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National NILS conference 2015
WORKSHOPS Day 1 - ROUND ONE
1) Doing More with Data
This workshop will explore the ways in which both internal and external data can help inform
and build a more robust NILS program. We will explore:



where to find meaningful internal and external data
how to identify trends
how to use that data to develop more targeted policies and procedures, marketing
materials, funding applications and more
We will examine statistics and demographics from half-yearly reports and Currently Not
Paying and Write-Off Summaries for examples of internal data and use the Australian
Bureau of Statistics, ACOSS and other sources of external data to help build a more detailed
picture of your community to ensure you best serve their needs.
2) Centrelink Tools & Resources
For 84% of NILS clients their only income comes from Centrelink. Many of you would
interact with Centrelink and Centrepay on a regular basis. Join this workshop to find out
what tools and resources are available through Centrelink to make your job easier. This is
also a chance for you to ask questions direct to Centrelink staff.
3) What’s in Your Advocacy Toolkit?
Following on from the plenary session ‘Q&A: Game of Loans’, learn about practical tools that
you can use to promote campaigns like payday lending in your local community. You’ll hear
about ways that you advocate to create positive change that supports people on low
incomes through the use of media relations, social media and stakeholder engagement.
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4) Customer hardship
What actions are the major companies taking to support customers experiencing financial
hardship in Australia? Join this workshop to discuss some of the challenges, barriers and
successes of the customer hardship programs for major corporates including
representatives from banks, energy companies, the water sector and telcos. Find out how
you can play a role in increasing the awareness of hardship teams among your clients and
reducing the barriers to access. This is also an opportunity for you to bring your feedback
and ideas to inform these customer hardship programs.
5) The Good and the Governed
Good governance is hard to define but you will know it when you see it. We all have a
responsibility to our partners and clients and to the community at large to operate our NILS
program with a high level of good governance and accountability. Join this workshop to find
out what good governance looks like and why you need it. You will leave the session with a
self-assessment checklist and concrete actions you can take to improve your NILS
program’s governance and performance.
6. Showcasing Strong Programs
An entertaining video based workshop from NILS programs sharing best practice ideas
throughout the life cycle of a NILS loan e.g. building rapport in the interview stage, ensuring
the best decisions from your Loan Assessment Committee, working within your community.
This is an interactive session where you can share your thoughts about what makes your
program strong and ask questions of the showcased programs.
WORKSHOPS Day 2 – ROUND TWO
1. HELP – Health Enhancement for Living Program (double
session)
The Health Enhancement for Living Program is based on the Health Enhancement Program
developed at Monash University School of Medicine. It builds resilience, improves
performance, reduces stress, and supports staff health and wellbeing.
Stress is the most significant psychological hazard in the workplace, affecting people's
mental and physical wellbeing.
In this workshop will we find effective strategies to this major issue confronting workers
everywhere.
2. The Power of Social Media
Is social media the most powerful form of marketing and public relations that the world has
ever seen? This is an opportunity to hear how one accounting body become the most
influential Australian brand on Linkedin. Learn from the best about how you can use social
media to reach more clients, promote your organisation and create positive change.
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3. Talking Money
Talking about money isn't comfortable for many people, but NILS workers have to do this on
a daily basis. Join this workshop to share your experience, learn how to
make budget conversations easier and ask hard questions in a non-judgemental way.
4. The Accidental Counsellor
The Accidental Counsellor workshop is a practical mental health workshop that teaches
basic counselling skills and principles to people who are not trained counsellors but often
find themselves in a “counselling” role by accident.
Learn how to:
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
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Maintain your own resilience and wellbeing
Communicate and connect with clients while maintain appropriate boundaries
Influence a solutions-focussed mindset with clients
5. Doing More with Data (Repeat of Round 1 Workshop)
This workshop will explore the ways in which both internal and external data can help inform
and build a more robust NILS program. We will explore:



where to find meaningful internal and external data
how to identify trends
how to use that data to develop more targeted policies and procedures, marketing
materials, funding applications and more
We will examine statistics and demographics from half-yearly reports and Currently Not
Paying and Write-Off Summaries for examples of internal data and use the Australian
Bureau of Statistics, ACOSS and other sources of external data to help build a more detailed
picture of your community to ensure you best serve their needs.
6. Communities of Practice – Turning Conversation into
Collaboration
A community of practice is a group who shares a common concern or passion for something
they do, and together they share knowledge and information to enhance learning and
practice.
Do you work with a focus on any of the following groups?
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Victims of domestic violence
Indigenous communities
Refugee and CaLD groups
Join one of our communities of practice facilitated discussions and start sharing and
collaborating with others in similar roles
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WORKSHOPS Day 2 – ROUND THREE
1. Energy Conversations
How do we talk comfortably and knowledgably to clients about energy?
This workshop crosses electricity, gas and water costs, with participants taught how to help
clients decode bills, choose a better deal, find out about concessions and understand
hardship programs.
You will also learn about where energy is used in households and how to save money
through the principles of energy efficiency.
On completion, participants should be better able to support their clients to take control of
their energy and water expenses. They will be better equipped to spot billing errors and to
offer information about the likely causes of large bills.
2. Talk 5x5
Talk5x5 is your opportunity to shine. Share your inclusive finance dreams and aspirations on
five slides in five minutes. You’ll have the floor all to yourself to speak about a topic that
you’re really passionate about - it's a unique opportunity to inform your peers. Ideas to think
about include:
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What would you really like to change?
Can you share a powerful client story?
What can we learn from overseas microfinance programs?
What’s happening in inclusive finance in your local community?
Remember five slides in five minutes. Nominate your topic and we’ll announce the selected
topics on Monday 1 June.
3. The Accidental Counsellor (Repeat of Round 2
Workshop)
The Accidental Counsellor workshop is a practical mental health workshop that teaches
basic counselling skills and principles to people who are not trained counsellors but often
find themselves in a “counselling” role by accident.
Learn how to:
 Maintain your own resilience and wellbeing
 Communicate and connect with clients while maintain appropriate boundaries
 Influence a solutions-focussed mindset with clients
4. The Good and the Governed (Repeat of Round 1
Workshop)
Good governance is hard to define but you will know it when you see it. We all have a
responsibility to our partners and clients and to the community at large to operate our NILS
program with a high level of good governance and accountability. Join this workshop to find
out what good governance looks like and why you need it. You will leave the session with a
self-assessment checklist and concrete actions you can take to improve your NILS
program’s governance and performance.
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5. Women and Financial Resilience
A special briefing on the findings of an Australian Research Council funded project that
explored the drivers that underpin women’s attitudes towards money and their money
management behaviour.
This workshop will explore some of the key themes from the research including how mothers
have the most influence in passing on financial lessons to their children. Childhood
experiences – either negative or positive - have long-lasting effects on how adults view
money and how they use it.
This ground breaking research will give you some insights which help to explain what drives
the financial behaviours of many of your clients.
6. HELP – Health Enhancement for Living Program (double
session continued from round 2)
The Health Enhancement for Living Program is based on the Health Enhancement Program
developed at Monash University School of Medicine. It builds resilience, improves
performance, reduces stress, and supports staff health and wellbeing.
Stress is the most significant psychological hazard in the workplace, affecting people's
mental and physical wellbeing.
In this workshop will we find effective strategies to this major issue confronting workers
everywhere.
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