Consultants for Neighbourhood Houses

Helen Rodd

Helen has worked at the intersections of community, youth, education, migrant/refugee, disability sectors for over 30 years. She has lectured and practiced Community Development and Youth Work in various settings, including a stint as a NH Coordinator. She continues her commitment to NH sector by volunteering on projects and sitting on Committees of Governance since being roped into the committee at her local NH in 2005.

She runs her own organisation called Hot House Community Projects (https://www.hothouseprojects.org/ ) that focusses on strengthening four areas: Community Development, Community-based Governance; Community Research and Community Leadership. Helen’s life’s pursuit is facilitating generational change and building strong, inclusive, equitable and compassionate communities that enable all, in the beautiful diversity and chaos of community, to thrive.

Helen specialises in the areas of Strategic Planning, Policy Development, Governance and Grant writing.

Mary Francis

Protean Thinking is a consultancy that provides a range of custom services for your organisation.

My name is Mary Francis, I have extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector across a range of Social Enterprises and Community based organisations. I have expertise in leading these organisations through accreditation programs such as ASES (Australian Service Excellence Standard, program designed for Community Service excellence) and AGPAL (Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited). In addition, I have successfully attracted new programs and services to enhance performance and  community outcomes, attracted funders via grants, tenders and social enterprise opportunities, driven strategic planning, created and delivered projects, led teams and empowered staff and volunteers to achieve their personal best.

These practical skills, along with knowledge gained from undertaking a M.B.A. (Entrepreneurship), Training and Assessment and my passion to create lasting impact via the work we do, ensure that I can value add to your organisation and wider community.

Protean Thinking epitomises versatility, diversity and courage, these are the core values required to create and sustain change and drive positive growth.

Some of the services on offer are;

• Strategic Planning,
• Governance advice,
• Policy development and implementation
• Project development and management
• Facilitation
• Grant/Tender writing
• Staff and volunteer training and mentorship