bond University Student Orchestra and the Bond University Women’s Welfare Society.

April/May Corrigan Walk and Morning Tea

A perfect opportunity to showcase the magnificent indigenous artwork housed at Bond University. The tour leaders will provide insight into the artist and their community. This will be followed by an informal morning tea. The proposed student charity for this event is Bond University Kununurra Project.

June Breakfast Seminar focusing on the importance of taking care of our physical self and how this plays a vital role in protecting our family and community.

Presentations by health professionals focussing on the importance of Breast and Bowel Screening. The proposed student charity for this event is Bond University Nutrition and Dietetics Group.

September Pay It Forward Forum Guest speakers sharing their stories about how the generosity of others has inspired them and how they are using the success in their lives to pay it forward. Speakers will include a Bond Alumnus, staff member and an external speaker. This will include a Q&A session, followed by a cocktail function. The proposed student charity for this event is yet to be determined.

October Women in Research A breakfast seminar showcasing our female researchers. The proposed student charity for this event is yet to be determined.

25 November White Christmas High Tea Our final event will be a High Tea where members can reflect on the year and share their visions for 2016. White Ribbon Australia is the charity focus for this event and the High Tea will coincide with the official White Ribbon Day.

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 11

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Membership of the Steering Committee BUWN activities are coordinated by a Steering Committee including corporate and appointed members.

Corporate • Vice-Chancellor’s Representative (Liaison with VC and UMC) • Pathways and Partnership Representative (Budget and Women’s

Strategy)

Appointed • Two Academic Staff members • Two General Staff members • Two Students (Preferably a postgraduate and an undergraduate

student) representing Bond University Young Women’s Network • Two Alumni members

The Committee is able to co-opt others as required.

Term When a vacancy arises BUWN will ask for expressions of interest. Where there is more than one nominee, committee members will vote on the appointment. Each member will be appointed for a period of two years.

Working Groups Will be formed on a project basis and will consist of members drawn from the Bond University Community. Makeup of the working groups will be determined by the nature of the project at hand

Procedures Membership Members to be recorded and maintained.

Terms of Reference To be reviewed regularly.

BUWN Report Reports to be tabled at UMC every twelve months.

Business Plan An annual action plan is to be prepared detailing network activities.

Finance An annual revenue and expenditure statement will be prepared in accordance with the Bond University policies and procedures.

BUWN Activity Report 2014 Page 12

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.

Eleanor Roosevelt