Anna Howarth, Microsoft Australia, Philanthropies Manager, one of the judging panel members, presents Nan with her award.
ASCCA’s President Nan Bosler OAM – a Winner at 2017 Australian NFP Technology Awards
Nan Bosler was one of six inspirational winners; both individuals and organisations, to be recognised at the 2017 Australian not-for-profit Technology Awards Dinner which was hosted by Connecting Up Australia at the Hawthorn Arts Centre in Melbourne on 4th May 2017. These Awards are held to highlight the achievements of the not-for-profit sector in Australia.
Nan’s Award, the “Not-For-Profit Technology Lifetime Service Award” was given to “Recognise and celebrate the outstanding commitment and service by an individual working in a technology-related role in the not-for-profit sector over a significant period of time.” As the volunteer President and founder of the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA) in 1998, Nan was building upon 50 years as a NFP volunteer and innovator of new ideas to support her community.
In all her volunteer pursuits Nan has always demonstrated her unselfish approach towards achieving a desirable outcome for her fellow Australians and has eagerly embraced new ideas and technologies.
Her contagious enthusiasm has always promoted co-operation and success through her encouragement and participation in unselfish team-work to achieve the ideals of ASCCA and the many other not for profit organisations she actively supports.
Nan has embraced technology to create opportunities for countless Australians regardless of age, gender, educational opportunities or abilities, geographic location, affluence or cultural background and simply cannot contain her enthusiasm or resist the opportunity to assist all disadvantaged people.
Towards her life-time humanitarian goal of social inclusion Nan’s enduring commitment to the Australian community has embraced her paid employments and extensive voluntary work.
Everyone involved with ASCCA is excited with this award to recognise our amazing and generous volunteer President Nan, who has been an inspiration and a mentor to so many of us in our lives and in our own volunteering work. Congratulations and thank you for everything Nan.
The Award for “Social Media Campaign of the Year” was given to Melanoma Patients Australia for the most effective and innovative use of social media by a not-for-profit organisation, for their unique digital advertising campaign, ‘Melanoma Likes Me’.
“Using Technology to Connect to the Community Award - Best Government Agency”. This award was won by the National Disability Insurance Agency. Through their website, the NDIA provide critical information about the NDIS for people with disability, families and carers, participants, providers, and communities. The website also contains videos, stories, factsheets and publications to support people during the rollout of the scheme.
The award for “Not-For-Profit Technology Innovator of the Year” recognised Holyoake as the not-for-profit organisation which best showcased innovation through the use of technology. Holyoake developed the social enterprise DRUMBEAT® - Discovering Relationships Using Music - Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes & Thoughts and DRUMBEAT Quest® - the world’s first video game for social and emotional learning incorporating the latest neuroscience on emotional regulation and rhythm.
Cathy Kirwan, research manager at Strategic Grants with Holyoake CEO Angie Paskevicius.
“Using Technology to Connect to the Community Award - Best Small/Medium Enterprise (SME)”. This award recognised the highly-valued contribution of two finalists at the award dinner. Evolve IT Australia was recognised for the provision of IT service support to businesses and not-for-profit organisations across Australia, including a private cloud product and service that specialises in Aboriginal ICT support. Also gaining recognition was Vollie - for their work connecting with not-for-profit organisations and engaging with skills-based volunteer professionals to help not-for-profits move projects forward.
The award for “Technology Volunteer of the Year” went to Damian Marken, Volunteer at The Compassionate Friends Victoria. This not-for-profit organisation supports parents and siblings following the death of a child in a family. Damien used technology to help Compassionate Friends meet the needs of both the organisation and the grieving parents. His work in building a completely new website and improvements in social media was recognised for the positive impact it provided to those experiencing overwhelming grief.
David Locke,Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, Assistant Commissioner with Damian Marken, Volunteer at The Compassionate Friends Victoria
Guests also heard from several key speakers on the night, provided another perspective on the role of technology in the sector. Mel Yates, Reporting and Red Tape Reduction Director for the ACNC delivered the official opening address while Mark Kulinski, Chief Executive of Community Living Australia talked about the importance of technology for people with disability.
Connecting Up, Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that works to unleash the power of other not-for-profit organisations through technology and by providing a variety of information, products, resources and programs, to connect the not-for-profit sector to the right tools and capabilities they need to fulfill their mission.
Connecting Up's services are available in Australia, New Zealand and throughout South East Asia. In addition, Connecting Up also help to develop relationships with business, community and government sectors for the development of the not-for-profit sector.
Congratulations to all the winners and to all Volunteers who make a difference.
Report by Joan Craymer, Editor of the ASCCA newsletter in June 2017 Issue.
Visit Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association: www.ascca.org.au